Under the Wire

 I actually finished a Table Scraps Challenge project this morning.  

I would report in with Joy at The Joyful Quilter but I forgot my password.

Well, almost finished -- the binding will be stitched down during Sunday wine time.  

This small 16" x 16" table topper is made from four orphan blocks.  Sometime in my early quilting life I was practicing with Hopkin's Square blocks (design by Judy Hopkins).  I thought the two identical prints in coordinating colorways would be interesting.  But, as you can see, there was not enough contrast for the design to really show up so I ditched that option -- though I have gone on to make several quilts with that block.  And if you participated in my Magical Mystery, you may recognize it ...

Do I get extra credit for using a sort-of yellow?

Retreat Day Three

I didn't accomplish a whole lot.  I had a big box of orphans and bits of brown and blue that I was hoping to work into some semblance of unity but the pieces were so disparate that no vision came to mind.  It couldn't possibly been caused by the chaos on my table ...

... or under my feet ...

So I referred to Medallion Quilts: Inspiration & Patterns and was suitably inspired.  I began the process with a large leftover block from one of my Wink & a Smile quilts.  First, I had to replace the four corners that somehow, some way, for some reason had been removed.

Again I had trouble with quilty math and had to manipulate frames to get things to fit so this is as far as I got with the project.

The others have been hard at work so I'll show some pics.

Donna's Frolic

Donna's Magical Mystery

Blessed

and not so blessed

Last week was a week of ups and downs, blessings and not-so-much.  

Monday - I had figured out how to make side triangles on Starry Night and was able to get the center together.

Nann/No Strings Attached asked about the original fabric I stacked for the 60-degree triangles so I thought youall might be interested, too.

There wasn't enough background in the print to make an interesting One Block Wonder, so I used a Stack 'n' Whack setting option which also made the quilt top bigger.  It still needed at least a small yellow border all around to give the top and bottom hexies some breathing room.  I cut yellow inner borders and got one side pinned.  I'm not sure why it's still sitting on my side table.  (Could be because I find sewing borders boring!)

Tuesday - an example of what happens when you can't wrap your head around quilty math.

For the life of me, I couldn't remember how to make an economy block to fit a specific size! Through trial and error I finally hit on the perfect size and was able to get the flying geese borders on Everlasting.

I decided to put a small red border on the outside of the geese to stabilize all those seams, but no matter how many times I measured, the geese stretched and became longer than the piece I had cut.  After making slight adjustments in the seams between geese, they were still too long (and different lengths side-to-side) so I set it aside -- on top of Starry Night.

Wednesday - Why not?  I had a frenzy of cleaning in the cutting room.  One thing lead to another and as I was putting away Hopkins Square I remembered I had made another working sample when I was leading the Magical Mystery last year.  So I put those blocks on the wall.

Every time I walked into the sewing room I would rearrange a few blocks.  By Sunday I had a finished center.  Just needs borders.  (Do you sense a pattern developing here?)  It will make a nice donation for a man, I think.

Thursday - Work on something without borders!  I have been stitching pairs of HSTs for Happy Surprise as leaders/enders for a couple of weeks.  I finally had enough done that I could make a few sample blocks.  

Which was a good thing because I discovered I had stitched a whole stack with the angle going in the wrong direction.  And, no, turning them upside down doesn't make it any better!  I got well acquainted with the seam ripper.  I have been pinning strips of HSTs together every afternoon while dinner preparation is going on in the kitchen.   This could be a long time in the making ... just sayin'

Friday - the Real Blessing.  Earlier Thursday morning I had some banking business to attend to which involved a 100-mile drive each way on I-40.  Why do I mention this?  Because on Friday morning, as I was turning into a church friend's driveway, I hit a stone curb and blew a tire!  Can you imagine if it had happened at 70 MPH on the interstate??

I already had an afternoon appointment to get my 40K service done and was going to discuss replacing tires at that time.  A quick call to AAA and a service man was on his way.  He put on the donut spare and after the church committee meeting, I was on my way to the tire store instead of the Toyota dealer!

I will be finishing up a few things this week and cleaning up my messes in the sewing room.  I need to clear off that work table so that my measuring and pinning of borders will be more accurate!

A Happy Surprise

and a few other surprises

While I'm sewing curves on the Glorified 9-Patch (NOT!), I'll break away to give you a look at  a couple of the Hs in my UFO boxes.

