Betsy's Best .....quilts and more: June 2017

Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Moda BlockHeads Week 17 Trail of Tears by Lisa Bongean

I'm writing today's post on Monday. I have another full week of helping my daughter ahead of me, so I'm trying to be prepared. Poor Rachel. She is in the hospital after a what should have been a routine procedure. Without going into detail, as I'm sure she wouldn't want me too, I'm concerned. She's had a hard time with recovery from having Reed and now this major setback. Please think of her and our family...pretty hard on everyone but Reed. He's doing great!

Do the weeks pass as quickly for everyone as they do for me??? Of course I'm super busy with everything, but really, I'm blinking and here we are again. Today's pattern is designed by Lisa Bongean, Trail of Tears. I love it! In fact I really love it as I unknowingly made it for last week's mini! Sorry Lisa, I have not even looked ahead at all the other blocks! Like I said last week, I don't want to be influenced. Oh well, if you made it last week, you are ahead...I have made another Penny block for today.

Question of the Week...

Do you keep a written list of your "works in progress". "quilts I'd like to make" and "projects that have all the parts and just need to be started...planned but not commenced"?

Before I answer this question, insert a visual image of me rolling on the floor laughing hysterically. NO, NO, NO and NO. Same song, second, third and fourth verse...I'm an unorganized, fly by the seat of my pants, go with the flow, and impulsive quilter 95% of the time. I can be organized once project begins. Any LIST I've ever made, I HAVE LOST. I think I can sum up my quilting life as organized chaos. Works in progress are here somewhere, couldn't count them last week because I can't find them and don't really know what to look for, but when I find them, I'll be SO surprised!!! Yes, a list would be helpful... no comment. As for a list of quilts I'd like to make...that list is in my head and it changes, see above sentence...same song....impulsive. Planned? Well you know the answer by now. But, if I'm working on a book, those quilts are planned.

I applaud those well planned quilters, and fellow blockheads who make lists, don't lose them,

and know what quilt they want to complete or make next.

Trail of Tears by Lisa Bongean

At first I thought I wanted a yellow, red and brown block. It was just 'ok'.

Then I switched out the red for the blue and was happier.

I used Lisa's Triangle Paper for 1 1/2" finished triangles.... super fun and SO FAST! I'm saving the yellow and red triangles for something else...extras are never wasted around here. They are a 'good thing'.

Thank you Lisa, I enjoyed playing with options!

CLICK HERE

for the link to Lisa's blog and her pattern.

and please visit my friends' blogs to see what they have made.

For updated list of the past patterns and links go to:

http://blog.modafabrics.com/blockheads/

Copy and paste into your browser, if needed.

3" Mini Penny

Using the same blue fabric as above, but added a few more yellows from the BlockHeads scrap box.

Cut yellow and blue squares 1 3/4" or use 3/4" finished Triangle Paper. If cutting squares at 1 3/4", make your half square triangles, press to the blue and trim units to 1 1/4" x 1 1/4". Arrange like my block or any way you choose...there are SO many options.

In case you missed it, this was one of my Penny blocks from last week. 3/4" finished HSTs. It really is square...but doesn't want to lay flat.

Sorry this is a quick/short post.

Mr. Reed aka Mr Cool

Headed (Monday) to the hospital to see my sweetheart and care for Reed while Madison and her Dad go to swim lessons. Take care, dear friends and hold your loved ones close!

Wednesday the 28th is Rachel's birthday. It would certainly be nice to not be in the hospital on her day!

Until next time ~

Betsy

Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Week 16 Moda BlockHeads Flags by Jan Patek

Hello Blockheads! Here we are at Week 16 with a fun applique by Jan Patek! Hope you are all caught up! I'm amazed that I am. This has been a busy week with some Mimi duty. The weeks seem to fly by, and that's ok, let's fly right past all this awful hot weather!!! and to think I used to enjoy summertime!

