Betsy's Best .....quilts and more: January 2018

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

It's been great...Week 48 Moda BlockHeads Honeymoon by Carrie Nelson

Wow...48 weeks of weekly posts for Moda BlockHeads...It's a wrap. I hope you all have enjoyed this block of the week as much as I have. While we are wrapping up our 6" blocks, we are sharing our setting plans today.

Question of the Week....Since we are sharing settings, 'fess up. Is you quilt finished? or do you just have blocks and a plan?

I haven't stitched a thing on the quilt, just a gal with a plan. You will find the plan below. Since we are 'fessing up, I rarely plan a setting in advance. I may have already mentioned that is a previous post. I like to see the blocks assembled on the design wall and go from there to pick fabrics, colors, alternate squares or alternate blocks, or sashing and cornerstones. Fabric speaks to me, does it to you? It will say 'no way', or 'yes, please'. I do have an idea of the fabrics for the setting as I type, but things can change, especially with me!!!

Here is my version of the last block, Week 48 Honeymoon by Carrie Nelson.

Thank you Carrie for all your blocks and for all the work you have done for us to make BlockHeads such a success.

Have you noticed favorite fabric combinations as I've made blocks? I certainly hope they all will look wonderful together. Blue - red - brown. Red - yellow - brown. Green - brown. Ok, no more brown... Chocolates!

Click here for Carrie's pattern on Moda's Blog.

Please visit my friends' blogs to see what Jo, Lisa, Lynne and Jan have made this week,

and to see their settings. Links below.

And now, one last 3" Mini Penny block...Confetti.

Throughout BlockHeads, I have kept a box, or 2, of scraps and scrap parts, like half square triangles.

I looked through the box and had enough odd size HSTs to make 4 1/2 pinwheels. I made 2 more HSTs and pieced 1/2" finished triangle units together. Yes, 1/2" finished. I trimmed all HSTs to 1".

Should you want to make Confetti from scratch, cut 10 light and 10 dark squares 1 1/2". Stitch to make HSTs and trim to 1". . Arrange units as you like and sew together to make pinwheels. The pinwheels should measure 1 1/2". Set the together with 4 - 1 1/2" squares.

Block should measure 3 1/2" for a 3" finished block.

Throw some confetti and celebrate.

As for the 3" blocks, set them as you like, or wait for me to decide how I want to put these adorable blocks together. I know I have more than 48, but haven't counted. I've been thinking of a setting, but nothing yet, is saying go for it. Stay tuned.

Here is my BlockHead stack!

and here is my stack with sketch of setting...

I love graph paper.

If you would like to see the full setting,

click here.

Just had to share...recent picture of Mr. Reed, 8 months. Just look at those cheeks! And that hat! A Christmas gift from MIMI. He looks rather dapper. and loves looking at himself for the selfie.

So, my friends it has been fun being on this journey with you. I may be quiet for a while to take care of some deadlines but do want to say, that just in case you haven't had all the fun you can stand, there just may be something exciting coming. So, stay tuned.

Happy Sewing!

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Lynne -
Blog - http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/

Betsy -
Blog - http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/betsy.chutchian
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Lisa B -
Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Wednesday, January 24, 2018

Week 47 Moda Block Heads Starry 9 Patch by Lisa Bongean

Welcome to Wednesday, BlockHead day! Number 47! One to go and we will be done! What a great block number 47 is....Thanks Lisa! In fact they have all been great blocks! I've had a ball making these, hope you have as well.

Question of the Week... Now that we are nearing the end...if you could start your blocks and quilt over again, is there anything you would have done different? I'm really happy with the palette of my blocks, so no changes there. I do wish I had planned a setting in advance, or at least very early on. In my defense, however, I almost never plan a setting in advance!!!

Here is my version of Lisa's block....

Click here for the link to Lisa's blog and pattern.

This block was fun to make. I liked the added dark triangle in the points...it's different. When sewing together the two triangles to make the star points, press that seam open....my one tip for this block.

Be sure to visit all my friends, links below, to see what they have made this week.

Thank you Lisa, for all of your blocks!

For my 3" block this time I chose to keep the 9 patch block going but made 4 - 1" finished 4 patches to do something a little different.

