What's Wrong Here???

As I am sewing along without a care in the world, watching Facebook, and praying for our daughter in Colorado with the tornado. When I am finally done sewing 17 big blocks together, and ironing away I put them in the pile and notice one block that doesn't look like the others!  Can you tell what's wrong with this block???  It sticks out like a sore thumb to me, if you don't see it, I may leave it for creative difference, but I am VERY SURE you will see it!! Oh Bother!


Think it's time to work on those rings!  I have another one pinned and ready to sew.  Maybe just one set before I fix this. I did manage to get caught up on both mysteries and work on the rings, so I guess that's a good thing. Both mysteries have a star theme (weird.....).  I am motoring along on all the projects.  I need to finish the last row of frogs on Gage's quilt on the long arm frame and get another one on there.  I have about 9 days to meet a personal goal of getting another quilt finished before the children have to go home.  I may not make it....I don't want to give up any more time than I need to with them!

I think I'll get back to it while it's quiet.  Have a wonderful day. Please post on Facebook or the blog.  I enjoy hearing from you.  Thanks for your prayers for Shane, he still has two fractured vertebrae from chemo induced osteoporosis, but is doing ok as long as he obeys the doctor's orders.  Do something you love!

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Monday Mystery Clue

Step 5 - Four Patch Block Assembly
Lay out 4 Two-Color Four Patch Units, 4 Three-Color Four Patch Units, and 8 (3- 1/2”) squares. Join in to four patch units, join two units for top and two for bottom.  Then join these for the block.  They all sew together the same, so you can just power sew and rotate to get the block.

Monday Mystery

I hope everyone had a great weekend and had some spare time to do the things you enjoy.  I did get a bit of sewing in.  I got several stars done for the scrappy blue/light quilt.  I have 42 blocks up on the wall, I have 24 more stars to do and it will be ready to sew together.  I also have been working on the wedding ring.  My project for this week is to get the dresses ready for the wedding and take my inspiration from that and work flat out on the wedding ring quilt.

The QCA Monday Mystery came out and here is a pic of my finished block for this clue.  Clue is a .pdf at the bottom of the post.  It was very easy today, but a lot of sewing.  First you need to sew the four patches and then make four patches from the four patches made of four patches!!!! You can see from the lighting that I pinwheeled my seams. The block lays nice and flat. We have the stars done and now this block, both measuring 12-1/2 inches.

Hope to get a lot done today.  The children are enjoying watching their morning tv.  Cole is finished with school for the day and playing around with his sister!  We only have 12 more days, getting sad now.  It has been a full summer with them here, it's going to be so QUIET without them.  We've got a lot accomplished, potty training, learning our name starts with a T, reading by phonics, jumping on one foot, when Nana says "no" she means "maybe later"....such a softie! and how to drink a whole bottle of gatorade before starting another.  I'm sure they knew most of this, but I will claim it anyway!!

Enjoy your day. Cuddle the babies!

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Bright Colors

I don't know about you, but I love bright colors.  My color choices for the Saturday mystery aren't too bright alone, but when I put them together, they are really nice and bright.  Nice cheerful thing to be working on as the weather cools down.  Most people here are working on those autumn colors, but for us in Arizona, it is still very warm outside and I really don't want to give up summer quite yet!!
 
Here is the star block from the Saturday mystery. It was very easy with my easy angle and companion angle rulers.  I saved quite a bit of fabric with them as well.  I am sure I will have plenty left over to make the border out of which ever fabric I prefer.  Watch this space, I usually need help choosing the border fabric.  I love pieced borders as well, may try HSTs or hourglasses.







Here is everything we have done so far.  Judy over on the quilting board is posting the clues for us.  I do love a good mystery. If you are sewing along, the third clue is posted on the blog, you can go there to find it.  Please post pics so I can see what your color choices are and how you're coming along.



