SECOND LETTER

 Here is my some of my process of making the next letter in this project.  As in the first letter, I'm using the original freezer paper pattern.  I divided this letter up into parts and made the individual parts and then sewed them all together.  Here I show just my process for just one part.

I take the pattern of the part I'm making from tracing paper and use tailor's chalk to mark the sewing lines onto the fabrics.

Then add a 1/4" seam allowance and cut the pieces out.

I pin the beginning corners together to line them up exactly.

I use an awl to keep the edges of the fabrics lined up.

With this method I can get pretty close to the pattern.

Then I cut the curve on the opposite side.

This curve wasn't laying flat.  I pressed it to show how it should have lined up, then re-sew in the crease. This will make it flat.

I pin the pattern and then trim. Starting with oversized pieces allows for some adjustments before trimming.

I didn't get the curve sewn perfectly on the line.  However it isn't that important in this project.  What is important is that the black is the correct width where it will line up with the section next to it so the line will look like one continuous line.

All of this oversized parts sewn together that now need to be trimmed.

I pressed the original freezer paper pattern onto it, lining up the important lines.

Then I trimmed a 1/4" seam allowance on the two sides.  I'll still leave the top and bottom until the whole piece is together.

FRIDAY FINALLY

 I finally got the backing for Spider Legs pinned onto the longarm.  I've been procrastinating about it for what seems like a very long time.  It barely fits onto the longarm because I added fabric to all the sides so the backing would be diagonal when I quilt it.  

I also loaded the batting and the top and even wound one bobbin.  Then I joined the Brave Patch Finish It Friday group.  

I was able to get the next Dear Jane block, B11, finished before I had to go in to make dinner.

DEAR JANE B6 and 7

Working on row B of the Dear Jane quilt.   Today I got B6 and B7 done.  I doubt that I could have completed B7 with its curves and inset circle back in 1996.  But, luckily I have the skills to do that now.  But, this little block was still very difficult for me.  

I took B7 into the house with me to finish the appliqued little diamonds in the corners.   

I thought I would foundation piece B6, but that wasn't going to work, so then I thought I'd make the center square and foundation piece the rest, but that wasn't how I did it afterall. 

Making the parts for the center square.

I thought I'd foundation piece the rest of the block, but in the end, it seemed easier to just piece it.

Completed B6, 4-1/2" block

Then it was on to B7:

Sewing the little 'melons' on the center circle piece.  Can't have enough pins.

Once I got the center circle completed, I inset it into the outer square using the 6-Minute Inset Circle technique.  I think the original was probably made with four individually pieced sides and mitered corners, but I thought this new way would be better, and faster.

Completed B7

JANE BLOCK FOR THE DAY

 When I started making Dear Jane blocks in 1996 I started at the beginning and was making blocks in order.  But, I apparently skipped a few.  Probably because they look difficult.  Today I decided to go back and do those blocks.

And, yes, this one was a difficult block.  Making it involved applique, curved seams and Y-seams.  

IMPROV BLOCK 47

 I wasn't able to finish the improv block of the week for Quilters Playcation 2024 with Cheryl Arkison on Tuesday.

But, I got it done today.  Two bowls.

JOE PROJECT

 I tuned into Joe Cunningham's Quilt Freedom Workshop.  His special guest was Pat Pauly.  I just love her work.

In the last part he showed us how to make this little block. 

Well, mine's a little different from his.  But I did use two fabrics that don't 'go together' like he asked.

BLOCK 44

 It's Tuesday!  And it's time for Cheryl Arkison's Quilters Playcation.

Today we made block number 44.

I'm sorry Cheryl.  My block isn't anything like what she was teaching.

THE REAL BLOCK 31

 Well, I was wrong about the block I made yesterday being number 31.  This week's block is the real 31.  Cheryl Arkison came on Instagram today to make up for missing yesterday.  She said she completely forgot!  

This week's is a leaf block made from mostly scraps.

I worked on the Dalek, too.  I'm not as enthused as I have been.  I pieced a small bit this morning, got frustrated and chucked it and started over.  That feels like I wasted half the morning.  But, I believe the second attempt is much better.  So, I guess that's something.  Once I get this half of the block done.  I will be through with the tricky bits.  Mostly.

The overlay becomes quite useful to make sure everything is where it should be.
This makes it easier to line up with the surrounding blocks.

NEXT BLOCK STARTED

 I started putting together the next block.  This one might even be easier and faster.  There are less parts and pieces to this block, too.

Sewing tiny circle

This is going to be difficult.  I'll do it tomorrow,

ANOTHER BLOCK DONE

 I've been working on this block for a while it seems.  Sewing, unsewing, resewing.  I even recut some pieces because I thought they were too short.  

SEWING SNAKE BLOCKS TOGETHER

 I'm sewing the Snake blocks together then sewing them into columns. 

Got two done today.

I'm really starting to like how the arcs don't match up.  It gives the quilt more energy. 

HOMEMADE TEMPLATES

 Darrell and I drew up some templates I wanted for a 14" Snake Block.  Well, I told him the sizes and he drew it up in his CAD program.

Today, he cut them out on his CNC.

Making the blocks will now be so easy!

The 1/8" acrylic being held on the CNC with double-backed tape.

I made two blocks, trying out the templates.

WEEK 18 OF PLAYCATION 2024

 Here is the improv block I made for Week 18 of Quilters Playcation 2024 with Cheryl Arkison.

PEACH FIZZ IS A TOP

 I've been working on piecing the blocks for the Peach Fizz quilt.  The curves are coming together very nicely with a lot of pinning.  I got all of the rows finished and sewn together this morning.

It's a top!

 

PEACH FIZZ ON THE WALL

 I always said I'd never make a T-shirt quilt, but that's what I'm doing right now.  I cut up my Volunteer t-shirt from this year's Quiltcon.  It was the color of this year's Color of the Year by Pantone, Peach Fizz.  I added some more shades of peach, including a very dark rust-orange.  I threw in a few blues.  Then as I was putting the pieces up on the wall I decided it needed some white.  I looked through my stash, hoping I'd have a white with peach or orange little dots or something - and of course, I didn't.  So, I went with solid white.  The pieces still need to be sewn into blocks and assembled.  

Here's how it looks today:

IMPROV WEEK 14

 Here's my interpretation of Cheryl Arkison's week 14 of Quilters Playcation 2024 improv block:

WEEK 7 OF PLAYCATION

 I tuned in a little late to today's Quilter's Playcation 2024 with Cheryl Arkison.  So I missed what her sample block looked like.  I thought I was following directions, but alas, I didn't hear things correctly, I guess. 

My block didn't end up like hers, which is fine by me.  I like mine.

WEEK 6 OF PLAYCATION

 This is week 6 of Quilter's Playcation 2024 with Cheryl Arkison:

ANOTHER SOLSTICE BLOCK

 Seems like about every other quilt I make has Solstice in it's name.  But, I didn't name this one, it's called the Solstice Sampler, a block of the week, by various artists.  And I couldn't resist it.

Here is this week's block:

CRUSHING IT IS A TOP

 Today, during Finish it Friday with Brave Patch, I finished the last seam on Crushing It and trimmed it.  It has rounded corners.

It is now a quilt top.

I have a lot of leftover parts and pieces (I over cut, by a lot, the white squares) to use on the backing.  Plus, I bought a big chunk of a Tula Pink fabric for some added color.  It should be a fun one to make.

I just love this!