Windmill

#108 Windmill

This is an easy one....only 8 pieces!  We are not using the templates.  This would have been easy if my brain hadn't went on vacation.

Cutting:

• Color 1 - 4 triangles cut with the companion angle and strip width 2 3/4"
• Color 2 - 4 strips 1 1/2" X 5 1/4"

I love the colors in this picture.  Unfortunately, I didn't cut the striped pieces the correct size so it didn't quite workout. 





Add the rectangle strip to the SAME short straight edge of the triangle.  Let the rectangle pieces extend beyond the base of the triangle.  Press toward the rectangle.  Join the 4 pieces in a 4 patch fashion matching the center seams

If you have the square up ruler, this is how you will square up the block.  Line up the center seam line with the 6 1/2" line on the ruler.  Wiggle the quarter seam lines until they feel locked together.  Line up the quarter seam line with the perpendicular line on the ruler and trim on both sides of the ruler. 

If you do NOT have the square up ruler, you can still square up your block perfectly.  You know I love gadgets!  Line up the diagonal (bias) line of your ruler (mine is 6 1/2, but yours could be this size or larger) with the center seam.  Take care to make sure your seam is exactly on the corner.  Trim 2 sides. 

Turn the ruler and line up the bias line once again.  Trim the remaining 2 sides to make the 6 1/2" block

This is the completed block.  I love how the tomatoes look with the green.

If you ever need to see a picture better, you can always click on it to make it larger. 

Ozark Maple Leaf

This is an interesting block that reminds me of something entirely different.  We are moving on to FW block number 63 Ozark Mable Leaf.

Cutting instructions:
For Each Color (color 1 & 2)

1. 2 - 2 1/2" squares
2. 2 - 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"
3. 2- 1 1/2" x 3 1/2"
4. 4 - 1" finished triangles (1 1/2" strip cut with the easy angle)

For all the 2 1/2" squares use the cut away method and trim off the corners.  I have the Olfa frosted brand ruler in the pictures, so I have lined up the 1" line.  I you are using the easy angle, you will be lining up the 1 1/2" line.

If you are having problems with this, try taking a 1 1/2" piece of cardstock or template plastic, cut it on the angle 1/4"  from the corner.  Use the cut-away piece as a guide and place it on the fabric to show you where to line up the easy angle.

Sew the triangles on the 2 1/2" squares on opposing sides.  This block is traditionally called a signature block.  Carefully press the units toward the triangles.  Measure the units and square up to 2 1/2" if you need to.

Join the 1 1/2" x 2 1/2" rectangles to each of the signature blocks, then add the 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" rectangles.  

Measure the blocks and square up to 3 1/2" if necessary.  (My block is 3 colors because I didn't have anything bigger than 1 1/2" of color 2)

Join the 4 units to make a 6 1/2" block.  Because I added a third color, the block a has unique look.  I can't decide if I like it, but it looks more like a boxed block.

Only 20 pieces in this block- We are gearing up for the 37 pieces in wild goose chase later this month.

Flock

Block #34- Flock.  I thought I would do an easy one before we get to wild goose chase and Judy comes unglued!
Cutting:

2 light and 2 dark triangles that finish at 3" (3 1/2" cut with the easy angle)

8 light and 8 dark triangles that finish at 1 1/2" (2" strip cut with the easy angle)

Join the pairs of lights and darks together to make the half squares.  Square the little guys up to 2" (if you need to) and the big guys up to 3 1/2" (if you need to).  I pressed all pieces toward the dark.  You may wish to press the small triangles open.  Join the small triangles in pairs and then a 4 patch.  These should measure 3 1/2"

Join the 4 units measuring 3 1/2" to make a 6 1/2" completed block.  See that little crease at the bottom?  Yes....I sewed it together wrong the first time and had to un-sew it.  It happens to me too quite frequently.


 Have fun and don't stress too much.

Progress

My design wall is exactly the same as last week, but I managed to make and sew the binding on 4 quilts.  They are ready for hand stitching.

