SEW MANY FOUR PATCHES!
It’s like
Death-by-four-patches!
But there is something really soul centering about sewing pairs of scrappy red and neutral strips through the machine…choosing and matching and slicing and dicing and rearranging and sewing back together into the little 2” finished four patches we were working on.
Sew them all uniformly, spin the seams all in the same direction, they all automatically oppose seams when placed side by side by side.
Four-patch awesomeness!
Throw in a mess of half square triangles, along with a lot of trading to build more variety, and our blocks were taking on a life and personality all their own!
I have to chuckle at those who signed up for Winston Ways AND signed up for Midnight Flight ---because….tada….two of the units are the same, the 4 patch production and the half square triangles – so they will have everything I have said drummed into their heads for two days straight!
And I love spending time with them all. We had whoops and cheers of joy from one quilter when her half square triangles were turning out straight and measuring correctly –with NO SLIVER TRIMMING DOWN! Those are the best exciting moments.
The same goes for the quilter whose 4 patch strip set measured a true 2.5” and not 2-3/8”!
It’s the cutting AND the sewing that work together to give us the sizes of units we need. Remember not to skimp on the width of your strips when cutting!
These blocks were not for the faint of heart --- there are 104 pieces in each 12” block – and last night at the show and tell after Jennifer Chiaverini spoke, they proudly stood and showed off their beautiful blocks…..I may be a little bit biased, but I do think that my classes had the best blocks to show and share!
Class instruction also included some demos on how I sew my blocks with the rows of each block being chained, or webbed together. We spend a lot of time making sure that the triangles are turning the right way --- don’t mess it up in the assembly! Chaining them keeps them from getting out of order for me.
The pic at the top of this post shows two gals with their blocks webbed together, ready to sew those rows to complete each block!
Here’s what we got up to in class:
Today’s Midnight Flight class is the perfect ending to our first ever Quiltmaker’s Block Party ----stay tuned for more info on our next one to be held this coming spring in the Pacific Northwest! As details unfold I’ll let you know…
Have a great weekend everyone!
:-) Once again- thanks I feel like Im there....only Im far away but I love reading your info!..and although Im making myself a dress at the moment- Id love to pick up on your patchwork soon; they look so wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThanks again and cheers....marietta - brisbane australia! (too tired to use capitals)
One thing I learned from your mysteries is to cut pieces with an extra 1/8-1/4" I'm always off, sewing a piece that turns up that 1/8 too short is maddening. Those extra slivers....I saved those! I bought clear glass Christmas ornaments and shoved them in.
ReplyDeleteIs the winston ways pattern in the quiltmakers 100 block magazine too? KMA
ReplyDeleteWhat a lot of scrappy goodness! Loved the shot of the lady wearing her block like a bib! I am always amazed at the variety and the different color choices in the blocks - so inspiring!
ReplyDeleteOh WOW!!! Loving the red/neutral combinations but really love the pinks & beachy blues as well.
ReplyDeleteJust lovely ladies, lovely.
Especially love the tshirt that reads "Actually, piecing is the best medicine". Ain't that the truth?
Have fun
Lush
London, UK
I would love to hear more about your coming to the Pacific NW! I so enjoy seeing the blocks and hearing about your fun! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLooks like it has been a fun and successful experience. I hope they have you signed up for next year!
ReplyDeleteI love seeing those blocks plastered to proud quilters' chests!! You go,Gals!!!
ReplyDeleteGina in Missouri
The blocks should be renamed Purina Feed sack!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Colorado-Emergency-Responder-Quilts/401592493230782
ReplyDeleteSince you reach such a huge audience, could you take a look at this group started to get quilts into the hands of the Emergency Responders and susvivors of the Aurora Colorado tragedy. They have a goal of about 400 quilts to cover everyone. If you think it is worthwhile, could you mention it on your blog so we can reach out to more quilters? We need all the help we can get to cover the police, fire, ambulance and others who were first on the scene. Thanks
Bonnie, Can't wait till you come to Portland in the spring. I'll be there ready to go.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely in love with this block (no string piecing!! Did I say that to Bonnie Hunter?)--and it was so fun to see the color variations.
ReplyDeleteThose blocks all look terrific. Very nice job ladies.
ReplyDeleteIt was a BALL! Hope I can go again next year :) Jan LaBeause (quilter on the right in the top picture with my BFF quilting buddy, Myra)
ReplyDelete