Are You Anxious?

Yes, I know...you were hoping that now that I've finished all 169 of the center blocks, you would get to see the finished center all put together. NOT. As least, not today...my DJ support group gets to see it in person today first before I post a photo on my blog...

In the meantime, here is a picture of "G-7, Indianapolis", a block that I first blogged about here back in the summer of 2008. Click on the link if you want to read the story of how I made it.

Although I have a number of blocks (well, a good number) that are not perfect, when I was finished with them I decided that only this one needed a "do-over". Well, sort of. I actually decided not to re-do it, but to "fix" it. That is, I took it apart a bit and used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method using monofilament thread instead of being embarrassed by my pitiful hand applique skills. Especially since this block is smack-dab in the middle of the quilt, probably at everyone's eye level when hung on the wall. Now I think I have a quilt (well, at least a center) that I will not be ashamed to show off, even with its flaws.

Stay tuned tomorrow....

Outside The Norm

I hope my readers are interested in DJ blocks because that's almost all I've been blogging about for the last couple of weeks. I promise that once I get the center completed (only 3 more blocks to go!), you'll see other quilty things as well. I'll still work on the DJ, but not quite as obsessively as I have been since Thanksgiving.

Anyway, this is "D-11, Snow Crystal", an intermediate-level block that I rotary cut (the background) and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method for the dark red pieces.

This is one of only three blocks (that I know of) in the center of Jane Stickle's quilt in which she used more than two fabrics. Here's what hers looks like.

It's a very subtle difference, but if you look closely, the outside four small diamonds are cut from a different fabric than the large triangles and center square. I tried to make the look in my block subtle as well.

The other blocks with more than two fabrics can be found here (four fabrics) and here (three fabrics). I haven't even begun to look at the outer triangles, so I'm not sure if any of those use more than two. We shall see...

And Still Another...

This is "J-11, Twin Sister", an intermediate-level block for which I used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method. Maybe 1/2 hour's worth of work.

My Sentiments Exactly

This is "M-6, Simplicity", an intermediate-level block that I paper-pieced and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch method for appliqueing the center piece. Again, the appliqued piece was cut all as one piece of fabric; the placement of the stitching makes it look like 5 separate pieces.

The name of this block is perfect for this time of year. Remember, you (and your family and friends) will enjoy the holiday season much more if you remember to slow down and simplify.

Almost a Do-over

When I finished this one, I though I had made a big mistake because the points of the center square will be chopped off once it's sewn together with sashing. However, when I looked at

Jane's block and the pattern again, I realized that they are slightly chopped off in the original. Whew!

This is "J-3, Rick's Volleyball Net", an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece and raw-edge machine-buttonhole stitch.

This is block #139 for me...only 30 more center blocks to go!

Happy Wednesday

(My mind is drawing a blank for a witty blog post title today...)

Like yesterday's block, this was mainly paper-pieced with the outer diamonds applied using the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch method. Thank goodness the diamonds were a bit larger than yesterday's squares!

This is "F-1, Big Top", an advanced-level block.

Practice Makes Closer to Perfect

This is "C-4, Tic Tac Toe", labeled by the software as an advanced-level block, and rightly so in my opinion. Probably both for the small size of some of the pieces (notice mine are of various sizes), but also for the Y-seams in the outside triangles. I chose to paper piece the center and then rotary cut the outside triangles.

I could have made things easier on myself and paper-pieced the outside triangles, but the seams would not have been in the corners. Anyway, this gave me a chance to practice Y-seams, which I don't mind anywhere near as much as I mind hand applique (apologies to my regular blog readers who are probably tired of hearing me whine about hand applique...).

For A Hot Day

It's been way too long since I blogged about a DJ block. Here is my latest.

This is "B-5, Hot Cross Buns", a beginner-level pieced and appliqued block. The points are far from perfect, but I'm certain that they would have looked worse if I had attempted to do hand applique rather than raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch.

I guess making a "hot" block is appropriate for today since the temperature is supposed to get up into the low 80s! Too warm too soon.

BTW...if you haven't already, check out yesterday's post on Selvage Blog. Scroll down below the German Patchwork item...My friend Susan and I have infected another guild member with selvagitis...there's no stopping the spread now...

Convenience, Not Cheating

If I had made this one the way that the software showed me, it would have required a lot of Y-seams. So I decided to "cheat" and put the seams in where I felt like putting them in.

This block, "B-9, Tinker Toy", was rotary cut for the most part and then I just used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch for the center square.

Did you know that what most quilters know as "cheater panels" are now called "convenience cloths" by the manufacturers?...I guess that means that my methods are not "cheating", they are just "convenient". So there!

P.S. My blog friend Tropical Screamer had a good word for it, too -- "efficiency"! I like that.

