AFTERNOON DELIGHT--Month 4

Here we are, back on schedule.

This pattern is the 2020 Block of the Month pattern offered FREE to Star members of The Quilt Show--join today to receive the entire year of patterns free. This is in addition to all the great content provided by The Quilt Show, 26 shows, a new one every two weeks, and so much more. If you want to know more about why I am such a fan, here is why.

This month we have 4 Applique blocks and 2 Shoo Fly blocks--unless your 9 total Shoo Fly blocks are already done.

Recently, I completed my Red, White and Blue Demo Quilt--with blocks I have used to prepare these blog instructions:

This month, two of the Applique blocks have narrow complete circles, which are not covered with any shapes that would hide a seam join. I had to figure out a way to make that circle without a seam.

Block 14 in my Demo Quilt:

I decided to hand applique this block so I would have one block in this quilt made completely by hand.

Using Cut-Rite Heavy Duty Freezer Paper, I printed the pattern and drew registration lines on the pattern:

Placing the white background fabric on top of the pattern, I used a mechancial pencil to make dots where the red berries go, and mark where the outer edges of each leaf go. For the circle, I drew a light pencil line in the middle of the 1/4" circle, so the pencil line would be covered by the circle:

Using scissors designed to cut paper, I cut out all the shapes:

The shapes were pressed to the wrong side of the fabrics. Notice the narrow circle is one complete circle:

 The circle is trimmed to just less than a 1/4" seam allowance and the inside curve is clipped almost up to the paper:

Using a light touch with the glue pen, the seam allowances were both turned and glued down--here is the inner circle glued:

I used Quilters Select 80 wt thread, the perfect color blue, to hand applique the edges, starting with the inner edge: 

Carefully, really carefully, I made a slit in the back of the white background fabric exactly in the middle of the circle. I spritzed that area with water and gently massaged the paper pattern out from behind the blue circle--that is why you use a light touch with the glue. The pattern came out in one complete piece:

The leaf pattern made a good edge to draw around--they were pressed to the RIGHT side of the blue fabric. I used a silver marking pencil to draw a line around the leaf shape. Then I removed the paper. The leaves were hand appliqued by needle turn. Some people like to keep the pattern in place, not draw a line with a pencil, and just turn the edge of the fabric under--just to the edge of the pattern. Whatever works for you, is the right method:

I used Karen K Buckley's Perfect Circle templates to make the berries and hand appliqued them in place too:

Block 16 has a very similar circle and that could be done with this method. I didn't make that one for my Demo quilt.

Here are the blocks from the Sample Quilt that uses the Kit Fabrics, made by the Sunday Sew & Sews. Feel free to use any of the fabrics you like:

Block 13

Block 14

Block 15

Block 16

Month 6 was released in the middle of March, instead of June 1, so anyone who wanted to could start making the 64 Double 9 Patch blocks while finding themselves home with time to do them.

We are starting to see great groups of blocks on the Forum--take a look and post your blocks there:  Show and Tell Your Blocks.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Patriotic Pineapple Quilt

After 10 years, this red, white and blue Patriotic Pineapple quilt is done. I think. Maybe...

Border or No Border? What say you, Internet people? I got lots of suggestions from Facebook and Instagram--you will see below what I decided...

The particulars:

8" blocks
1" finished "logs"
2" finished red centers
set 8 x 10 blocks: 64" x 80" as is

I intend it to be a large throw size, not a queen-size bed quilt. As a throw, it is fine as is. For a Double bed, I could add a border, 4" all around. That would make it 72" x 88". But, who has a double bed?

Double bed batting I have on hand and plan to use is 72" x 93"--that wouldn't really work, it would be a bit too narrow for the quilt with 4" borders.  A 3" border would be 70" x 86"--that would be tight but I can make it work, I think.

I will quilt it on my Bernina Q20 sit down longarm. If I baste it carefully, the 3" border would work. But does it NEED a border?

