Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Moda BlockHeads Week 30 Four Patch Dash by Carrie Nelson


Question of the Week...Name a "famous" quilter that inspired-taught you, of the 20 past years that you hope quilters will remember 20 years from now.

First, I'm always inspired by by fellow BlockHead designers, but with them exempt from this topic,  I can name a few quilters/ teachers that I'll never forget.   One name is Pat Campbell. Applique teacher, now deceased.  Pat taught a series of classes at the church across the street from me nearly 30 years ago, where I learned her applique methods, many of which I still use today....except the size 12 Clover quilting needle....the size needle she preferred for her award winning and stunning work.  I prefer a Jeana Kimball Fox Glove Cottage size 10 straw needle.
The second quilter that I'll never forget and appreciate everyday, is quilt historian Terry Clothier Thompson.  I had the pleasure of attending her Fabric Camps, 4 of them,  years ago, and was constantly amazed at her knowledge and her practical, hands-on approach to antique quilts, tops and fabrics. I loved that her quilts were meant to to be touched and studied 'up close'.  When I give trunk shows of my antique quilts and talk about the fabrics and their time periods, I try to impart a practical study and love of textiles as Terry did.
There are SO many quilters whose stories and techniques are to be treasured and remembered. Will you remember?

Our block this week is by Carrie Nelson - Four Patch Dash
I was quite pleased to see an easy block this week, thanks Carrie!
However, selecting the fabric, hmm, well that was far harder than I expected, and really took more thought and time than some of our more difficult blocks.
I think the 2 sets of  'medium' prints threw me. I'm in heavy duty, pedal to the metal sewing stage of Quilt Market prep crazy. So, after pulling multiple combinations, I settled on a set, then remade in other  fabrics.  It's a great block and fun to make, I just needed a 'make a decision' pill!!!  It's not like I haven't made 4 patches or even this block before!

Here are my versions....

Above, fabrics are from Rachel Remembered and the soon to be delivered Grace's Garden (couple of weeks away, I think)

Below, fabrics  are from Eliza's Indigo, Lizzie's Legacy, and Grace's Garden

Click on Carrie's blog (Moda) 
to get the pattern and to see her tips.

I made 2 - 3" mini versions also.
 Cut the 4 patch squares 1 1/8", center square 1" and the sashing 1" x 1 3/4"


Top mini has fabrics from Hope's Journey, Rachel Remembered and Grace's Garden. 
Bottom mini has fabrics from Lizzie's Legacy, Hope's Journey and Grace's Garden.

Don't know which version will go into the quilt!


Thanks for stopping by....
Be sure to visit my friends' blogs and all of us on social media.

Happy sewing!
Until next time ~
Betsy



Lynne -
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/ 
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/jomortonquilts/?hc_ref=PAGES_TIMELINE&fref=nf 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/joquilts/ 
Moda -
Blog - Carrie's blog
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/modafabrics/ 
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/modafabrics/ 




















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Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Week 29 Juneau by Lisa Bonean

I thought Fall was here!...the joke's on me this week as it is really hot, mid 90's and more.  Hoping for a cooler week next week. Time to decorate when I get a few deadlines out of the way. I do have 2 pumpkins on the porch, need a third. 

Here we are again.  Didn't we just make a pumpkin block?  This week is Lisa's turn and she has brought us a fun block called Juneau.
This block is making me long for Alaska.  Hmm, bet it is cooler there!!!
 All prints this time are from Rachel Remembered. I varied from the pattern placement of light, medium and dark prints just a tad.  I'm in a blue mood.  Not sad! I just like that blue right now.  Do you have favorite colors?  My favorites run in cycles. 

Question of the Week....Do you ever machine quilt your own quilts?  If  so, do you have any special tips?  I'll type when I finish laughing....Ok, I've composed myself...I'm absolutely pitifully hopeless at machine quilting.  I can quilt a grid or straight lines or follow a gentle curve, but NO NO NO ability to free motion quilt.  I bow to those with that talent.  My special tip...I quilt by check to lovely and talented women who make my quilts even better...Sheri, Karen and Maggi....thank you, for your talent!


  Click on Lisa's Blog for her pattern, tips and tricks for making this pretty block.
Be sure to visit my friends blogs to see what they have made.


Here is my 3" Mini Penny block for this week, made totally from leftovers on the cutting table.
First , I saved the the extra triangles when I trimmed the square in a square center.  I took a 1/8" seam and after pressing to the dark brown,
I trimmed the HST units to 1 3/8" square.  
Sew them together to make a tiny pinwheel block that measures 2 1/4"
Cut 2 - 3" squares, cut again once diagonally.  Yes they are big, but the pinwheel floats.  Sew the triangles to the pinwheel, pressing to the corners.  Trim the block to 3 1/2" for a 3" finished block.


