Shooting Star

  To much time has past.  I must apologize for getting sidetracked and forgetful.  Since the last posting, I have been busy with several quilts and helping in the shop.  The 6" block quilt has been quilted and bound.  Next step is to take a picture.  Then, it will be posted to the blog to show it off.  I must admit it is much better then I expected.  Until then, here is another block for you.
  The block is called Shooting Star.  Sew the 2" light sq. to the end of the rectangles at an angle similar to making flying geese.

Shooting Star

Cutting
  Light fabric
    twelve  2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  2" sq.
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rect.

Keep quilting,
  Terry

Braced Star

  The goal when I started blogging was to post sixty 6 1/2" blocks.  We are slowly approaching that goal.  This does not mean that I will stop.  It does mean that it is time for new ideas.  I have a few in mind so we will see what will happen.  
  As for the 6 1/2" blocks, I have been piecing them but I have just over half of them made.  I hope to have it finished this year, not in 20 years.  haha  We will continue to tape the blocks for youtube.  That helps me in getting the blocks sewn.  Thank goodness.
  Today's block is Braced Star.  Sew the center first, then the star points.  Sew the block together at an angle.

Braced Star

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  2 1/2" sq.  cut diagonally once
    one  1 7/8" sq.  for center

  Medium fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  star points

  Four Medium to Dark fabrics
    cut one  1 1/4" x 2 5/8" rectangle from each of the four fabrics

Keep quilting,
  Terry  

New Album

  The last few weeks I have been telling you about cleaning my sewing space and the UFO's that I have found.  Over the weekend I tackled another area.  I found 2 quilts that my mother had started (those I remember I had).  It was the 2 quilts that I found that I started that surprised me.  They were all cut but never sewn.  Thank goodness that the patterns were with them.  Instead of 2 quilts to finish, now I have 4.
  Today's block is New Album.  Yes, it is similar to Album but with small differences.

New Album

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for the center
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Light Medium fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Dark Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    six  1 1/2" sq.  2 are used in the corner of the center sq.

  Keep quilting,
    Terry 

9-Patch Frame

  My granddaughters were here today.  They like looking at my fabrics and figure out what I should make with it.  They draw some interesting clothes for themselves and their pets.  Little do they understand what it takes to make their ideas.  Sometimes, they think that I can have it all done before they go home. We discuss the fact that they need to work with me one at a time.  Then we play cards.
  Today's block is 9-Patch Frame.  It is squares and sections that look like flying geese.

9-Patch Frame

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles  for flying geese
    eight  1 1/2" sq.  for flying geese

  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles for flying geese
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  use 8 for the flying geese & the other 4 for the corners of the 2 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    five  2 1/2" sq.

  Keep quilting,
    Terry  

Shoofly

  If you live in cold country like I do, mother nature reminded us that it is still winter.  We did not need a groundhog to tell us.  The good thing is that you don't have to go outside to quilt.  Quilting is what I have been doing, mainly getting the UFOs finished.  Over the weekend a couple of small UFOs were completed.  One was a pillow top that my sister brought back from Panama a couple of years ago.  It is reverse applique with a man holding a pair of scissors.  Now, it is a usable pillow on one of my chairs.
  Today's block is Shoofly.  This is an oldie but goody.

Shoofly

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for HST
    four  2 1/2" sq.

 Medium/ Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for HST
    one  2 1/2" sq.

Keep quilting,
  Terry

Corn & Beans

  Do you have trouble with time?  I do.  I seem to get the commissioned quilts made on time but I am generally 5 minutes late for my nail appointment or years later on my own quilts.  It seems that I need to do a better job of allocating the use of my time.  This could be the reason that I have been working on so many UFOs.  It was time to get them finished.  Well, complete this blog and back to the UFOs.

  Today's block is Corn & Beans.  Lots of triangles.

Corn & Beans

Cutting
  Light fabric
    three  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    ten  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    six  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

Keep quilting,
  Terry

Storm Signal

  Well, I did it.  I finished my son, Ryan's quilt after 15 plus years.  Or rather it is in the rotation to be quilted.  My quilts are always quilted in the store.  There are 4 of us that do all the quilting on store's long arm quilting machines.  The turn-around time is quick so I will be binding it shortly.
  Today's block is--Storm Signal.  Think of this block as four sections.  Sew the triangles to the square first to make a larger triangle.  Then sew the larger triangle to the dark fabric triangle.  Hope this helps.