Hope your weekend is going really well.  Most of us are on the last day of it, some already into the new week.  Hope it is fantastic.  We only have two more weeks with our grandchildren. In some ways we are happy, but I know my heart is going to break without hearing their voices around the house and listening to them running around chasing each other.  What are we going to do with our time?!?!?!  I know their mommy and daddy will be happy to be all back together again, but that won't happen until our son comes home from his deployment to the desert in late April. We will miss them terribly.  Just don't think about it, count the next two weeks as a blessing and enjoy it! We are very fortunate grandparents.

quilt piecefully,

Debi

  

Saturday Mystery Clue #3

 Here is the clue for Saturday's Mystery.....

If you're working on this one, it is the smaller one of the two I have going right now.  I have not seen someone make HSTs like this, find it interesting, but wasteful on the fabric.  I will do mine with 2-1/2inch strips and cut triangles. I hope all the pics post at the bottom.

Two parts to today’s clue – First, some half square triangles and then some flying geese.

You will be making twenty-four 2-1/2” half square triangle blocks. For this, I always use a cut-away method I adapted from something I found on the internet. It was posted by Rhonda. Don’t know if this is the Rhonda from our quilting board, but if so, thank you for your tutorial. If you have trouble making perfect 2-1/2’’ blocks, you definitely don’t want to use the traditional method! And I am one of those people – remember, last week I called myself an imperfect quilter with the traditional method of half sq. triangles.

So, to begin Using this cut-away method and looking at the pictures, with fabrics C and D: Cut a 3’’ wide strip WOF of each of these two fabrics. Place right sides together, and sew ¼’’ seam along the long side. PRESS THE SEAMS OPEN. This eliminates bulk and makes your template lay flat on the fabric. Using your 2-1/2” template, cut blocks from this strip that will measure a perfect 2-1/2”. You don’t have to leave a lot of space between the block. I think I got 11 from the strip. Take the straight edges of the leftover pieces, sew them together and press seams open, and cut more 2-1/’’ blocks, as shown in 2nd picture. Since you need a total of 24 blocks, use some of the leftover from clue 2. Seam pieces together, press seam open and cut enough to give you a total of 24 half square triangle 2-1/2” blocks.

Now for some flying geese. I overcut by a bit so that I can square up my block. As you can see from the 3rd picture there is a bit extra in the B fabric. If your geese come out perfect, and you don’t need that little bit, cut the B fabric 2-1/2’’ wide. From fabric B, I cut a total of 5 WOF at 2-3/4” wide.

If using my oversized method: Cut 24 pieces that measure 2-3/4’’ square and 24 pieces that measure 2-3/4’’ x 4-1/2’’. Or you will be using the traditional method with 2-1/2’’ strips and have 24 of the 2-1/2’’ squares and 24 of the 2-1/2 by 4-1/2’’ rectangles.

From fabric A cut 3 WOF at 2-1/2’’ and cut into 48 squares. Mark a diagonal line on the wrong side of the fabric. Place A square on the B rectangle as shown and sew. Bring point of A to meet other point and press. This will assure accuracy in the bottom edge of the geese. Trim and repeat for other side. ALWAYS place the A squares in the same position, so the top points of the geese are at the top, the edge that will be trimmed off. Sew a fraction away from your line, the fraction being on the side closest to the lower left corner of your block. Bring the corner of the A fabric to meet the corner of the block, press and trim. If you press and trim, you won’t have an incorrect block. Repeat with other side with another A block. there will be 24 of these geese setions.

MARKING HINT: if the fabric I am marking is light enough, I just use a pencil, but with dark fabrics, I like to use a chalk wheel with a piece of template plastic to quide. This does not make a heavy mark, like a chalk pencil, but makes just a thin line, and using the thin plastic allows you to get the wheel close to the plastic to get an accurate line.

A MUST in making these blocks is accurate 1/4'' seams. Using the C-D 4-1/2'' squares make 4-1/2' squares. There will be 6 of them. flying geese, press and trim. You will have 6 of these blocks that will measure 8-1/2'' square..

Attached Images

         

I LIKE THEM!

I really wasn't sure when I started this project if I was going to like it or not, but now I can't wait to see it finished.  I have used blue and lights to create these blocks.  I have all the hourglass/puss in the corner blocks done and I am working on finishing up the star blocks.  I put a few on the design wall and I really like the look.  Makes me want to change my leader/ender project into my full time project. BUT, alas I need to finish the wedding ring.  I did get the template set that will work if I add the seam allowance.  Glad to make that job easier.  I still need to cut out 40 centers for it. 






