Patch-working Promises

Pieced and ready to stitch the ditch

Pin Cushion Art, Free Form

While sewing a very long seam, the pins flew. By the time I looked up ...



I think it's sort of pretty.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bordering on Nerves

At my last Basics Class, I didn't have time to add the border.  I was able to get my fabric cut out, but sent away knowing I had the skills to make it happen.

Except I didn't. The Basics Book is a little vague on how one should attach a border on. She maintains that the fabric determines how the border is added.  That may be, but I don't have the relationship with fabric she has.  Fabric hasn't spoken to me so intimately.  So, what did I do?  What every good librarian would do: I did a Google Blog search for "border tutorials" and found Saltwater Quilts' Quilt Border with Mitred Corners tutorial.  Candace explains mitred corners rather easily.  Suddenly, the fabric for my border is speaking "mitred" to me, so I decided to give it a try.

I folded the quilt top right sides together in a triangle and made a line with my ruler and chalk.  Just to be sure I did it correctly, I used the 45 degree line on the ruler:  woo-hoo!  Correct.  I sewed the line as Candace described. Repeat. Three times.  I did a lot of checking to make it sure it actually worked -- and mostly it did.  I had a few issues... but this is a learning experience.



Okay, the seam is sewn, the fabric is cut, and now we press open the seam.

What's this?  Little rabbit ears... drat.  No biggie, I cut them off and viola.

My Basics quilt:

So, it's not perfect.  The border isn't a perfect 1/4" seam. The seams aren't perfectly pressed... but I'm pretty proud of myself. And, as expected, the border brought together a seemingly unorganized mound of fabric.  I'm pleased.

Did you see it?  If you've been following the posts on Basic Blocks, you'll know my Ohio Star wasn't right.  I fixed it!

What's next?  I contacted a woman to get the quilt top machine quilted.  I think that I need to learn one skill set at a time.  First let's get those 1/4" seams down.  Machine quilting will come.

The Basics -- Sawtooth Star

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square:  Sawtooth Star

Why it's a Basic: It's a variable 9-patch construction with flying geese

What I learned: another way to do flying geese

What I like about this square: Everything. The fabric. The new way to do flying geese, also, I was careful with this block and made sure all the birdies heads were pointed to the middle.  

What I don't like: not a lot

Would I do anything differently:  I'm pleased with it.  This is the last square.

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

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The Basics -- Ohio Star

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square:  The Ohio Star

Why it's a Basic: it's a 9-patch construction with quarter square triangles

What I learned: more precise cutting.  I got better after the Dutchman's Revenge

What I like about this square: It felt like a breath of fresh air after that last block

What I don't like:  Do you see it?  Probably you saw it right away.  It took me creating this blog post to catch it.  Yep, on the right side the bow tie is placed incorrectly

Would I do anything differently: Not place the bow tie incorrectly.  Perhaps I'll fix it, or, perhaps I'll chalk it up to a learning experience and move on ...

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Dutchman's Puzzle

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square: Dutchman's Puzzle

Why it's a Basic:  It's the Flying Geese in a 4-patch construction.

What I learned: Well, if you don't embrace precise 1/4" seams and precise cutting, you'll be cutting more fabric.

What I like about this square: Start at the middle of the block -- work your way out.  Do you see it?  The pinwheel?  That's what I like.

What I don't like:  Without offense to my friends of Dutch descent, I call it Dutchman's Revenge.  It's very tedious and precise.  And it took me 4 hours but I did it.

Would I do anything differently:  A good lesson.

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!

The Basics -- Churn Dash

I just finished my Basics Quilt Class.  Here's one of the squares I learned to construct ...
The square: The Churn Dash

Why it's a Basic: Look closely.  Do you see it?  It's a 9-patch.  The elements are half-square triangles and 2/3s of a rail fence.  

What I learned: This square helped me put it all together.  We've been working hard on those silly little squares and then, bam!, the more advanced "basic" squares put them together.  I didn't like the look of the churn dash, then I put this together.  

What I like about this square: The construction. The fabric.

What I don't like: nada

Would I do anything differently: zip

The Basics: An Easy Guide to Beginning Quiltmaking by Kathy Delaney

Taught by Barbara R. at the Prairie Quilt Shops

Just a reminder, this unfinished quilt was photographed on an ottoman and may not appear square, but it is!