Question of the week.....Right now, today how many works do you have in progress, and will you ever finish all of them? Truth be told, no, I'll never finish all of the unfinished projects in this house, no matter how many there are. I have no idea own many there are because I'll never may never find them all!!! Storage has always been an issue for me, whether blocks, tops or finished quilts. I've stashed projects in various closets, cupboards, and a multitude of tubs. Out of sight is out of mind for me. I'm guessing 30-40 projects, including tops that need quilting, but if I find all, the number could rise dramatically. I obviously have trouble keeping up...interests change and something more interesting comes along, or more accurate lately, more pressing.To give credit though, every project was interesting at the time!!! A lot of my friends have made UFO lists and are finishing them on a monthly basis. To make a list, again, I'd have to find them all. hmmm. One day....

New link...

If you are new to BlockHeads and need to locate the previous block patterns, please use this link. It will be updated each week. http://blog.modafabrics.com/blockheads/ I don't know why the link isn't highlighted??? but I highlighted it and in the options that popped up, one was go to this link and I did and it works!

Here's my version of Jan's block...

For Jan's pattern, please CLICK HERE to go to her blog. Jan will have applique tips and more. Be sure to see what Jo, Lisa, Lynne and Carrie have made on their blogs. We all have some tips to share. Wonder how many unfinished projects they have?

Below are 2 Penny blocks for your pleasure. Are you addicted to these 3" cuties? Have they become your new obsession? I love creating these little blocks! Someone asked for their names so they can be made larger...First, most do not have a name, as I do not want to be influenced by other patterns. I create based on the 6" block inspiration or leftover parts, which is why you often have more than one option. Secondly, I may reproduce the the 6" block. This time, I had trouble piecing a square flag, so I dropped the idea, but took the red, white and blue concept to make the 2 options you see, made from a scrappy selection of 3/4" finished half square triangles. Hint: once you've made your HSTs, and have them positioned, don't breathe on them! They will blow away!

For each block I used Lisa's Primitive Gatherings Triangle Paper. I have the sampler packet which includes 3/4" finished HSTs

I cut the paper into 3 strips to get the scrappy look I wanted. I then selected 3 reds, 3 blues, and 3 creams which will be used twice. cut the prints to fit the size paper strips. Now do some math...for each block, you will need 16 HSTs and from each set of paper strips, you can get 6 HSTs. one sheet is plenty for one block, at 18 HSTs but not if you want a scrappy look., which I did. So, I used 2 sheets, cut into 6 strips. I paired 6 cream rectangles with 3 red and 3 blue rectangles right sides together and sewed some HSTs. Super quick...short stitch, finger press to dark, remove paper and arrange. I made the diagonal stripe block first and had HSTs left, so I made the on point looking block. Lots of options, just playing with HSTs. I did make extra red HSTs to complete the block on the left. Now I have a few blue HSTs left for another time.

If you do not wish to use triangle paper, I suggest you cut your cream, red and blue squares 1 3/4". Place right sides together and sew 1/4" on each side of a diagonal line, cut on diagonal line and then trim unit to 1 1/4". Blocks should measure 3 1/2" for 3" finished blocks.

Cute, Patriotic block. Thanks Jan!

To my International friends, please feel free to change colors or the flag to that of your country. I look forward to seeing your blocks on Facebook and Instagram. Enjoy sewing time!

Not much of a Reed update, but here is what I have from our Father's Day celebration....

Our son is holding his nephew Reed and niece Madison is supervising. Steve and his Mother are also watching on.

Rachel, Steve and Madison watching Uncle Matt with Reed in the next photo.

Poor Reed was a tiny bit fussy, so Uncle Matt gives him 'airbaby timeout'.

I'll soon be off to help Rachel for a couple of days. So if you don't hear from me....it's Mimi time!

Until next time ~

Betsy

Wednesday, June 14, 2017

Moda BlockHeads Week 15

Hi everyone, these blocks are beginning to take shape! I have 15 + as of today if you include a few extras. I'm still thinking about how to set them. I've noticed, I seem to gravitate to one color for several blocks, then switch to another. I think it's a good idea to keep the previous blocks handy when selecting fabrics for each week. Ok, that is the plan, but is it what I do???