I am making this blue/light one totally from scraps.  I had some 2-1/2" strips I used and some squares.  The entire quilt is made from 2-1/2 inch pieces.  I cut the triangles for the hourglasses and flying geese units from strips, used squares in the corners of the star blocks and triangles for the HST units all from 2-1/2 inch strips.  



Hope you have a great day and your weekend started wonderfully.  Mine is going to start very nicely.  My husband's mom is back in the area for the winter and she is going to look after the children tonight so we can go have dinner by ourselves.  The children get to go to McDonald's for burgers and ice cream while Grandad and Nana are going to the valley for a nice dinner at the Biltmore.  It has been about a year and a half since we have had a nice dinner like this. (I am writing this Friday to post on Saturday morning).

Enjoy your day, do something you like.

quilt piecefully,

Debi

I Love Pink

And viola! it is finished.  For those of you trying to decide if you wan to make it.....give it a go, it is a quick and easy project.  I made my own bias tape for the ribbon to thread through.  I made everything from scraps I had laying around.  So much fun!
 








 


 
I have also been busy working on the blue and light colored quilt.  I have all the hourglass and puss in the corner blocks finished.  I still have to finish the star blocks, but have the hourglass centers and flying geese star points done.  I need to do some HSTs and then put the block together.  I will post some pics when I am finished.  I finished pressing them a while ago.  I use medium starch to help the blocks stay square and easier to mate when they are all finished.  There are several choices out there when it comes to starch.  Most fabric stores sell fabric sizing or starch.  I use the brand at my local supermarket.  I go through a lot of it, so I buy the concentrate and make my own by adding water. I keep it in a spray bottle by the iron.  So easy to use and I love the result.

Well, I want to get back to the star blocks. I would like to get most of them done before Saturday when the next clue for the mystery comes out. 

Enjoy your day, hoping you have a great weekend and get some time to do the things you enjoy. Don't forget to post on our Facebook page and here if you want.  I love hearing from you.

quilt piecefully,

Debi

 

Beautiful.....

What a surprise to answer the door to UPS and find a box sent to me...something I did not order. There were lovely pink roses in a huge box. I am blessed to have such great kids, that for no reason, they send me flowers. It has been our privilege to look after two of our grandchildren for the summer while their parents were otherwise tied up with serving our country in the United States Air Force. I feel like we should be doing something for them! Thanks so much Josh and Leesh.



Such beauty makes me want to make a pink quilt.  I recently got a pattern (free, you know me!!!) for a spa bag, maybe I'll do that in pink.  It is "Oh So Soothing" on www.allpeoplequilt.com  I think I will make it and maybe give it to her!!  She's not a pink kinda girl though, so I will make it in yellow!!














Here's a pic of the bag if you want to make one too.  Can't wait to get started.  The pattern is on their site and all you need to do it print.  It includes templates for the pockets and bag.  It says you need single fold bias tape, but I always make my own.  If you want to make it and don't know how to make bias tape, just let me know and I'll help you with that.  Cute bag, eh??







Have a fantastic day and enjoy your time doing whatever it is that you enjoy doing.  Hope you join me in a project or two. Remember to post your pics on the Facebook page or here, whatever you prefer.  I would love to see what you're working on. Remember to take some time for yourself.

quilt piecefully,

Debi

 

Sick Baby

Well, the tired baby yesterday turned into a sick baby today.  Poor wee poppit is all blocked up and says her cheek hurts.  I feel bad for her.  She took a topple this morning and bit her bottom lip as well.  Sweet baby has been through the wars today.  She's finally resting on the couch watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so Nana has time to post on the blog and do a bit of sewing!
 



I got all the stars done for the Monday Mystery. I finished the 18 blocks it takes for the twin size. Now nothing to do until the Saturday mystery comes out again.  I have been working on the blue and light scrap quilt until the template comes in for the wedding ring.  It should be here tomorrow.  Praying it's the correct size this time!