Storm Signal

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    three  1 7/8" sq.  cut only one diagonally once for the center 

  Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    three 1 7/8" sq.  cut only one diagonally once for the center

  Dark fabric
    two  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for the outer corners

Keep quilting,
  Terry

Handy Andy

  Nadia, my granddaughter, is learning to crochet.  I have been helping her and decided that it is time for her to learn to read patterns.  That way she can pick any project to make on her own.  Over the years, I have crocheted just about anything.  Crocheted socks was something new.  That might be fun for a young gal but I thought I better make them before giving her the book.  Well, that is just what I did and finished them the other day.  I even have had a chance to wear them.  Definitely, different.  She now has the book so we will see what happens.
  Today's block is--Handy Andy.  It has a similar look of Gentleman's Fancy but the center is different and more fabrics.

Handy Andy

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Light Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    one  1 7/8" sq.  for the center

  Dark Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice

Have fun piecing,
  Terry
   

Churn Dash

  Friday night, my husband and I went to the HS basketball games.  That is something we hadn't done in a long time.  Both the girls and the boys played great games with one losing and one winning.  It reminded me of when we would go to all the activities when our kids were in high school.  Now, we get to relive those days as the grandchildren get older, none are in high school, yet.
  Today's block is a timeless one--Churn Dash.

Churn Dash

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
    one  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
  
  Dark fabric
    two 2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST

  Check out our posting of the 6 1/2" blocks on youtube.  We hope that the tutorials will help you if you have any questions about the blocks.
  Terry    

Return of the Swallows

  Another week, another dollar and another week closer to spring.  I don't mind the 4 seasons but I would make winter shorter if I could.  Anyway, it does make great quilting weather.  So let it snow and a quilting I will go.
  Today's block is Return of the Swallows.  It is flying geese all around.

Return of the Swallows

Cutting
  Light fabric
    sixteen  2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rect.

  Dark fabric
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rect.

  For extra help, check out our flying geese tutorial at Fabric Junction on youtube.
  Terry

Merry Kite

  As I have been working with the different blocks, some of them I think would make some interesting quilts.  If I only had the time to make them all.  As the year proceeds, I will see how many of them get made.  I would like to see what you are coming up with using the blocks.
  Today's block is Merry Kite made from flying geese and squares.

Merry Kite

Cutting
  Light Fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese

  Light Medium fabric
    eight  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  eight for flying geese
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center

  Dark Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for outer corners

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.  for flying geese
    eight  1 1/2" sq.    

End of Day

  There is nothing like breaking up the day with a visit to the dentist.  There wasn't any problem but it changes the tempo of my day.  First, you are busy piecing, then the dentist, then trying to get back in the swing of sewing.  It seems like the dentist just sucks the life out of me.
  Enough of that, on to today's block--End of Day.  What a neat block of HST and squares.

End of Day

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    four  2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    four  2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    four  2" sq.

  Just a reminder that you can sew your HST first then cut them.  Your choice.
  Terry  

Birds in the Air

  What a great way to start the new year with soup night with the grandchildren.  For Christmas, some of the grandchildren gave me some soup mixes that they liked.  So tonight, I fix one and had bread and crackers to go with it.  Cookies for dessert to finish it off.      
  For today's block-- Birds in the Air.  This one is a nice change of pace, made with five large triangles.

Birds in the Air

Cutting
  Medium fabric
    one  6 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle

 Dark Medium fabric
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once, use 1 triangle

  Dark fabric
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

Happy piecing,
  Terry  

Happy New Year

  Happy New Year!!
  We've survived the cold snap.  I don't recall it being that cold in years.  It was thirty to forty degrees below our normal.  That was bad.  Hopefully, that was it for this year.
  On to our first block of the year.  It is Battle of the Alamo. Sew the strips together then recut into eight 1 1/2" sections.  Sew again to form the nine-patch section with the two 1 1/2" sq.