First up is Happy Surprise, designed by Jo and Kelli Kramer/Jo's Country Junction in 2018 (I think).  I was immediately intrigued by how it goes together, so I did a rough sketch and made a plan.  I started with a jelly roll of Grunge.

I made a few HSTs and even made my version of a test block.  (I have no idea if it bears any resemblance to the pattern!)

I lacked the confidence to continue, though, because I hadn't bought the AP&Q magazine it appeared in.  Well, happy surprise, Jo recently reprised the project on her blog and I was able to snag a photo of the project (which I can't show without permission).  So I pulled out the box and it appears I have made well over 300 HSTs!

Rather than make the number required in the pattern, I'm just going to use what I have and hopefully it will be enough for a nice lap quilt.  Stitching HSTs together will be my leader/ender project for the foreseeable future.

An Unhappy Surprise -- What wasn't in that stack of boxes above reappeared in a burst of cleaning up yesterday -- Hopkins Square from Judy Hopkin's 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks.  This is the block I used in my Magical Mystery last year.  My mystery has you make four blocks from a pair of fat quarters.  Well, this muddy version is a prime example of what NOT to use!

I hate to throw all that effort away.  I think I will use each set of 4 blocks as the center of a baby quilt.  I will survey my stash options to see if I have something that will not only liven up these blocks, but will give a dash of youthfulness.

Another happy surprise - I have all my boxes back in alphabetical order so it should be a lot easier for me to continue working through the alphabet.

Another unhappy surprise - my work table is missing!

There's a table under there somewhere!

And I'll close with another Happy Surprise - the Knockout roses that I thought were lost last year are blooming big time!

Knockout Rose (I don't remember the variety)

Magical Mystery Bonus Block

One last opportunity

I was so blown away by some of the options y'all came up with that I almost forgot I had promised a bonus block!

This block comes to you by way of Miss Rosie's Quilt Company.  The pattern is True Blue.

Can you see the similarities?  In this case there is just one block that is rotated to create the secondary pattern.  Like our mystery, you can start with two fat quarters and use the same cutting diagram.

Make the large triangle squares (Clue 3) and the small triangle squares (Clue 4) only and assemble like a 9-patch.

As in our Magical Mystery, be sure to pay close attention to the orientation of your triangle squares.

Magical Mystery

In Transit

I tell y'all, this operating from two abodes is not easy.  Which is my way of saying I don't have much to say because the laptop got packed early and it has the only photo I can find of my finished quilt.

So here it is, with no borders and crappy lighting.

This is the barn raising setting, off center.  What I really want you to see is the variety of fabrics. For some reason I collected a bunch of fat quarters in this burnt orange color -- I don't think they were from a "collection" or "line," just a similar color.  The lights are all shades of beige, some a bit darker than others.  I just tried to balance the placement.

I hope you can see how easy it would be to make a group quilt using this block by specifying two colors, one light and one dark.  Each step along the way lends itself to trimming to a standard size, as well as the final blocks because, as you well know, no one's 1/4 inch is the same as yours!

The bonus block will have to wait for a day.

We're up at the Glade for the week.  I'm hobbling around as much as I can with the boot, trying to exercise the foot when the boot is off.  Now that I can put weight on the foot, I should be able to go down to the new studio and help Mr. Hillside (now Mr. Lakeside) put things away.

Blessings to all for this Holy Week.

Magical Mystery - The Big Reveal

The mystery:  
How two different blocks can be made from the same pieces.

The magic:
The multitude of setting options.

The Bonus:
A third block.
Actually, youall came up with a lot more!


I hope those who played along have enjoyed the exercise.  It was fun to see your guesses along the way.  A couple of you were close in expecting there to be positive and negative results.  So without further ado ... ta-dah:

THE FINAL SOLUTION

Each block is constructed from four units:  Two rail units, one large triangle square, and one 4-patch unit.  Pay close attention to the orientation of the triangle squares. Assemble like a 4-patch, sewing a rail unit to the 4-patch unit and the large triangle square to a rail unit. Press toward the rail units. Spin the final seam (or press open).