 


I have all the side bars finished, just need ironing.  I will get busy with that soon.  The finished blocks are below.  This is an easy pattern and I have been using it as my leader/ender project...it's just that now I don't have anything to do, so I am power sewing on this.



Well, I want to get back to the sewing of the hourglass and puss in the corner blocks.  AND, I need to check on our sick wee babe.

Thanks for reading and please let me know what you're working on.  I enjoy hearing from you.  AND, post pics on our Facebook page.  Enjoy your day.

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Time Flies

WOW, it is already Tuesday afternoon, seems like I just went to bed Sunday and where did Monday go??  Oh yeah, we spent the day at Mayo Clinic for my husband.  Physical therapy to improve his posture and an appointment with the endocrinologist for the chemotherapy induced osteopenia. We go back Thursday for some more blood work to determine the extent of the deficiencies.  We will go from there.  He now knows how I feel with my osteoporosis.  He has brittle bones and I want to wrap him in bubble wrap!! I think we wore our granddaughter out!! She never sleeps during the day.  Poor little poppit.  





The other day I ordered double wedding ring templates to make it easier than using the cardboard one I have been using...but of course, I ordered the wrong size......  It's all good though, I will order the next size up and carry on with what I have for now.  I will keep this one, now I can make more than one size!!  How cool is that??  I am working on the mystery clue from yesterday...only had about an hour to sew last night after the kids went to bed...nearly fell asleep on the sewing machine!




Well, this is going to be short today as I want to get it posted.  I also want to get back to the sewing machine.  I have a wedding in a month that I am doing all the altering for. There is certainly never a dull moment around here.  Dust just keeps getting thicker around the house, hehe...oh well, there is always tomorrow, right?

Enjoy the rest of your day.
quilt piecefully,

Debi

It's MONDAY!

Seems like the weekend just starts and it is already Monday again! We had a pretty busy weekend with grandchildren and traveling for church.  I didn't get much time in my "sanity" room and I can sure tell (so can Shane!!).  I am very fortunate to be able to spend as much time in here as I do.

Without further blabbering, Monday means another step in the big mystery quilt.  This week we are actually sewing big blocks together.  We are using the HSTs from last week and the four patch units along with some of the light colored squares we cut last week to make a star block.  



Here is the finished star:



 









 
 
Now for the steps, EASY, just lay out and sew your previously made squares together. You will be using the three color four patches in the middle, HSTs for your star points and the 3~1/2in squares in the four corners. The main thing you need to watch is fabric placement on your center four and your star points need to be facing in the right direction. It may also help if you wait to press until after the entire block is finished so you can nest your seams easier for a perfect square in the middle and star POINTS!! Square up your blocks to 12~1/2 inches, nice size block for a quilt.

Here is a pic of these blocks before they are sewn so you can just follow my pic of the block to help you. We need to sew 18 (eighteen) of these for next week.

Hope you have a fantastic week and you get plenty of time to do what you like. Please post pics of your current project....even if you don't quilt!! I would love to see what you're working on.  

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Another Mystery

I started another mystery this morning. This one takes A LOT less fabric and will still be 53" by 68".  You can make it bigger if you want by adding borders. Smaller is you don't add a border. The fabrics are listed below and these clues come out on Saturdays.  I used these fabrics in A-E order (dark blue = A and light blue =E).

Fabric A ~ 44 inches
Fabric B ~ 28 inches
Fabric C ~ 18 inches
Fabric D ~ 44 inches
Fabric E ~ 40 inches

Fabric A includes 16 inches worth of a border, If you don't want that to be your border, you will need to take 16 inches off there and add where you want, or wait until you are finished to decide on your border.


The first step is HST's again!! How weird is that?!?!?! You will need to use Fabrics B and D for one set and Fabrics A and D for another. I cut my strips at 4-1/2 inches and used my companion angle to cut the triangles. I cut them like before, in sets.  I put the A/D strips on the mat RST and cut them with the triangle ruler and then B/D the same. I sewed them together as they came off the mat.  You can use whatever method you like to make 4-1/2 inch squares (4 inches finished). Here are my step 1 squares.    You will have 40 squares finished after this step, 20 of each combination.  Keep your scraps as we will use them later.

