Ring of Fire Runner

  As a reminder, we have been putting the blocks on youtube at junctionfabric.com.  Someone asked about all the potholders that I have been sewing.  As with all the samples that I make, when they have served their purpose, they are sold, given away or I keep my favorites.  The potholders and other small projects are a great way to make a block without committing to a larger projects.
  Since the last post, I have been playing with the different blocks.  Here is a table runner that was made

Ring of Fire Runner

from End of Day block.  As you can see I left the dark fabric out three of the block.  I cut an angle on each end to give it a runner look. 
  I hope that you are enjoying the blocks.  I am slow but I will be back.
  Happy Quilting,
    Terry

6" Block Quilt

  What to do with those 5" sq. whether they were cut from scraps or are left over from a charm pack, sew them.  As I continue to clean my sewing area, I found a box of 5" sq.  Yesterday, I sewed them into disappearing nine patch.  It is very scrappy but looks like I put more work into it then I truely did.  Now, the quilt becomes one of those quilts that I will not have a stroke when my husband misuses it.  If you are not familiar with the disappearing 9-patch, check out my video on how to make them.  
  Here is a couple of pictures of the 6 1/2" block quilt.

 They are not the best pictures but it does give you the idea of what I did.  It is a queen size quilt with a piano key border.
  I hope you have figured out what you are going to do with the blocks.  It doesn't have to be a queen quilt.  They are a good size for most anything that you can think of.

Keep quilting,
  Terry 

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  

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  

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

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    

Capital T

  Most quilts that we make are of 100% cotton.  I have a friend that uses whatever it takes to create the look that she wants  for her quilt.  She has used satin, liquid lame, burlap, tissue lame and many other mediums.  She doesn't make those very artsy quilts but they are a great twist on the everyday quilt.  My point being, step outside the box sometimes.
  Today's block is Capital T.  It has flying geese and HST.

Capital T

Cutting
  Light or Light Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    one  2 1/2" sq.
    eight  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese

  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. cu diagonally once for HST
    sixteen  1 1/2" sq. for flying geese

Step outside your box,
  Terry

Union Square

  Have you had the opportunity to make a t-shirt quilt?  It is a quilt type that I get commissioned all the time to make.  That is one part of my job that I really enjoy.  This time I got to make a special t-shirt quilt for my grandson, Owen.  His mom was cleaning and gathered up all his old t-shirts from elementary school.  He brought them to me and asked for a quilt.  It was fun to see all that he did, plays, sports, travel and camps.  He even had some of his dad's coaching t-shirts.  I have the quilt ready to be quilted.  Owen picked out a satin for backing, yes, a satin.  I think his dad, Christopher, will quilt it for him.  Owen is a 7th grader now.  I am sure there will be another quilt request made from his middle school t-shirts.  Hopefully, the other 9 grandchildren don't notice because that is lots of quilts.  Being grandmother, how could I refuse any of them.
  Today's block is Union Square.  It has HST, flying geese and sq. in a sq.  You will have fun with this one.

Union Square

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for sq. in a sq.
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq.  for flying geese

  Medium fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center of sq. in a sq.
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for outer corners

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for sq. in a sq.
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.  for flying geese

  Enjoy,
    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

Practical Orchard

  Binding, binding and more binding.  Sometime it seems like that is all that I get done.  Thank goodness that I quit doing it by hand years ago.  I would not be able to keep up.  Besides my hands gave out some time ago so I bind only by machine.   Being busy is a good thing, not a complaint.
  After a busy day, it is nice to do a simple block.  Today's block is Practical Orchard.  You can mark your diagonals first and sew, then cut if you like.