The book that started this whole project was published in 2010, Trash to Treasure  by Gyleen Fitzgerald. I bought her Trash2Treasure ruler too, and made about half the blocks with it:

When I finally got back to this, about 6 month ago, I began using the Creative Grids Pineapple Trim Tool Ruler, since most of the students I would be teaching would have this one:

Both rulers work fine. I found the Creative Grids ruler to be my favorite because of the grip-stuff on the back of CG rulers. Once you figure out the instructions, of course. One of the best things about Creative Grid rulers is the instructions for each ruler is on their website--helpful if you lose the pamphlet that came with the ruler. And they often have videos there to show exactly how to use some of the specialty rulers.

In January I wrote about Quilts I Should Finish This Year. This was #1. So, I am either finished or close to it--you decide.

Next up, $795, begun many years ago, 2006, I believe:

Geese 1.375" x .6875"--Paper Pieced.

There are little projects that will be fit in between this one but it will also be finished this year.

Are there long-term projects you are working on and plan to finish?

As for the Patriotic Pineapple? My husband suggested blue so blue borders it is, from four different blues, cut 3". Finished size is 70" x 85":

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Keeping Busy at Home

In this unusual time, when we are being asked to stay at home to "flatten the curve", I try to keep things as normal as possible.

As a quilter, I make quilts--that is who I am and what I do. The Patriotic Pineapple is almost done--one more row and this half is done and can be sewn to the other half:

My usual routine, that continues:

1. Be at work in my Studio from 9-4 most days
2. Lunch break about noon
3. Elliptical exercise after lunch, shower, fresh clothes
4. Cook the standard meals, nothing fancy
5. Keep a running list of groceries needed, hubby does the shopping
6. Turn off the TV at 9 a.m., keep it off until 5 p.m.

What I am doing that is not the "norm":

1. Staying home, since March 15 when I returned from Retreat.
2. Only going in the yard to snap Spring photos--pollen makes me cough and that is just not what we want to do right now.
3. Not spending time booking airfare and  hotels, preparing Supply Lists, and class samples--3 jobs have been canceled for April and May, waiting to see what happens with two trips in July and two August.
4. Calling one friend each day just to talk--we are usually too busy. No excuse right now.
5. Spending too much time on Facebook--working to cut that back. There are quilts to make and pretty much everyone is saying the same things.
6. Finding it hard to remember what day of the week it is--lots of folks seem to have that problem right now.
7. Missing my Littles--they only live 30 minutes away but we are all "sheltering in place" so won't get to hug them for a while yet--we do FaceTime most days:

Sam and Stella on St. Patrick's Day

Back to  quilting. I am trying the Starch Method with leftover Yarra Valley fabrics to make more Double 9 Patch blocks, even though my Sample quilt was completed last year and my smaller Demo quilt was completed last month.

Pros of Starching Fabric:

The precision on small blocks is better. These have .75" finished squares and the 9 patches are 2.25" finished. When I used a few strips that were not starched along with starched ones I could see a difference--the firmness of the starched fabric kept things in place while sewing.

Cons: 

It takes time to apply the starch and let it dry, overnight is recommended. When I want to sew, I want to sew NOW so waiting is not in my nature. I have been spraying the fabrics for the next round while sewing the current round and pressing them dry if needed. Do not press while still wet--this will dry the starch into flakes--not what you want.

The quilt will need to be washed when completely done, quilted and bound. Starch is made from corn and bugs can be an issue with starch that remains on fabric. I usually wash quilts when done, but not always.

Since I wanted to do something with these little 9 Patches, they have become my current Leader/Ender project--when I run out of starched strips, I'll stop making them and that will determine how big this little quilt will be:

Quilters are probably better able to fill their time, being at home for so long, than many people. I feel for parents of young kids who have to work from home, like my son and daughter-in-law. My concerns are for all those who still have to leave their homes: healthcare workers, grocery folks, restaurants trying to stay afloat. And for all those fearful of financial worries.

And for my brother-in-law who had a stroke March 14. March 19 all hospitals in Alabama went under a No Visitors Order so his wife and kids cannot see him at all. They live an hour away and can only get updates by phone with the nurses. Today he continues to breathe without assistance, so that is good news. 