Since we will be in Peoria, AZ tomorrow for my husband to preach in a church up there, I am writing this ahead and scheduling it to post in the morning. Hope you have a great Sunday and have some time to sew (or whatever it is you love doing!!), I may not, but some days are like that, right??

Post what you're working on, I would love to see.  

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Do I Hear Wedding Bells??

After I finished the ironing board cleaning, I started back into the double wedding ring.  You know me, I get bored when I work too long on a certain thing.  I started sewing the centers in today.  This is much easier than I expected.  I don't think I'll get bored with this, it is very rewarding!  I laid it out on the design wall, then off to the sewing machine.  I started with this... the melons needing to be sewn to the center.  Pins, pins, pins and even more pins (we are working on a curved seam again) and then sew.  I got the three melons on with no puckers (YAY!) and the first one out of the sewing machine now looks like the picture below.



I will continue to sew three sides on the outside edges, then I will have a serpentine seam to sew the rows to each other. My unfinished blocks are 15-1/2 inches. They will finish at 15 inches in the completed quilt. I will post more pics for you to see what I mean about the serpentine row connection. Watch this space tomorrow for more pics.  I am getting anxious now!!!  Off to sew more centers.  I am also going to look for a better template than this cardboard thing I cut!  






Enjoy your day, please post your pics and rewarding projects (and your not so rewarding projects) on our Facebook page or Pin it on Pinterest and share with us.  I would love to see what you're working on. If you're knitting, sewing, crocheting, or paper crafting....add pics.  We always need inspiration, I know I do. 

quilt piecefully,

Debi

EEWWWWW, Gross!

Why is it that we are so blind to our own messes...   I was ironing this morning and saw this mess on the ironing board.  I don't know when it got like this, but it was STIFF with starch and the thread and lint was stuck everywhere!  So, off it came and got thrown into the wash. Looks like the iron leaked a couple of times as well!


And viola! it is clean again.  The stain is still there after a good wash, but much better, I'd say.  Now, I feel better about ironing again.  AND, I have a question for you...I have lowered my ironing board and still my arm and shoulder hurt after a couple of blocks, any suggestions on how to avoid this??  I am open to any suggestions.  Could just be age and arthritis, but I refuse to give in to it!

Well, I should be getting back to it.  I just heard the washer call me again, the children need bathing, and these wedding rings won't sew themselves!  Hope you have a great day and enjoy your free time.

quilt piecefully,

Debi


 

Purr...

Don't you just love the sound of a cleaned and oiled sewing machine??  I usually clean and oil the bobbin side of my machine, but decided it was time to get the vacuum and suck all the dust and lint out of the entire thing!  I oiled all the moving parts and now it sounds like a brand new machine.  It isn't very old, maybe two years, but it sounds like it just came out of the box.  I sew on a Janome, what do you sew on?? I love the stitches and versatility of this machine. I have a TinLizzie 28" longarm quilting machine on a 14foot frame, it will handle anything...kings included.  It doesn't have a computer, so it is all free hand or pantograph.  I like it.  Makes me feel like I am in control from start to finish on my quilts. Some people name their machines...my long arm is Tizzie, but my Janome still needs a name! Am I crazy, or have you named your machine??

I have almost everything cut for the double wedding ring quilt.  I will need to power sew to finish it, but I enjoy that part.  I really don't mind the cutting but sewing is a lot more fun!  Just a few more wedges and it's all cut except for the centers, those are easy....just cut around a template.  This is a challenging quilt as it is all on a curve.  It doesn't take long to sew the arcs together, but then pinning and sewing the arcs to the melons are curved.  The melons to the centers are curved as well.  I am happy to say I have no puckers yet though. 

This morning has been busy with lawn work and tidying this house!  With children around 24/7 it seems toys and school books are always everywhere.  I have the tv on for our youngest and Shane is schooling the oldest today.  I enjoy these days as I can sew after the chores are done.  It is still pretty warm outside today, there is a lot of humidity.  It took us about 10 minutes to sweat through everything, icky hot! 98F with 50% humidity...pretty warm, I'd say, glad to be back in the a/c.  

