Sunday, March 29, 2009

Block 1

For the most part, this block is pretty simple.  It's just an Ohio star with some stuff in the centre.

I started off the the flying geese.  Then I laid everything out to see if I thought I'd like it.  When cutting things for the centre block, I cut things a little larger and then trimmed for each round.  This gives you a little more wiggle room.  Something you really need when working with such teeny tiny pieces.

Then I started to tackle the center...

The first two pieces are a square-in-a-square.  Then that becomes the center for another square-in-a-square.

Then you add a little log cabin border.

Then it becomes the centre for a square-in-a-square.  And then another square-in-a-square.

Then I added the remaining flying geese.

And here we have the finished block!

Much simpler than last week.  Right!? :)

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Block 42

Well, one week without a computer has taught me many things...  Like the fact I'm a computerholic.  I am now the proud owner of a new computer and am slowly getting it setup to do what I want.  Life is good.

It also taught me just how much time I spend on the computer.  I got soooo much done this week. :)

I hope everyone enjoyed their week off.  Today is my first week back online (at work I was on training so away from computers there too :) so I didn't see the requests for a hint until too late.  Sorry.

Onto the block...  This one has a lot of pieces and can seem a little intimidating, but when all is said and done, it's not to bad when you break things down.

It starts off with quite a few pieces.  Note: the centre flying geese are not standard.  They're narrower so the regular methods don't work.  I chose to paper piece them (it was the least fuss way).

I started off with the paper pieced flying geese and the centre 4-patch.  So far, not too bad :)

I then added the rest of the flying geese and the remaining cut squares.

If you look at each corner separately you'll see that they're a simple Ohio star block.  We now have our friend the 9-patch to assemble.

You'll want to repeat this three more time for each block.

You're now looking at another 9-patch :)  This one you'll need to pay attention to all the points when you're putting things together.  I also recommend pressing away from the centre flying geese.  The seam there is pretty dense.

And tada!  You have another block. 

And now what you were really waiting for....

The winner of the draw.  Looking at the comments from the previous post, your odds are good.


Wanna know the winner yet? :)


Yvette!  (e-mail me your mailing info and keep an eye on the postbox)

The prize was a little bag I made and a fat quarter to help you along with your Nearly Insane quilt.  Thanks everyone for joining me in this journey.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Computer Woes

It appears that we're getting an unexpected week off...

My computer died on me yesterday. It was yesterday morning and I was feeling so proud of myself that I hadn't left the block to the last minute. :) I started up the computer, life was good, and then it froze. After many tests and much time, finally a diagnosis was reached. It's dead Jim. (I'm now making the replace the hardware or replace the whole computer decision)

Consider this a week to catch up. (And if you're done, to rest in preparation for the next block, it's one of the tougher ones...)

For a little incentive, anyone who is caught up on the blocks, please leave a comment saying that you're caught up. Next Saturday, I'll hold a draw for a little prize for anyone that is 25% done this quilt too. (Yup, we've made it a quarter of the way through this journey)

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Block 90

Another edge block for us and another simple one. Hopefully this will let people get caught up on their blocks.
Once again, if you're making two separate triangles to add the 1/4" seam allowance you'll want to follow the red & white block photos.
Here is everything all laid out and ready to go.

This would be a 4-patch if it weren't two separate blocks. :)

I thought I had taken the interim step picture before I had to leave, but obviously I hadn't. I also changed out the middle fabric, I wasn't liking how it looked, I wanted a little more contrast. I added the middle border. Then the triangles to end up with the two edge triangles.

Now, if you're doing the make a square and then cut it in half method, you'll want to follow the non-red blocks. Once again, everything is ready to go an all laid out.
 
The centre is a 4-patch.
 
That 4-patch then becomes the centre of our old friend the 9-patch.

And finally, the 9-patch becomes the centre for a square-in-a-square block.

Monday, March 2, 2009

Block 7

This block starts off with many many squares. Waiting to be turned into....

Half-square triangles and flying geese.

I then put together the funky centre square-in-a-square block.

Then the middle border.

And finally the outer flying geese.

Here you have it, another block finished. Though this one is a little darker than the others...