Lifetime Leader/Ender

I can't show you what I'm working on, it has to stay under wraps for two more weeks, until our guild challenge. Let's just say, I think they will know it's mine.

So, here is what I can show you:

First four rows of 6" blocks sewn together  with 1" sashing and cornerstones

Blocks #31 and #41

The first four rows of Stella's Splendid Sampler are finally done and assembled.  That block #31, the embroidery stack of books with birds and flowers, took me several weeks because I just didn't want to work on it.  No more embroidery blocks for me, I don't think, though I reserve the right to change my mind.  I got block #41 done quickly, large hexies appliqued in place, not English Paper Pieced.

Now that the Tumbler quilt is safely at the longarmer's house, I am back to my Lifetime Leader/Ender project, 1.25" finished Half Square Triangles (HSTs).  I first wrote about this here.  As I have leftover fabrics, I cut them into 1.75" strips. Then I use a Half Square Triangle ruler to cut the units ready for sewing.  Here are some photos that will show you the process:

Bin full of 1.75" strips

Pairing up fabrics and cutting HST units

Sewing by chain piecing

Clover thread cutter mounted in a wooden block makes quick work of separating chain pieced units

Trimming to 1.75" square, pressed toward the darker fabric

Sixteen squares laid out ready for sewing into rows

Rows pressed in opposing directions

Rows pressed open

All three seams now pressed open--block is done

This block finishes at 5" and is one of four that will be sewn into a larger unit

Two 5" units ready to be sewn together

Sixty-four HSTs sewn into a 10" finished block

Eight 10" blocks stuck up on the design wall

I don't plan to sew the 10" blocks together until I get a lot further along.  That should mean the various fabrics are spread out over the quilt top.  This quilt thrills me and is fun to work on.  Mostly as a Leader/Ender project, just making HSTs as I work on other piecing.  Then I do a block once a week or so, no rush on this one.

Let's Quilt!

Barbara