sewtakeahike

bee blocks

 

I'm in a couple of virtual bees this year (as we've talked about before) and starting in June, I'll be participating in one more.  So far, the two I'm a part of have been great fun, 'a notion or two', and 'bee-beautiful'. 

For the 'a notion or two' bee, Dana sent her fabrics for March out and asked for a traditional star, not wonky.  I paper pieced this star from a pattern in the book 300 paper-pieced quilt blocks. 

Oh yeah, and for those of you who are interested in learning more about, or gathering ideas and patterns for paper piecing (be it foundation or English), you can join this flickr group I started.

And for the 'bee-beautiful' bee, this is Angela's block (which is supposed to be full of right angles)

So how are you all coming along with your quilt as you go blocks?  I'm half way through my 56 blocks, need to run and pick up some more batting.  I might put off part three for an extra week longer (so in two more weeks) just so I can finish my blocks and take photos as I do part three.  And please do post photos of your completed blocks in the quilt as you go group, I love looking at them!

For those of you that are interested, Audrie has uploaded a pic in her flickr file of what the Patchwork Style's quilt as you go quilt looks like, so take a look.  It'll give you an idea of what you're shooting for in the end.  When I start to feel a little droopy about making my blocks, it inspires me to "keep on swimming, keep on swimming" as Dory would say.

Hope you all have a great Monday!

Penny

on donuts and winners

mmmmmm, don't they look yummy?  and pretty?  perfectly fried, nice shiny glaze....

don't let their looks fool you. 

they were baaaaaaaaad donuts.  Mostly, I think, because I used canola oil to fry them.  I should have listened to Glynis.  She warned me about the after-off taste frying with canola oil can give your food.  "Use vegetable oil", she said.  I had momentary memory loss about the frying conversation I had had with Glynis, until my husband goes, "they look good" and then took a bite and said "they taste funny".  Thaaaaaaat's when I remembered the oil thing. 

I guess though, even if they would have turned out more to my expectations, it was a lot of work for a few pesky donuts.  Especially since Lamar's is less than 1/2 mile away. 

So here's the breakdown:

the pro's-  um, it was fun spending the afternoon with a friend, making a mess in the kitchen.

the con's-  like I said, it was a lot of work, it made my house smell like oil for a couple of days, and Lamar's has a way better product.

Have you ever made raised/glazed donuts at home before?  What's your trick if they turned out great?  What's the trick to donut store glaze?  Inquiring minds want to know!

So, if you made it through my donut review, congratulations.  Now you get to see who won the pillow.

and the winner is.....  #42  Paulette Doyle!  

I'll email you in a few to get your info Paulette!

~Penny

Lush Painters Palette (paintbox) in Villa

 

 

 

Hurry!  There are only two yards of this hard to find fabric left at Pink Chalk Fabrics (the link to Pink Chalk is right over there on the right!)

 

Wednesday giveaway

Just to say thank-you to each and every one of you that take the time to visit me at sewtakeahike.  I appreciate you!

The roses were sewn on with this tutorial.  The back is envelope style and you provide your own pillow form.

Just leave a comment, one entry per person (and please make sure you leave a valid email address in the appropriate space or you forfeit your entry.  ok, I'll quit hinting around :), I'm talking to those of you that sign in with typepad, and in your profile, have chosen not to leave an email address). I'll choose a winner this weekend sometime.

Happy Wednesday to you all!

~Penny

quilt as you go |quilt-along| part two

 

Now that you have your scraps sorted and the batting cut and marked, you're ready to start!

Who's ready to sew?!!?

Half of the blocks will start with the white/creme fabric in the middle, and the other half of the blocks will start with the colored fabrics in the middle. 

The example I am using starts with the white/creme in the middle.

****edited to add, you will be doing these steps with no quilt backing.  We will add the backing in a later post,  after the blocks are sewn together.

To start:

Place the center fabric (the size is completely your choice) in the middle of the traced square and using your 80/12 topstitching needle, sew it down using 1/4 inch (or so) straight line quilting.

With right sides together, line up the edges of the first fabric with the next fabric (I used strips that were anywhere from 1"-3.5" wide, so use whatever size you like) you are using

and using 1/4 inch seam, sew the fabrics together.

finger press the seam open, and quilt the second piece of fabric down using 1/4 inch straight line quilting.

Continue on in this manner, adding fabric along each edge, sewing it down with a 1/4 inch seam, and then quilting it with a straight line, until the white/creme fabrics fill the marked square.

At this point, you will start using the colored fabric pile and continue on adding pieces and quilting it until the square of batting is covered.

Congratulations, you've made your first quilt as you go block! 

Continue making the blocks until you have enough for the size of quilt you desire. 

Remember, half of the blocks will start with white/creme in the center square and finish with the colored fabrics on the outside.  The other half of the blocks with start with the colored fabrics in the center square and finish with the white/creme fabrics on the outside. 

I used a walking foot for making my blocks and it worked well.  I also adjusted the stitch length to 3 instead of the normal 2. 

Also, you could get a little crazy with the quilting if you want, and do waves, or another design if you choose.  There are so many possibilities!

I will be posting part three of the quilt-along in a couple of weeks to give us time to complete our blocks before moving on.  Since we are quilting as we go, they will take a little more time to make than normal blocks.

As you get your blocks made, make sure to pat yourself on the back and post photos to the quilt as you go |quilt-along| group and the scraps to treasure group!  I'd love to see what you're coming up with!

~Penny

p.s.  looking for quilt as you go |quilt-along| part one?