Quilting

  Our quilters are busy, busy, busy like Santa's elves getting everything ready for Christmas.  Today was their day off so Christopher and I stepped in.  We spent the day long arm quilting to make sure that everyone's quilt is finished on time.  It is always fun to see what others have made.  The variety that our customers create is great.  We are not to the bottom of the list but just a little closer.
  Today's block is Windblown Square.

Windblown Square

Cutting

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

  Medium fabric
    one  4 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice, use 2
    two  2 3/8" sq.  cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST

  Dark fabric
    one  4 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice, use 2
    two  2 3/8" sq. cut one diagonally once, other one use in HST

Have fun.
  Terry

     

Post Thanksgiving

  It is after Thanksgiving and I need to get back into a routine.  I have been very busy this week finishing other people's projects for Christmas.  This has caused me to neglect the things that I want to get done such as blogging and my own Christmas.  It is time to get organized.
  To the more important thing--another block.  To ease back into it, the block is Contrary Wife, a simple block with squares and HST.

Contrary Wife

Cutting

  Light and Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  use to make HST

  Medium fabric
    five  2 1/2" sq.

  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving.
  Terry

One More

  I can't believe that November is half over.  Thanksgiving and Christmas are coming fast.  My Grandmother always told me that as you get older, the years seem to go faster so enjoy every moment.  I feel that she may be right.  

  Buckwheat is the next block.  To sew this one, I did the four-patch in the center first.  Then, cut the large squares twice to make the HST.  Lastly, matching the triangle in the corners.  I sewed this block in 3 sections at an angle.  Normally, we sew in horizontal rows.

Buckwheat

  

Cutting

  Light fabric

    two  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice for HST

    two  1 7/8" sq. for center 4-patch

  Medium fabric

    three  3 1/4" sq. cut diagonally twice for HST

  Dark fabric

    two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for HST

    two  1 7/8" sq. for center 4-patch

Terry       

Country Music

  Yes, I like country music.  Just watched the CMA awards, in which I enjoyed all the performers.  I do enjoy all types of music but country is my favorite.  I like the old twangy sound of the old singers that I listen to with my dad.  The country singers of the 60's and 70's that my mom like and everything since then.  Maybe my enjoyment is related to the memories with my parents, a little two stepping or foxtrot with my mother in the kitchen to Eddie Arnold or Charlie Pride.  My parents were avid square dancers, sometime I got to tag along.
  This block is in their honor--Square Dance.  Make the sides using the same method as making flying geese.  You will have extra fabric on the sides of the geese.  After the geese are made, check to make sure they measure 4 1/2" to match the center square.  Trim a little if necessary.

Square Dance

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.
    one 4 1/2" sq.

  Dark Fabric
    eight  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect.     

  I hope that you take time to dance even if it is by yourself while doing the dishes.
 Terry

Another Day

  Sometimes, it is hard to think of what to write.  I spend most days quilting.  That is not very exciting for some but that is my job and I enjoy it.  I sew samples for the shop, create for Fabric Junction's youtube channel and make quilts that I have been commissioned to do.  Today was not any different.  I was hoping to have my 6" block quilt finished by now to show you what could be done.  No, I am still working on it.  The good thing is that the blocks are all picked and my fabric is cut.
  Today's block is At the Square.  Use your favorite method in making the hourglass units that are in the corners.  Either cut the squares diagonally twice then sew or mark them diagonally, sew and cut, repeat twice.

Cutting
Light fabric
  one  2 1/2" sq.

Medium fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq. for the hourglass
  four  1 1/8" x 2 1/2" rect.
  two  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.

Dark fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq. for the hourglass
  four  1 1/8" x 2 1/2" rect.
  two 1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect. 

Hope that you get to spend your time doing what you enjoy.
  Terry

  

Quilting

  Have you picked your fabric, yet?  I am making my blocks from Northcott's Toscana line of blues and purples.  Also, using white solid as my light.
  Here is today's block.  It is Album Star.  The star points are made from flying geese.  I used the stitch and flip method.  You place the square in the corner of the rectangle and sew it diagonally.  Trim the extra off the corner and press.  You can check out the technique on youtube.com at Fabric Junction under making flying geese--3 different methods.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    one  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangle
    four  2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    four  2" sq.

  Medium or Dark fabric
    two  1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles
    eight  2" sq.

Enjoy the block,
  Terry

November Days

  As the days get colder, the more I enjoy sewing.  I can sit at my sewing machine and look out the window watching as winter comes this way.  The leaves have fallen, the nights are colder and frost is on the windshield of my car but I am warm and safe at my sewing machine.  Have you ever noticed how time goes quickly when you are busy working on that new project or finishing an old one?  I lose track of time all of the time.  
  Time for the next block--Card Basket.  I don't understand why it is called Card Basket for it doesn't look like cards or a basket.  There are 3 great types of squares in Card Basket.  HST are in the corners, hour glass units on the sides and a square in a square in the center.

Cutting

Light fabric
  two  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice then sew or sew then cut (pick you favorite method for making the hour glass)
  one  1 7/8" sq. for the center

Light Medium fabric
  two  2 7/8" sq. for HST

Dark Medium fabric
  one  3 1/4" sq. for hour glass
  two  1 7/8" sq. for sq. in a sq.

Dark fabric
  one 3 1/4" sq. for hour glass
  two  2 7/8" sq. for HST

Stay warm,
  Terry