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 

Jackknife

  Yea, I have all my blocks sewn.  Now, to put them together.  Today is the day to lay them out.  There are several ideas that I have, so we will see what happens.  As soon as it is finished you will see the end results.
  But onward to today's block called Jackknife.  Sew the triangles made from the 1 7/8" sq. to the center of the 2" x 4 " rect.  Finish the block.  Then square them to 2 1/2" sq.

Jackknife

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq. use for Hourglass
    four  2" x 4" rect.
    one  2 1/2" sq.  for center
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

  Medium fabric
    two  3 1/4" sq. use for Hourglass
    four  2" x 4" rect.
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once 

Keep quilting,
  Terry  

Strawberry Basket

  Free Patterns!!!  We all like free patterns.  I was looking at some patterns today some free and some you have to purchase.  It is the free ones that I want to suggest.  
  Most fabric manufacturers have patterns on their website.  Some of the patterns are free for you to download.  There are all kind of ideas available because the manufacturer wants you to be inspired, then purchased their fabrics.  Check out the fabric manufacturers websites.  Get Inspired!!!  For the names of manufacturers, look at the salvage on your fabric.
  Today's block is Strawberry Basket.  I pieced the rectangles to the triangles, then trim to create a large triangle.

Strawberry Basket

Cutting
  Light fabric
    nine  1 1/2" sq.

  Medium fabric
    two  2 1/2" x 4 7/8" rect.

  Dark Medium fabric
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once  you will use only 1 of the triangles

  Dark fabric
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    three  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    six  1 1/2" sq.

Keep quilting,
  Terry

Country Farm

  It was nice out today so Talon and I finished shoveling snow from the sidewalk.  Also, helped Christopher in the shop.  Not much sewing got done.  We, Christopher, the camera man, and I did get a couple of the blocks taped.  He should publish them to youtube sometime this week.  Wow, what an exciting day.  
  Today's block is Country Farm.  I like this one.  A nice 8 points star with a hourglass center.  Hope you like it too.

Country Farm

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

  Medium fabric
    one  3 1/4" sq.  cut diagonally once
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium Dark fabric
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for center

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

Keep quilting,
  Terry 

Ranger's Pride

  Well, I did it.  I feel very good for having pieced one of my mother's quilts.  It still needs quilting and bound but the piecing is done.  She had sewn 6 of the 40 blocks and had all the parts cut.  I added 2 more blocks and did a layout of 6 blocks by 7 rows.  The quilt is very large.  I will show it off once it is quilted.
  Today's block is Ranger's Pride.  Imagine the block separated diagonally twice.  Sew the sections as triangle.  The base of the triangle will be longer than needed and trimmed after the top triangle has been sewn to it.

Ranger's Pride

Cuting
  Medium fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 6 1/2" rect. for base of triangle
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for center triangles

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 3" rect. for base triangle
    two  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once for center triangles

  We will be taping this block tomorrow.  Maybe, that will help explain the block better.  I will have Christopher post it quickly.  
  Keep quilting,
    Terry   

Gretchen

  I don't know about you but I have enjoyed going through all of these blocks.  Some, I would have never picked to make and others I may have liked but would not have ever tried.  Even though the YouTube tutorials are all potholders, I have several ideas that I hope to pursue.
  Today's block is one of those that I liked but may not have tried.  It is Gretchen.  Here is a couple of hints.  Look at the block as 4 identical sections.  The center strips of each section is made similar to flying geese but it is longer then what you needed.  Center the triangle and sew to the side.  Then sew the two part to each other.  Square up to a 3 1/2" sq.

Gretchen

 

Cutting
  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.
    four  1 1/4" x 3 1/2" rect. 

  Dark fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rect.
    four  1 1/4" x 3 1/2" rect.

Keep quilting,
  Terry
  

Waterwheel

  It is embarrassing to admit but as I have been cleaning and organizing my work space, I have come across some unfinished projects.  Some have been quickly finished but I found one that I started for my oldest son, Ryan, about 15 maybe 20 years ago.  I had made 61 log cabin blocks from his old high school slacks. He didn't know that I was making it.  Why it wasn't finished, I am not sure.  It just was placed out of sight.  Today was spend working on it and should be ready for quilting tomorrow. Then it will be on to the next UFO.
  Today's block is--Waterwheel.

Waterwheel

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq.  for 4-patch

  Medium Light fabric
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for 4-patch

  Medium fabric
    one  2 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for HST
    four  1 1/2" sq.  for 4-patch

  Dark fabric
    four 1 1/2" sq.  for 4-patch

Time to finish an UFO.
  Terry

Hither & Yon

  There is nothing like going to a Middle school band concert.  The middle schoolers are not ready for Carnegie Hall but it is better.  It is better because they are kids from the neighborhood, kids of friends or the best, grandkids.  Of course, my grandson was the best sax player there.
  Today's block is--Hither & Yon.  It looks like a spool with pinwheels.

