BLOCK OF THE MONTH: N IS FOR NEW YORK STAR

I'm current with my blocks and it's 14 months into the project.  I can't believe I have not let life get in the way.  I will admit I was delinquent in December and January.  I have found having a partner does help keep me on track.  She is counting on receiving her blocks.   I look forward to having the couple of hours once a month where I have to sit down to the machine.

 

BTW, the blocks don't take a couple of hours.  It takes me that long because I am making 3 versions of the blocks.  It can be a punishment for me if I don't fulfill my obligation each month.  I have to play catch-up big time.

 

I especially enjoyed making the New York Star.  It is a very appropriate block for me.  Our son is in the Navy.  I don't know if it was designed during a war period, or maybe during a Forth of July celebration, but for me it evokes a patriotic image.

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/2013/08/buttons.html

 

I was especially pleased to see how it showcases the paisleys I picked for myself.  If you haven't read about my constants I will say they are my least favorite fabrics.  Mind you I have seen paisleys I dearly love but these were from the "dark ages".  I collected them from who knows where.  The only thing they had in common besides the paisley pattern is they were all 100% cottons. 

 

I can see this block as corner stones for a Quilt of Valor quilt.  

 http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/quilt-of-valor.html

You would put the star in opposite corners on the block for each of your quilt's corners.

 

The pattern would make a great table runner.  Or change the dimensions and you've a place mat.

 

I was equally pleased with how the block pattern looked with my friends color palette.  I think this block pattern would go with any colors or styles of fabrics.

 

I'm really liking the fabrics I picked for my friend.   I can't wait to see them all together in a quilt.  

 

Doing the Block of the month has given me new inspiration.  I find myself thinking about how I would use each of the blocks, and with what fabrics they would look best in. 

 

The only reason I started the block of the month was to get rid of the paisleys in my stash.  The different block patterns make me have to use the paisleys to their best advantage.  I have made a rule for myself  to try not to use any other fabrics in the construction of the blocks.   I have a transgression from the beginning on my blue/burgundy paisleys.  The red I chose for a third color was the perfect red and I didn't have any red paisley that worked.

This is my alternate rendition with another color way in paisleys.  I didn't decide till later in the trip to make these.  My decision was made when I realized I could  not integrate these colors with the other paisleys.  It would be too scrappy for my tastes. 

 

Which is another side of me.  If I do scrappy it has to be controlled scrappy.  I can't reach into a paper bag of dark fabrics and pull out a piece of fabric and then reach into another a light bag of fabrics and pull out another fabric and sew them together.  If the colors seem to clash I have to throw them back.  Yes, I have been told that in the end everything will look fabulous.  I agree, every scrap quilt I have seen is fabulous.  It's just I can't do it.

This is about as scrappy as I have gotten:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2011/08/two-bits-dont-make-dollar.html

 

This alphabet BOM is a twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

 

I need to go back and make the first 6 blocks for the blue/green paisley color series. 

I am saving that duty for a snowed in day.  Missouri seems to be getting her fill of those this year.

 

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

I 'm hosting a mystery quilt for my guild. 

This is the link for instructions for the  mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission



BLOCK OF THE MONTH: CELEBRATING THE ALPHABET

I am celebrating today.  With the completion of the Monkey Wrench block I have reached the halfway point of this extended BOM.  We have completed 13 blocks.  I will pat myself on the back.  I have managed to stay on track, albeit the last two months I had a delay.

 

I present to you the results of staying on the trip:

If you have been following my blogs you know I am working with fabrics I wanted to cleanse from my stash.  First, they are paisleys; second, they are old fabrics; and third, they are all different weights of fabrics.  The constants are a heavier weight similar to a broad cloth. 

I did deviate from using all paisleys, the red was the absolutely perfect match for the reds in the constants.   Seeing my blocks all together would I change anything, have I learned anything?  Yes, The major thing I notice, the fabrics I added with my "constants"  are too dark.  I think they should be more medium.  Remember though, I am trying to eliminate a certain style of fabric from my stash.  I am using what's on  hand.

 

I have a large amount of the white background paisley so I took the liberty of fussy cutting some of the units in the blocks.  The only thing is I have to watch when I join the fussy cut blocks to other blocks.  If the fussy cut detail is on the outside of the block it probably has a bias edge. 

 

In one of the first blogs I stated I didn't care to do BOMs.  I think the reason I didn't like BOMs was the ones I was familiar with, came in kits.  They were the color choices of the designer.  This one appealed to me because the colors were my own to choose. I had chosen to use my stash and not invest any money in it, thus if I decided to chuck it, I wouldn't feel bad.  If I didn't like it, the plus would be, the blocks I made would make a great quilt to donate.

 

There is a big plus, I am doing blocks which I might have never tried. 

