Ohio Star Variation by Jo Morton is our 9th block for Moda BlockHeads block of the week.
You will want to go to Jo's blog, link below, for the instructions.
My block and my Mini Penny blocks are below.
Time has once again flown by since last Wednesday. I blinked and missed the weekend! It's Spring Market prep time and I'm just a little crazy and a whole lotta behind making my quilts. Normally by this time I'm sewing on bindings, well I do have one to do...but the other tops aren't finished.
And the clock is ticking!
BlockHead question of the week....this week, let's talk sewing machines. What is your preferred sewing machine? How many machines do you have? How often do you clean your machine? And how thoroughly? and the really big question...have you named your machine?
I'll go first. I sew on a Pfaff. When I first began sewing, it was on my aunt's 1940's Singer, which I still have. Then when Rachel was little I bought a new Singer, which I wore out, so I bought a Pfaff and wore it out. The photo you see is my 2nd Pfaff. Love the dual feed. So sold on that feature, that I guess you could say I am a Pfaff girl.
For retreats, I do have a little Janome platinum that I do love, lightweight and very dependable, but not good for my daily sewing. I'm hard on my things.
I clean my machine each time I change a bobbin, cleaning the bobbin area and removing the faceplate to clean there and especially the feed dogs. I am not good about oiling. And I don't take it in to be serviced as often as I should. Reason...never a good time to be without it. Pretty sorry excuse, I need to do better.
I have the 3 machines I already mentioned plus my grandmother's treadle which needs to be restored.
Now, Have I named my machines??? the answer is NO. With Betsy as my name, I've heard too many cars and machines, not just sewing machines referred to as 'ole Betsy...so NO, I don't name my machine. But, it's ok if you do. However, if your machine is named Betsy, please don't tell me. I just hope you named her so with affection. ;-)
The quilt ready to be bound, in this photo is Eliza's Indigo...a couple of years ago at this very time, right before Market.
Here is my version of Jo's pretty block...
CLICK HERE to go to Jo's blog for the pattern. All links to the designers are listed at the end of the blog. You will want to visit each one's blog for their block and tips. I love seeing what we all make! Thanks Jo for another great block!
All fabrics are from Rachel Remembered which should be in shops now.
The piecing is pretty easy this time.
Here is the back of one hourglass (quarter square triangle units) so you can see how I press.
When I twist open the seam it makes a 4 patch. Can you see where I clipped next to the seam allowance, so I could press to the dark triangle? Only 2 clips.
And here are my 3" blocks, yes, I made 2. I really like the 3" blocks on point. hmm.
This one is made just like Jo's 6" block. Rachel Remembered fabrics with a touch of
Lizzie's Legacy pink.
and then a plain, cute as can be. Ohio Star.
For either block cut light and dark squares for the quarter square triangles 2 1/2". Once you have Pieced the units, trim each to 1 1/2". Cutting parts larger, and then trimming. after sewing, to correct size, makes a more accurate block. The little squares for the 4 patch corner units are cut at 1" and finish at 1/2". If working with 1" squares scares you, try cutting the squares at 1 1/4", piece as you normally would and then trim the 4 patch to 1 1/2". Measure 3/4" from center seam and trim one side at a time. Try one unit and see how this works for you. and of course be sure to starch before cutting anything. Center square and plain corner squares are cut 1 1/2"
Stars will measure 3 1/2" for 3" finished blocks
The last thing on my list for you today is another question...are you keeping all your BlockHeads fabric contained? I'm keeping every little scrap the scraps are piling up! My attempt to keep the bigger pieces nice and neat proved a joke, total mess and growing. So, just before writing this, I straightened my mess.
I could have put it all in a plastic tub, but this project will be ongoing, and I need it all where I can see it. So I emptied a carrier and separated the larger pieces from the scraps. Two containers and each big container has a smaller box for smaller parts, of course! I'm pleased. But don't ask next week after making our next block, if the plan is working. I wish the rest of my room could be so easily handled.
Happy sewing!
