7.25.2008

M10 - Simple Simon

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Block: M10 - Simple Simon
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/25/08
Number of Pieces: 9
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 12
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 176

Yeah, it really doesn't get much easier than this one. I should've saved it for just after I'd completed a difficult block or triangle. ;^)

L7 - Town Square

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Block: L7 - Town Square
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/25/08
Number of Pieces: 17
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 11
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 167

I took some time to work on this block while our company was out and the babies were sleeping. It was quick and simple and I could rotary cut and machine piece... my favorite.

I picked up a mini iron with the hope that my applique points would improve. I have yet to work on another applique block since I picked it up but I used it to make this block and I'm already *loving* it! If you don't already have a mini I'd pick one up. With the size of these blocks this iron really helps!

7.22.2008

I11 - Coyote Chase

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Block: I11 - Coyote Chase
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/22/08
Number of Pieces: 12
Description: Rotery cut, machine pieced, hand cut and reverse appliquéd

Blocks: 10
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 150

I originally started this block with appliquéing the "coyotes" on top but it came out all wonky. ::sigh:: I should rename this quilt Jane's Twin as I seem to be doing all the blocks twice! My points are still something less than desirable - I'm just not sure how to get them pointy-pointy... any tips anyone? I have decided however that I like reverse applique better than "regular" applique.

Block O' Wonkiness (first attempt)
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7.21.2008

G2 - Mohawk Trail

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Block: G2 - Mohawk Trail
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/21/08
Number of Pieces: 32
Description: Rotery cut, machine pieced

Blocks: 9
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 138

So the last block that I did wrong I wound up ripping the seams and flipping bits around and because I'd already trimmed it - it came out worse than before! 0.o So yeah, I completely started over on this one. For a block that shouldn't be as difficult as it was, it sure was! Oi.

J11 - Twin Sisters

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Block: J11 - Twin Sisters
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/21/08
Number of Pieces: 7
Description: Hand cut, reverse side freezer paper applique

Blocks: 8
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 106

Well I think this one came out a little better. Not super perfect like I would like it but happy enough to let it go and move on. ;^) The first one I ironed the freezer paper to the right side of the applique pieces and needle turned them... bleh. This one I ironed the freezer paper to the back side and then pulled it off pinned it down and appliqued it. I also changed the type of stitch I was using toward the very end and I wish I'd used it all the way through. Drat! Oh well... I'm using it on the next block and you can hardly see the stitches there... so little improvements.

7.20.2008

Disheartened

Well I'm feeling a little disheartened. The last two blocks I've made came out terrible. ::sad:: I'm going to have to redo both of them. I realized today that one is completely wrong! (beside being a little wonky) Oh no! The other is just poorly done. My hand applique skills are okay on larger pieces but I'm really going to have to work at improving them for these smaller blocks. ::more sad::

J11 - Twin Sister
I did this block using a freezer paper method where you iron the plastic side to the front of the fabric and then needle turn as you go. I think I want to try to make it again where I iron the freezer paper to the wrong side of the fabric and iron over the edges remove the paper and then pin and applique the shapes on. Oh well... it's a learning experience.

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G2 - Mohawk Trail
This one I was apparently asleep when I did because the pattern is actually wrong lol... ::smacks forehead:: Where's my brain?! Third block down, fourth one over needs to be turned round the other way. Oi. I can't decide if I should rip stitches or start over. Hum....

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I'm not making these apart of the count until I'm pleased with them both. ::so naa!::

7.13.2008

H13 - Farm Fields

H13 - Farm Fields

Block: H13 - Farm Fields
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/13/08
Number of Pieces: 7
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 7
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 99

7.12.2008

Birthday Blocks

Here are a few Birthday Blocks I've made for the lj Birthday Block Swap Group.

