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  

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.    

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

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  

Snowball

  Wind, wind and more wind, with all the wind I don't know if we will have a white Christmas or just wind.  Either way I am a little closer to being ready.  Just about have all my gifts made and wrapped.  
  This weekend my oldest son, Ryan will be receiving his doctorate in engineering.  A must to attend.  We are very proud of him.  Also, another Christmas program with Christopher's children.  Looking forward to see them perform.
  Snowball is today's block.  Use the stitch n flip method when sewing the squares in each corner.  Stitch n flip is when you place the smaller square in the corner and sew diagonally across the small square.  Cut off the corner and press.

Snowball

Cutting
  Light fabric
    four  2 1/2" sq.

  Medium or Dark fabric
    one  6 1/2" sq.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.
  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

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

  

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  

Soup Night

                                   

Hello,

  Today is Soup Night with Grandma.  This is the day of the week that my grandchildren stop by and have soup with me.  There will be anywhere from 3 to 9.  It all depend on their schedule.  No parents.  The kids pick the soup and tonight is potatoes with milk but not potato soup.  Yes, that is what they wanted so it will be Corn Chowder. 

                                                  Today's block is Patience Corner.  

         

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

Enjoy the block and have some soup tonight. 

Terry 

Groundhog Day Sale!

Just a quick note that we will be having a Groundhog Day sale tomorrow.  2.5 inch strips will be 34 for $23.  This isn't public knowledge.  Well, it is now.  Make sure to check back tomorrow morning at 9:00 MT to access the sale on our website.  They will be under our Sale page.

In other news, Terry is back from Phoenix.  They had a great time and met lots of wonderful people.  I'm not so sure they are happy to be back in the land of snow, but we are very glad to see them.

We are working hard to get our calendar updated for you.  Check our Facebook page and our website for upcoming classes and events.

Have you ever seen our Rotary Palm Cutter?  Terry created it to help relieve fatigue on wrists and hands while cutting.  There is a YouTube tutorial you can watch to see how it works.  

If you like it, hop on over to our website or our Etsy store to purchase.  We think it's great!