How do you decide which fabric says. "Me, me, me. Make Me!?" I wait each week to see the pattern, and seriously think about how I see it in a quilt. Do I want mixed fabrics for a scrappy block? or all the same fabric? All one color, or more? Since I'm pulling fabrics from all my lines, I have a scrappy quilt in the making. But, I'm finding myself going to certain fabrics more than others. Why is that? I feel like I'm playing favorites. Hmm. Now consider this...is the order in which we designers present our blocks going to be preserved when we set them together? Hmm. So, if I've carefully selected fabrics, but do not follow a 'set by number placement', then ugh, will have to move them around to distribute color and style of blocks and once that starts, it is hard to stop. Why did I begin this train of thought??? LOL! Better not to plan! There, that's my story, and I'm sticking to it...no plan, make what I like, in the colors and prints I like. Inspiration for the setting will hit when it's time...usually in the shower! I'll just be hoping the design wall is empty!

Question of the Week....Is there a quilter whose work always inspires you?

I'm inspired by lots of designers whose works are intricate and look like they took years in the making, masters of piecing and applique. For those whose work always inspires me...easy, the quiltmakers of the past. When I look at antique quilts I am in such awe of what they created, that I want to replicate their works, make what they made. If I could be a time traveler, I'd go back in time to meet the first quilter who figured out the Mariner's Compass block, or the women who made Baltimore Album quilts or, my great great grandmother Lizzie Carpenter, or Jane Stickle, or any number of the creative, practical and resourceful women named Anonymous!

BlockHeads, this week, I've gone blue...T Block by Jo Morton....

I love this block, it's always been a favorite!

I usually call the block Double T. And while I was making the block. this tune came into my head from the old Doublemint chewing gum commercial..double your pleasure, double your fun...and then there were 2, and both blue!!!

CLICK HERE to go to Jo's blog for the pattern.

I have a few tips below and be sure to visit the blogs of my BlockHead friends (links below) Lisa, Lynne, Carrie, and Jan, to see their versions of this great block. Happy sewing!

My tips...

I thought I'd get out the Alphabitties to help keep track not just of what I cut, but parts, as I sewed.

I added 1/8" to the cutting measurements for A and B then squared to 2" after they became HSTs.

Block one shows trimming where I pressed to the dark....actually for a better sewing fit, press these HSTs to the light. The seams will nest with the flying geese units, as shown in the next photo.

For the geese units, I also added 1/8" to C and D so when pieced the units I could

trim to 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" as geese tend to get wonky.

I don't usually press seams open, but it is helpful when the units are sewn together in Step 5.

Mini Penny Ts

I could not resist making 3" T Blocks! So I have 2 of them....

The photos below are from and old file on my desktop...good thing I kept it!

Referring to the 6" pattern, Cut A and B 2". Make HST and trim to 1 1/2"

Cut E 1 1/2"

For the 3" T's, I decided to make the geese units using the no waste method. Cut D 2 3/8" square and E 1 1/2"

Follow these steps...Sew 1/4" on each side of drawn line. Then cut apart on drawn line.

This is one of my best geese making tips...press the triangle on top, first, then the other. This keeps the background from arcing (curving)

same process as above

Trim pressed geese units to 1" x 1 1/2"

Set the block just as you would the 6". Flip and clip the intersections or press seams open if you choose.

I really enjoyed this month, thanks Jo!!!

Some of you missed and updated picture of Reed last week so here you go, in my lap with his buddy Wrigley...

Then I tried Monday, to get a decent picture with Maddie...who is really into saying c h e e s e! We are about to go to her swim lessons.

what sweeties they are!...Happy Mimi!

Until next time

~Betsy

Wednesday, June 7, 2017

Welcome! Week 14 and it's MY week

Welcome to Moda BlockHeads block of the week, Block 14 Square in a Square. Are you new to BlockHeads? The number of followers on the Facebook group, Moda BlockHeads, has reached 11,965 members at this writing and by the time you read this Wednesday, I'm sure we will have over 12,000 members.

If you are new, let me take a moment to welcome you. Each week you will be given a pattern designed by one of our Moda BlockHeads designers. Please visit the designer's blog on her week for her tips and tricks for making the block. The link for the free pattern will be right there, easy to access. Then visit the other designers to see how they made the block. Links to all designer's social media sites are below. How is the easiest way to find out who the designer of the week is??? Follow each designer's blog by email or on Bloglovin' which is an app that sends blogs to your email. I schedule my blog to post Wednesday 12 am, but I can't post to Instagram or Facebook, until 7am or so Wednesday morning. (when I wake up, unless I'm up in the wee hours) The Moda BlockHeads Facebook group gets the information early with the help of our friend David in Australia and he will direct you to the designer's blog for the week. Thanks David!