I also cut out all the blocks for April for the FW projects.

Everyone had a fun and productive sewing weekend at the library.  My niece attended with her beautiful baby Lillyn.  She had plenty of helpers for holding the baby.

 

Ellen was working so hard on cutting out the FW blocks that she had to get a second table to regroup.  She that huge pile of scraps!  That almost looks as bad as my bucket.  She didn't even bring her machine to tempt her to start sewing.








I finished a few more FW blocks and I hung them all to see how they looked.  Just looking at the blocks, I thought I had too much orange.  After I hung them on the design wall, I think the colors are looking pretty even.  There is a lot of yellow and orange, but it isn't overwhelming.

I helped Nancy cut out this quilt and she sewed the pinwheels at lightning speed.  The dark purple (with brown undertones) really makes the trains sparkle.  I just love the first tan border that has the pumpkin colored dots.








Char worked on making these butterflies.  I love the bright and cheery colors.  Wouldn't this be a great scrap quilt! 

This week I plan to sew 2 more bindings on quilts and do some quilting.  I am counting the days down for my quilt shop adventure.

Check back with Judy to see what others are working on.

Have a great week.  Stop back later this week to see more FW blocks.

Something Old...Something New...Definately not BLUE

I worked on the UFO on the design wall some this week.  I am happy that it is now in one piece.  I am still sort of undecided on what to do with the borders, so I didn't go any further.  I think I like the smaller triangles, but I may do a double border to get a zig-zag effect.  I have never tried this before, so it might be fun to figure out the corners.

While taking a break from sewing, I did a visit to blogland and saw this post.  The sight of this quilt immediately made me think of a large pile of 3" rails that I wanted to use up.  I made these when I did a Bonnie Hunter mystery- I believe it was her first one Carolina Crossroads.  At the time, I was contemplating making 3!  I was so silly.  I also thought about the large container of half squares I have sorted by color, cut and ready for use.  I have to admit, when I was sorting the container by color I had to wonder if I was actually insane.  I grabbed the rails (several hundred of them) and the box of half squares (several thousand) and went to town.  The 2" finished half squares are the perfect size for the corners.  I still have another 25 blocks to make, but it will be a nice size baby quilt and I will have another open container.  My blocks will finish at about 4", I have no idea the size of the blocks in the actual pattern.  I am pleased that I have managed to use these old blocks and create something new.

Check back with Judy to see what others are working on this week.

End of Day

Block number #30 according to the Farmer's Wife.  To avoid waste, we are going to make 2 of these.  You can use this extra block for a mug rug, or substitute it for a block that you don't like (or one that doesn't turn out well).

Cutting:
Dark (color #1)
2 - 2" x 19"
Light(s) (color #2 & #3)
1- 2" x 19"

Sew a light strip to each of the dark strips.  Press toward the dark.  Check to make sure your strip sets measure 3 1/2".  If not, you need to adjust your seam allowance.  Look how well this book (that was placed there by my little helper before I could snap the picture) matches my fabric.






Lay the strips sets right sides together locking the seams together.  The dark colors should be opposites.







Use your easy angle and cut 8 "pairs" of triangles.  You should have 4 of each "kind".  Leave the triangle sets nestled together and sew.

Press the units to one side.  Join the 3 1/2" squares (4 of each kind) to complete the blocks.  The light will be dominant in one block and the dark in the other block.   

This is a really fun block to make with your Jelly flops.  You would do it the same way with a light and a dark.  In case you are wondering- I am still loving my fireflies.  This block would be great for a charity quilt as it goes together quickly and the block has a lot of movement.

Visitors

New baby = New quilt.  I actually had this one done on time.  Maybe it was due to the fact that the mom-to-be picked it out of the finished pile and claimed it before she was pregnant.

Lillyn Jean Born April 9th.

Big brother Johnathyn wanted in on the action in the last picture.  He is my little buddy, and he is just the sweetest thing ever.  He came to stay with me for the day while mom and dad were at the hospital.  It feels wonderful to be great again...that is great-aunt.