Block A

Block A

For Block A be sure to use the rail units that are pressed toward the light fabric.  If you spun the seams in Clue 5 as recommended, these rail units should nest with the 4-patch seams.  And just like the construction of the 4-patch units, as a double-check, you should never be sewing the same fabric together.

Block B:

Block B

Again, pay close attention to the orientation of the triangle squares. Assemble like a 4-patch, sewing a rail unit to the 4-patch unit and the large triangle square to a rail unit. Press toward the rail units.  Spin the final seam.

Why spin the seams?  When you spin the seams of a 4-patch construction, you can orient your block in any direction and it will automatically nest with the next block.  You're skeptical, I know.  But try it, it works!  I will say that, depending on how you assemble the blocks into a quilt, the seams where rail units meet end-to-end may not nest.  In that case I flip the seam at the intersection and press the seam into submission.

As I said before, you could make a quilt from all A blocks or all B blocks, but the more interesting construction comes from alternating A and B.  Because of the strong diagonal of the blocks, you can do just about anything you could do with a plain HST or a light/dark log cabin block.

For example, Furrows (or is this Sunshine and Shadows?):

Or how about Barn Raising:

Shift and twist a few blocks and you get this:

Or the reverse:

Check back tomorrow to see a finished quilt (not this one, though) and learn about the bonus block.

To give credit where credit is due, this mystery was inspired by a block called Hopkins Square in Judy Hopkins' book 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt  Blocks (Martingale & Company, Woodinville, WA, 2008).

And if you want more setting inspiration, check out Judy Martin’s Log Cabin Quilt Book  (Crosley-Griffith Pub. Co., Inc., Grinnell, IA, 2007).

I hope you had fun and I would love, Love, LOVE to see pictures of any finished quilts.

Magical Mystery - Clue 5

4-Patches

Welcome to Clue 5 of our Magical Mystery Block Quilt-Along.  

If you are just coming to the party, you can catch up here and here and here and here and here.

For this clue you will be using the 2-1/2" squares 
and the 2-1/2" triangle squares you made in Clue 4.

Each 4-patch unit will have two triangle squares (HSTs), one light square, and one dark square.

Make four identical 4-patch units for every pair of FQs you cut.
Press your twosies toward the solid square so that the seams will nest.

Press toward the solid fabric square

I highly recommend that you "spin" the final seam.  Otherwise, press it open.

Spin center seam

Edyta Sitar gives an excellent demo of 4-patch spinning here.
Some sources recommend snipping stitches at the intersection,
but if your stitch length isn't overly tight and if you didn't "web" your pieces,
you should be able to simply twist them apart.

TIPS
I find it helpful to stack all my pieces before I start sewing.

I double check against the illustration to make sure I have not turned a HST the wrong way.
A good check is to notice you will never be sewing the same two fabrics together;
that is, you will always sew light to dark or dark to light.

This is the LAST clue!

Once you get the 4-patches made, fiddle with your pieces to see if you can solve the mystery.
Remember, these same pieces make two different blocks, A and B.
Also, remember the rail units you pressed to the light and labeled "A".
You should be able to make two A blocks and two B blocks.
Setting options allow for using all A or all B,
but the most interesting settings use a combination of both A and B.

Let's plan to link up again on Monday with your possible solutions.
If you don't get to this right away, I'll catch up the links whenever I see your post.

I will reveal the final solution Monday night, along with setting options.
Oh, and there is a BONUS third block option!

Happy Stitching!

Mystery Monday Linkup #3

Magical Mystery Blocks

Clue 1

Clue 2
Clue 3
Clue 4

We're getting near the finish line with this little mystery.  I hope you all are enjoying it as much as I am seeing where you are going with this.  So let's see your progress thus far.

We have two new participants:  Julie in Georgia and my friend Sharon B.  Sharon doesn't have a blog so I will share any pictures she sends me.  Be sure to visit the other links below and offer your encouragement.

Sharon B anonymous
Marlene at Covered in Stitches
Ramona at Doodlebugs and Rosebuds Quilts
Julie at Julie's Quilts and Costumes
Diann at Little Penguin Quilts
Gayle at mangofeet
Cathy at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting
Jeanne at Spiral
Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic
Joy at The Joyful Quilter
Nann at With Strings Attached

PS:  We're back up on the Plateau for a few days and guess what DH forgot to pack -- my tote with ALL the mystery bits and pieces!  I may have to scramble to get the last clue ready by Friday.