Slideshow Issues

Today I'm off at the monthly gathering of my guild's DJ group, the Laurel Janes. I plan to continue putting some of my blocks together with sashing. Perhaps I'll post a photo or two soon.

In the meantime, this is "I-12, Fred's Square Fair", an advanced-level paper-pieced block.

I've discovered that the slideshow of my DJ blocks on the top of my blog's sidebar only shows the first 100 photos in my album. So, if you want to see all of the DJ blocks I've completed (109!), you need to scroll down a bit on the sidebar and click on the other option that says "click the picture below to view my entire DJ block album".

As Promised...

This is the second block that I made in one day using the raw-edge invisible machine applique method. Same technique as the block shown in yesterday's post.

The flash in my camera made the monofilament thread a bit noticeable in the picture, but in real life I can barely see it (but then, I do have an eye doctor's appointment next week!).

This is "E-2 Merry May", a beginner-level block.
I am a happy camper.

Still In A Pink Mood

To continue with yesterday's theme, I made this block. The light fabric is really a very pale pink, but it looks almost white on my screen. Anyway, this is "L-5 Chattanooga Charlie", labeled by the software as an intermediate-level block. I chose to paper piece it and it wasn't too hard -- just a few seams to match.

Too Frozen To Think of a Title

I spent a good part of the day yesterday at Wellsboro's Dickens Festival and froze my little you-know-what off. And I was just a visitor, not a vendor. I certainly hope they were prepared for the cold day, but I'll bet those who were selling anything hot to eat or drink did a brisk business. The thermometer at my house read 18 degrees when I left at 9:30, and I don't think it reached the freezing mark all day. But the weather didn't seem to deter the crowds, both locals and out-of-towners. I counted at least 13 buses in one of the parking lots! Sorry I don't have any pictures of my day, but my hands froze too much every time I took off my gloves to take a picture. You'll just have to check out the Wellsboro link above to get a glimpse of what Dickens is like.

After a hot bubble bath to warm myself up, I got back to Dear Jane.

I found another easy one. This is "K-4 Thea's Turn", labeled as an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece. I think a beginner paper-piecer could handle it fairly easily.

Harder Than It Looks

This is "L-9 Walter's Place", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block.
I thought I could whip it up very quickly, but once I had all the paper-pieced sections completed, I realized that I had to sew several Y seams (sometimes called set-in seams) in order to fit the sections around the center red square. I managed to do it and frankly, I'll take dealing with Y seams to hand applique any day.

Moving Right Along

This is "M-8 Enchanted Square", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. It was fairly easy.

Another Month Has Flown By

I can't believe that it is time again for the monthly meeting of the Laurel Janes. I have a block ready for some applique work that I will take with me to the meeting. Maybe I'll finish it today, maybe not.

In the meantime, here is "K-10 Quandry" (yes, that is how it is spelled in the software), an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I'm glad I found the Dear Baby Jane blog so I can get hints from someone who is actually making the blocks. That's where I was reminded to print out a mirror image for paper piecing if I wanted my block to look like Jane's. The author of this blog does a wonderful job showing the steps in how she makes her DJ blocks. She doesn't always follow the directions in the software, but finds what works best for her. I highly recommend the blog to anyone who is working on the DJ blocks.

Back to DJ

It's been almost a week since I posted a photo of a DJ block, but I finally had a chance to finish another applique one at yesterday's gathering of the Laurel Janes.

Like Susan in her post here, I have tried all sorts of applique methods and am not a fan of any of them so far. At yesterday's meeting, there was a lot of chatter about the method Susan discusses and the consensus among the newbie appliquers seemed to be that this method produces the best-looking blocks (at least for us). I did not use this method for this one, "D-3 Jason's Jacks", a beginner-level block, but I will try it for the next applique block I attempt.

If you would like to read more about the Laurel Janes, click here.

Not Perfect, But It Will Do

I'm managing to get a little sewing done even as we're getting down to the last few days before the show opening.

This is "E-12 Mary Ruth's Corset", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I don't know who Mary Ruth was, but I'm certainly glad I don't live in the time of corsets...

Paper Piecing Is Fun

Boy, oh boy, do I love paper piecing. If all of the DJ blocks could be paper pieced, I could have this quilt finished in 2 months instead of the 2 years that I'm estimating...

This is "H-1, Peek-a-boo", another intermediate-level block.

I really must work on an applique block next...

Back On Track With DJ

After the busy last week, I think I'm back on track with making my DJ blocks. In honor of the end of the Tour de France bicycle race today, I made "F-13 Tour de France", a beginner-level applique block. It would have looked better if the background fabric was more of a solid color, but I wanted to make it in the colors of the French flag, so I had to make do with the blue and white print that was in my stash. The fusible-interfacing technique for applique made this block quite easy. It's too bad that I can't use this technique for all of the applique blocks.