In a Rut?

This is getting pretty boring....lots of DJ blocks lately and not too much else. I'm afraid you'll be seeing more of them over the next couple of weeks because my goal is to have all 169 of the center blocks finished and put together by the February 1st meeting of my DJ support group, the Laurel Janes.

This is "J-13, Pam's Bells", an intermediate-level block that I paper pieced and then used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method for the teardrop-shaped pieces.

Anything Is Possible

I had been dreading making this block for a long time now. Shortly into my DJ project, I printed out the block and kept it in my notebook to study once in a while. I knew that I would have to use some sort of applique method or curved piecing and I dreaded the day I'd attempt it. This week I finally did.

This is "H-6, Pie Sale", an intermediate-level block that I rotary cut and used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch method for the 3/4 circles.

After looking closely at the block, I decided to break it down into a nine-patch and quarter circles. I cut out the quarter circles and placed them on top of the nine-patch pieces and then sewed all the seams. That left me with having to sew down the outer edges of the quarter circles. No big deal, I had done that before with the buttonhole stitch around the raw edge. But what color thread? Dark thread would disappear on the dark fabric but be very obvious on the yellow. Vice versa for yellow thread. I certainly didn't want to change thread, so I decided to use monofilament with the buttonhole stitch. Not my favorite look, but it worked. I have other blocks that I made fairly early on in the quilt in which I used monofilament thread, so this won't be the only one.

After making this block, I think the remaining ones will be a breeze...

It's Been Too Long

It's been more than 2 weeks since I last finished a DJ block. Too many other fun projects going on right now.

This is "E-7, Bread Basket", an advanced-level block that I chose to paper piece. Since I didn't want to deal with Y-seams, I added a few pieces to make things easier. In the original quilt, the center square is one piece of fabric and four of the triangles are one piece each as well. I broke them down into smaller (!) pieces to make for straight stitching.

I've been studying the blocks that remain...many will be a bit tough, but I think I've figured out how to make "L-10, Nan's Naiad" the easy way....stay tuned...

It's Been A While

I've been busy making postcards lately (you'll see a few more later this week) and haven't had much time to work on my DJ quilt. Here's the first block I've made in 3 weeks.

It's "I-7, Mac and Muff", an intermediate-level block that I chose to paper piece and then added the itty-bitty triangles using the raw-edge machine-buttonhole stitch method. Those teensy-weensy triangle pieces are even smaller than the ones seen here.

Easy DJ Block

By using the raw-edge machine-buttonhole stitch applique method, this block took no more than an hour to make.

This is "J-1, Josepha's Jonquil", an intermediate-level block.

By chance it turns out that this block is in the yellow row of my quilt. Works perfectly with the name.

Please, Just One More Before You Go...

I was still pumped up from Monday's Laurel Janes' gathering, so I had to quickly make up another block using the raw-edge machine-buttonhole stitch method before my Bernina goes into the hospital today. I'll be working on paper-pieced blocks until it comes home.

This is "B-11, Melissa's Cross", an intermediate-level block. I paper-pieced the center and used my favorite applique method for the curved pieces.

Time For A Rest

I've been making a lot of blocks using the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch applique method lately because on Wednesday my faithful machine will be going in for some much-delayed servicing. There is nothing wrong with it (except for the broken needle threader), but I've put in a lot of sewing hours on it since the last checkup, so it's time. I do have another machine that I mainly use for sewing away from home, but it doesn't have as nice a buttonhole stitch as my Bernina. So I'll use it for other projects until the main machine is ready.

It will be a good excuse to go on a road trip with a few of my quilting friends to a couple of quilt shops and a farmers' market.

This is "A-10, Which Points West?", an intermediate-level appliqued and rotary-cut block. I saw no reason to sew the background using Y-seams as shown in the software; straight seams work well enough.

Three In A Row

This is what happens when you try to do things the "easy" way.

At first glance at the software pattern for this block, it looked like Y-seams would be required in order to make it look like Jane's block. The center could be paper-pieced and then four pieces of background fabric would have to be sewn in using Y-seams, followed by appliqueing of the outer two diamonds.

Although I don't dislike Y-seams as much as I used to, I'm always willing to avoid them if I can. And definitely the same goes for applique...

Anyway, I decided that instead of sewing Y-seams, I would just sew large pieces of fabric on all four sides of the center (paper-pieced, yeah!) and then tilt it, square up to 5 inches and whack off extra fabric. I should have looked carefully at Jane's block before I whacked, because as you can see in the photo on the top left, the angle is completely off. I don't know what I was thinking when I did it, but I messed up. But I didn't realize it yet.

Then I used the raw-edge machine buttonhole-stitch method to secure the outer two diamonds. At that point I decided to compare mine to Jane's. Not the same. So in order to avoid starting from the very beginning (life is too short for that!), I decided to follow Brenda Papadakis' rules -- "Cut it big and whack it off" and "Log cabin around it". And my favorite -- "This is your quilt...Add and take away blocks and change the patterns as you wish. Use whatever fabrics you desire."

So I did!

This is "C-2, Streak of Lightning", an intermediate-level block.

