So far this week, I've been working on blocks. I am definitely ready for spring, because I've been working on these:
Don't those look fun and cheerful? These are the first four blocks for the Sewcial Bee Sampler by Maureen Cracknell and Sharon Holland Designs. It's a free sampler quilt along with a new block every week. So far the blocks have been fairly simple and fun, even though I remade a couple in different colors. You know I had to fuss with them, right? There's even a fun coloring page, so go on over and check it out.
For the template quilt blocks, I made this block:
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| Yes, those two coral side pieces are different template shapes. Don't you think they should have been the same? |
This block is called Dove in the Window--really, even though it doesn't look at all like other Dove in the Window blocks. This is a Kansas City Star block from 1932. I am pretty unhappy with this, as I am with the other template blocks. I've been getting the patterns from books, and I think they've gotten away with a lot here, supplying really bad templates for blocks that very few people ever make. The software I have is no better and may be worse, because that's where the templates for the Gardener's Pride block came from. Does anyone test these? I don't think so.
Or maybe I'm just cranky.
So, I think I'm going to redraft several of the blocks that are in the pipeline and make my own templates. I can use the templates I have as a starting point, but there have to be better ways to do this. I'll start by redrafting the templates for this block and then remaking it. Stay tuned!
Finally, I have a goal for March's One Monthly Goal:
Yep, these are the Paper Dolls blocks that I made for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. . . in 2015. I know! I have missed these girls a lot. I love them all! So I've finally put them up here and told them each to find a friend. (There are more in the box still, since they wouldn't all fit on the design wall.) My goal is to get this assembled into a top by the end of March. I think that should be doable. The hard part is going to be pairing them up and getting them arranged. But that will be fun, too, right?
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| Pretty sure these two are going to be good friends! |
Hope you're all having a good and productive week and that any blocks you're making are coming together well. Remember, if it's raining and the wind is blowing, that means that April is going to be amazing!
Sharing at Let's Bee Social and One Monthly Goal.
20 comments:
Hi Mari!
Your blocks are amazing and colorful and they definitely put me in the mood for spring! Your little girls are great and I can't wait to see the quilt! Have you hears of Inklingo? That might be a way to help with the craziness of the templates. http://lindafranz.com/shop/beginners/3 I haven't used it, but it prints shapes onto fabric.
Pugs and kisses,
Nancy
The paper dolls are coming along nicely. As for the 'Dove in the Window' - I can understand your frustration concerning inaccurate templates. Because it truly is annoying when you are looking for that perfect neat outcome. Having said that, I actually really like your block, uneven and all. Don't throw it out just yet, you might want to use it in a sampler or charity quilt.
I'm so in love with your Paper Dolls!! What a beautiful quilt this will be! I really like the Dove in the window block too. There is nothing more frustrating when a pattern doesn't work out the way it should!
Your Sewcial Bee Sampler blocks are beautiful and remind me that spring is on the way even though its 32 degrees now. BRRRR! I hope you are able to resolve your template problems and are successful in remaking blocks. Love your paper dolls. They sure do bring back a lot of memories.
The paper dolls are just wonderful, Mari!
Your sampler blocks are very appealing, too. (I have come to the realization that I pretty much suck at samplers quilts.)
They are so wonderful... so happy they will become a finished quilt!
The dolls are lovely, reminds me of Girl Friends!
The Sewcial Bee Sampler blocks are so pretty! I would like to join in, I don't know if I have too much going on right now or not. Boy, though...I am so tempted.
I love your Paper Doll blocks! That would be adorable hanging on a wall in a little girls room!
Haooy March to you. We have cold weather going on...no wind and so far no rain although "they" predicted rain all week. We'll see!
There are some interesting template patterns here:
http://www.101patchworkpatterns.com/03patterns/patterns.shtml
Those dolls / girls are just great. It's inspiring to look at - hope you find the time and joy to put the top together.
Those ladies are dancing the night away. Your blocks are fresh like spring
Such an awesome quilt! Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck on your project.
Ah... the girls are back! I have missed them. :-)
Fun to see the paper dolls again. They look pretty just as they are on the design wall, but it will be fun to see what you do when you have them all up. I know what you mean about using templates. I used to use patterns from a Ruby McKim book (also from the 30'S?) and they were always a little wacky. I redrafted them. My book was reprints from news clippings and I'm thinking that a lot of the patterns were never actually made--just presented in the column. I do wonder what our grandparents did with them--but then maybe that's why there are a lot of unfinished wonky quilts in antique stores. Of course, wonky is okay now! Have fun with your QAL. I really wish I had joined in.
Yay! This will be a fabulous quilt! Keep rolling with this one til it's done!
The paper dolls are great. Are they from a pattern?
My goodness, but you've been busy! XO
Winter is not over yet but we can welcome Spring with colorful fabrics, just like you! Those dolls will be my undoing. I am adding that to my "To be Made" list for 2020. Yes, I have other squirrels to chase till then. Damn the Dreami Linky. Can I please see the doll blocks when we meet next? I am sure it will be a finished quilt by then. You are fast and fabulous!
Love the paper dolls, each has their own personality!
Your BOM blocks are so pretty and really say spring (which I'm way past ready for). Very fun paper dolls. Good luck with your OMG for March.
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