Finishes

This is my mid month re-grouping.  I added a tab at the top where I will link up my finishes for this year.  I thought it would be just as motivating to see the finished projects as it was to see all the unfinished projects living in containers.

I also have a numbered list on my side bar with a listing of the projects I have completed.  It is fun to see the number climb!

I have all my February goals completed except the Farmer's Wife blocks.  I hope to get more of those cut out this weekend so I can get them posted.  I am already contemplating what I want for my goals in March.

To make this post a little more interesting, I thought I would add a picture of another project from the retreat.  Tina made a really cool infinity scarf.

February ISE Retreat

It was another fun retreat.  Warning:  This is a picture heavy post.  

I think everyone (except Ellen) was pleased with all that was accomplished.  I know finished every item I intended to work on.

1.  I was able to sew the binding on 4 quilts and get them ready to hand sew (or should I say ready for someone to hand sew)
2. Make a backing for a quilt on the UFO list (February Goal)
3. Make the setting triangles for a quilt 
4. Sew the blocks together for a UFO quilt
5. Work on the outside sashing on a UFO quilt
6. Spend time with friends and enjoy their company.

 Tina was one of the first ones to earn the ripper frog award.

 Sue was working hard on her projects.  She finished a jelly roll race quilt out of the neutrals.

 All the Hunter Star quilts turned out great!  I love everyone's color choices.  Char lead the workshop using this ruler.  Everyone had accurate results doing it this way.

 This quilt is now ready for the backing to be pieced.  It took me a long time to get the blocks arranged how I wanted them.

 This youngster is making a doll quilt with some fabric she received as a gift.  I think she did a great job.

Nancy used her jelly flop from last month and made a sample for a class she was teaching.  I think it turned out really nice.  These were the bright blenders.

Ellen spent the weekend piecing this great quilt.  I don't know why she thought she could get it done in one day.  It looks lovely hanging on the design wall

I have plan for more design walls for the March retreat.  I think we have mastered the best arrangement for the tables.  

Thanks for another great retreat.

Country Farm

 I am sitting here watching the Super Bowl, and my favorite commercial was the Dodge Farmer commercial.  How fitting that I am posting the next block - #23 in the Farmer's Wife book.

Dark:

• 4 - 2 1/2" squares.
• 4- 1 1/2" strip Use Companion Angle

Star Points:

• 8 - 1 1/2" strip with CA

Center Hour Glass:

• 2 dark & 2 light triangles cut with CA - 1 7/8" strip

Sew the star points to the 4 corner squares.  Press toward the star points.

Sew the hourglass triangles together in pairs, then join the pairs.

Join 2 star triangles to the hourglass unit.  Press toward the hourglass unit.  

Add the remaining triangles to the remaining star points.  

Join the remaining pieces and press toward the star points.  The block should measure 6 1/2" 

Mother's Dream

This is Block #58 in the FW book.  This is another easy one if you know how to read your ruler.

Light:

• Center Square 2 5/8"
• 4 - 1 5/8" x 2 5/8"

Dark:

• 4 - 1 5/8" x 2 5/8"

I strip pieced the light and dark rails (1 5/8" x 10 1/2")and cut them in 2 5/8" segments.

Medium

• 4 - triangles cut with Companion Angle (2" strip)
• 4 - triangles cut with Easy Angle (2" strip)

 Sew the 2 of the corner triangles on 2 of the rail segments (half squares)

Sew the triangles cut with the companion angle on both sides of the remaining rail segments.

Press all toward the triangles.

Sew the rails with the corner triangles to the center square.  Press toward the center square.

Sew the remaining 2 corner triangles to the rails with side triangles.

Join  the units to complete the 6 1/2" block.

I am working toward my goal of getting 10 blocks posted.  

Friendship Block

This block is block #40 according to the FW book. This block doesn't have many pieces, so cut them carefully so everything will go together well.