March Came In Like a Lion

Although this area missed all the snow of Monday's northeast snowstorm, we did get hit with a very wintry blast of cold, windy weather. Thankfully, the sun came out halfway through our monthly DJ gathering and the atmosphere inside was definitely warm and inviting.

I spent the time making "D-1, Alison's Guilding Light", an intermediate-level block. It was relatively easy. Number 110 for me.

In addition to making this block on Monday, I spent some time studying the book, looking over the blocks that I have remaining...the difficulty level is definitely going to increase soon.

More Paper Piecing

The colors are washed out on this one again. The yellow and orange are a lot more vibrant in person.

I can't believe that I am still finding fairly easy blocks to paper piece. I thought that most of what I had remaining involves curved or pointy applique pieces.

This is "G-9, Mary's Journey", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block.

Poof, It's Gone

While our furnace was being worked on yesterday, I worked on this block, "G-5 Poof", an intermediate-level block with an appliqued center. The background can either be paper-pieced or rotary-cut. Now that I look at it, I realize that one of the yellow strips is narrower than the other one. Oh well, I'm not doing it over.

I used the buttonhole stitch on my machine again (see the post here) to applique the raw edge of the center piece. It made for very quick work and I like the effect. The background fabric is actually purple, not blue as looks to me on the screen, and the other fabric is a lot more yellow and not so orangey.

The name of this block, "Poof", is very appropriate today, because "poof", the new, but more efficient and hopefully more reliable, furnace is making my money disappear...(at least our gas bill should be quite a bit lower).

In addition to that, my son (high school junior) just found out that he has been accepted for Cornell University's summer college...that means that "poof", more money will disappear...but it will be well worth it.

Stepping Forward

Paper-pieced blocks are great fun! I need to do one or two after I've done an applique block just to feel confident about how this whole project will turn out.

"This is "M-4, Stepping Stones", an advanced-level paper-pieced block. This one has 49 pieces, I believe, which means lots of little pieces of paper to tear out!

Last One of Its Kind

Well, if I've counted correctly, this is the last of the beginner-level blocks that can be paper pieced. All of my remaining beginner-level blocks (6 of them) will require some sort of applique method.

This is "C-12, Family Reunion", which I chose to paper piece, but it could easily have been done using just the rotary cutting method. A few of my seams are a bit wonky, but I like to think that it will match the other wonky blocks.

There are 49 pieces in this 5-inch block, 45 of which are 1/2-inch finished!

This is my #94.

More Dear Jane

I have many projects that I'd like to work on, but I hope to concentrate mainly on my Dear Jane blocks in 2009. I'm getting down to the end of the easy paper-pieced blocks and need to work more on the applique blocks.

This is "K-2 Grandpa's Chickens", a beginner-level block that I chose to paper piece. It could easily be rotary cut as well, which is probably what I should have done. But it works anyway.

Square and Triangles

Many of these blocks are starting to look alike...a center square with 4 triangle corners...I'm amazed at the number of variations that Jane Stickle came up with. This is "L-11 Caitlin's Rose", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. It wasn't very hard at all.

The Disease Is Spreading

I have quite a few other projects that I really should be working on, but the DJ blocks keep calling my name. This is starting to become a disease -- I think it's spreading from next door...my neighbor is also a member of the Laurel Janes and she will probably be the first of our group to be a Dear Jane Goddess. Her work is amazing.

So, in order to control my disease, I made "A-4 Courtney's Stethoscope", another intermediate-level paper-pieced block.

Sunday Block

For this Sunday morning I made "F-8 Church Window", an advanced-level paper-pieced block. Don't start with this one if you are new to paper piecing. The small pieces aren't too tough, but you have to make sure that you cut pieces big enough to fit on the paper when you sew on the outside diamond shapes. The angles can fool you. Again, I'm pleased with the accuracy -- no points cut off and very,very, very close to 5" square.

More Paper Piecing

Here is "L-3 Reflections Abound", an intermediate-level paper-pieced block. I'm doing well toward my goal ... 9 more blocks to do in about 9 weeks or so.

This One Is Better, I Think

This is beginner-level block "B-3 Mirror Image". I think it turned out much better than my applique attempt yesterday. Using fusible interfacing is definitely my preferred method now. No needle turning involved. And no small pieces involved. Very manageable for a beginner. I am also pleased with how the silk thread camouflaged my stitches.

Now for the next block...

Too Many Quilts, Not Enough Time

This is "K-12 Doris's Dilemma", an easy paper-pieced block. The software labels this as an intermediate-level block, but I think a beginner could easily make it without much of a problem.



My dilemma is this -- what do I work on next? I have too many things to choose from -- my quilt for the guild exhibit (I did buy some fabric to make a better backing); a Project Linus quilt that someone else in our guild pieced and I promised to quilt; a disappearing 9-patch quilt that will be used as a door prize for our guild meeting in September which needs quilting; a friend's quilt which needs quilting; and lots of other projects that I have planned...

Tomorrow is my guild's monthly meeting of our Dear Jane group, the Laurel Janes. I have 3 blocks ready to applique and will hopefully get them finished sometime this week.