FMQAYGQAL - Blocks 9 and 10 & Marston/Moran Comments

Directions for Blocks 9 and 10  (AKA Row 3 Blocks 1 & 2)

I'm sewing these blocks in 'catch-up' mode as I spent so much time getting ready for my week long workshop with Gwen Marston and Freddy Moran - then had four days with them - and then had so much to get caught up at home that I'm just now sewing.  (I've solved things by filing for an extension for taxes to give myself some breathing room!).

The theme for this row is Landscapes and Seascapes....

Block 9: Leah's Landscape Stitch

When I was watching the video I thought this would be an easy design for me to do.  (I had a chuckle at the end when Leah advises us to draw our hills like the hills are that we see when we look out our window!  The only hill I see is covered densely with houses - if I were to just draw that hill I'd have one lump and would be done!) I did have to draw it out to figure out why she was sort of back stitching before beginning another hill.  Laura from QuokkaQuilts (running the QAL) mentioned in her notes that getting the hills even was the part that was tricky for her so I was aware of that.  But to be honest the non-example hill that she pointed to on her blog didn't bother me at all.  So after drawing it out I threaded the green thread in and checked that the needle was okay by doing a little stitching on my sandwich that I am practicing feathers and other things on.  Everything seemed okay.

Front - Block 9

But while doing the actual stitching I was very frustrated.  I broke a needle.  I thought perhaps I was pulling the fabric to quickly (as I had done before).  I thought about how cold my fingers were and thought I didn't have good control.  I broke another needle - the first time I 'lost' the point - usually the points stay threaded so they are easy for me to tape up and keep until I can discard in a sharps container at the place where my mom lives.  I broke another needle and decided to stop trying.

Back - Block 9

I thought about not filling the hills in - to leave them open and plain as Laura decided to do....  But with a new day and not feeling as cold I tried again.  This time I broke a needle again.  I could not figure out why this was happening.  I rolled the new needle to be sure it was straight and took really slow stitches....  I thought the thread was being fed unevenly so I found a firm straw and put that on the top of the machine so the cone could be on the machine.  Started again and then I heard the twang sound and remembered to look at the machine to see if the thread had wrapped itself around one of the metal pieces, and sure enough it did!  So I figured out that I could disengage the extra loops and continue.  I did the rest of the design with no breaks - I did cheat and move the block in different directions to make it easier to see where I was going to sew.  I went back and added some extra threads on the top of most of the hills....

I'm pleased with how this looks, but it was very time intensive for me and since my emphasis is on finishing real quilts now (believe it or not!) I'm not sure when I will use it.

Block 10: Leah's Ocean Current

Block 10 - Front

This design is very pretty in the examples - there is an initial line stitched with several hooks to begin the water swirls - that's called a foundation line - then you go back and echo around that line to make the swirls stand out.

Block 10 - Back

I drew the design several times with different spots for the hooks and saw what I needed to do if I got caught inside a part of the design.  I was ready to go.  I guess I should have taken a photo of my foundation line - that really does drive the design....


My water is sort of stagnant maybe there is a lot of trash up stream that is stopping the swirls.....


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So those are my blocks that were being sewn by others in the FMQAYGQAL while I was at the Marston/Moran workshop.  I have not uploaded my photos from that great adventure (yet) - and my experiences yesterday and today with doing these designs sort of cloud the great compliments I got from Gwen and Freddy for my FMQing.... but here is one photo that is special to me....

Marston/Moran admiring my FMQing!

The third day of the workshop, I had put my finished pieces of the Wonky Shoo Fly on the floor so I could get suggestions for how to put the pieces together.....  But the teachers were busy so I then went around and took photos of all the design walls....  Across the room I could see ten or twelve students looking down at my quilt pieces - I ran over and heard great compliments and fielded lots of questions.  They were amazed that I did the work on my regular old sewing machine.  I made sure again that they knew I had learned from Leah Day. (I had shared my in-progress-LibRR with the group the second day and told them then too so everyone heard that.)  It seems the people at the class didn't do any FMQ.  It was wonderful to hear them oh and ah my work!


The teachers were still busy so I went back to work on my parts for the project I was working on for the class - then someone excitedly tapped me on the should and said Gwen and Freddy are looking at your quilt! They like it!  So I grabbed my phone and took these photos.  By that time someone else in the class had come up to ask for advice so the photos are a little diluted with that - but really they were looking at my FMQing!  Gwen especially liked the big leaf pattern - Freddy came to me and said it was exquisitely stitched and she had never seen a student in all her years of giving workshops with such wonderful work.  I made sure they knew I was learning from Leah Day's site and that I had won some of the blocks I brought from the BlockLotto.


Gwen thought perhaps they were going to be kept separate - like her little quilts she had shared - didn't really have ideas to help me get the pieces back into a bed sized quilt.  Oh well.


Freddy came up to me two additional times and chatted with me - she said that I had found my niche in quilting and should develop that and disregard the color and piecing part unless I wanted to do that....


