Another Double BlockHeads Day with Jan and Laurie

Another busy week has flown by!  Time...where does it go?
Today's blocks are brought to you by Jan Patek and Laurie Simpson.  I love adding Jan's applique to this project and Laurie's block was just plain fun to make.

Thank you Jan and Laurie for these 6" cuties!!!

By the way, do you have Alphabitties? The cute letters and numbers are from Fat Quarter Shop and are great tools for marking parts or rows of blocks or words for photography!!! 

I have multiple sets, LOL. 

Block 21 Circle and Star

Jan has many videos for her applique techniques.  They are awesome. You won't want to miss her techniques and tips!

Click Here to go to Jan's blog to download the pattern.
And, for her tips on those lovely star points!

Points can make those of us who love applique, crazy. So gather tips and do what works for you.

Applique techniques are also on the Basic Instructions page, that I hope you have printed for your file.

Not knowing the particular tips Jan might give you, here is what I did...
first I traced the circle onto the right sides of the blue square and the cream square. Then traced the star pattern onto the right side of the red fabric, and appliqued it needle turn method, following the orientation in the pattern, to the cream square.
Next, I basted the blue fabric on top of the cream square, both right sides up. Cut your squares the same size. I do several bastings, one on the sewing line, one 1/2" to the inside and, one 1/2" around the outside of the circle. Now I'm ready to reverse applique! Carefully snip an opening in the blue fabric between the stitching line and the inner basting line without clipping your applique or cream background. I cut a narrow seam allowance a small distance as I remove the stitching line of basting thread and turn under the edge.  You will need to occasionally clip the curved seam allowance as you stitch. Remove the remaining basting stitches and trim away the the excess cream fabric from the back of the block.
 You can always turn under the outside of the cream circle and applique on top. Check out Jan's advice first! but, I do love the opportunity to reverse applique!

Note I had cut a larger blue square, but I'm suggesting to you that you cut the same size, 7", if you prefer to trim after.

Now for some piecing fun with Laurie's Block 22, Economy Path.

Yes, this is a 6" finished block. The 4 units are 3" finished, measuring 3 1/2" before sewing them together.
Click Here to go to Laurie's blog to download her pattern and see what tips she may have.
I had fun picking the fabrics and only changed my mind twice!

Have you found as you make your blocks, that you don't like your original choices?  I have.  There are some I'd like to change, but I'll wait until I have made all the blocks first.  Colors and fabrics that you think don't work may in fact be just fine when we set the blocks together.

Please visit all our designers to see what they have made. Links below.

Thanks again Jan and Laurie!!!

Happy applique stitching and Happy sewing!

Until next time,
~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

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

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Double the Fun day with BlockHeads Stacy and Me!

Happy Wednesday! 

 It's another double block day with today's duo, Stacy and Betsy.

I pieced our blocks while away on a teaching trip.

For a variety of reasons we drove, spending one night on the road each way to and from Nebraska. Since a friend drove I could work in the car. We made stops at Oklahoma Quiltworks on the way up, then the Quilted Moose where I gave 2 trunk shows, and taught 2 workshops at their lodge, Minglewood. If you ever get a chance to retreat at Minglewood, grab it! It was great.

On the way home we stopped at Bedre' for fabulous chocolate, that I cannot stop eating while typing. OH MY!

Once back home, I jumped right back into work, like I hadn't even left. Hmm there are always major deadlines before Market and this time I'm a little behind schedule. 

So, I'm happy to have the blocks ready for today.

My block is number 19, Rocky Road to California and, Stacy's cute block is number 20, Go Fish. When making Stacy's, I kept thinking about Dr Seuss' One Fish, Two Fish, so cute!

My fish kind of looks like Nemo.

Both of our blocks are 6" finished  and measure 6 1/2"
I used all Evelyn's Homestead fabrics for my block, and added the gold from Hope's Journey to Stacy's.

To download the pattern for Block 19, Rocky Road to California, click here.

Follow the pattern instruction, no special tips needed unless you would like to upsize the squares need to cut diagonally for the HSTs. If so, increase those to 3", sew into HSTs, and trim to 2 1/2".

For Stacy's cute Go Fish block, click here  but be sure to visit Stacy's blog to see how she made my block and hers!

Be sure to visit our other designers to see what they have made.  Links below.