You may wish to change up you placement of the 4 Patches, so here is basic cutting...

5 - 1 1/2" squares light print

1" light strips, 1" dark strips

(I used several short strips to prevent the curved thing that sometimes happens when pressing strips.)

Sew lengths of strips together and press to dark strip. Cut apart in 1" increments. And, then sew those together to make 1" finished 4 patches. So tiny and sweet! Assemble into a 9 Patch block that measures 3 1/2" for a 3" finished block.

Lots going on here. Not too long ago I was at retreat sewing on just ONE project, that I still can't show and this week and next, it's one deadline after another. I told my daughter the other day when she asked why everything comes at the same time, "It's the Law, it's just the law." When it rains, it pours. Of course something gets delayed or unfortunately forgotten. I'm trying my best to remember everything, at least everything I have remembered to write down!

Happy Sewing!

Next week is our last week! I can't believe it.

Take care...

Until next time,

~ Betsy

Lisa B -
Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Week 46 Moda BlockHeads Cat and Dog by Jan Patek

Week 46! Two blocks to go! This week is a cute applique from Jan Patek. Before I get to the pattern, I need to explain why the link didn't work to send you to Jo's pattern....I wrote the blog early, before going on retreat. I tested and thought everything was ok and set it to post. I thought things were fine until a message came to me saying that it did not work. At this retreat the devices might as well be left at home. Internet service is awful. And, for some reason, even if it did work, I can't post from the iPhone or iPad to the blog. For these very reasons, I always post the contact info a the bottom of the page with each BlockHead blog so you can reach all of us. Hope it did not cause too much confusion or problems, my apologies.

Question of the Week....When you stitch, hand or machine, do you listen to anything? Music, podcasts, audiobooks, television, or Netflix?

Netflix when in the sewing room. Television when hand stitching. For hand stitching, a binge of shows or a movie or regular programming is fine with me. I stitch in the living room and can watch with my husband, but only if we agree to watch the same show!

Thank you Jan for including a dog and a cat! I'm a cat person, and have 2, Molly and Hudson. Black and white tuxedo cats, siblings from 2 litters, and had same mom and same dad. Neither would forgive me if I included the dog....so I stitched 2 kitties...

You might want 2 dogs!

Click Here for Jan's pattern.

The black prints are from Evelyn's Homestead which will be arriving in shops in March. Background is from Rachel Remembered.

3" Mini Penny block is a Cat and Mouse variation, simplified because of the size.

To make this block, cut 5 black squares and 4 gray, or 2nd black print, 1 1/4".

Cut 1 cream square 4", cut again in an X and 2 cream squares 1 1/2" cut again /.

Cream parts are oversized.

Sew squares as shown, add cream triangles to sides of units with 2 squares, and sew to sides of center section.

Press and trim block to 3 1/2" before adding corner triangles. Press well and trim corners for block to measure 3 1/2" for a 3" block.

Please visit my friends, links below, to see what they have made.

Here is what I made at retreat. I've never worked on just one quilt at a retreat...it was intense. You will have quite a wait to see this beauty, so stay tuned!
1000s of seams!!! and I enjoyed every one! :-)

Until next time,
~ Betsy

Lisa B -
Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Wednesday, January 10, 2018

Week 45 Moda BlockHeads Double Dutch by Jo Morton

Ok here we go with Week 45 Moda BlockHeads! 45! 3 blocks to go! How are you doing ? Are you caught up? I am totally shocked that I've been able to keep up. The weekly pace suits me. Hope you are still with us and enjoying the journey.

Question of the Week....Do you have any exciting plans or adventures on your calendar for 2018?

Well, as a matter of fact, an exciting year awaits me....maybe you can join me! February 1 and 2 I'll be in Athens, Alabama at the Dixie Stitchers Quilt Guild. March I'll be teaching at Greenbriar Retreat Center (full). In April I fly to FRANCE! 2 days in Paris, then on to Nantes for the quilt show Pour l'Amour du Fil www.pourlamourdufil.com April 25th-28 for my Quiltmania book debut. Home for 2 weeks then on to Portland in May for Quilt Market and then teaching outside Seattle for 2 shops (details to come). 2 guild trips in June, Duncan, Oklahoma and Ozark Quilt Guild in Springfield, Missouri. Shops in Iowa and Nebraska in September (details to come), then niece's wedding, Dallas Quilt Guild (unconfirmed) in October. Quilt Market in Houston in November. I think that is all. Haven't had such a busy year in a long, long time. If you are near where I will be, I'd love to see you!