Pretty fabulous....  


I have to keep thinking about how great I felt when they were giving me compliments while do the actual FMQing now!


(I'll post the photos from the workshop soon!)


I hope you will join us for the second Liberated Round Robin - starting this month!

Received: DukeSaysSewWhat Fabric Give Away

Remember I won the Fabric Give Away  Fugly Fabric Party?

I received a terrific envelope today from Kris from DukeSaysSewWhat!

Kris was very generous and included pieces of fabric that weren't in the original photos on her blog - and even some hexs - she didn't even know my son and husband are designing a phone application that uses that shape!  I'll figure out someway to use all these treasures.

Thank you Kris!

Kris is having another give away of some great looking fat quarters - go check out her blog and follow directions so you have a chance to win!

Expense: Mailing BlockLotto

I went to post office yesterday (March 6) to mail the Feb BlockLotto block to New Mexico.

Only .45 cents!  I was able to just use a regular stamp!

Sew 15 minutes a day - Kate's Life in Pieces

I just heard through Jane's blog about a new challenge for developing the habit of sewing at least 15 minutes a day.  Kate's Life in Pieces blog is offering encouraging notes and ideas to help this habit get so it's just part of life.

I'm not sure really if doing something for 66 days in a row will develop a habit, but I'm game.

Let's see for this week - since I haven't been keep track it's difficult to remember this past week:

• Today - about to leave for another quilting class, planning on working on the piecing for my LibRR1 the rectangle round!
• Friday - went to quilting class and basted a practice quilt for FMQing.
• Thursday - joined the four sections of my tumbler quilt so it can be basted, decided on what fabric to use for backing of my practice quilt and pieced it together.
• Wednesday - Sunday - can't remember but know I've been moving parts around for the quilt I made at the Marston/Moran workshop.  I need about two more square feet to finish that project.

Expense: San Diego Quilting Retreat for Marston/Moran Workshop

$1070 for the four day retreat.

$40 for parking for the four day retreat.

I did not track gas costs or extra meal costs - I drove son's car to the event.  Took it to the car repair place - ended up paying $1800 for that!

It was a fun event, but really I could have gone to Europe and met up with Clare to sew for the week too!

Expense: Petite Presser

Petite Presser Portable Iron

JoAnn's sent me am email today with a coupon - I took a peek and they had a smaller iron on sale (so it's  a reasonable $19) with extra discount and tax the out the door price was $19.56.

The regular price is $39.99 so this is a real deal.  I think it will be nice to have at the workshop - we are to bring iron and pressing pad for our own area.  I was a little afraid of burning myself with my regular iron...  Anyway the price is good and the reviews were all positive too.  People like this one better than the Clover presser....

Regular Price $39.99
On sale price $19.99
Additional 10% off -2.00
Subtotal $17.99
Taxes $1.12 + .27 + .18 (who knew we had state, county and local taxes on things! Not me!)
New total $19.56

Added 3-8-12:  I never needed to use this at the Marston/Moran workshop - there were enough regular sized irons and ironing boards (and the electricity might have over loaded if we plugged in our personal irons so we were asked to not do that).  This little presser has never been used, but I can't return it as it's out of the packing....  Oh well.

Getting Ready: Cutting Fabric

My strips!

I don't know why it took me so long to do this, but here it is just a few days before my workshop and I spent most of the day cutting fabrics.

I decided to cut at least one full strips from most of the fabrics in at least one of these sizes: 1.5', 2', 2.5"

Then I cut a 9.5" square.

Then combinations: 5.0", 4.5", 4.0", 3.0" and sometimes even a 1".

I have cut my purples and most of my white and black - started some green and blue but will continue tomorrow.

I still need to sew up HST, geese and strata for the workshop!

I did some exploration with different ways to do HST and geese that I wrote about in previous posts (that helped me decide what sizes to cut the strips)....

So tomorrow I will continue with strips and will sew up a few of each of the parts just so I have some ready when I get at the workshop.  (I also have some real work to do before I leave too.)

Tips: Getting Ready: HST

Half Square Triangles (HST)

Missouri Star Way

Missouri Star Video

Easy to do even with smaller sized squares....

1. Put two squares good side facing each other.
2. Sew around all four sides with a 1/4 inch seam.
3. Cut the square at the diagonal.

Creates 4 HST - the outside edges are on bias.
5 inch square give 3 inch unfinished HST. (Probably will need to trim to exact size.)

"Whip Up" Blog Post with different measurements.

HST by other attendee

Pinwheels by other attendee

The other attendee used the Missouri star method and made a lot of pinwheels - she started with 9 in squares.  Told me she is going to try to make some more starting with 6 inch squares.  I'm not sure what method she used for her excellent HST!  Aren't her colors beautiful? She has all the pieces trimmed up so nicely too.



Lucy in the Sky - Quilting Board Way

Lucy in the Sky - Quilting Board Directions

This way requires marking - still just have four seams - but there are 8 cutting lines....