Until next time~
Betsy
Blog - http://kansastroublesquilters-lynne.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/KansasTroublesQuilters/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/
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/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/primitivegatherings.quiltshop/ or https://www.facebook.com/lisa.bongean
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/ or https://www.instagram.com/primitive_gatherings_quiltshop/ or https://www.instagram.com/primitive_gatherings_ca/
Jan -
Blog - http://janpatek.blogspot.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jan.patek.79?fref=nf
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/
Jo -
Blog - http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/CLICK HERE
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jomortonquilts/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/
Moda -
Blog - http://blog.modafabrics.com/
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/modafabrics/
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modafabrics/
Love your blocks the minis are so so cute!
ReplyDeleteLove you mini on point too! I keep saying I am going to follow you on the mini trail too, but because I am doing these in the potholder method, it seems like it is all I can do to get one block pieced, quilted and bound before Wednesday rolls around again. I clean my machines after 4-5 hours of sewing and service them every two years at least. I have 4 machines so I rotate who goes to the shop!
ReplyDeleteHaha- good ol' Betsy - that made me laugh! Love your blocks! Can't wait to see you and your newest line of fabric at Market!
ReplyDeleteI recently became interested in vintage machines so I am not saying how any machines I have, but I do most of my piecing on my singer featherweight and my babylock. I am pretty good about maintaining them and hubby helps with the vintage ones. I named my first vintage, thought I was required too, but after forgetting the name I decided that really wasn't my thing, Your blocks are beautiful and I love your minis but have not made any of that size yet. Thanks for all you do to make this adventure so fun and such a great learning tool.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
Your block is great, Betsy! My fabric for this project is disaster! Its currently taking up 2/3 of my sewing table and I need to get it under control! I'm being a baby and I don't want to fold it up each time and then have to press it all each time I want to use it, so i keep it all laid out. Definitely makes it hard to sew on my other project!! Have a great day! I'm off to Jo's blog.
ReplyDeleteI am loving these mini blocks and am also thinking setting them on point would be adorable. I have all the fabrics for my Moda Blockhead blocks in one container and most of the red and white fabrics for my mini blocks in another. Since there is some overlap in the fabrics, I get both containers out and make both blocks at the same time. Then put the fabric away until the next week. Keeps my space tidy and is very easy to stay organized. I did this for my Splendid Sampler last year and it worked great without overwhelming my studio space.
ReplyDeleteLove all the blocks, especially the minis. your organized scraps look yummidy in the wooden boxes.
ReplyDeleteI love minis too. I would love to get your blog delivered to my mailbox. How do I subscribe?
ReplyDeleteDeborah, if you are on a desktop,look to the right side of the screen to follow by email.if on phone or tablet, go to the bottom of the post and click web version and email sign up is on the right side. Thanks!
DeleteBetsy, love your fabric, and the mini blocks are adorable. I keep my Blockheads fabric, etc. in a plastic tub to bring out on Wednesdays. No chance of losing parts that way and space is at a premium here.
ReplyDeleteThe sewing machine I use the most is a 1952 Singer Feather weight, which I've named Ella, as in Ella Fitzgerald, for she (the machine) IS a Black Singer! I was given another Singer, a Spartan, also black, Ethyl, as in Ethyl Waters, a singer from long ago. My Viking 500 is Elsa, for isn't that a Viking name? I use it when I need zigzag, or when the other two decide to be difficult or need help from my handy hubby to figure out why they aren't working for me...like cleaning and oiling. I like the old non-zigging machines since they do not have the wide hole in the throat-plate to drag my fabric into. Narrow feed dogs means my 1/4" is more accurate too. Mom in law gave me her Brother machine, it is wider between the head and the body, so is good for machine quilting if something isn't TOO big. I may name it after Mom. It is in storage at this time. I got a little tan hand crank Singer at an estate sale, Lena, after Lena Horne. (Hope I'm not too racist for anyone!) And next time I go home I'll get my mother's old Singer from the 1960's, which I'll likely name after her so that one will be Betty. I have my Grammie's treadle, so it being named after her is Rose. I have never used that one, but love the fact that I do have her with me.
ReplyDeleteI love making the smaller blocks! The are challenging, but once perfected they are fun. Nice work. I also pull fabrics for a quilt and keep them handy until the project is complete - some scraps I keep and glad I do.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying reading the Blockhead designers' posts. I am a new quilter and I learn something new every week. The fabrics you all use are beautiful, so I am starting to collect some, as well as some of the tools recommended. I am so glad I decided to do this BOW club. Thank you so much.
ReplyDelete