BROKEN WHEEL VARIATION
This is a pretty straight forward block I did in a hurry since it was nearly a month late. 0.o I know, I know. I should've worked on it sooner but we've had company for a few weeks which makes it more difficult to find the time and well, it's summer so slightly less quilting a little more gardening.
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INDIANA CIRCLE BLOCK
Besides the fact that I like this block and wanted to make it anyway, it was a great excuse to practice my hand stitched applique. . I tried using freezer paper for the first time and ironed it onto the right side of the fabric and needle turned it under and used a ladder stitch. It was a lot easier than the other method's I'd tried till now - so as of current, it's my favorite method! I think it came out pretty good. (Much better than my last machine applique block! 0.o) This also makes me much less nervous about all the applique work that's coming up in the in the Java Jane quilt.
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7.09.2008

F3 - Snowball

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Block: F3 - Snowball
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/09/08
Number of Pieces: 17
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 6
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 92

Not the most perfect block ever but quick and fun to do.

What a mess

My sewing room is a disaster. I've hardly had any time to get down there as it is so when the opportunity presents itself, the last thing I want to do is "waste" my time cleaning! But really, it's so totally out of hand that I can't even turn around in there let alone work productively. So I've made a deal with myself.

I have to spend 10 minutes cleaning before I can start sewing.

Before I made the Paddle Wheel block last night I did just that. I couldn't believe what a difference even ten minutes made! Not super clean by any means but not a total, total wreck either. Heh. I also spent an additional ten minutes ironing fabric that's been sitting in a heap out of the dryer waiting to be added to the stash. I hope I can make a habit out of it so it stays clean all the time!

7.08.2008

E3 - Paddle Wheels

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Block: E3 - Paddle Wheels
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/08/08
Number of Pieces: 20
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 5
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 75

I really like how this block turned out. The points are nearly perfect - that never happens! *Squee!*

7.06.2008

Out of order

I realize that if you look closely (don't look too closely!) the following posts are a bit out of order... but that's just because I was transfering them over from the other site. Going forward it should all be correct. I'll have to make more blocks in order to post!

D13 - Field of Dreams

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Block: D13 - Field of Dreams
Date Completed: 07/02/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Machine pieced

Blocks: 1
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 5

C1 - Trooper Green's Badge

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Block: C1 - Trooper Green's Badge
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/04/08
Number of Pieces: 13
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 4
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 55

I really liked working on this block. Not that I've done hardly any yet but this one's my favorite so far.

B13 - Four Corner Press

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Block: B13 - Four Corner Press
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 07/04/08
Number of Pieces: 9
Description: Machine pieced / Rotary Cut

Blocks: 3
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 42

A1 - Pinwheel Gone Awry

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Block: A1 - Pinwheel Gone Awry
Date Completed: 07/03/08
Number of Pieces: 28
Description: Machine pieced / rotary cut
Color Group: Cream

Blocks: 2
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 33

I've decided that it takes a special kinda crazy to do this quilt. These pieces are so tiny! Oh Man! What have I gotten myself into? 0.o LOL

Also I can't remember who asked but yes, the CD lets you print out rotary cutting information as well as templates with seam allowances. You can also specify what size allowances you want to print as well as what size blocks. Makes it loads easier than just working out of the book.

Jakarta Jane

I'd gone back and forth on how I wanted to lay out the colors for this quilt. I knew I didn't want to do it in the standard civil war reproduction fabrics but wanted to mix it up a bit so I opted for Indonesian / Bali Batiks; and combined with the rich brown back ground (and my unnatural love for all things coffee) Java Jane was born! I've just begun but am looking forward to the insanity of hundreds of 4" blocks. (What am I thinking?!) lol...

20 versions into it and I opted for this one in the end.
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Branching Off

I have a personal blog elsewhere and decided that it would be a nice idea to branch off of that and post my thoughts and images of my quilty goodness here. Who knows, I may even throw in some other crafty goodness at somepoint (like knitting or hand made clothes) but at this point, it's mostly for my quilting quests. ;^)

BTW... Quiddity:

In philosophy, quiddity is identity or "whatness," i.e., something's "what it is." The term derives from the Latin word "quidditas," which was used by the medieval Scholastics to refer to a concept of substance they encountered while translating the works of Aristotle. The (Greek equivalent) term was used by Aristotle in reference to an entity's aspects of "matter" and "form." It describes properties a particular substance (e.g. a person) shares with others of its kind. The question "what (quid) is it?" asks for a general description by way of commonailty. This is quiddity or "whatness" (i.e., its "what it is"). Quiddity is often contrasted with the haecceity or "thisness" of an item, which, in turn, describes the particular properties of an object or substance (e.g. a particular person).