Well enough yacking and time to start sewing, lunch time soon!

Hope your day is fantastic and your spare time enjoyable!

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Another 18 Done

I'm sorry the post is late today, but I had a busy morning with a hair appointment and children.  I still hear the laundry shouting at me!  Errands, Errands, Errands!!!! seems they never stop.  I got my hair highlighted and all the layers finally cut off.  It is all one length now, it feels so short, but is still below my shoulder blades!  Guess it will grow out and I will feel better.  It looks really good though, I like it.  It hasn't been one length in a VERY long time. Just took a selfie to post...not the greatest pic, but at least you can see my hair!






Well, I got another 18 "lips" done yesterday.  I will be cutting more today.  I also continue to work on the leader/ender project.  I think I might just make it my main project soon.  I am not one to let things hang out for long before finishing.  I also worked on the frogs jumping across a quilt on the frame with the long arm.  Just one more row and they are all done.  The quilt will be ready to bind then.  I am anxious to get it finished and in the mail to our grandson!

No other pics today, just want to get the post up, plus not much more to see around here.  I will take some pics when I get the wedding ring on the wall again.  I needed to take it down when I tested the mystery.  I needed the wall space to lay that one out.

Back to cutting and sewing on the rings!

quilt piecefully,

Debi

Lovin' the Progress

 I am really excited with all the progress I've made today.  I got all the four patch units done for the mystery and got a few of the blue and light colored partial blocks done.  I got enough done to get one of each of the two blocks done.  EXCITING!







I think this is going to be a nice quilt when it is all finished.  It is my leader/ender project.  Movement is slow as I only get a few done each day.  I just had to stop and see what they would look like.  I think it would look nice as a controlled color quilt.  I just am trying not to buy fabric right now and use this boatload of scraps I have.  I looked in the 2-1/2" square shoe box because I had to replace one of the squares on a corner as it was torn from froggin' it, and found I still have several blue squares in there, even after using 180 of them in this quilt top!



 



I have also been keeping up with the cutting of scraps and keeping them in the shoe boxes.  I had to get another set as I ran out!! I am making good use of my sticky notes as well, I just have to remember to turn them over and write on the sticky side so I can see the labels in each box! If it isn't labeled, I know they are 2-1/2" strips. These are separated by color. Sometimes color is hard to determine, so I either take a picture of it and decide from there, or look to see which color first catches my eye.  I have separated some jelly rolls into several different color boxes. 






I need to get busy with the wedding ring, I have been busy cutting the arcs, getting bored with it, so now it's time to sew a while.  I have found when I get tired of doing one thing, to move on to something else and come back.  I ALWAYS make mistakes if I don't!  Talk tomorrow.  Hope your day is brilliant and enjoyable.  Don't blink with those babies, tomorrow they will be gone and you will be looking after grandchildren!  Love those grandbabies!!!!!!!

quilt piecefully,

Debi

So Far, So Good

 Well Monday we should have gotten started, or thought about it anyway, on step three of the mystery on QCA.  Here are my step 3 pics.  This is Monday's work. First is the two-color four patch, second is the three-color four patch, and last is the 3 1/2" squares we cut. I am still working on the four patch units, but I wanted a picture for you to see the finish product of the instructions yesterday.

This is what we should have so far. These blocks are steps one through three.  The first step was fabric choosing. Second step was making our HSTs. Third step was cutting and putting together our four patch units. Three more steps till the reveal.  Can't wait to see what it looks like, can you??






If you are like me, you like to quilt flat quilts.  I pinwheeled these blocks like I did the hourglass blocks in the scrap quilt I shared the other day. The only difference is the back of these looks like a mini four patch not the hourglass as before.  Here are pics of the center of the wrong side of my four patch units.


Hope you have a great day today and all is well with you and yours. It's still pretty warm here in sunny Arizona, we have been over 100F everyday for several months now.  I love the warm dry weather...so do my bones!! Hope you are warm and cozy as you work in your place for crafting.  Let me know what you're working on...even if it's a great chocolate cake recipe you've been working on! YUMMY!!

quilt piecefully,

Debi 

Mystery Monday

     ?????????? It's A Mystery??????????

