Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Today's block...

When I went back to the quilt show the 3rd day I was supposed to hit the French Connection booth and get a big basket, but completely forgot. I think it was CW fat quarter haze...so I came home, looked up their site and ordered one. I love the fact that this basket was made by cooperative weavers in Ghana, and someone who really needs the income to help their family. Not some machine in China. Yippee! My trusty mailman brought it right to the door! I plan to stick it under the table for scraps. It's orange and dark purple.
I swear I really can do other things besides just the diary blocks, but since I've been spending so much time with these fabrics this week it's hard to not grab some of the lovely colors and do the new blocks. Since I had 7 to do this week from Dawn's list, I stared cutting. It's so easy to cut them out and having them sitting ready for me sew when I have 20 minutes here and there.

This morning I started to do the pieces for "A Little Broth". Anyone who does this will realize that it's not quite a 60 degree triangle. I'd say it about 61 degrees, so cutting standard diamonds wouldn't work. I knew it had to be paper pieced so I traced out the pattern, then flipped it on the lightbox and drew it backwards on another sheet. Once I had the pieces cut I just couldn't set it aside. I had to make the block. SO I made my fold lines and got started. I had to cut it on the main center line into 2 pieces in order to work. I pieced the four sections starting with one of the diamonds and worked out to the edges, then added the final triangle on the outside. Here's how both finished sections look: and how they look on the back.I made sure to cut a 1/4" seam line on the edge and then started to pin so the 2 halves could be sewn back together. To do this, the easiest way for me is to stick a pin right through the spots on one piece where I want the seam to hit. Then take the other piece and stick the same pin through the exact spot on the opposite side. It will line right up once you do this. Here's the pins through the seam junctions:And Voila!! A Little Broth....The finished block that looks so pretty! I actually trimmed from the front making sure I had a 1/4" from each point and with a little fidgiting, it worked out.

Libby asked to see our ironing boards. I have my Grandmothers regular stand up ironing board which looks totally normal with it's new flowery cover from Walmart. It rarely comes out of the laundry room. Most times I use a little 14" board on the rolling cart. This past week I've been using the larger board balanced on 2 rolling carts. It's the perfect size for ironing FQ's and half yards.

11 comments:

Donna said...

What a great idea!! And I love your helper there under the board.

antique quilter said...

I haven't made this block yet so thanks for the tutorial!
Love your fabric choices.
Yes I agree these blocks are just addictive! I kept telling myself yesterday just one more
today I took the day off!
Kathie

Juliann in WA said...

Great instruction on this block. I have that same cutting table in my sewing room - just love the height.

canquilt said...

Nice block, I think I can give it a try now just from your picture. I am still waiting for the book.

Lea said...

Judy, Thank you for showing us the block tip. I was wondering about how to construct this block and now I need to print out your tutorial. *S*

Carol said...

What a wonderful block...thanks for all the tips...I'll have to give it a whirl. I'm having withdrawal...I didn't do any little blocks while I was at the retreat so I need to do some today.
Can't wait.

Idaho Quilter said...

Some of these blocks rally make us use are heads instead of just following a pattern, thanks for the tutorial.

atet said...

That basket is just yummy and I LOVE the blocks you've been doing. This is odd -- because I'm not usually a huge fan of CW fabrics but I keep seeing all of these blocks...nope, too many projects, not enough time :0). I guess I'll just have to live vicariously through you and the other ladies piecing along!

Linda said...

I like your CW blocks. I like the way you have them in the photo album. I just started using Picaso and haven't mastered it yet...I like your basket too. I have one too and I use it for my knitting beside my chair. If I'm not quilting, I'm knitting. I can't just sit and watch TV. I think you also had a wonderful idea of showing your husband other quilter's stash closet! Go girl! I'm going to borrow that one. take care, Linda

Quilts And Pieces said...

I love how this block turned out! I have got to get going on mine again!

Elaine Adair said...

Thanks for the tip on the basket! I LOVE baskets that are actually made by a real person, not assembly line stuff from factories.