Battle of the Alamo

 

Cutting
  Light fabric
    six  1 7/8" sq.  cut 3 diagonally once
      use the other 3 for HST
    one 1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip
    two  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Dark fabric
    three  1 7/8" sq.  for HST
    one  1 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip

Stay warm,
  Terry 

Jacob's Ladder

  Winter has really arrived.  We had a white Christmas, just a dusting.  Three of my children and their families made it for Christmas Eve.  It was wonderful to have them here.  My youngest, Nicholas is in school in New York.  He and his wife could not make it back so hubby and I will go visit him in a couple of weeks.  
  The cold has hit us hard.  We have been 20 to 30 degrees colder then normal.  Hopefully, it will warm up at least a little.
  Jacob's Ladder is the block of the day.  It is very simple with the HST and four-patches.

Jacob's Ladder

  Cutting
    Light fabric
      two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
      ten  1 1/2" sq.

    Medium fabric
      two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

    Dark fabric
      ten  1 1/2" sq.

Keep warm,
  Terry

Crosses & Losses

   Talen stopped by to help me make salads for Christmas eve.  His favorite thing to make is the pinwheels made from jello and marshmallows.  He is going skiing tomorrow so I am on my own baking pies.  Before he left, he made his request for an apple pie.
  Today's block is-- Crosses & Losses.

Crosses & Losses

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq. for HST
    four  2" sq.
    one  3 7/8" sq. for HST

  Medium or Dark fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq. for HST
    one  3 7/8" sq. for HST

Enjoy your weekend,
  Terry

Babies

  Friends and family are adding to their grandchild numbers.  This is wonderful.  I currently have 10 grandchildren.   I feel very fortunate.  Please, add these new babies to your prayers.  One of the babies came a month early, so far everything is alright.  Another one, the mother is having problem and they think the baby may come early.  We pray that baby and mother will be fine.  Last, but most important is my nephew and his wife.  They just found out that the baby will be born with heart problems.  Pray that mother makes it close to term and that the doctors know how to help the baby.  Thank you for your prayers.
  Today's block is--Peace & Plenty.  More HST and a few flying geese.  I know that it is not new but look at all the different ways in which they are used.

Peace & Plenty

  Cutting
    Light fabic
      four  2 3/8" sq.  for HST
      eight  1 3/4" sq. for flying geese

    Medium or Dark fabric
      four  2 3/8" sq. for HST
      four  1 3/4" x 3 1/2" rectangles for flying geese

Thank you,
  Terry  

Fancy

  Almost forgot to blog but as you see I did remember.  I spent the day making candy for Christmas.  This is something that I enjoy doing each year.  It is not good for the waistline but it is the holidays.
  Gentleman's Fancy is today's block.  It looks much like a square in a square.

Gentleman's Fancy

Cutting
  Light fabric
    three  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for 12 triangles

  Medium or Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for 4 triangles
    four  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for 8 triangles
    one  2 1/2" sq. for center

Take time to make something fun.
  Terry

It's Time

  My sister dropped off a beautiful poinsettia for me.  This tells me that it is time for me to get my decorating done.  I did change the quilt on my bed to my Christmas quilt.  Maybe tomorrow, it is Christmas tree decorating time.  We will see.  Until then, let's go to today's block--Steps to the Altar.

Steps to the Altar

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  2 1/2" x 3 1/2" rect.

    eight  1 1/2" sq.

    one  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  

  Light Medium fabric

    three  1 1/2" sq.

  

  Medium fabric

    one  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark Medium fabric

    five  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric

    one  2 1/2" sq.

    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once & use 1

Terry

    

Busy Time

  December is the month that gets busy with the grandchildren's programs.  Saturday, we watch two of the girls, Maeve and Brooklyn, in the Nutcracker and Sunday was Anya's choir concert.  Next is church Christmas programs.  No matter what it is, it is wonderful to watch them all.
  So if your schedule isn't full yet, here is today's block--Tulip Lady Fingers.  Just a few squares and HSTs.  I did this one as a tablerunner a couple of years ago.  The runner is also on our youtube channel, Fabric Junction.  Click HERE to go to it.

Tulip Lady Fingers

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.
    four  1 7/8" sq.  for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  1 7/8" sq. for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.

Just a reminder that HST is for Half Square Triangle.
  Terry