Blocks 13 and 14 - Done!

I've had Block 13 - Little Blue Basket - cut out and ready to go all week. But it took me until Friday night to get the time to put it together . . .


I'm quite pleased with the way this one turned out. I'm not sure yet about putting a handle on it. If I think it needs one when I'm putting the blocks together I'll probably add it then. But for now, sans handle it is!

And Block 14 - Fox and Geese - is done, too. This is a block that I could probably do a version 2 or possibly even 3 of.


I found both of these blocks went together quickly and the measurements were spot on.

I'm starting to think about colours for sashings now. I saw an article in a magazine about a group of quilters who had made a similar style of quilt to this one (many, many different small blocks to make up the quilt). They were all holding up their gorgeous quilts and had a variety of colours on their sashings - one had red, one navy blue, one chocolate brown, one caramel . . . They all looked beautiful in their own unique ways.

And it got me thinking about what colour I'm going to use. Luckily there's still quite a while till I need to make that decision!



Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 13 - Little Blue Basket and Block 14 - Fox and Geese
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Civil War Quilts - Block11

Where did this week go?

I have managed to complete Block 11 - London Square. The colours are a bit drab in the picture, the "brown" is actually quite lime. Bad lighting - what can I say?



The weather's become decidedly "autumn-y" this week, and I must say I really like it. I can feel that it won't be too long before scarves and coats make their way back into my morning attire!

And this week has seen many hot air balloons take to the sky over our city . . . and I get to see them on my drive in to work. The morning sky this week has been quite overcast, so you see the lovely glow of the balloons as they burn the gas jets. And twenty-something balloons all floating around is quite a sight to behold. There certainly are some benefits to starting work early!



Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 11 - London Square
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Civil War Quilts - Block 9

Block 9 - Birds In The Air . . . I really like this block.

Although it wasn't without its challenges!


I did some adjusting on my machine before I began sewing. I decided to use the seam guide, which is screwed onto the bed of the machine. Small problem . . . I was all set up for a perfect 1/4" seam - I thought. But when I had the whole block together, the "birds" half was smaller than the other half, which would have made the block too small. Those tiny fractions of an inch really do matter - even more so on a small block with many seams.

So . . . I unpicked, re-adjusted the seam guide and stitched again.

Second time lucky - the block is now the size it should be! And I've taken the seam guide off. I think just using the plate markings as a guide is what I'll stick with from now on.

I did read a hint about starching the fabric before working with it to avoid the triangles stretching on the bias . . . and it worked a treat. Cutting and piecing was a breeze. Wish I'd thought of that before I stitched Block 5!


Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 9 - Birds In The Air
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Civil War Quilts - Block 5

Well, this is block 5 done - Kansas Troubles.

The background fabric is quite orange and vibrant in "real life". It's been a while since I've pieced little tiny triangles, and I'd forgotten just how much a little stretch can throw a whole block out!

Note to self: be very, very careful when piecing tiny pieces on the bias.


Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 5 - Kansas Troubles
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/

Civil War Quilts - Block 4

Block 4 - Texas Tears - is done. It may end up requiring some persuasion to be just the right size, but we'll see when the whole quilt goes together. I'm not sure that I love this block, but I'm suspending my judgment until I've done all the blocks. In a quilt with 56 blocks, not all of them need to be the "star of the show", in my opinion.

If you're interested in seeing what others are doing with their blocks for this Block Of The Week project, check out the Flickr Group - there's certainly plenty of variety and inspiration! And if you're not already full to the brim with projects on the go, have a think about joining in. It's a great way to use your stash and the weekly blocks are pretty achievable. Go on . . . have a go . . . what's stopping you?


Pattern: Civil War Quilts - Block 4 - Texas Tears
Designer: Barbara Brackman
Publication: http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com/