Are We There Yet?

Yes, I believe so... #169!

This is "F-10, Potholder", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. It has some set-in seams, but they weren't too bad since the angles were fairly large.

On February 1st, I will be attending the monthly gathering of my DJ support group, the Laurel Janes, and will reveal the completed center to my friends (actually, a few got a sneak peek last week). I'll post a photo on my blog sometime after that...

In A Blue Mood

My last three DJ blocks have all been blue...

This is "J-8, Anna's Anchor", an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece and again used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method for the pumpkin seeds... I now have enough blocks finished to put together another 3x3 block section of the quilt. Hopefully, I'll finish that up by the time I come home from today's mini-retreat at the lake house.

Easy Work

Yeah, another one that only took about an hour!

This is "D-8, Dee Dee's Delight", an intermediate block made using the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method.

Easy Decision

It was easy for me to decide which applique method to use with this one. I chose my current favorite -- raw-edge machine-buttonhole-stitch. If the quilt police had come to my house and forced me to use a non-raw-edge method, I suppose I would choose reverse applique as I did in the block on this post. However, I think I have enough friends who feel like I do so that if the quilt police did come around, we'd made sure they left very quickly...they need to find another job...

This is "G-11, Decisions, Decisions", an intermediate-level block. I chose to paper piece the 9-patch because I like the (relatively) straight lines that I get, but if you are allergic to paper piecing, it can easy be done with just rotary cutting and then your favorite applique method.

Why Do a Y Seam?

This looks a bit strange, but the triangles will all be the same size (or fairly close to the same) once this block is sewn together with the others. Right now a few of the triangles look funny, don't they? Of course, the final seams will take care of the problem.

This is "H-10, Ben's Bowtie", an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece. The software printed out the sections so that several Y seams would be necessary, but I redrew the sections to eliminate all of them. The Y seams only make things more difficult, in my opinion.

Behind Bars

If the quilt police hung around my sewing studio, they'd probably find all sorts of reasons to put me in jail. But right now I'm keeping them at bay...so far I think I could only be accused of misdemeanors. Not worth their time...

Anyway, this is "E-9, Quilt Jail", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. It only took me about an hour.

Far From Perfect

I first considered making this block by using the reverse applique method, but decided to keep going with the raw-edge invisible machine-applique method instead. This is far from perfect, but I have to remind myself that it probably doesn't look any worse than it would have looked if I had used my hand stitching. Who knows, I may decide to re-do it by the time I'm done with all the blocks...but right now it's time to move on to the next one.

This is "G-3, Four Leaf Clover", an intermediate-level block.

How Many Ways Can You Applique?

Regular readers of my blog know that I do not like to applique...I will often find other things to do than to work on an applique block. I would much rather work on an advanced-level paper-pieced DJ block than on a beginner-level block that requires some sort of applique.

My method of choice at this moment is reverse applique (see my post from 2 days ago), but there are blocks in this quilt that don't lend themselves well to that method (drats!).

So I decided to try raw-edge applique by machine using monofilament thread in the top and bobbin. I used a silk/lingerie needle and the blind-hem stitch on my Bernina.

This is "E-5 Rising Sun", an intermediate-level block that combines paper piecing and applique.

Dear Jane Again

I hope everyone had an enjoyable Christmas. We don't travel this time of year if we can help it, so it was a nice quiet family time for us at home.

I'm determined to keep going with the DJ quilt, so here is another block. It's "J-6 Granny Weaver", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece. A bit wonky, but it will do.

Cheater At Work

This is "K-7 Rose of Sharing", a beginner-level applique block and yes, I cheated on this one. In two ways, actually. I don't really care that I've cheated...remember, this is Anya's quilt and Anya will make it any way she darn pleases!

First...I did not want to applique 4 individual hearts and then sew them into one complete block, so I decided to make them as one big piece in the center. When I'm ready to quilt the entire quilt, I plan to stitch across the diagonal lines of the block so it will give the appearance of being sewn in 4 pieces. I've marked the quilting lines in chalk on the photo to show what I mean. The other way I cheated is in using the invisible machine applique method. I had never attempted that technique before, but I'm always willing to try anything to save me from hand applique. I used monofilament thread in both the top and bobbin and sewed very carefully along the edge using a blind-hem stitch. That's where the machine takes four straight stitches and then one very small zig-zag stitch into the applique fabric.

I practiced on two scrap pieces of very ugly fabric in my stash and was amazed at the results. I showed it to a couple of fellow quilters and they couldn't see the stitching at all. Then when I first tried it on the batik fabric I am using for this quilt, however, it was a major disappointment. The needle of my sewing machine made holes that were way too big and noticeable in the dense batik. That meant a trip to buy some silk needles, hoping that they wouldn't make such large holes. The result is what you see in the photo. I still see holes, but it's not as noticeable as before and I'm certain that if I had hand appliqued this one, my stitches would surely show anyway.

I do plan on trying this method again; however, I will be sure to use a darker, busier background, hoping that the holes will be even less apparent.

Yeah...this is block #75! I believe that meets my goal of 75 blocks by the new year!