 They are giving me mental inspiration for quilts I might eventually make. 

Another plus, it guarantees me at least 2 hours sewing time each month,

no matter how hectic my life becomes

 

If you are new to quilting I encourage you to try a BOM. 

If you have trouble choosing colors, a BOM at your local Quilt store

will help you become comfortable with fabric choices. 

 

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries"

 is the hostess and designer of this BOM. 

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013,

and will continue for the next two years.

  The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. So far I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-m-is-for-monkey-wrench.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

I 'm hosting a mystery quilt for my guild. 

This is the link for instructions for the  mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission



BLOCK OF THE MONTH: M IS FOR MONKEY WRENCH

I've finished monkeying around with Lady of the lake.  Making 3 color ways of each block sometimes gets my knickers in a knot. In Lady of the Lake I had 20 tiny 1/2 square triangles in each block to fidget with.   I was Half-Squared out because it is a Unit in the mystery quilt I host.
http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Looking forward to this block and what do I see? 
There are four more half squares looking at me. 

  It is the standard nine patch variation. 
Works well with my fabrics, to my elation.

My paisley rendition.

 

 

 

 

 

The picture on the left is my alternate color way. I am trying hard to render my stash paisley less.  They seem to procreate in the stash closet.  I found one between the fat quarters this week.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To relieve the bulk on the back of the block I pressed the seam so they formed little four patches at each intersection like in this example.

 

 

The picture below is my friend's.  To see her constant fabrics look at the blog for Block "A".  I'm hoping I don't run out of her constants before the trip is over.

 

 

With the finishing of this block I am still on track "THROUGH THE ALPHABET". 

This block is also the half way point in the 26 month trip.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A twenty-six month Trip with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries".

This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. So far I have found the construction of the blocks simple. 

I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner. 

There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/01/block-of-month-l-is-for-lady-of-lake.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

I 'm hosting a mystery quilt for my guild. 

This is the link for instructions for the  mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission



BLOCK OF THE MONTH: L IS FOR LADY OF THE LAKE

For those of you who have been following my progress on this BOM, I apologize for not posting the December block on time.  I was traveling in December and so far this month I have been involved with working on the clues for the mystery quilt I have been hosting.  This is the link for the mystery:



http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

I finished the work on the mystery this past Wednesday and can now devote my time to other quilty endeavors.  Today I cut out my three "L" blocks and constructed the above block.

                                               With this block on its way I am headed
                          "THROUGH THE ALPHABET"     A twenty-six month Journey with

Dorothy Young, owner, of the yahoo group "A Pocketful of Mysteries" .This Block of the Month quilt series began in January 2013, and will continue for the next two years.

 The yahoo site for this trip is:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/apocketfullofmysteries/

It is not too late to join in. The other eleven are at the beginners level. 

So far I have found the construction of the blocks very simple.  I do recommend you start with the first block if you are a beginner.  There are simple techniques you will pick up on the journey.

This Block requires a thorough reading of the directions.  They are very explicit but me being me, did it my way.  I saw what she wanted us to do and didn't look at the direction the seams were to be pressed.  You see, I just spent a week making half square triangles for my mystery and all the fabrics were pressed to the dark....  I don't know whether my transgressions made a difference are not.  On the block I make for my friend I will re press all the triangles the way Dorothy states and let you know. 

 

The fabrics I am using [My focus fabric and my background fabric] are at least forty years old.  They are a heavier cotton, more like the weight of a broadcloth.  This makes for very heavy seams at intersections.

 

I do have a suggestion.  When you make the 1/2 Square she tells you.  Before you cut it off the rest of the square.  Make your self a "Bonus" unit by stitching a 1/2 inch away from your stitched line on the seam side of the square.  You will inherit another Half square triangle about 6 1/4 inches square. 

 

If you are unsure what I am saying there is an example in clue #1 of my mystery:

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html

Doing this prevents 2 fabric triangles from ending in the scrap bag.  Now they are a usable Unit.  The Unit might possibly fit in a later block in the BOM series.

The block below is the one I made for my internet friend.  I didn't re press the other direction.  I didn't have the heavy intersections I did with my fabrics.   I wanted to post this before I edited it.  (Today I am without my computer and using Hunny's computer.  I don't know what program to use.)  One more block to construct.  BTW, I found a big help for me to square up the little 1/2 squares.  I glued a two inch paper square on the ruler.  It will wash off when I am done. 

The construction of this block requires a little more than beginners level, but if you have begun at the
 beginning of this journey you will get through it just fine if you take it slow and remember,

 when you are joining each of your units together use an accurate 1/4 inch.

Doing a BOM like this helps you try blocks you wouldn't think of doing.  It helps you to find piecing methods you enjoy or don't enjoy.  This is a very lovely block,
but I will not, ever, be using the pattern to make a whole quilt with. 

