Sewing Along!

My sewing is coming along really well these days.  One big project is well underway and another smaller one is almost done (next post!).  In the process I managed to finish two more Barrister's blocks by using the units as leaders and enders.  In between, I cranked out a cute apron for my future daughter-in-law's bridal shower.

Christine's Apron

I forgot to take a picture of the finished apron -- after all, it's just an apron.  Christine is a city girl, wears black, so I wanted something "her" (even though my son was the one who requested the rolling pin!).  The apron pattern is great -- fully adjustable without hardware (buckles etc.), so anyone can wear it.  Still, dessert is what it's all about, right?  Hence the apron fabric:

On to the Barrister's Blocks:

Indian Plume

More tiny half-square triangles (1" finished).  I'd actually started this in Florida, but I'd cut the pieces wrong and had to start over again when I got home.   Great way to use scraps of fabric that you don't really like -- they're too small to see anyway! 

 

 

Domino Net

A really easy block!  Strip-piece the nine-patches to make it even easier.  It takes longer to cut out than it does to sew.  Gotta love that!

 Today was the last class in the current Simple Sampler class at Pieceful Quilting.  During Show-an-Tell, several people asked to see the Barrister's Blocks that I had with me.  It was fun to finally share the work-to-date.  The blocks look much better when they are held up at the front of a classroom, instead of peering at them from a few inches away!  I'm really motivated to finish the blocks and sew them into a quilt!

Until next time!

Wrapping it up in Florida

  Creative Quilting!

After two pleasant months in Florida, I'm missing the warm weather but happy to be back home with all my quilty things. I was fortunate to be staying in a condo with room to set up a quilting area, although some improvisation was required.

Ugly, Baby!

As soon as Annie's Quilt was finished, I set to work on another baby quilt.  The disappearing 9-patch is such an easy pattern, so I decided to use it again, this time in flannel (the new baby will be in Ireland, where "warm" is an elusive concept). 

5" squares are stitched into 9-patch blocks

The blocks are cut in half in both directions

But when I put the squares together, I hated it!  I turned those puppies around in every possible direction, but it just never looked good.  

I don't know if there isn't enough contrast, not enough variety (3 patterns in each of 3 colors) or if I just don't like the fabrics.  Whatever, this quilt is not going to Ireland!  I stuffed it all in a bag and have put it away until I need something to do (?!?).  I'm sure it will make a fine donation quilt.

More Barrister's Blocks

Remember the Farmer's Wife quilt that morphed into the Barrister's Blocks?  If not, it's probably because I haven't mentioned that project in half a year!  I got so busy with other things that I hadn't worked on these blocks since September.  I cut the fabric for six of the blocks before I left and brought them along, so when the baby quilt didn't work out, I went to work on these.  After all those half-inch logs in Annie's Quilt, these 6-1/2" blocks didn't seem so bad!

This one looks even better in person -- the camera washed out some of the color.  Still pretty!

Broken Window

 (These are over-exposed, too)

Squares and Diamonds

Connecticut

I started sewing the other 3 blocks, too, but I'd managed to cut at least some of the pieces the wrong size.  Oh well, maybe later...