Hither & Yon

Cutting
  Light fabric
    six  2 3/8" sq.  cut diagonally once
    two  2 3/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for the pinwheels

  Medium fabric
    two  2 3/4" sq.  cut diagonally twice for the pinwheels

  Dark fabric
    two  2 3/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    one  3 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once

Hope you get the chance to attend a school concert.
  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
   

Indian Puzzle

  As I sit here thinking, another soup night with the grandchildren is over.  I have forgotten how much work it took raising 4 kids.  The grandchildren keep me busy and we have fun but it is nice to send them home.  I have come to enjoy the quiet after the storm.
  Today's block is Indian Puzzle.  It has a little of everything in it.  The center is a square in a square, flying geese on the sides, squares and HST in the corners.

Indian Puzzle

Cutting
  Light fabric
    five  1 7/8" sq.  use 4 for HST and 1 for the center
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese
    twelve  1 1/2" sq.  use 4 for corners rest for flying geese

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

  Dark fabric
    four  1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rect. for flying geese
    two  1 7/8" sq.  cut diagonally once for Sq. in a Sq.
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for flying geese

Enjoy,
  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    

Spinner

  Well, I finished my book, the quilter's mystery that my daughter gave me.  It was a nice, easy read who-done-it.  This is the kind of book that I enjoy for a change of pace.
  Another thing that I like, in quilting, is the pinwheel.  I like the movement that it creates in the quilt.  With that in mine, today's block has a pinwheel theme.  It is called Spinner.

Spinner

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2" sq.

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

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

Have fun quilting,
  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  

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  

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
    

Project Runway

  Just watch another episode of Project Runway.  I am not sure why I like the show unless it reminds me of when I sewed prom and wedding dresses.  I think it is more the awe that I feel to think of what they can design in a short amount of time.
  Today was another day of finishing old projects.  One more quilt ready to be quilted and another sewn together but not quite done.  I am not sure how many more projects are hidden in my sewing area.  It does feel good to clean a spot & get something finished.
  Let us proceed to today's block.  I picked London Roads for it's different look.  It looks like houses going in a circle or is it arrows going in a circle the other direction.  You decide.

Cutting

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

  Dark fabric
    one  3 1/3" sq. cut diagonally twice
    eight  1 1/4" x 2 1/2" rectangles

That's all for now.
  Terry






    
    

MOVING ONWARD

  For me, if it is Wednesday, it is soup night with the grandkids.  Tonight, it was turkey noodle soup, crackers and monster cookies. With Grandma's help, we did homework.  Thank goodness, they are in elementary school.
  We have had a busy week following the grandkids activities.  Attending football games, cheerleading competition, and black belt testing has been tiring but lots of fun.  
  Now to the second most important topic.  Today's block--Arkansas Crossroads.  This is a simple block with 12 squares and 4 HST.

Cutting
  Medium Light #1, Medium Dark & Dark
    four  2" squares of each fabric
  Light & Medium Light #2
    two  2 3/8" squares  cut diagonally once to make HST or use your favorite method
  
  I have been working on some ideas to use the blocks besides the lap quilt that I am working on.  I hope to have them finalized shortly.
Until the next time,
  Terry

Safely Home

  It is nice to be home after a great weekend in Pierre.  The ladies were wonderful and lots of quilts and food.  I enjoyed myself and met some great quilters.
  Today was soup night with the grandkids.  They came and went.  The mess is picked up.  I thought this would be a great time to share another block.
  Cat's Cradle was picked so that you can do half square triangles that will be sewn into larger triangles.  They are then sewn to another triangle to make the square used in the block.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 1/2" sq.
    three  2 7/8" sq. cut diagonally once
    three 1 7/8" sq. use with the dark fabric   1 7/8" to make HST

  Dark fabric
    one  2 1/2" sq.
    nine  1 7/8" sq.  use 3 of them with the light fabric 1 7/8" sq.
    cut the other 6 diagonally once to make the larger triangle

I think that this is a fun two color block.  Enjoy
    Terry

Another Soup Night

  Another soup night is over.  The grandbabies were over for chili and chocolate cookies. Fun and games was played by all until the parents came to pick them up.  It is wonderful to have them so close.
  Tomorrow I need to get everything ready to go to Pierre.  I will be teaching at a retreat this weekend.  I have to make sure that I am prepare for the class and truck show.  
  Today's block is made of half square triangles and 4-patches.
Here is Prairie Queen.

Cutting
  Light fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
    one  2 1/2" sq. for the center

  Medium fabric
    two  2 7/8" sq. for the HST
    eight  1 1/2" sq. for the 4-patch
  Reminder  HST--half square triangle

  Prairie Queen is a block that I used in a lap quilt.  The size of blocks that I made were 9 1/2".  The light fabric was the same throughout the quilt.  The medium fabric was different in each block.
  Have fun.
    Terry