This week's pattern is from Jo and what a fun pattern it is to make!

Click here for Jo's pattern on her blog.

I trimmed the large geese to measure 2" x 3 1/2"

and small geese to 1 1/4" x 1 3/4"

Thanks Jo!

Please visit my friends (links below) to see what they have made this week.

Here is a cutie! 3" Mini Penny block

Make flying geese units using the same method as in our instructions. To make working with the tiny geese a little easier, I cut geese rectangles 1 5/8" x 2 5/8" and background squares 1 5/8"

Once made, trim geese units to 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Cut center square 1 1/2"

You will start sewing long side to center square with a partial seam, then add each long side of geese unit. Tricky part is the final seam to meet your first partial seam. It's tedious there, because of such small block, but sew worth it!

Love these blocks!

Want to join me in France???

One more thing to do....Do you like a quilt challenge? Do you like prizes? Go to Annette Plog's blog to learn more about the One Block Challenge she is hosting with 3 Moda designers. Look for her post detailing the rules. One Block Challenge and I'm the first designer! I chose the Double T block, a long time favorite block. Here is one of the reasons why I love it...one of the first antique quilts I purchased in the 1990s. I reproduced this quilt with a pink setting for my book Gone to Texas....I think T is for Texas, or for anything really that starts with a T!

I hope you join in the fun.

Can't wait to see what you will make!

Until next time ~

Betsy

Lisa B -
Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Week 44 Moda BlockHeads is Lawyer's Puzzle by ME!

Ok, faithful followers 4 blocks to go after today. You've almost made it!!! What a great journey this has been. I have my setting planned and the reveal for it is TBD. Be gathering your thoughts....don't think there can be a wrong choice for this project. The blocks look so good together. I LOVE seeing your blocks on Instagram and Facebook.

Question of the Week...

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? A word for the year?

I give up on resolutions...although this year I received a Fitbit and I'm learning how active I am here in the house...not a bad thing to know, so now I can see that I need to get up and move. I'm always making the resolution to get more exercise and I never follow through.

I haven't done a word for the year, but another Moda designer, Janet Clare, is using the same word that she picked for last year...replenish. I like that word. Words that begin with re are pretty cool...renew, reward, refresh, reboot, resolve, relax...there are SO many choices!

I think my word is Step....and then remember, "one step at a time."

What is your word for the year?

Here is my block Lawyer's Puzzle. A scrappy mix of Lizzie's Legacy, Hope's Journey, Rachel Remembered, Grace's Garden and Evelyn's Homestead.

Click here for the pattern.

Each unit finishes at 3" The large HST units finish at 2 1/4" and each small HST finishes at 3/4". You might like to use triangle paper for 3/4" triangles or cut the pieces listed 1/8" larger than measurements given, the trim large HSTs to 2 3/4" and small HSTs to 1 1/4".

I thought the individual units pretty cute, so make an extra unit and ta da,

you have a 3" Mini Penny block. Easy!

Please visit my friends to see what they have made this week. Links below.

An alternate word could easily be rest. I need more of this....

I just love those warm, comfy, fluffy socks! Thank you Elsie!!! This was late Christmas night, when I finally got to put my feet up! LOL.

Since this week is number 44, that means it is the last block you receive from me. You will still see me post, but it is the last block for which I am responsible.

This program has forced me to blog more....I would like to keep up the pace (another word I considered) once BlockHeads ends. You know, blogging more has been a resolution of mine in past years.

Here is a page from my Quiltmania book Quilts for all Seasons...thought I would show a Spring quilt when show many of us are freezing! The antique inspiration is on the table.

Thank you all for sharing your time with me....

Until text time,

~ Betsy

Lisa B -
Blog - https://lisabongean.com/

Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/