Hope you enjoy making Juneau and have a good week sewing!
I'll be busy sewing too!!!

Until next time ~

Betsy

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Wednesday, September 13, 2017

Moda BlockHeads Week 28 Pumpkin by Jan Patek

It's Pumpkin time! YAY!  Well almost here in Texas.  Pumpkins will start arriving end of the month or early October.  It's my favorite time of year.  As soon as I can meet some early Market deadlines, I'll decorate. Love, Love, Love this time of year.  
Cooler days and nights, although we will continue to have really warm days too, 
the anticipation of cooler days to come, makes the intermittent warmth bearable.


Question of the Week....
Hand quilting...Do you hand quilt?  How frequently? If so do you have any tips?
Wow, I love to hand quilt.  I almost never get to hand quilt and if I do, it is more of a Utility style of quilting, that is now being called "Big Stitch".  I love the comfort of hand quilting and 'big stitch ' style still gives me that comfort. Slow. relaxed. Comfortable chair or couch. Good lighting. Size 7 or 8 Sharps by Bohin are my needle of choice for size 8 Perle Cotton.

Most of you don't know this, but I taught myself to quilt before I pieced a quilt.  I was given a top made by my paternal great grandmother. I picked muslin for the back and a polyester batting...it was 1980.  I drew on a swirly design, reminiscent of my Spirograph designs. I bought a hoop on a stand from Sears and went to work.  I found my calling...I loved taking every stitch in that quilt and treasure it still. For many years I hand quilted for the public. I miss quilting more than you know, even though I absolutely love machine piecing!!


                                      

Here is Jan's cute block for this week.  I'm really enjoying the applique blocks.
Thanks JAN!

                                                Click  Jan's Blog and her pattern and tips.

My version is made with a layered applique technique, which means I traced whole shapes rather than wedges.

For the mini, I drew an oval template. Tried to make it symmetrical and then traced 3 more to put on a 3" square of paper...too big.  So then I trimmed until my 'pumpkin seeds' fit. I suggest cutting a 4" square of background fabric and pressing into diagonal quadrants.  On paper, draw a 3" square, with a dot at the center of the block and diagonal lines if desired.  Draw one oval template and place on paper square. It should be slightly smaller in length and not quite meet the corner.  Fabric will add width and length to the template, so take that into consideration. You won.t want your seeds to be lost in seam allowances.   Remember Jan's work is primitive and wonderful.  The Pumpkin Seed block does not have to be perfect either.  Trim square to 3 1/2".

I'm always surprised how different these squares photographed even when taken at the same time, same light!

Enjoy your sewing time as the days get cooler.  Bring on FALL!

Visit all or BlockHead designers to see what they have done, and the ongoing list of patterns on our Moda BlockHeads Facebook group if you need to catch up.

Until next time~
Betsy

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Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Week 27 Moda BlockHeads Jo Morton's Union Variation

Welcome to BlockHeads Week 27!  The block this week is Union Variation by Jo Morton.  Jo and I love this block and both have quilts using it.  I'm so glad Jo submitted this one!

I'm sorry for any inconvenience you may have had last week when Blogger didn't recognize my pattern link. There was nothing wrong with the link, it was just a Blogger thing. I know clicking on the link is the easy way to go, and I prefer it, but a quick copy and paste into the browser window worked well.  I'm concerned this will happen again when it is my week.  Ugh!  Fingers crossed.

Question of the Week...
Is there a product or tool you wish you had invented?
Absolutely, I wish I had invented triangle paper!!!!  I almost submitted triangle paper as the one invention that changed my quiltmaking process and makes me the happiest.  Triangle Papers save SO much time, especially when making blocks for Patchwork Diva exchanges or when making quilts for Quilts Market, as I am now.  I have every size paper that is made and have never regretted the purchase in the amount of time saved with such accurate results. Great invention, and our own Lisa Bongean has a full line of papers through Primitive Gatherings. I've also used Spinning Stars, Laundry Basket, and Quiltime papers. Triangulations is also a fine product on a disk where you print the size you want on your home printer.
Bloc_Loc rulers are a pretty nifty invention, too.  Can I please wish I had invented them as well????
And graph paper...I cannot live without it. It's been around a l o n g time, like mechanical pencils.  Hmm. I wish I had invented them all.

Here is Jo's Union Variation, my version.

Let's see if this works...
 Click Jo's Blog
for her pattern and tips for putting the wonderful block together.
Thanks JO!
Be sure to visit everyone's blog to see their blocks!