Practical Orchard

  

Cutting
  Light Medium fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  use 2 triangles for hour glass

  Dark Medium fabric
    four 2 1/2" sq.
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice  use 2 triangles for hour glass

Relax and enjoy,
  Terry

Golden Gate

  Do you ever get your fingernails done?  You know that I do if you have ever watched my youtube videos.  It is one of things in life that I enjoy doing.  About twenty years ago, I found out that there was a way from keep me from biting my nails.  Yes, I was a nailbiter.  I have always wanted long nails but as a biter that was not going to happen.  For twenty years now, I have been getting my nails done.  She does a French manicure because with all the sewing that I do I wear the polish off before it was time to redo.  They look longer then they really are because of the way that they are done.
  On to today's block--Golden Gate.

Golden Gate

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

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

  Dark fabric
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.

  If you have not seen the real Golden Gate bridge, take time to do so.  It is impressive.
  Terry  

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  

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 

Double Pinwheel

  The end of the year is counting down.  One of the things that I have always tried to do is to complete the lingering projects from the year.  That does not mean that I finish all my quilt projects.  These are the ones that I am making for the shop or was commissioned to make for a customer.  This gives me a good feeling to begin my year anew.  Since Christmas has pasted, I have been able to concentrate on them.  Tomorrow, I have one quilt left to bind.  Yeah!! Next, on to the projects that came in this month that have 2018 deadlines.
  For now, it is block time.  Double Pinwheel is one of my favorites and a great one for any skill level.

Double Pinwheel

  Cutting
    Light fabric
      one  4 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice

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

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

  Well, there is still time to finished one more before the new year begins.  Have fun.
  Terry

Weathervane

  Our customers have picked up their quilts in time for Christmas.  So the next couple of days will be slow with the exception of a husband or friend purchasing a gift certificate.  This gives us the time to get some of those odd and ends done before the new year starts.
  On New Year Day, check out our online only fat quarter sale at junctionfabric.com.  
  Moving on to today's block-- Weathervane.  It is made of an array of HST, flying geese, squares and rectangles.  You have done all of these before.

Weathervane

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  use 8 for the flying geese

  Medium fabric
    eight  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles  use 4 for the flying geese

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq. for center
    four  1 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.

Have safe trip if you are traveling for the holidays.
  Terry  

Soup Night

  It was soup night with my grandchildren.  It was an enjoyable evening.  Some of them are starting Christmas vacation tomorrow and some had homework to get done.  Their vacation starts Saturday.  We will all be together again on Sunday.
  Even though things are busy, here is today's block--Aunt Sukey's Choice.  You will make it in sections of 2 squares and rectangle,  2 flying geese and a center square.

Aunt Sukey's Choice

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

  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles for flying geese
    twelve 1 1/2" sq.  eight squares for flying geese

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center

Don't stress out, relax,
  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  

Countdown

  The week is counting down until Christmas.  Are you ready?  I am one of those last minute people.  I have almost finished my gift making.  Talen said that he will help me making the dinner fixin's.  He is such good help.  He wants to make sure that we make apple pie (his favorite).
  Until then, here is today's block--Jefferson City.  There is not anything new in this block just squares and triangles.

Jefferson City

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    four  1 7/8" sq.
    one  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice
    four  1 7/8" sq.

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

  Relax and enjoy a hot chocolate,
    Terry
    

Album

  The good thing is I work from home but the bad thing is I work from home.  Most of my married life, I have been very fortunate to be a stay at home mom.  I started doing craft shows and clothing alterations when my children were very young.  This became my work but it gave me the freedom to be at home with my children.  Eventually, I open the shop which Christopher has taken over.  I quilt and design in my sewing area at home for the shop.  The point is that I don't get out much so sometimes it feels like nothing ever happens.  My days are full with sewing which I really enjoy.  Again, today I spend my time designing a couple of quilts that I will be making after the holidays.  I wished that I could write the patterns as quickly as I can design them.
  Today's block is called--Album.  There is one odd piece in the corner section.  I used 2 triangles of equal size.  I sewed one triangle to the small block. The triangle was bigger then needed but after I sewed the second triangle to the other side, I could trim off the extra.  Hope this helps you.

Album

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.
    four  2 1/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    four  1 1/4" sq.

Enjoy,
  Terry