Hand piecing has not been my forte' but I am applying myself to the challenge these days. This project is called Judie's 4-Patch & I am just beginning to enjoy it. . . my problem being . . . of course, I want it to go faster!
The blocks themselves are easy, but it's the spot where they all come together when you add the setting fabric, muslin, in this case. . . that's the challenge! There are 8 spots that all come together at all four corners of each block.
I am improving & the points are laying down flatter now, but it takes a bit of concentration. Just don't know what I'm going to do when it comes to the final press before the quilter gets it . . .
Anyway, I thought I should give it my best try since we will soon be reproducing the Friendship Ring block mentioned on the last blog post! The ARDCO template sets are here & we have begun to work on our first blocks; that is, our Thursday Girls are lending a huge helping hand. And in many cases, more than that because they are the hand piecing experts, so I'm totally relying on their experience here. Tomorrow we will see the first attempts on Friendship Ring & I am sure they will be excellent! Will keep you updated!
I was telling you about the quilts that Washington Street Studio is reproducing fabrics from; well, here is the second one! It's called Friendship Ring, but I was never able to find it in the pattern identification books. Simple, subtle colors in the fabrics with a few darker shades for impact!
Immediately, I fell in love with this one! Soft yellows with browns & reds, subtle pinks with browns & reds, and a few checks & woven designs make you want to sew it right up! Thus, the fabrics . . . yes, we need the fabrics!
Also, we need the templates for the blocks! Of course, the old quilt was hand pieced in the 1860's, so it was impossible for me to determine the size of the pieces. And believe me, I tried, but I had to turn that part over to Ardco! Their metal templates are so neat --- very easy to trace the pieces for cutting, plus you can trace the sewing lines onto the pieces at the same time.
And, guess what, I got information just this morning that the templates are ready. So, soon, I'll be able to try some of the blocks & let you know how it goes. I am not a proficient hand piecer, but I have been working at it & am anxious to see how this block goes together. Wish me luck!
A new door has opened here at Clothesline Quilts & we are excited to share it with you. P & B Textiles has opened a new reproductions division -- Washington Street Studio! Isn't that a neat name & a neat opportunity for us reproductions lovers!
We are using fabrics from old quilts of the 1800's -- starting with two of my old quilts. The first is simply called Flying Geese -- isn't it a beautiful old quilt! It puts me in mind of a soldier's cot quilt -- those dark fabrics with simply muslin background for the flying geese. Lots of little prints & dots & large stripes & a few florals - I just love this quilt dated in the 1880's. And as you can see, we got lots of great fabrics reproduced from this quilt!
Got to get back to my sewing, but I will share the other quilt with you soon! Have a great day!!
We're back from vacation & anxious to get moving along the countdown to May market! Lots of new stuff just around the corner.
Sharon is finalizing a table runner featuring her Diamonds Are Forever block which was just in Volume 10 of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks. Isn't it gorgeous! And the table runner is awesome; she's making two different fabric versions for the booth! And the pattern will be ready for market.
We've also had requests to do something with the Checkerboard Stars block from Quiltmakers 100 Blocks, Volume 6, so you'll be seeing it soon in a quilt design.
The blocks for this magazine are all big ones - 12" square, so it's extra fun to work with them. Although I have always preferred the small 5" size, I have had fun with this block. That is what is so great about quilting . . . you can always add a new love!
Hope your winter is giving you lots of quilting & snuggling time with loved ones. We've had extra cold weather, but little snow at this point; although March is not over yet . . . never know what March will bring to the Midwest. Sending our sympathy to the Northeast quilters this winter with all their inches piling up.
Have a good week. Bring on the sunshine!