 I oversized the squares for the small triangles by an additional 1/8", then trimmed with a small Bloc_Loc ruler.


Hello Fall.  The day after Labor Day, Fall begins here in Texas, and I'm sure elsewhere, too. At least we start think about cooler temperatures.  As I write, the wind is from the North, bringing a cool front.  I do wish the weather people would stop saying 'cold front'...it will only be cooler, not COLD!!!
No orange pumpkins yet, but this white one has been hanging out and not rotting, since last October.

For the 3" mini this week, I chose a Churn Dash.
To make the block:
Cut 2 light and 2 dark squares 2" for corner HSTs. Press to dark triangle. 
Trim the HSTs to 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".
Cut 4 light and 4 dark rectangles 1" x 1 1/2". 
Sew light and dark rectangles together, pressing seams open.
Cut 1 - 1 1/2" light square for the center.
Sew units together.  I pressed the middle row out to the rectangles and the top and bottom rows in to the rectangles. Join rows, pressing to center row.
Block should measure 3 1/2" for a 3" finished block.


Before you head off to sew, we had a lovely Labor Day at my brother-in-law's home. Had to share some of the weekend's photos.
 Reed, the newest, and cutest Ranger fan on Sunday.

 Miss Fearless Madison

 Mimi and Reed

Rachel (mommy) and Reed, first time in the pool.
Uncle Matt and Reed

Until next time ~
Enjoy every day!
Happy sewing!
Betsy

 

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Wednesday, August 30, 2017

It's My Week for Moda BlockHeads - Cat's Cradle

We are back again ... this time it is my week for Moda BlockHeads, Cat's Cradle is the pattern.  Hope you enjoy making this sweet block, but before we begin, let's answer the 
Question of the Week
In the 20 years you've been making quilts - is there a product invention that makes you the happiest?
First of all, I made my first quilt 35 years ago with scissors, cardboard templates and a pencil.
Without a doubt, the invention that I value the most is the combination of rotary cutter, acrylic rulers and self healing cutting mats.  Cardboard templates wore and got smaller as I drew shapes. It was frustrating and of course, not very accurate.  
I think the rotary cutter probably makes me the happiest, 
but where would it be without ruler and mat???


One month ago, I made all the blocks for August, with the exception of today's.  I knew I'd be back from some trips and have plenty of time to sew.  It is so funny how plans go ary when life gets in the way, NOT!  I completely forgot about a scheduled dermatology procedure Monday.  
Let's just say, I wish I had listened to my mother and not gotten so sunburned as a kid.
Those of you my age probably know exactly what I mean.  Television was full of Coppertone Baby commercials for sunbathing lotion, never sunscreen! I had beautiful tans, as I played outside all summer long, but every summer, I'd have a blistered  nose.  Thanks to new techniques, the offending spot is removed and hopefully will not ever return.  Ice packs and pain pills rock! 
Tuesday was an all day pajama day and I sewed up these sweet blocks. The worst part is wearing glasses to see!  LOL, glasses press and hurt, so just as soon as I finish typing, off they come. 
And yes, I wore them to sew...

Cat's Cradle

I had help...



Go to
 http://unitednotions.com/Block26BC_CatsCradle.pdf

for my pattern

Blogger doesn't like me today. copy the link to your browser.

I do suggest you starch your fabrics before cutting.

The best tip I can give you is to oversize 3 squares of background A and 3 squares of dark print B to 2".  Stitch them for HSTs and press to dark triangle. Then trim each unit to 1 1/2" x 1 1/2".
Having B fabric starched before cutting will certainly help with accurate cutting of the 1 7/8" squares into triangles.  Assemble units as shown, And then sewing units to background triangles is a breeze.  Tiny, little triangles tend to move and wiggle under the pressure foot. Starch, you won't be sorry.
Pieced HST units should measure 2".


Finally got Molly out of the way.

Inspired by the 6" block, I applied the same technique for the 3" Mini Penny block, but reversed values.

For A and B cut 2 - 1 3/4" squares of light print and 2 of dark print.
For B triangles, cut 4 - 1 5/8" squares of light print, cut once diagonally.
Hope you starched before cutting, these pieces are even more tiny!
For C, dark corners, cut 2 squares 2 3/4" cut again once diagonally.
I tried a different method for stitching the pieced triangle unit to C triangles. Notice, the red triangles are oversized. I positioned the parts so that there was extra all around. Pin in place and stitch. Press to the dark then using a block_loc ruler or regular square ruler, trim to 2"

Again, I think you will be happy you oversized. You could line up the hypotenuse of both triangles, just make sure you have extra on the right angle sides.

