Star Chain Sample Blocks, Revisited

Despite yesterday's disappointments, I cut all the pieces for the interior of this baby quilt.  The instructions say to go ahead and cut up the remaining fabric for the piano key border.  I'm not that brave.  Want to make sure I have enough for all the blocks first.

Though I'm still perturbed about the Janome 1/4" foot, I thought I'd try piecing it the old fashioned way, judging my own 1/4" seam.  Didn't do too bad.  The star block is a hair larger than it should be, but the chain block is perfect!

Janome won't be getting the new 1/4" foot out to all their customers for at least another month.  I can't wait that long.  Glad to see I still can eyeball it pretty well!

There's No Place Like Home

Two weeks, 1276 pins, and many miles later...I finally found my binding fabric.  Hooray!  I knew it would take time to get this quilt pin-basted, so I took my time selecting a binding.  The search spanned several weeks and LQSs in three states. 

Funny part is, I found the fabric at The Stitcher's Crossing (See http://www.stitcherscrossing.com/ )...which is right where my search began.  The tone on tone fabric will blend perfectly with the homespun backing, and echoes the purple squares in the quilt.  Got some great advice from the folks at Stitcher's Crossing about types of thread, colors, etc.  Found a fun variegated purple that I'll use in the purple squares and on the outer border.  Can't wait to get started!

Rose Bud Blocks Complete!

Hooray!  44 rose bud blocks are done; 42 for the quilt and 2 for pillow cases or shams.  Even on the last batch of rose buds, only two of four came together without some small error.  I am SOOOOO happy to have them all done. 

24 chains are complete (I made these when the rose buds were driving me bats).  16 to go.  Then I REALLY need to make some decisions about how to quilt and assemble this project. 

Suggestions anyone?

Not So Pretty in Pink

Pinned some pink rose buds to my current layout, and promptly decided they'll look GREAT...in different quilt!  Instead, will move toward lighter, brighter reds and brighter background fabrics.  I have a range of dark purple to fuschia in the chains.  Decided to stay with that successful color combination after watching DWTS.  Did you see Nicole and Dereck's dance to a Prince tune?  I LOVED her costume!

Weekend Update

While sewing, I heard the buzz of bumble bees outside my window.  Took a look and saw a sea of yellow flowers. The lacey white flowering fern smells like licorice.

Today's progress: 16 squares done, 66 to go.  I like how the purple squares make a chain in one direction, while the green leaves make a partial chain in the other direction. Still need to find a focal fabric.   

Mr. Bear is helping me save for a rainy day.  Instead of pennies, he is collecting small scraps of fabric.  I may try my hand at a postage stamp quilt sometime in the future.

Sandwich, Anyone?

Quilt top? Check.  Backing?  Check.  Binding? Check.  It's sandwich time. 

Initially, I thought the cherry  fabric wasn't gonna "work."  What a surprise when the the black squares popped out, so I'll use it for the binding as well.  But first I'm gonna go outside and play.  :)

Picnic Quilt Layout

While working on this quilt I had a brainstorm: This would be a great prop for Take Your Child To Work Day - but its less than two weeks away!  So I challenged myself to get all the nine-patches done by this weekend. This gives me 12 days to assemble, add the border, baste, quilt and bind.   Time for some uber-quilting!  :)

Picnic Quilt Start Up

I saw this quilt made up at my LQS, and fell in love with it.  As a dietitian, we are always telling people to eat all the colors of the rainbow.  This quilt will help serve that purpose (and brighten up an otherwise boring sea of beige cubicles).  I have just 81 more nine patches, and 49 half triangle squares to go!  :)