 

 

The block on the right is my alternate paisley color way.

 

Join us in this 2 year journey. There are several hundred friends taking the trip. 

The following, are the blogs written each month on my journey through the alphabet.

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/block-of-month-k-is-for-kansas-star.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/block-of-month-j-is-for-jacobs-ladder.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/09/block-of-month-i-is-for-independence.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/08/block-of-month-h-is-for-hayes-corner.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/block-of-month-g-is-for-glory-boxes.html
  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/06/block-of-month-f-is-for-friday.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/05/block-of-month-e-is-for-easy-partial.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/04/block-of-month-d-is-for-double_7.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/03/block-of-month-c-is-for-contrary-wife.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/02/block-of-month-b-is-for-basketweave.html

http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/01/block-of-month-is-for-antique-tile.html

 

Other blog sites by me:

 

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

 

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm

Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

New Blog:

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/2013/08/blackberries-kitchen-aid.html

 

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs .

Please do not copy without permission

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING: CLUE #3

A MYSTERY IN THE MAKING”

PIECEMAKERS GUILD 2013/2014 MYSTERY QUILT

A mystery quilt in 5-6 installments (6 if you do the larger quilt)

Finished small Quilt 57” sq. with borders

Small quilt without borders 45 ½” sq.

Larger quilt, 64 ½” sq. without borders)

Thank you for participating in this mystery. I hope it will be fun, easy, and educational.  Beginners should be comfortable working on it.  Quilting Newbie’s may need a little help.  If you understand how to sew a quarter inch, and a scant quarter inch you should do fine. 

If you have just found this clue and need the introduction to this mystery you can find it here:

Introduction:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-mystery-in-making.html

Clue 1:  http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-mystery-in-making-clue-1.html



Clue 2: http://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-mystery-in-making-clue-2.html

Clue 4:  https://gloriouscreations.blogspot.com/2014/02/a-mystery-in-making-clue-4.html

CLUE #3

 CONSTRUCTING FAST HALF SQUARE UNITS

From Focus Fabric “F” cut:

                  (2) 5.5” X WOF strips; cut into (12) 5.5” squares

                  (2) 10” squares; cut squares in half, diagonally

(making 4 triangles.)    Label and save for Clue # 4

1.  On the wrong side of (12) Fabric “E”, 5.5” squares, draw a line diagonally with pencil.  If your fabric is very dark use a light colored, colored pencil.

 (Use twelve of the 5.5 inch “E” squares you cut in Clue 2). 

2.  Layer a 5.5” marked Fabric “E” square,  Right Sides Together, with a 5.5” Fabric F square.  Sew a scant 1/4” on either side of the Diagonal line.  Cut apart on pencil line. HINT: Before cutting, press the seam, setting the stitches.

 FAST HALF SQUARE TRIANGLES

(2 FOR ONE SPECIAL)

3.  You  now have 24 half square units.  Press them open to the dark side.  Remember to press with the straight of the grain.  (Not the direction of the seam.  The seam is on the bias and you can distort your unit.)

Left is the trimmed and squared "Half Square" Unit

4.  Square up your units if needed to 5”.

  These next steps require an accurate 1/4 inch seam .

  

5. Using 3 of the “Half Square” units and one 5“ Fabric ”A” squares (the ones you cut in clue #1).  Yes, they were labeled 2 and 4.  It should have been 3 and 4].   Construct the 4 patch unit on the right.

Use Accurate 1/4 inch seams when joining these units.

  

6.  When you join your half squares press the seam to the left. 

IMPORTANT: Be aware of the direction of the “Half Square” Units in relationship to each other.  

7.  When you join the half square with the focus fabric watch the direction you place the 1/2 square.  Press your seam to the right. 

Pressing the seams these directions allows the seams to nest when you join the two sections together and you  will have a perfect intersection.

When you join the above two units to form your four patch unit, before you press the seams on the back  of the 4 patch, clip two  stitches at the intersection.  When you press  it open It should look like the example on the left.  This relieves the bulk in the middle of the block which results from  seams pressed one direction.

 You will have [8] 4 patch units. Label, Clue three, and save for later.

Other blog sites by me:

http://glosgarden.blogspot.com/

Where I have stories of my cats and other pets

a blog about my courtship with my husband,

and a blog about my most embarrassing moment.

A "Soap box" blog where I do air my opinions.

http://organicinstlouis.blogspot.com/

blogs about the wildflowers on our farm
Organic methods we use, some cooking and some poetry,

blogs about Seed sprouting, insects, and garden pictures

Blog about an endangered beneficial beetle

All recipes, pictures, and writings are my own.

I give credit for items which belong to other people in my blogs.



Please do not copy without permission