If you are already a member, then you know the ropes. Lynne, Jan, Jo, Lisa, Carrie, and I all THANK YOU! We hope you are having as much fun with this as we are! We all have some little suggestion each week that might make your sewing easier and we have a Question of the Week so you won't want to skip visiting us all to see what we make, tips or our answers.

Block 14 Square in a Square

Before you click, print and get started, please notice my tips below. This is my second block.

Do you ever feel like you need to "reset your clock"? When things are just a little off kilter? And you ask yourself, "why did I do that"??

Below is my first block.... the value is backwards! YES, I reversed the light and dark and made all the sample parts that way too! So refer to this as 'do as I say, not as I did'! LOL But, it is a nice option and can be an extra. I'm helping Rachel with precious Reed, so no time to remake samples.

The red and yellow block, above, is correct in value placement and in size!

Tips

I suggest starching fabrics before cutting.

If you need a new rotary blade, replace now. The ruler rocks over the seams when trimming and makes a new blade a 'good thing.' Insert happy face here.

Cut the size given in the pattern. Adjustments have been made to the pattern which allows you to piece and trim. Piece and trim. Believe me you will be so much happier!

Find the midpoint of triangle and square, pin in place before sewing.

Do not worry if triangle appears too big.

Once you have sewn one triangle, refer to the photo below to find the midpoint of your square. Do this with each triangle addition. Fold square edge to edge of seam allowance, crease and pin to midpoint of triangle.

Leave tails until you are ready to trim. Trim this first round, Step 1 to 2 5/8" I trim opposite sides, then opposite sides when squaring up square in a square blocks. They can get wonky easily. I'm hoping my tips makes the process easier

Repeat process in Step 2. I like to put the needle down right at the V made at the 1/4" foot with seam allowances even, then start sewing.

Trim to 3 1/2"

Repeat process in Step 3.

Trim to 4 3/4" ( I cropped this photo from the finished block so don't be

alarmed the seam allowances don't show.)

Repeat process in Step 4.

Trim to 6 1/2"

Ta-da! The correct block with correct value placement!

CLICK HERE

For the pattern Square in a Square.

Question of the Week

"When you teach, what is the one tip you always share?

I'm a very hands on teacher. Quite often I teach by what not to do, and in doing that, I give lots of tips to make stitching easier. To pinpoint a specific tip is hard. I rarely plan to give a tip, they just fall out in do course. Just last week, I think, we were asked what was a favorite tip that we received, and I shared two, flipping seams and pressing on a towel, which are favorites I include in classes when applicable. But two tips I always give are my recommendations to pre wash fabrics and starch fabrics before cutting. There you have it, all four of these tips are in my classes, at some point.

Are you having fun with my 3" blocks???

And, if you are new to BlockHeads, the 3" blocks do not have formal instructions. The idea developed from something I was going to do just for myself, and posted a block made from leftover parts when making the first 6" block. The idea was really popular, and now I make a tiny block each week, and sometimes more. I have no idea of the setting at this point, except that I will put them on point. I am cutting from my palette of fabrics, whenever I can't use leftovers.

3" Mini Penny blocks for week 14

The little block on the left is made using the measurements in our 6" block, but ends with Step 2. That was just too easy.....

The cutie on the right, is made with connector squares instead of triangles.

Cut 4 - 2" squares from all darks, all lights or,

2 light squares and 2 dark squares for the center of the units as I did.

Cut 16 (total) 1 1/4" squares for connector corners. (all light, all dark, or 8 light and 8 dark like I did)

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the small squares. Place in the corner of the larger square and sew just on the inside of the drawn line. Press to the square. Trim away excess. Repeat on the opposite side, press to square, trim away excess. Now, stitch the other corners, same process, but press to the corner. When you are ready to join the 4 units, the seams nest inside each other. Otherwise, the seams are really bulky. I pressed the 4 joining seams open to also help with bulk.

Blocks measure 3 1/2" for 3" finished blocks.

Now, go see what my friends have made!

Happy sewing!

Until next time.

~Betsy