NQC Block # 5

Happy Saturday! Lucky I have some time to sew. I will attempt to make Block # 5 of the National Quilters Circle Challenge. All 9 blocks are now out. If you would like the free blocks, click here.
I have a lot to catch up.

And here it is! I am quite pleased with it. Unfortunately the colors in the photo are not as nice. I guess the lighting at 10 pm in my sewing room is not conducive to taking photos.

I had a dilemma though when I wanted to start. The pattern was different from the original drawing of the whole quilt. Decision, decision.

I find it always helpful to do some coloring.

And here is my cutting chart:

First sew the two strips from the first two fabrics together. Then cut into 4 sections 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. These are the bases for the Flying Geese.

To make sure I fold the squares for the star points and pin them (roughly) into place. This makes the chain sewing so much easier. 

Next take the 4 squares from the first fabric and second and sew the corner stones and put aside.

Sew the triangles to the center square. Do opposite sides, press, sew the other opposite sides, press.

Trim to 6 inches.

Add the other triangles from the two different fabrics. 

Now this square should measure 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.

Assemble as shown.

Perfect square 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches. 

If you would like to print this out, here is a PDF! Disclaimer: when I write a pattern, I usually immediately use it to make that item again. This time I don't have time to do that. Should you do my pattern and find something unclear or a mistake, please let me know.

Charity Blocks

Somehow I came across the Covered in Love blog and the Love Block Drive!

Did you go to the links and read about it? Good, I don't have to write the details then. It is a very good cause. I thought it would be nice to help.

This block drive will run until the end of April. Any one can participate and you can pick and choose the block drives throughout the year that you want to do, there's a new one every 2 months!  If you'd like to send in blocks please leave a comment or email me to get the address (coveredinlovetx@gmail.com) and have them in the mail by May 1.

I looked at the directions and they are very easy. But ... of course ... I immediately thought that I would do it differently. Every block has many ways to do it (just like meatloaf ha-ha).

This is the first block I sewed. Btw all of them are done with stash. All of it is blue. Sorry the photos are not very good.

It's so quick to make that I decided to take photos to write "my" directions.

For the charity you are supposed to use blue. Any and all shades of blue.

For each blog you need only two fabrics, one print and one solid.

From each fabric cut: 

1 square 6.5 inches and

1 square 7 3/4 inches 

Use the two large squares (one from each fabric 7 3/4 inches) and make 8 HST using the 8HST-at-a-time method. I have a link under the Tutorial tab at the top. 

If I am doing the sewing and cutting and pressing carefully I don't even have to trim the HST except the little tips.

But I guess you could cut the large squares a little larger and then trim each HST if you want to.

Lay everything out like the picture and sew. The sewing of this one I have to do tomorrow though. Time to go to bed. It's after midnight.

Sewing the squares together is fast. I wished I had the time to make a whole quilt right now. If I had a fourth block the star in the middle would be obvious.

I made a PDF to have printable directions. CLICK HERE if you would like it.

NQC Block # 4

All I can say is: what a difference it makes when you spray the fabric with starch and iron before you cut your pieces. The corner meet so much easier that way.

The colors in the photos are not quite true. I like the real thing much better.
The block goes together quite easily.
4 large flying geese (4 at a time no waste method)
4 smaller flying geese (4 at a time no waste method)
8 HST (at a time)
and then the different squares - a fun project!

Since there will be 9 in this challenge - only 5 to go (ha-ha).

NQC Block # 1 and 3

I have blogged about my NQC block # 1 HERE!

After I had done block # 2 (I blogged about that too) I had to do # 1 again in the colors of "the quilt". I have to say that I was rather pleased about it.

After quite some time I just was finally able to tackle block # 3. And the making stretched over several days whenever there seemed to be a minute.

I got stuck here. Which way to turn the HST in the middle? I was leaning towards one idea but asked James for his opinion. He keeps claiming that he has no artistic ounce in his body but I just plainly asked "what do you like better". He (luckily) had the same idea as I. The left side. He even offered a reason: "It is more interesting making another square.

Yes, not bad.

And here are the first 3 on the design wall. I am "only" 5 blocks behind because they are being posted every Thursday.

Btw. they are 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches square (unfinished).

Off to tackle block # 4.

6 Heads / 12 Blocks (ROM) - February

Fun! Got February done. Hope I can keep it up.

This block was provided by Nadra. Thanks!

Again, lots of different possibilities. I enjoy seeing what others have done.

I had never done a partial seam block. This was a good lesson for me. It was really easy and perfect for chain sewing. For the row you need 15 blocks.

January and February!

I am not so sure about my colors any more but have to see what I can do with the next month.

I am linking to Nadra.

6 Heads / 12 Blocks (BOM)

Actually it's 6 Köpfe / 12 Blöcke, a German blog.

I stumbled over this side. Yes, Germans are now quilting too (it's a newer thing) and this is a BOM challenge. Actually it's a Row of the Month. I love the idea and, of course, have to participate.

Check it out. I don't think one needs to know German to understand. The pictures really tell all.

https://www.ellisandhiggs.com/6-koepfe-12-bloecke-quilt-along-2018/

6 quilters are taking turns to post a pattern on their blog with great details. At the bottom participants post their link to what they have done. Lots of samples. Lots of inspiration. 

(Now I do have to figure out how to do the linking)

Here is my version. I am traveling and just packed some fabric from my stash. I mainly do quilts from stash. Unfortunately the fabric for the background was too flimsy. It really needs to be pitched. I was very disappointed that I couldn't work on this project but ... when we went to a meeting in Paducah KY on Thursday it took me 10 minutes to dash into Hancocks, pick some fabric, had it cut, pay and dash out. Yippee!

It really was fun and I am looking forward to next month!!!

Since I am going to link it to the German blog .... oben rechts ist ein Knopf "Translate" (Übersetzung). Darunter kannst du die Sprache suchen. Die Übersetzung ist manchmal ziemlich lustig aber ich glaube es hilft.

*  *  *  *
This block was provided by Gesine. Thanks!
I linked to the heart pattern:
http://allie-and-me-design.blogspot.de/2018/01/6-kopfe-12-blocke-2018-januar-tutorial.html

NQC block # 2

I know, I know, totally different fabric line than block # 1 but I am planning to make that one again. I do like how this turned out. The background fabric is a little "busy" but it is all I had in my stash in more quantity. 

I do want to report though what I did different.

First though I want to say how nice it is that Gina Perkes shares her patterns at the FaceBook group NQC Quilt Block Challenge. The patterns are written very detailed. I have no trouble understanding them and doing it. But ... we all work differently. I am a very frugal "cutter". Directions say to cut from the four different colors each a 5 1/4 inch square and cut it in 4 triangles but you only use 2. You cut from each a 4 7/8 inch square and cut it into 2 but only use 1. Too much waste for me.

So here is what I did:

I cut the 5 1/4 inch square (from each of the four fabrics) and cut it into 2 triangles.

I took one of the triangles, lined it up with a horizontal line of the cutting board and the tip on a vertical line and cut it (like you would cut it if you would cut the square into four). I had the 2 triangles I was supposed to have.

I took the other triangle, lined it up on the cutting board and imagined it as square. I cut it into the imaginary 4 7/8 inch square. I had that 1 triangle I was supposed to have. Almost no waste.

For me the trick to easy assembly/sewing is to "stage" the block. I folded the squares for the flying geese and pinned them and added all the other pieces. The rest was very easy chain-sewing.

Looking forward to next week's pattern!