Stay calm, make quilts, wash your hands. This will pass and we'll all be back together soon, I hope.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Starch Fabric for Precision

Over the years I have known people who like to use liquid starch to add firmness to their fabrics--they swear they get better precision because of it.

Many people working on Afternoon Delight struggle with precision on those tiny 3/4" finished squares.

At my recent Joyful Journey retreat, I was thrilled when my friend Margo Clabo decided to come. We have been friends since 2007, meeting on the Forum of The Quilt Show . We live only 4 hours apart, but we only see each other occasionally at International Quilt Festival Houston, and only for a few minutes then.

Margo fit right in at Retreat and when I saw her super-precise pieced Afternoon Delight blocks, I asked her to discuss her starch method with the group. She agreed and now we want to share her process with you.

First, you need liquid starch, Sta-Flo is a great brand. Find it in the laundry aisle, up high or down low, not at eye-level:

All you need is water and starch and a spray bottle. There are lots of recipes out there, some with vodka or distilled water. I just used tap water and Sta-Flo, in a 50/50 solution. According to the label, that is a "heavy" starch solution and that is just how Margo likes it.

Margo says "I “chunky cut” my fabrics (Sue’s instructions call for 8”x10” for these double nine patch blocks) then lay them out flat on an old beach towel. I use a 50-50 mixture of water and Sta-Flo liquid starch in a spray bottle to saturate the fabrics and leave them overnight to dry. I steam them for a crisp fabric that makes cutting and piecing a lot more accurate."

So I am trying it:

If it had not been raining, I would have sprayed on my back deck--a bit of overspray on my hardwood floors made a sticky spot--careful! Now they have to dry overnight.

You want to be sure they are bone dry before cutting. Then use steam, either with water in the iron or a spray bottle, to crisp them. Then cut those narrow strips, 1.25" wide for Afternoon Delight.

Margo continues:  " I still use Barbara’s recommendations to carefully measure each step of the way. The smaller the pieces, the more important it is to be accurate!"

Her blocks are so precise, and the fabric is not stiff like cardboard but is definitely firmer than you get from spray starch or sizing or Best Press or any other product.

You can't argue with her success, so if you are struggling with these small blocks, try it, you might like it.

Another tool the Sunday Sew & Sews have, and so does Margo now that I gave her a set, are these wonderful Templates:

Cindy B, one of the Sunday Sew & Sews came up with this idea and ordered them as gifts for each of us. She was very pleased with the company, they understood what she wanted and asked Cindy to send her a drawing for them to duplicate. Fast service too. TCR Engraving & Graphics, Terri@tcrengraving.com


BIG UPDATE: the company started receiving orders right away so have listed the set on their website, ships free in the US. They are a small family owned business and said they VERY MUCH APPRECIATE the boost to their business:

Double 9 Patch and Shoo Fly Template Set

At Retreat, Margo became a believer, see how little she shaved off her blocks for perfection. Using a small cutting mat makes it easy to turn the block/template for trimming:

Margo also likes to press her seam allowances with those twirly intersections:

Remember to read my tips for these blocks--or ANY small, precisely pieced blocks: Double 9 Patch Blocks   

I hope these tips will help those working on Afternoon Delight. But remember, precision piecing is important whether the blocks are 2.25" finished as these 9 patches are, or 12" finished.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

Joyful Journey Retreat #1--It's a Wrap!

Almost two years ago I had an idea to host a retreat for about 20 quilters. Finding an Admin person was essential as I am too busy to handle the paperwork, arrangements, registration, etc. I found the perfect person in my friend, Kathy Root, who liked the idea and agreed to help me.

If you missed my first post about the retreat, check it out From Retreat to Reality

Last week the big day finally arrived and we headed to the Red Rooster Retreat center in Crane Hill, AL.  Kathy and I arrived early to set up the sewing stations and put up room signs so everyone could find their spots:

At 2 pm no one had arrived. At 2:15, still no one. Did we have the right day? Finally, the first arrival, a woman who lives really close by. And then, her two friends, also local. Almost an hour past the 2 pm start, the rest started to arrive--a big crash on the Interstate created traffic problems and their GPS took them "over the river and through the woods" to our remote location. And it started to rain. We quickly got everyone's cars unloaded and the retreat was underway.

