Japanese X and + Flimsy

Posted on April 29, 2014 by applepiepatchwork

So I was in a bee and it was a bit of a disappointment. Lots and lots of people dropped out and I didn’t get nearly half of the blocks I was supposed to get. Live and learn, I guess. I think it was too many people to start with, in the bee, combined with health problems suffered by the organizer, which hampered her ability to run things smoothly. But, instead of dwelling on the fact that I was now very tired of making this block and the the fact that I did not have enough blocks for a decent sized top, I came up with a solution. I had seen other people making larger versions of the block and then combining the two sizes in one quilt. It seemed like a fast and simple solution, so I decided to go with that.

The original tutorial I used was from Badskirt, so I made the larger blocks using those dimensions as a guide. The larger block finishes at the same size as 4 of the smaller ones sewn together. If you want to make one yourself, here are the measurements:
cross: 1 – 3.5″ x 9.5″ strip
2 – 3.5″ squares
edge squares: 4 – 3.5″ squares
X: 4 – 6.5″ squares
triangles: 8 – 3.5″ squares

I decided to use some of my precious Heather Ross fabrics in this top, since the blocks were so large and I could really showcase them. I’m glad I did. That little worker bee is just so cute!

I am happy with this top now, but I think it will probably sit a bit before it gets quilted. I had an amazingly productive week and made 3 quilt tops. I don’t think I have ever finished 3 quilt tops in a week before! 2 of them, including this one, had been lingering for a long while for various reasons, and it feels really good to get them done. Yay for bursts of sewing mojo!

Progress on Bee Blocks

Posted on April 23, 2014 by applepiepatchwork

At the start of a new month, I like to first do all the sewing that I have to do for other people, which typically means all my sewing for the various Bees that I’m in. This month, the first project that I tackled was Canadian Travelling Quilts. Because we are now on stage 2, I can’t show you everything I did, but only offer a sneak peek. Which kills me a little, because I love what I did and really want to share it with you! But, rules are rules. I worked on Deanna’s top this month.

I just had to throw that little piece of text with ‘Travel’ on there. It was just too fitting.

I made 2 bee blocks this month, both have since been mailed away. The first is from Canadians Quilt Too, for Anne-Marie. She sent the black and white strip and asked for aqua and coral, with no novelty prints. Aqua and coral I have in spades, but this were just about the only coral option I had that was not a novelty. I hope she likes it!

For Stash Bee, Kim asked for a flying geese/windmill type block. I’m not sure what its official name is, but I’ve seen it in a book before, so it must have one.

And I got a surprise in the mail today. Yanick, who is from Stash Bee, saw my tutorial for Canadians Quilt Bee, and mistakenly thought she had to make me a block. So I got a bonus block in the mail! Thanks so much, Yanick! I love that print in the centre, with ‘quilting’ circled in the word-search.

And that’s sewing for other people done. I did sew for myself too, but I haven’t taken a picture yet. 🙂

I’m glad I never signed up for that fabric fast

Posted on April 9, 2014 by applepiepatchwork

I love fabric. There’s no point in denying it. I have more fabric than I need and quite a substantial stash, but I can’t seem to stop buying more. I have stopped buying large pieces of fabric, and now stick to half yard cuts or smaller, but I buy it nonetheless. I got quite the recent haul from the Intrepid Thread and Hawthorne Threads.

Heather Ross. I love Heather Ross. This is from Crafty Chloe. So pretty. And Heather Ross is reprinting her Far Far Away I line. I better save up for that.

Lots and lots of fabric. I got some of Sarah Jane’s new line, Wee Wander, and some Lizzy House Catnap too. I love those little blind mice.

I have gotten so much happy mail in the last little while. My bee blocks are steadily coming in too. I am only waiting on two more and then I’ll have all 12. They look so bright and happy together. So spring-like. Not like the weather, which I’m not going to talk about.

I’ve gotten the startings of the next Travelling Quilt and I have some ideas about what I’m going to do with it. I can’t show pictures of it once I add to it though, so I’ll just show it as it is now. This came from Little D and Me.

And, lastly, I got two new rulers recently. I’ve been wanting these for awhile but hadn’t been able to find them locally. I also want an apple core template/ruler, but I’ve had no luck with that one. Any suggestions as to where to find one of those?