 Two Mysteries.....One solved, and one in the process!  The quilt I tested last week is a beautiful quilt top now.  The QCA mystery is in progress and it's Monday, so the next clue arrived today!!

Here is The Quilt and Needle top finished and on my king size bed.  I this it is different and gorgeous.  Some of the color choices were different, It is a very versatile pattern as far as color is concerned.  It has 200 log cabin blocks in it of three different sizes.  Jessica is brilliant when it comes to design.  See her patterns on her site thequiltandneedle.com.  You won't be disappointed, I promise.






Good Morning everyone.  I'm happy it is finally Monday again and I can post the third step to the mystery.  So far, we have cut and sewn our 3-1/2" half square triangles. Today we will be cutting and sewing with all three colors. We are making two different colorways of four patch units. 

From Fabric #1, cut: (this is your dark)
* 21 (2” wide) strips. 

From Fabric #2, cut: (this is your light)
* 7 (2” wide) strips.
* 20 (3-1/2” wide) strips. From strips, cut 216 (3-1/2”) squares. These squares will be used in Steps 4, 5, and 7.

From Fabric #3, cut: (this is your accent)
* 14 (2” wide) strips 

Using the 2" strips, join a fabric 1 and fabric 3 on the long side to make STRIP SET A. Repeat to make 14 strip sets.

Again, using the 2" strips, join a  fabric 1 and fabric 2 on the long side to make STRIP SET B.  Repeat to make 7 strip sets.

We need to cut 2" sections from these to make into a four patch unit. I like to lay the strip sets out right sides together to cut the four patch unit all at once.  So lay your "A" segments right sides together (nest your seam for a perfect 4 patch unit) and cut 68 2" segments to sew your two color four patch units.  Next, we will lay our segment "B" and "A" right sides together, again nesting your seams, and cut to sew 140 three color units.  OR you can cut a strip at a time. For your "A" strip sets, cut 276 2" wide segments, and 140 from your "B" segments. Join these segments to make 68 (two color) and 140 (three color) units.

*SMALLER QUILTS will need:

8 block needs 64 three color and 32 two color units
6 block needs 48 three color and 24 two color units
for either....72 3-1/2" squares (this takes 7 strips)

When we are finished we will have 216 3-1/2" squares to be used later, 68 two-color four patch units, and 140 three-color four patch units. In addition to these, we have our 144 HSTs from last week.  Happy Sewing!!

I would love to see your progress if you're sewing with me.  I am lonely sewing alone!  Hope you have a good week and you get some time in your craft space.  I would love to know what you are working on, please share!!

Fabric, Fabric Everywhere!!

 
Although, I am one pretty happy lady!

 And I think I need to stop for a while!!  I haven't bought any in....well, uhm....a week!!  I got through the pile on the floor.  This is the pile to cut down into useable scraps and strips.  I'll be cutting squares and triangles out of these scraps and putting them in the boxes with like sizes and color.  Can't wait to finish it.  I am also cutting the arcs and melons for the double wedding ring quilt.  I have all the strips cut to get the end triangles and arc pieces.  I also have all the melons cut.  Just need to cut the centers and get on with it!





This pile has WOF (width of fabric) strips in it, I need to cut them into useable sizes or maybe have more shoe boxes for bigger strip sizes. I have patterns and ideas for smaller sizes though....thoughts?? to cut or not to cut, that is the question.  Hmmmm.....

What does your scrap pile look like? I'm sure more organized than mine.  Post pics and let me know your ideas for storage.  Mine are in the plastic (see through) shoe boxes, labeled with size and shape. What do you make with your scraps?  I need inspiration for this ever growing population of leftovers! I love seeing the scraps from quilts I made for the family in other projects.




Well, I need to get back to cutting and sorting and sewing. Hope you have a great rest of your weekend and work week.  Since I have church tomorrow, I am writing this early and scheduling a post for Sunday.  Enjoy your day!

quilt piecefully,

 Debi