Did you notice the aqua Handi-Quilter bags on each seat? Goodie bags for all, full of lots of wonderful stuff. Kathy made ALL the fantastic coffee can bucket liners and a matching 22" x 14" design board for each person:

Thanks to the many vendors who offered support for this event, especially Handi-Quilter and Quilter's Select.

Most of these women knew only a few of the others. Two of the three locals knew no one but each other, I had only met one of them a year ago. My friend, Margo, only knew me and we rarely get to see one another--she lives 4 hours from us.

So, for me, one of the very best things I observed, was how ALL of these women made an effort to meet each other, talk to each other, get to know each other, and I could see relationships form and bonds grow. Even those of us who knew each other learned a lot more about who we are as people, not just quilters.

I was determined to make that happen so I created the only game we would "play"--20 questions. After each meal, two people, selected alphabetically, selected a number 1-20 and had to answer whatever that question was on my list, they did not know the questions. Here are a few:

Who do you love?
What is your greatest strength?
What is your greatest accomplishment so far?
What would you go back and tell the girl you were at 18?

You get the idea, all the questions were positive, all helped us learn more personal info about the others. There was lots of laughter and a few tears, especially as accumulated fatigue set in over the 5 days.

Now for some photos:

I created a small project, Charming Sampler. Not mandatory, but most people tried out some of the blocks--they are 3" finished:

Conna used indigo and shirtings

Sandra loves Christmas

Janey went bright, like her personality

Mazie--the "young 'un" who we all just love!

Joan used reproductions

Sue E went with batiks

Kim pressed on and completed all but an outer border, with sweet fabrics

My class sample, an original design, 33" square: 

 An antique top I bought from Cindy Rennels after mine was completely done, proving there is nothing new under the sun, especially in traditional quiltmaking--it sure feels similar:

More progress photos:

How about a 15 year Dear Jane project? Suzie is so close to completion--she got all but a few triangles done for her very last border--to say we were impressed with her work is putting it mildly:

Final border triangles

She brought the completed center with her

Ta-da!

Many worked on Afternoon Delight. More progress photos:

Margo

Brenda

Judi

Many worked on long-simmering projects and were thrilled to get them done or at least a lot farther along:

Terri's Dear Daughter

April--my absolute favorite, one of several completions for her!

And Sue E was determined to get this top to completion and she did--so happy for her:

The TV was never turned on and that was so smart. We all knew what was happening in the outside world, we all had 1-2 devices at the ready, news feed, social media, calls to/from home. But we were happy in our creativity and the friendships growing, not filled with anxiety about things we could do nothing about. Plenty of time for that at home.

I worked on a few things but mostly I just watched the fun happen. My progress:

Binding on the gift quilt I received in 2017

Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks

Flying Geese 1.375" x .6875"--begun more than 10 years

The layout, several more of these to go for a quilt I am calling $795

My goal was that each person get what she wanted from the Retreat--and I believe they all did. Everyone insisted we do it again next year, we hadn't really planned to. And all said they want to come back--a few wanted to give us money right then to be assured their space was safe. We will limit attendance to 19, that was perfect. It will be several months before we take reservations--the 17 who trusted us get first dibs on next year. If there are any spaces open, we will let you know...

Best line of the Retreat:  "I can tell you, it's like riding a bicycle" (you had to be there...)

Best meal of the Retreat: they were all good--we loved hearing the dinner bell ring 3 times a day, nothing to cook or clean up, those with special dietary needs were well accommodated.

Best part: new friends were made--in fact, the 3 local women joined the Huntsville guild on the spot so they can see many of us again.

Too soon it was time to say goodbye. We highly recommend the Red Rooster Retreat Center and are on their calendar for March 10-14, 2021. They are having a special for this summer, 2020, as they have a few openings on their calendar--$25 off per person. You need a group of 12 minimum, and they can sleep 22 maximum. In the summer the pool, hot tub and lake are all available to guests.

Check out their website and Facebook page:

Website

Facebook page

Let's quilt.

Barbara