While I was away, an advanced copy of my newest book arrived.

Hope's Journey

This book will be available November 1, I believe.

Gather a palette. Save your bits and pieces and stitch your journey into a wonderful sampler quilt.

I'll host a giveaway at some point and 

I'll be offering some autographed copies later in November, if you would like to purchase.

Happy sewing!

Until next time,
~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

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

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/

Moda BlockHeads Month 14 and 15, from Kansas Troubles and Me and My Sister

Surprise!! 

Today we have 2 blocks to make.  For several weeks, the original BlockHead and her invitee will be posting each other's blocks.  Double the fun with 6" blocks!

First up, Lynne Hagmeier has created a really cool block.  I suggest you block out a good bit of time to get your prints and colors coordinated. LOL.
Placement is important to create the interesting design.

Notice the pile of fabrics ate the bottom of the photo?
Lots of  "this fabric is perfect" changed to ,"oh, no it is not."
No problem with my color scheme, but getting the right parts in the right spot was challenging.

Once I arranged the parts, I thought this would be a fun time to use my friend Doug Leko's Mini Simple Folded Corners ruler.  As long as you are sure about which corners are folded, follow his instructions and cut the corners off , sew 1/4" seam, and press and ta da. You made a folded corner.

Now, let's consider operator error...nothing wrong with the ruler. Say you sewed the wrong fabric, or the wrong corner and all is cut away.  OUCH.  It happened, yes, it did. If you use Doug's ruler, just double check before cutting. Just Saying.

I love his ruler and can see lots of times when it is perfect to use.

Our pattern instructions say to use the Flip and Sew instructions in the Basic Instructions sheet. With that option, you draw a line diagonally and stitch on that line., then fold the corner back.  This method gives you the opportunity to correct if wrong or to change your fabric by simply removing the stitching.

My rectangular units have both corner methods, cut away with the ruler and stitch and flip. 

Sew units in pairs, then into a 4 patch block.

 Lighting! what a difference it makes!

Click here to go to Lynne's blog for her pattern and tips.

Thanks Lynne for such a great design!!!

Now, we have Barb and Mary's block. An easy one, called Corner Pocket.

Any of you play Billiards? I'm calling "2 in the corner pocket". My family loves to shoot pool, even me, though I don't get the opportunity very much. By the way, the number 2 ball is blue. :-)

Sweet, fun block...thanks Barb and Mary!

again, lighting!

indigo blue, not black.

Click Here for the link to Me and My Sister's blog to download the pattern.

Here's the group so far and will be out growing the design wall very soon.

An finally for this week, I thoroughly enjoyed reading each and every comment you wrote last week about the special gifts you have received. Cherished memories. Thank you so much for sharing! I'm very thankful for the random number generator, or I'd never be able to make a choice! 

Thank you all!

The winner of Merry Makers ebook,

as chosen by the random number selector.... 

16

Kristy

Congratulations! I will need to contact Martingale so they can send you the book.
Please contact me, email address is in my profile.

Happy Sewing!!!

Until next time,
~ Betsy

Betsy Chutchian

http://betsysbestquiltsandmore.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/betsy_chutchian/

Brigitte Heitland - Zen Chic

https://www.instagram.com/zenchicmoda/

https://www.brigitteheitland.de/blog/

Corey Yoder of Coriander Quilts

https://www.instagram.com/corianderquilts/

http://littlemissshabby.com/

Jan Patek

http://janpatek.blogspot.com/

https://www.instagram.com/jan_patek_quilts/

Jo Morton

http://jomortonquilts.com/jos_journal/

https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/

Laurie Simpson

https://www.instagram.com/minickandsimpson/

http://minickandsimpson.blogspot.com/

Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings

www.lisabongean.com

https://www.instagram.com/lisabongean/

Lynne Hagmeier of Kansas Troubles

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

https://www.instagram.com/lynnektq/

Me & My Sister Designs

Barbara Groves & Mary Jacobson

http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/blog/

https://www.instagram.com/meandmysisterdesigns/

Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life

http://www.aquiltinglife.com

https://www.instagram.com/aquiltinglife/

Stacy Iest Hsu

https://www.instagram.com/stacyiesthsu/

Vanessa Goertzen of Lella Boutique

https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/

Carrie Nelson

http://blog.modafabrics.com/