Civil War Blocks 22 and 23 x 3!

Block 22 - "Blockade" - the block with many triangles - is done and I quite like it.

Although there were a lot of triangles to be pieced, it all went together well and kept its correct size.

Block 23 - "Illinois Roads" . . . now that's another story.

A quick and easy block, you might say.

And it was.

Except . . .

It looked boring to me when it was done.

So what's a girl to do? Unpick - that's what.

So I did.

No use wasting perfectly good fabric, right? So I delved back into the stash and choose 2 more fabrics.

And the result was  . . . Version 2

and Version 3

I'm much happier with these than with Version 1. Fabric selection really is everything with this block, that's for sure.

And since it's not too far from half way through this quilt, it's time to lay it out and see what I've got so far. I'm thinking the blocks will be on point, which means I'll have to start thinking about half blocks for the edges. And the colour of the sashing is still open for discussion, but there's plenty of time yet.

So for now I'm feeling happy with what I've done and looking forward to what's still to come. And I'm loving the process. Block of the week - definitely a concept that works for me!


Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 22 - "Blockade"
Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 23 - "Illinois Roads"
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Foundation Piecing Mariner's Compass

Recently I attended a workshop with Chris Jurd to learn how to do foundation piecing. And this Mariner's Compass is what I made . . .

While it took me a while to get the hang of it, once I got going I found this technique pretty good. Chris is a very generous teacher - very patient and encouraging. So if you find yourself in a position to take one of her classes, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

So now I have a central medallion that needs some borders to become a "real" quilt! I've got a little stash of batiks, so I'm not short of fabric to make something larger. It's just deciding what to do that's holding me back. Oh well, I'm sure the fabric will still be here when the inspiration takes me . . .


Pattern: Mariner's Compass
Designer: Chris Jurd
Publication: http://chrisquilts.blogspot.com/

Scandinavian Stitching

I had been seeing the book "Scandinavian Needlecraft" all over the internet and then I came across this pattern here.

I couldn't resist.

I had to make it.

I made it the size on the template (not the enlarged version), so it's quite small - only 5 1/2" from the base to the top of the handle.

How cute is this bag?

Wait, what's that I see? Oh yes, I do believe it's more felt on my horizon!


Pattern: scandinavian-style felt bag with embroidered bird
Designer: Clare Youngs
Publication: Scandinavian Needlecraft: 35 Step-by-step Projects to Create the Scandinavian Home