ROW H

A lot has happened since I finished my last row.. G.

I made masks, finished another quilt, and today I finished all of my blocks for this row.

Here are my blocks for row H

I got the new Dear Jane software from Electric Quilt.  Mostly so I could have the ability to make a chart of my progress.
As of today, this is where I'm at

As always, I have mixed techniques to complete my blocks.  I got sometimes 3 a day finished because I did it this way.

 Block 1 
This block is all EPP

 Block 2
After I finished all of my blocks I did this one over.  The first one was the modified for EPP version.  The center diamond was all EPP and then appliqued onto one piece of fabric.  I really didn't like it because I felt it was too bulky sitting on top of the fabric.  So I re made it.  I machine paper pieced the center diamond.  And made borders.  the 5 pieces of the block were then EPP with the corner triangles hand appliqued on.

 Block 3 
Each section pieced section of this block was machine paper pieced, then the block was assembled with EPP

 Block 4
This block was machine paper pieced, and the center diamond was hand appliqued

 this is what the block looked like before I appliqued on the center triangle

 Block 5
The center section was EPP.  the half square triangles in the corners were machine pieced, and the block assembled with EPP

 Block 6
This block was all EPP.  the curves were hand appliqued

 Block 7
This block is the original version and was machine pieced, and assembled with EPP

 Block 8
this block was machine pieced and then assembled by EPP

 

I made the quarter square triangles oversized, then cut them to the size I needed. I sewed on the pieces I needed, then glued to the corner triangle pieces using the lines on the pattern lined up with my seams for placement

 this is the finished triangle which I then EPP to the center square

 Block 9
This block was EPP and the diamonds were hand applique

 Block 10
The individual sections with HST and QST were all machine pieced, and the block was assembled with EPP

 Block 11
This block was all EPP

 Block 12
This one was all hand applique

Block 13
This was the easiest block of all.. and it was all machine paper pieced and applied to a square of card stock


I need to take time to cut fabric for my sashing.  I just wanted to complete all of the blocks.  Sashing is boring.. but it has to be done.  I usually apply sashing to each block as I finish it.  But that meant that I would have had to stop making blocks and make sashing, because I only had enough for a few blocks.

Oh well, I'm glad to have this row finished, and I have Row I ready to start.

I hope that you all are having fun with you quilts. And I hope that I have inspired you to try something different with your blocks.


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ROW G

When I made this row, I worked out of order depending on what I was doing. For instance I didn't make G2 until last.  So I am putting up the whole row in this post. 

I made the row in two weeks which is a record for me.  I'm finally getting the hang of things. 

G-1

This block wasn't difficult.  The techniques that I used were EPP and applique.  I like the stripes, but they were difficult to line up when they come to a point in the center of the block.  

The tip for this block is instead of clipping deep curves that would ultimately weaken the seam, I appliqued the curves in.  this worked out very well, and I continued to do this for the curved blocks in the rest of the row.

G-2

This block was entirely machine paper pieced, and set into the rest of the row with EPP.  I highly recommend SUSAN GATEWOOD website for paper piecing patterns.  I do have the Electric Quilt Software, but Susan lays out her paper piecing in a more logical manner.  Also, if you want a block to look more like the original block, I would choose these patterns over the modified versions for EPP. 

G-3

This block.  I made this block a total of 3 times, with the petal once more

 

The top left block is Jane's Original block. I didn't want the modified for EPP version which included sections of the border pieced together. So I printed out a pattern  from Electric Quilt, and appliqued the border in one piece.  I wasn't happy with my first attempt (top right) the border was too wide, and the petals didn't have a nice curve.  So my second attempt I appliqued the border in one piece, and used the 4 piece modified version for the center.  I thought I was just going to go with that. But no.. I was completely obsessed.  So I went to the Gatewood site, and used her pattern.  Her border was narrow which was good.  I needed to enlarge the petals a little, but they have the appropriate curve.. After so many tries, I'm going with this one.  Not perfect, but better.  

G-4

This little pineapple block was pretty straightforward.  Based on the original, machine paperpieced, and set into the row by EPP

G-5

This block was EPP.  The center section was appliqued in like I did with G-1

G-6

I had a little trouble with this block.  I did attempt to machine paper piece it all, but, I just didn't like how it turned out. The modified EPP version came with a blank center section.  At first I thought I would fussy cut some sort of a star for that section.  But I didn't have any print that would work, and I really wanted the little star like Jane put in hers.  So I machine paper pieced the tiny sawtooth star.  because of the thick seams I was unable to wrap it around the center paper so I reverse appliqued it in.  I don't really like the look of the square in the pentagon, but I don't know of any other way to get it done.. I wish I could see a close up of Jane's to see how she did it!

In this picture, you can see what I had to work with.

G-7

This block was made by EPP and applique, which is what I used to piece in the curves. (see block one tip)

G-8

I used EPP to complete this block.  Fussy cutting the fabric gave me the pretty floral illusion radiating from the center.  A simple block made better by the print of the fabric.