Light:

• 4 - 2" X 2"
• 2- 1 1/4" X 3 3/8"
• 2- 1 1/4" X 4 3/4"

Dark:

• 1- 3 3/8" X 3 3/8"
• 8- 1 1/2" finished triangles (2" strip - Use Easy Angle)

 Sew the 2 light rectangles to opposite sides the large square.  Press toward the rectangles, then repeat with the remaining 2 rectangles.

Sew the dark triangles to small squares.  I like to press the first triangle toward the square, and the second triangle away from the square.  Square up if necessary (should be the same size as a 3" finished half square)

Mark the center of each side of the square unit.  Sew the triangle units to the square unit lining up the centers. Sew the opposite sides first.  Press the first 2 toward the square, and the second 2 toward the triangle units.  I like to place the triangle units on top when I sew so I can make sure I don't clip off my corners (sew through the "x")

Finished block measures 6 1/2"

Squash Blossom - #86

 I am glad this block was included with the FW book, because it stretched me.  I learned a new way to use the companion angle.  You can use the following cutting instructions, and use the cut away method, OR, you can cut using my diagrams.

Background:

4- 1 1/2" X 3 1/2"
4- 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
4- 1" finished half squares (1 1/2" strip Companion Angle)

Dark:

2- Triangles cut with Companion Angle (CA) 1 1/2" strip
2- 1 1/2" X 4 1/2"
4- 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"

Medium:
2 - Triangles cut with Companion Angle (CA) 1 1/2" strip

Generally when we use the easy angle, the fabric goes to the tip of the triangle.  This time, we don't want a point at the top, so we are going to line up the ruler with the bottom of the strip.  Since we want a mirror image, place your fabrics with wrong sides together.

Background:

• Cut 4 pieces lining up the 3 1/2" marking of the Easy Angle with the bottom of the strip. You should have 2 face up and 2 reversed.

• Cut 4 pieces lining up the 2 1/2" marking with the EA with the bottom of the strip.  You should have 2 face up and 2 reversed.

• Cut 4 triangles with the EA from the same 1 1/2" strip (1" finished triangle - not illustrated)

Dark (red)

• Using a 1 1/2" strip wrong sides together, Use the CA and line up the 4" line with the bottom of the strip and cut both sides of the triangle (make 2)
• Use the CA to cut 2 flying geese

• Cut 4 rectangles 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" - Use the diagram to cut away the triangle corners.  Repeat with the other corner making a diamond shape.

Medium (orange)

• Cut 2 flying geese with the CA

Lay out the pieces like the diagram and join in Rows.  Each of your rows should measure 1 1/2" x 6 1/2"

Join the Rows to complete the block.  

I pressed the center rows (where the orange geese join) open.

Finished block measures 6 1/2"

  

January Finishes/February Goals

The master plan is 2 quilts/month from the "list" of UFOs 2013

My goals for January were:

1. Finish Spicy Spiral in Valentine's colors 
2. Add Borders to my Twister Quilt and Piece the backing
3. 10 FW blocks and post the tutorials online
4. Put the borders on the flannel quilt and piece the backing
5. Move one project to a new home

How did I do?  

I fell short on getting the FW blocks posted.  I have them done, but I haven't had a chance to get all the photos uploaded.  In addition to this list, I also:

• finished a second spicy spiral from the list 
• quilted the flannel quilt from number 4
• Put together the "8" quilt and added the borders

That gives me 3 finished for January!  (I consider giving the project away a finish)

How many new starts did I have in January?  - 1  This might be a record for me.  In addition, I just finished that quilt so it is not going to be going on the UFO list.

February is a short month, so I am going to keep my goals simple.  I do have a retreat this month which should help a little bit.  

Flannel Quilt 

Crazy 8 Quilt

1. 10 FW block tutorials
2. Quilt the Crazy "8" quilt, and bind
3. Put the binding on the quilt in #4 
4. Piece the backing for the Monkey Tumbler quilt
5. Quilt the Aqua/Tan Quilt and bind