Around and around the mulberry bush....

This block was nice and easy... What I learned this week is that the original placement of the light and dark triangles that make up the half square are the key to the direction of spin the star takes on....

week 36

Managing to keep caught up :-)

week 28

And now I'm all caught up :-)

Envelope Motif back from week 28 in early July done!

week 29

Another one caught up on :-)

Working with HST's has become straight forward...

week 30

Hearth and Home, done.... a little late, but done :-)

week 31

yet another challenge block completed... back from week 31.... Queen Charlotte's Crown

week 34

Last week's block -- Rally 'Round.

I'm really pleased with how all the spots aligned in this block... I had to tear back a little (a couple of the HST in the corner blocks were backwards when I went to assemble) but it came together well.

catch up -- week 33

Playing catch up :-) This one is Northumberland star from week 33...

The biggest problem with this one I think, is I followed the directions to press the seams to the darker fabric -- meaning that in some spots there was an abnormal amount of bulk. Another time, when I don't know just where the directions are going to make my own pressing plans, I think I'll try pressing them open.

Ah well. Its not bad and its done.

Castle in the Air

I managed to get back into the groove and actually did this week's block!

The photo lies, it really is square.

I love how the points all worked so perfectly. Its wonderful to be able to make the block as neatly as I want to :-)

rearranged week 32

I went for a different arrangement of the flying geese than this week's block pattern :-)

I did however make the geese using the instructions for the block and all I can say is "Wow, What an easy way of making flying geese!"

This block finished about 1/4 inch small, and given that I used my "new to me" featherweight for it I'm pleased. There are no markings on the throat plate and I'm still learning to judge the seam allowance, so coupled with a new technique for making flying geese, all turned out fine...

So far behind

I'm several weeks behind in doing blocks -- and I might catch up, and I may just say it was a holiday and move forward. I'm undecided at this point, though leaning heavily to the later given the purpose of this challenge in my life :-)

This week's block I made using my new Singer Featherweight :-) First sewing I've done on it, and yup, I'm in love.

I'm thinking doing the Friday blocks on it will give me practise and help me become familiar with it, but if this block is any indication it shouldn't take long!

don't faint!

It's utterly amazing -- I did this week's block challenge the day it was issued! I have no idea what came over me, but done it is :-)

I followed the direction from Quilter's Cache, and was extra careful with the bias edges. I didn't finger press, only setting a hot iron down on the seams when absolutely necessary, never moving it while down... and it worked!! After cutting the pieces I didn't trim anywhere during or after the construction process... well, OK I lie a little -- I trimmed off the "extra bits" from sewing diagonal seams where they poked out along the edges when I was all done the block, but otherwise I didn't trim at all -- and the block is the size it was supposed to be; and the points worked; and it didn't take forever :-)

week 26

Week 26's block is done, with time to spare :-) Went together like a charm, and turned out rather cute I think...

I did notice when viewing the picture as a thumbnail on my computer the yellow forms a larger pinwheelish shape all of its own, with the "Z cross" part an interesting centre... Wish it didn't disappear before my eyes when the picture is larger...

under the wire

looking at the points I created, or actually the "wanta be points" I'm thinking I should have actually used the measurements in the instructions :-) In my usual fashion I cut a quarter inch larger, with the plan to trim, but that doesn't work so well unless you trim at each and every stage. Sigh.

You'll also notice I put the four quadrants in the wrong direction -- ah well, no worries. :-)

Done early!

I did this week's block, and before it was time for next week's block! :-) Granted, I've had problems all day remembering if its Wednesday or Thursday, and when I started the block I was pretty sure it was Thursday and I needed to get it done before I chose next week's block, but here it is early :-)

All I can say is blech. The asymmetry caused by the checkerboard along the side drives me crazy. I checked the pattern and its as intended, but I'd never do another of these. Ah well. 'tis done now.

Caught up! :-)

I must be finding my centre of balance again, as I got into the quilting studio and actually did something more than move fabric around and think!

I did this week's block, 1941 nine patch, which I found quite boring, and then went back and got week 21's block, Hayes' corner done too. I've decided to simply skip week 22's block (starflower) since I really did it when I made a variation of Dakota Gold weeks ago. So now I'm all caught up :-)

I've also made some decisions about this block challenge for myself -- I'm going to sandwich each of these blocks and quilt them in the next while -- completely independently of each other. And then try to assemble these prequilted blocks into quilt tops... I've read the instructions for "quilt as you go" type quilts, and think this'll provide a great low stress chance to try that technique too. If it doesn't work well, they're only sample blocks, made for another purpose, not lots of time and effort invested into a specific planned quilt. :-)

yuk, bleck, icky...

what more can I say...

I wasn't thrilled with this week's pattern, then I pulled fabrics that would "do" from the precuts and tried to get it done when very tired... only to find out the original peices weren't cut true to size, so all I can say is yuk, bleck, icky.... but done....

another way to make it...

As I looked at my Union square block I think there was an easier way to make this than the instructions given... (I know not that surprising!)... rather than add a border around a square within a square you could make four hourglass blocks, a centre square, and then the four corner areas (made of 2 smaller squares and 2 half square triangles)... just a thought that might help someone...

mottled block

I managed to focus and get to this week's block done before the tail end of the week :-)

I'm thrilled with how it turned out -- no unsewing of seams or other struggles. I did slow down and take my time, but it sure paid off!

Quiltpixie's pinwheel or flyfoot

I managed to get this week's block done under the wire again :-) I like hosting this challenge, as when i went to sort the block out for the upcoming week I realized I hadn't gotten to this week's, and was able to push myself to focus and get it done before drawing the block for next week... Generally I'm not good at working close to a deadline, but it seems to be becoming a habit with these. On the other hand, I'm getting them done which was the goal!

I'd say the blocks are getting easier, but I'd rather think its the practise paying off. No lopped off points, not stretched out of square -- the only "oops" this week was I didn't pay attention t the directions seams should be pressed and there are a few I had to fold on the back. Guess I'll learn to attend to that as well soon too :-)