My Everybody's Favorite

Well I got caught back up with the Grandmother's Choice BOW.  This week's block didn't have any "Y" seams just a little careful piecing.  Following Sally Collins' advice on piecing is really helping me.  I'm using DMC thread and a size 8 needle. It also helps to keep a tiny scrap of material under the needle and shove the pieces right up to the needle to start. This one is pretty much 8.5 inches like it's supposed to be. Gotta go. Sew up a storm today!

Well I'm running behind because of Thanksgiving so I finallly got my Grandmother's Choice block from last week done. Boy did I have trouble with it as you can see.  The block on the left used the PDF template from the blog http://grandmotherschoice.blogspot.com/.  Boy I could not piece that.  The center block was too small to fit the "breeches."  When I made it bigger the whole thing was a giant mess. I really don't see where I went wrong. I finally gave up and redrew the block in EQ7 and it came out pretty. I don't think I've ever made a block with four set in squares and 4 Pivots.  I used the Kaye Wood pivot method to sew in the corners and finish the block.  Really gorgeous, glad I only had to do one.

Working with Wool

I used a coupon to purchase a gorgeous wool quilt pattern at Pattern Spot.  Here's the link - http://patternspot.com/patterns/quilt-patterns/1250-summertime-wool-quilt  I took the  designer's advice and went to the thrift store to look for black wool for the background. Wow it was fun to destroy an Anne Klein skirt.  I was hoping to get enough fabric for the entire background but I will need to use the other skirt I bought and alternate the fabrics to make the 12 blocks and hopefully I will have enough for the  borders.  I've ordered some scraps of felted wool to do the applique so we'll see how it goes. Can't wait!

Wow "Love on the Left" is finally finished. I'm trying to take some pictures to send with my entry for Quilt Con. It's not quite straight yet. Of course I still need to make a label and a hanging sleeve so finished is stretching it. These are my 2011 Electric Quilt BOM blocks.  I originally just had them sewn together diagonally. It wasn't too exciting so I started playing around in EQ 7 and came up with this setting. I actually tore the top apart, made a Carpenter's Wheel and reset the blocks.  The top had a few mishaps while being quilted but it looks good in this picture.

Other BBSA blocks

Here are the other three BBSA blocks.  I'm doing them in jewel tone batiks for the most part. The block in the lower left hand corner is a Designs by Juju appliqued machine embroidery block.  I'm thinking of doing more.

My Grandmother's Choice Blocks so Far

Here's the entire collection. It's always tense on Sunday to see what we're in for.  These blocks are challenging for the most part.

Block 4 Block Base Sew A Long

Yes I must be crazy.  Here's the other block sew a long I'm doing.  This one is only every other week.  I'm trying the new precision piecing tips I learned from Sally Collins and the block came out pretty well.  Can you tell I was feeling like a gator?  I threw in a few yellow blocks but the blue and orange took over. I love the blue and white batiks. Where did I get those from?

My Grandmother's Choice Quilt Block

Well, I see I haven't posted here in 4 years. Pitiful.  I'm turning over a new leaf.  Here's my latest Grandmother's Choice Block of the Week.  Yes, that's right BOW! I'm doing mine all in red and white. I think this is the first pieced house block I've ever done.  I wanted the check to line up but we don't always get what we want.  I'm pretty proud of my Y seams.  I used Kaye Wood's pivot method and it worked great.