Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 17

 My block 17

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

Although this week's block was beautifully constructed, it was complicated for me.  In Laundry Basket Quilts' image of the finished block, the nine-patch looks as if it is sewn together with bias edges.  Bias seams tend to stretch and can distort the block.  

Laundry Basket Quilts' image may look like this because it was created as a digital image.  The fabrics may have been added without rotating it 45°.

 

If the block was sewn together with seams that are straight-of-grain, the fabrics would have looked different, specifically the center block. 

When I constructed my block, I cut the fabric with the grain.  With the center block, I had cut it on the bias.

The thought process with this 17th block took a bit longer than the other blocks, but I'm happy with the end result.

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 16

With each week, I say to myself, "This is my favorite block so far because..." 

My block 16

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

I really enjoyed this block because of its larger pieces.  It was so simple to piece and went together fairly quickly.   I took the time to make sure all the lines in the fabric ran vertically.  

When I was cutting out the pieces, I cut mine a bit differently.  I cut each fabric as one piece.

I apologize for the delay for the next blocks.  My beloved collegian son was home for a few days, before his finals week.  I was a bit distracted for a few days.

Now, to catch up with the Birthday block.

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - 

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 15

I really enjoyed the triangles in this week's 15 block.

 My block 15

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

Once the block was assembled, I could have made some changes.  In the 4-patch blocks, I wish I had paid better attention to the orientation of the geometrical fabric.  I wish it matched Laundry Basket Quilts' block.  It's a minor flaw, so I've decided to leave it as is.

Til next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Birthday Mystery Quilt - Block 14

Tuesday is becoming a special day of the week for me, because a new Birthday block is announced!

 My block 14

From Laundry Basket Quilts blog

I really like the coloration of this week's block.  The lightness of the background fabric contrasting with the dark of the navy blue, and light blue creating a balance between the two.  

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -

Some Small Projects Accomplished

I'm in-between quilts, so I had decided to work on some smaller projects.  I had a few bags, either partially started or an idea in my head, that I wanted to finally finish.

With the first bag, I wanted to make a bag from a fabric panel.  I had fallen in love with the En Bleu collection from Clothworks.  The print includes flowers, birds, and butterflies, along with French writing.  The colors consists of turquoise and aqua blue on cream and khaki backgrounds.

fabric:  En Bleu from Clothworks                                                                                                    free pattern:  Northcott Farmer's Market Everyday Tote

The pattern instructions include pockets for inside the bag.

And I added a zippered pocket as well.

The second bag is a fun bag consisting of bright neon colors and mottled textures.  It is made from a panel, where all the pieces are printed on the fabric.  There are no frustrations of getting the measurements precisely correct.  The directions and illustrations on the panel made it easy to sew together.

fabric panel:  Neo Geo - Take Along Tote panel from Quilting Treasures Fabric

My third bag is made by using the chenille process.  It is a smaller bag, and it is the perfect size to carry smaller sewing projects when I go on trips.

This is the first time at testing the chenille process.  Although it is an easy technique (4 layers of flannel, sew straight lines, cut, fluff), it can be very time consuming.  I only used a half yard of flannel, and folding it into 4 layers, it only gave me a 10 x 18 working surface, thus the smaller bag size.

Despite the time-consuming process to making this bag, the end result of the soft, fuzzy rows is worth it.  I may make a large bag in the future.

fabric: West Creek Wovens from Northcott Fabrics

And now, which quilt I will work on next?

Till next time,

- - - - Jane - - - -