G-9

This block was entirely machine paper pieced and set into the row with EPP.  While ultimately, it was faster to do by machine, I think EPP would have given it a cleaner look.  The triangle tips would have fit together perfectly. 

G-10

I think that this block was one of the most difficult because it is made on the diagonal.  I entirely machine paper pieced it and it is set into the row with EPP.

 I should have marked this tip so it could be seen.  But if you look where the two D's are you would see a piece of tape holding the pieces together.  I found that there was no easy way to line up the pieces since they are set diagonally.  so I lined them up and taped them.  Then I could fold and pin and sew..  I took a seam ripper to slice the tape to remove the paper.  If you notice the green highlighted areas on the edge, that is to remind me to leave extra fabric so I can put the block on EPP paper.  I use 1/2" seam allowance.  that wraps the card nicely.

G-11

Although I could easily applique the diamonds on, I decided to machine paper piece those sections and EPP the block together. 

G-12

The modified for EPP version of this block had 28 pieces.  The original applique version has 3.  That's why I went with the original. 

G-13

This block is EPP and the curves are appliqued in.


Right now, I just finished joining the row.  Now to attach it to row F.  I am doing them in 3 row sections and then sewing them to the rest of the rows.  I am trying to minimize handling the main center section as much as possible until it is all together.

I am learning so much making this quilt, and I feel that I am using all of the skills that I have learned through the years.  I think there actually IS an end in sight!

Happy Sewing! Teri

F-10, F-11. F-12. F-13

 All finished!!

This row didn't take ultra long.  I did a good bit of it by machine, and made a couple of blocks twice.  but I learn more about this every block I make.  Now for the chore of sewing them together.. I think I am going to apply them three rows at a time, so I don't wear out the first 5 rows with constant handling. 

 The last four blocks

 F-10

I completely paper pieced this block.  I fussy cut the center star from a different fabric.  It was easy.  I tried to use fabric choice to make it special

 F-11

THIS block.... this was my second attempt

 I really tried to do it the way this modified block was presented by Paperpieces.  I just guess that I don't have it in me to get those divided darts to go into sharp points.  They are done this way to make setting in the corner squares.  I just wasn't happy with it.  I didn't like my choice of light fabric.  But if it had gone together easily, I would have left it. 

 Anyway, the only way to set those squares into this area is to clip down to nothing and having it eventually coming apart.  Or to do it like Jane did, and hand piece it, with 1/4" seams and y seams.  OR  do it like I did.  APPLIQUE.  Now, I will admit, that I would like set in seams, and maybe I will try to do it on a future block, but this looks okay, and once the papers are out and it is quilted, I figure that you would have to study it to tell.  The picture above shows the steps that I took to make a dart. 

 F-12

I did the darts and triangles the exact same way.. applique, rather than try to make them with the divided pieces.  It came out fine.  That background fabric is old and it is one of my favorite prints.

F-13

This block was all applique.  I used "Perfect Circle" templates.  I probably could have used perfect leaves for the others.  Maybe I'll get some sometime.  I made my own out of mylar.  I made these before I thought of the applique paper.  I figure at least the circles done this way are better..

F-6, F-7, F-8, F-9

 F-6

The most difficult thing about this block was the applique in the center.  Otherwise, the four corner blocks were machine paper pieced and applied to card stock the block was finished with EPP

 F-7

This block was completely machine paper pieced and applied to a 4.5 paper, and finished with EPP

F-8

This block was entirely EPP.  Apparently this was a block that was supposed to be included in the Paperpieces booklet. When the pieces are laid out on the guide, it doesn't look like the borders are long enough.  I saw a correction somewhere, and just made them like they should be.. Just remember to keep the two long pieces (white) and the two short pieces (white) together and every directional piece pointing the correct way.  It WILL fit together!

 

F-9

This block was completely EPP and Applique.  Even though I put the applique on last, it STILL looks awful.  I don't care.  This was my second attempt.  When the whole quilt is together, hopefully I will be the only one that notices

Onto the last four!!

F-3, F-4, F-5

 F-3

This was an easy block.  I machine paper pieced all of it and then glued it onto 4.5 inch paper square.  

 F-4

 This was also an easy block.  I machine paper pieced this one also and glued it onto 4.5" square paper

F-5

This one was a little more difficult.  It is modified from the original for EPP.  the center red and the white pieces are all EPP and then appliqued onto the red fabric and then it was all glued to a 4.5" paper square.


At this point, I have 2 blocks to finish and I will be done with this row.  I did some out of order because of combining techniques.

I did finally break down and buy a Large package of 4 1/2 in squares  It was just easier than digging out card stock to do it.  plus, I can only get one out of an 8.5 x 11 sheet so it is also wasteful.  I know these are spot on for size.

Keep stitching,
Teri