Choose Your Own BlockAlong 11/24/14

I knew it would happen eventually, and the time has come when it seems I have pieced all the Dear Jane blocks that can be done without appliqué or paper piecing.  

I have put off the paper piecing as long as I can.  The above block wasn't too bad and I like the purple Anna Maria Horner print with the Cotton and Steel background.

 This second block on the other hand was a pain to assemble and took forever.  I used the same Cotton and Steel background fabric and went with scraps from this quilt for the print.

Check out Michelle and Cindy's progress and others who are playing along here.  

I'm off to visit my parents.  Happy Monday!

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 11/17/14

The Mondays are just flying by!  From my blog posts it seems like all I sew are Dear Jane blocks, but that's not the case.  One of these days I will publish a non-Dear Jane post ;-)))

The "I"'s have it

The two blocks did not appear to be that difficult, but I had to redo them...twice!

Block I-2

 The directions I followed for Block I-2 listed background fabric for the setting triangles.  After assembling the block I noticed the original DJ block used the focal fabric for the triangles which I like better so I remade the block.   Fabrics used are Architextures and Cotton+Steel Basics.

Block I-3

 I did my own math for Block I-3 so I have no one else to blame for having to redo it.  Plus lining up those thin strips is not as easy as it seems.  Fabrics in this block are Architextures and Kaffe Fassett.

Off to see what Michelle and Cindy have accomplished!  Also, if you are playing along don't forget to link up over at Cindy's blog so I can cheer you on too.

Thanks for stopping by,

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 11/10/14

Oops, Monday came and went without my posting progress on Dear Jane blocks.

Block K-2

Block K-2 starts with 1 1/8" strips which I mistakenly cut at 1 1/4" and didn't notice until I had finished sub cutting them.  The block came out to be a perfect 5" before adding the 7/8" outer strips so I left it as is.  All the blocks will end up having sashing anyway which should make everything OK.  Directions for this block (and a picture of how the block is supposed to look) can be found at That Quilt.

Block K-12

For block K-12, I used instructions from a long ago Dear Jane class.  Even though I followed the directions carefully, my block looks off so I may redo it using the method of That Quilt's site.  That's what I get for avoiding paper piecing whenever possible.

Up to 26 blocks now

I've made 26 Dear Jane blocks so far....that's more than 10 percent!  I'm trying not to let this fact overwhelm me ;-)))

Michelle took this week off to make Christmas gifts, but I know Cindy has some blocks to share.
Thanks for stopping by,

Friday Finish: Quick Gifts

Despite my cold I spent a little time in my studio this week.  Mostly I attempted to clean and organize which is proving to be an impossible, never ending task.
 

the front

I found this piece of linen that had EPP hexies machine stitched on with a little bit of hand stitching echoing the hexies and turned it into another iPad cover.  I remember (but not sure exactly when) trying EPP with scraps from Leo's Peace Baby quilt.  There's a stack left waiting for another project....

love the fabric on the back

The backing fabric is also from Malka Dubrawsky; this line is called Outside In; the hexie fabric is A Stitch in Color.  The iPad tutorial is by One Shabby Chick.

Christmas coasters

Scraps of batting and Christmas charm squares make quick coasters.  I love mug rugs, but sometimes I just want something small for my beverage.  Especially when I'm sewing because I don't have extra space near my machine.

This is my favorite Christmas fabric

Stack four coasters, tie with baker's string and they look kind of pretty.

guild door prize

Throw in a spool of thread and some Clover clips and you have a nice little happy for a friend!

Linking with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Thanks for stopping by,

Choose Your Own BlockAlong 11/03/14

Well, it's November already.  The weather is cooler here and the humidity has taken a short break which is a nice change. We've pulled out our socks and turned on the heaters to deal with the forecast of morning temps in the 40's!  It won't last long and we'll be back in flip flops by the weekend.

22 blocks

My head is still fuzzy from cold medicine I've been taking for a week now, so it's a miracle my Dear Jane blocks did not require the seam ripper this time around.

Block J-7

Teeny nine patches finishing at 1.5" make up Block J-7.  Piecing instructions found on That Quilt.  Both fabrics are by Carolyn Friedlander.

Block F-4

Scraps of Amy Butler and Carolyn Friedlander make up Block F-4.  Instructions came from class notes.

Michelle and Cindy have their posts up so go see their beautiful City Sampler blocks.

Thanks for stopping by,