 Block measures 3 1/2" for a 3" finished block.
I think it is really cute!

Did you ever make Cat's Cradle with a loop of  yarn and your fingers?  Don't tell Molly if you did.

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

Time to ice my sore nose.

Until next time, 
Happy Sewing!
~ Betsy


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Wednesday, August 23, 2017

Twice the Friendship, Blockheads block #25 by Lynne Hagmeier

Here we are again for Week 25 Moda Blockheads!
This week's fun block is brought to you by Lynne Hagmeier.  Such a fun block to make.  I have not used Lynne's layered techniques for my blocks, so you will want to go to her blog for those special tips and the pattern for this week.
I love the movement in this star block!
Whether traditionally pieced or with Lynne's layered method you will enjoy making this block.
for the link to Lynne's blog and pattern.
 (both methods will be included in the pattern link)
I've added a sweet tan print from Grace's Garden (shipping in October) to tease you a bit. Indigo print is from Hope's Journey and the chintz background is from Rachel Remembered.

I kept the friendship star theme going with the 3" mini Penny block too.

Cutting for the 3" blocks is as follows:
From light background 5 - 1 1/2" squares for corners and center 
From background and tan print 2 - 2" squares each for HSTs
From secondary brown print 4 - 1" squares for connector corners
Make HSTs and trim to 1 1/2"
Sew tiny squares on diagonal line to center square and fold back to corner. Trim excess away before adding the next corner. Trim center square in a square to 1 1/2"
Block should measure 3 1/2" for 3" finished block.

Question of the Week......We are half-way through the 48 weeks, Have you decided on a setting?
Short answer, NO. 
I have thought of settings, though. I'm leaning toward sashing the blocks, but in what manner of sashing, no clue.  To tell the truth, I may not decide until we have made all the blocks.  Setting or fabric, which comes first?  Which dictates the use of the other?
I'm a fairly indecisive person, but also spontaneous.  I'll know the answer when I've thought of it in the shower.  ;-)

Go visit my friends to see what they have been doing this week.  Links below.

Where has August gone?  and Summer?  Texas heat usually makes the days of summer long, endless and miserable!!!  While it has been hot and humid, the lawns are still pretty and green with frequent rains.  Certainly a welcome change, but quite different from what we are accustomed! 
One more week of August....

If you need to catch up, use the following link for past patterns.
http://blog.modafabrics.com/blockheads/ 


Until next time, 
Happy Sewing!
~ Betsy
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Wednesday, August 16, 2017

Home from Alaska for Week 24 Corn No Beans

I can't believe one week ago, we were looking at glaciers in the Tracy Arms Fjords....so awesome!  What a good thing it was to write the post for last week early because the ship's internet when working, was s o o o  s l o w! I tried to post to Instagram and Facebook and never got one post through.  Anyway much thanks for Carrie posting the block for me!  When I could post, it seemed anti climatic.  Oh well. Was only a slight glitch.

View from ship in Juneau.

 View from our room in Skagway. We will be getting on that train.

Just one of the breathtaking views, high above town, from the White Pass train.

I'm ready to go back!  I saw an eagle sitting in a tree and a giant something, whale or dolphin, as it jumped out of the water on the far side away from the ship going into Juneau.  I'm saying whale.  Of course neither time did I have the iPhone ready.

Question of the Week....Rulers, which size and brand do you reach for the most?  Olfa Frosted and Bloc_loc rulers are my go to rulers.  I have multiples on the sizes shown and of a 4" Olfa Frosted ruler too. the long skinny ruler is called a 1" x 12" but is actually 1.25"x 12.5".  I use the 4", 6", 1"x12" and 6"x12" the most. The 1"x12" is a very versatile ruler...a great straight edge and when 3/4" finished strips are needed for log cabin strips, it cannot be beat! For Bloc_loc, the 4.5" HST is my most used...I have a spare. and I have every size flying geese Bloc_loc makes

Carrie Nelson brings us today's block, week 24, Corn No Beans.

Mine looks like Corn, Beans and Salsa!  OR better yet Nachos!  Can you tell I'm craving Tex- Mex...chips, salsa, queso, enchiladas and everything else!!!  I love this block, Carrie! But it's making me hungry.  Thank you!  
Fun to select fabric and to sew.  

Click here 
for Carrie's pattern on the Moda blog.
Visit our other designers to see what they made. Links below.


  
Mini Penny

Cut  1 3/4" squares of light and dark prints, OR use leftover triangles from other blocks.
Trim each HST unit to 1 1/4".  These little tiny HSTs finish at 3/4".

Happy Sewing!

Until next time ~
Betsy


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