E1 - Aunt Exie's Phlox

Block: E1 - Aunt Exie's Phlox
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 11/12/09
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Rotery Cut, hand appliqued

Blocks: 22
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 253

Finally did another block! It's been ages, really. It's not perfect with my one mellon that's off a little bit, but I'm not going to redo it. I'd rather spend the time trying to get another one done this coming week. After that we'll see... travel and holidays shall complicate my creative life.

Dear Jane

I met some local ladies on-line (yay Ravlery!) who've started a Dear Jane group. I'm hoping to meet up with them tonight for the first time. Who knows maybe I'll actually get some blocks done!

D6 - Challenge

Block: D6 - Challenge
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/23/09
Number of Pieces: 9
Description: Rotery Cut, machine pieced

Blocks: 21
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 248

And finally, I resurrected my Dear Jane from the dead and did one little block. I forgot how much a PITA these little tiny pieces are to work with! lol This is D-6 Challenge. I seriously should've paper pieced it but I just couldn't bring myself to do it, though it probably would've turned out nicer if I had. Ah well...

C9 - Jane's Tears

Block: C9 - Jane's Tears
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 11/30/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Reverse applique by hand

Blocks: 20
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 239

I've had this block half done and sitting around in my sewing room for weeks now. I was working on it and the thread knotted up and snapped. I needed to just pull out a few stitches - delicately - and tie it off. It's amazing how that tiny little set back made me abandon this block for so long. I finally got a chance to work on again last night after finding my seam ripper which was the only thing I could find small enough to pull up the stitch work. Anyway it's done now! I think it came out very nice besides how long it took!

D8 - Dee Dee's Delight

Block: D8 - Dee Dee's Delight
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/08/08
Number of Pieces: 9
Description: Appliqued and Reverse Applique, by Hand

Blocks: 19
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 234

Well I can see why Dee Dee was so delighted to work on this block. It's my favorite so far! I love it and think it came out quite well. Of course as with all of Jane's blocks I learned something. And that something was this: If you have a point and want it to stay exactly in the spot you've placed it, don't start with the midpoint of the mellon - it'll shift by the time you get to where you want it to be. Start at the point so it sticks. I think there maybe a life lesson in here somewhere too but I won't get all philosophical on you. ;^)

E10 - Five and Dime

Block: E10 - Five and Dime
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Machine Pieced and Reverse Appliqued by Hand

Blocks: 18
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 225

Not much to say about this one. I think I made it more difficult then it needed to be by sewing the melons on the bias so I could the get the squares in the pattern "on point". Ah... form before function. ;^)

D3 - Jason's Jacks

Block: D3 - Jason's Jacks
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 2
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 17
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 219

There were two corners that came out a little wonky but otherwise the points in general look good to me and the curves are nice and smooth. I'm finding it really is in the ironing and folding the seam that determines so much of what the finished applique piece looks like. It almost seems like the stitching is a formality!

B1 - Batchelor Buttons

Block: B1 - Batchelor Buttons
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 09/01/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 16
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 217

I stitched this one with a fever so if it didn't come out perfect I blame that. ;^) Though I actually think I'm getting better at this whole applique thing. I can see my improvements with each block. I'll be sad when I've appliqued all the DJ blocks I can... lol. I'm really enjoying the technique. I just wish the colors came out in the photo a little better... The warm espresso chocolate looks black and the creamy background is missing all it's cream!

J1 - Josepha's Jonquil

Block: J1 - Josepha's Jonquil
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/24/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Hand Applique / Reverse Applique

Blocks: 15
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 212

Well the color in this photo is terrible. The orange is not as bright - it's more of a burnt pumpkin / rust color - not neon! However, I am very proud of my appliqued square in the center of this block. It's perfect! Who knew I could pull off such a thing? ::grins madly::

B12 - Starflower

Block: B12 - Starflower
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/24/08
Number of Pieces: 6
Description: Hand Applique / Reverse Applique

Blocks: 14
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 206

I probably should've reverse appliqued the center block too as it came out a bit wonky. I may redo this one but for now it stands... maybe I'll just pull off the center bit and reverse applique it. It's not too late for that. Otherwise I really like the tan fabric that makes up the majority of this block. Yummy!

RS8 - Love Forever

Block: RS8 - Love Forever
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/23/08
Number of Pieces: 5
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 3
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 200

I feel better about my points and my ability to make the pieces "stick" where I want them... though the little triangle gave me a bit of trouble I think I'm getting my techniques down a bit better so I don't have wonky points or (too) skewed placement. I am enjoying the applique process so much these days in fact I'll be sad when I have to go back to standard or ::groan:: paper piecing.

LS9 - Kiwi

Block: LS9 - Kiwi
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/18/08
Number of Pieces: 7
Description: Hand Applique

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 2
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 195

This was a fun one to do. I liked the name and let it direct which green fabric I used. The fabric kinda reminded me of the fuzzy bits on the outside of a kiwi fruit - little green hairs! Have I done any of my other green blocks? I don't think so... maybe just one? Anyway I still need to figure out a few things with the applique techniques I've been trying. My next experiment after completing this block is to give up on pins. They always seem to make things worse for me whenever I use them. I had the shapes on this block laid out perfectly then pinned them and it all went to hell in a hand basket. Oh well. I'll try basting or using the spray next time to get things to stick and stay where they should. I don't think it's terrible but I know I could've done better. At least my points are improving!

TR12 - Jane's Oak

Block: TR12 - Jane's Oak
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/17/08
Number of Pieces: 4
Description: Hand Applique & Machine pieced

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 1
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 188

Whew - the first triangle out of the way! I'm not sure how much I like it... it maybe a do over at some point but for now I'm okay with it. I got to practice more applique. Someday I'll get the hang of it.

A7 - Dad's Plaids

Block: A7 - Dad's Plaids
Started Quilt: 07/02/08
Block Completed: 08/16/08
Number of Pieces: 8
Description: Hand Applique & Reverse Appllique, Machine pieced

Blocks: 13
Triangles: 0
Kites: 0
Total Pieces: 184

I feel much better about my points. They're still not perfect but the brown fabric is very thick and difficult to work with so I'm not going to be too hard on myself.

M10 - Simple Simon

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

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!

I11 - Coyote Chase

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)

G2 - Mohawk Trail

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

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.

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.



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....



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