Magical Mystery - Clue 4

Small Triangle Squares

Welcome to Clue 4 of our Magical Mystery Block Quilt-Along.  

If you are just coming to the party, you can catch up here and here and here and here.

Remember:  The pieces combine to make two different blocks:  

Block A and Block B.  

All seams are 1/4"

For this clue you will be using the 3" x 3" squares.

Make sure you are using the 3" squares and not the 2-1/2" squares!
Pair a light 3" square with a dark 3" square, right sides together.

You know the drill.
Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the light square.
Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.

Cut apart on the drawn line.

Press to the dark fabric or press the seam open.
Trim to 2-1/2", making sure the seam goes from corner to corner.
For every two FQs pairs you cut, you will have 8 small triangle squares (a/k/a HSTs)

Let's plan to link up again on Monday to report our progress.
If you don't get to this right away, I'll catch up the links whenever I see your post.

Happy Stitching!

PS:  Orthopaedic specialist didn't think surgery would be required on the ankle,
so I'm in a boot and maneuvering with a walker.  Getting by on Advil.
I go back next Friday for follow-up x-rays.
I even sewed some of my blocks together yesterday using my left foot on the pedal!
(Unfortunately, I can't show evidence of my sewing progress as it is a secret ...)

Mystery Monday Linkup #2

Magical Mystery Blocks

Clue 1

Clue 2
Clue 3

It has been fun following everyone's progress.  I promised that each clue would take less than one-half hour.  Ramona said last week it took longer for her iron to heat up than to make her units.  Gayle said it took her longer to get to the studio!  I know some of you are going above and beyond the 4 blocks in the mystery and that's great!  But my purpose is more to inspire you to think about the opportunities rather than saddle you with yet another UFO.

I'm working along with you; I have two quilts in progress.  I want to show some units from the second quilt that are an example of poor value choice.

Clue 3 - Large HSTs

I was using a collection of fat quarters from a single line.  All the fabrics are more medium than light and dark so I designated the blue would be dark and the tan light.  Granted, some of the other pairs have a much darker blue and a lighter tan.  However, the design motifs are very busy so there is little distinction in these pieces.  I hope there is a lesson here...

I also hope I can find an arrangement in the final quilt that can make good use of this lack of contrast.

Be sure to visit the links below and offer your encouragement.

Marlene at Covered in Stitches
Ramona at Doodlebugs and Rosebuds Quilts
Diann at Little Penguin Quilts
Gayle at mangofeet
Cathy at Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting
Jeanne at Spiral
Jan at The Colorful Fabriholic
Joy at The Joyful Quilter
Nann at With Strings Attached

Ankle Update

I've graduated!

... to a boot.

Yesterday the orthopaedic specialist confirmed that one of my ankle bones is broken.  He think it will heal in a boot, no surgery required!  

I can remove the boot to bathe, but I have to sleep with the dang thing on for the first two weeks.  All I can say is it's a pain in the ... leg.

Driving is currently out of the question.  At least I can drive a sewing machine with my left foot!  I did keep a machine here at house 1, but I'm not sure I have any projects here to work on.  It could be six weeks of binding.

Update:  Apparently I thought ahead and brought my Magical Mystery blocks home with me!

Magical Mystery - Clue 3

Large Triangle Squares 

Welcome to Clue 3 of our Magical Mystery Block Quilt-Along.  

If you are just coming to the party, you can catch up here and here and here.

Remember:  The pieces combine to make two different blocks (that IS the mystery, after all):  

Block A and Block B.  

All seams are 1/4"

For this clue you will be using the 5" x 5" squares.

Pair a light large square with a dark large square, right sides together.

Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of the light square.
Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.

Then cut apart on the drawn line.

Press all toward the dark fabric.

You should now have four large triangle squares.

Trim these to 4-1/2" square, making sure the seam goes corner-to-corner.

(TIP:  I have found I am more accurate when I skip drawing the line 

and cut the squares on the diagonal before stitching 1/4" from the cut edge.

I still need to trim to 4-1/2".)

Like Ramona said about Clue 2, it will probably take longer for your iron to heat up
than it will for you to make these units!

Let's plan to link up again on Monday to report our progress;
that is, assuming I've not been put in solitary confinement with my broken ankle.

Happy Stitching!