1. Put two squares good side facing each other.
2. Draw both diagonals on the lighter fabric.  (I also drew the 4 sewing lines.)
3. Sew 1/4 inch on either side of each diagonal.
4. Carefully cut the block into four so you see four squares (in the diagram it's the lines that extend out of the square.
5. Then cut the original diagonal in each of the resulting squares.

Creates 8 HST - the outside edges are on the straight edge of the fabric.
5 inch square gives 2 inch unfinished HST.  (For sure will need to trim to exact size.)


Left Over from Geese Way

Left over made squares and cut apart goose

When making geese the traditional way you can stitch the left over triangles to get HST - they are a little too small but by using a smaller seam I think it would work to get sizes that would fit with other pieces.

I also experimented with just cutting geese in half and then sizing up the results to get HST - seems like a lot of work though - but if the geese weren't going to be used or if they didn't turn out the expected size this would be a good thing to do....




Added 3-15-12:

QuiltingBoard - Rhonda's Really Easy Half Square Triangle Blocks
http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/really-easy-half-square-triangle-blocks-t37915.html

Basically, cut your strips.  Sew together.  Then use template placed on the sew and cut.  She shows two different ways to do it on the  web.  For one way she sews the strips into a tube and alternates where she cuts cut (fewer cuts but she now prefers pressing the seam open, cutting, then going back and sewing long sides together and cutting again.) There is very little wasted fabric as she uses the four large bits to sew together and make an hour glass block. For five 2.5" inch blocks she sews two 2.5" x 11" strips together.

Formula for HST - from QuiltingBoard
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/formula-half-square-triangles-help-t42546.html

Tips: Getting Ready: Geese

Traditional Geese

Traditonal

I made four geese following the directions in Gwen's books:  2-2.5" squares, 1-4.5" by 2.5" rectangle.

To 'save' the extra triangles I sewed them down too before cutting off from the goose.  The results are an odd size and would need to be trimmed up.  I think using a smaller seam would give a results with a better size.

I also experimented with cutting one of the geese in half and trimming to get two HST - this is a lot of work - I don't like this method for getting HST. And I think it's to much work to get one goose block - I like the way I've been doing it better - two cuts and get two geese!

One seam geese by other attendee.

Additional Methods to Try:

• Sophie's four geese at one time - each with the same color arrangement  
• One seam method by Ricky Tims  The other woman attending the workshop zipped up her geese in a flash she said with that method - I forgot to try that method out.....
• Michelle's Liberated Flying Geese Tutorial  A very liberated way that I will try soon!

My Way

My Way Geese - Freehand

Original My Way Geese - Directions

Then I went back to making a few geese 'my way'.  I now take two pieces of fabric the same size, then free hand cut a triangle.  Swap the fabric and sew it up! (I used to do with two different sizes of triangles but Benta's  comment on my original post pointed out I could be making two geese at the same time if I used the same size rectangles - so that's what I do now!

I like this way as I always have enough seam so I would not loose the points, and there is enough side fabric that I could more the triangle around.

Note: The way I originally did the cuts ended up with triangles that were different sized and shaped - very wonky... (and pleasing to me!)

Since my other parts for the workshop are not done in a wonky fashion though I thought I should try again - but this time use a ruler so the shapes would be consistent and in the center of the fabric.....

My Way Geese done with ruler.

I meant to take notes, but forgot to.  I think I started with 6 inches by 3 or 2.5 inches.

I just eyeballed the center of the fabric, but used the ruler to cut the triangle.  The first cut I went beyond the ruler to the edge of the fabric.

When was sewing I matched the edges of the fabric for the first seam - but for the second seam I pulled the side piece up so when the seam start the fabric would be at least 1/4 inch.

I like the way these look - need to move the ruler down to be sure I have 1/4 inch at the top all the time - and perhaps 5.5 would be better width as I don't need so much fabric at the side of the block.  But since I didn't write down the measurements I started with I really can't say.  Arranged this way would be an interesting design to put at the edge or sashing of a quilt.... Could make two with the same arrangement for the the geese and then it would be a square on point - could be very dramatic!

I decided to try again using 2.5 by 4.5 fabric....

My Way Geese with ruler and traditional size.

These are very cute.  They are smaller than the traditional size, but I really like them.  This I think will be the size I make for the workshop!

It's fun to have a variety of geese though - don't this look neat?  In fact, I think I will skip making HST for the workshop and instead try to make a bunch of these - they  would perhaps make neat sawtooth variation!

Assorted geese lined up.

Geese arranged for sawtooth replacement.

Geese as a design

Geese arranged for sawtooth edge

It's funny, Leah today was discussing the importance of testing before doing a big project (and I realized I have never washed my batting, or checked to see if the pencil would bleed thru, and am not really sure how I'm going to get my Wonky Shoo Fly or LibRR connected so they are quilts) but I did explore different ways to get my parts made.  The directions in Marston/Moran books for flying geese just seemed so time consuming (and traditional!) - I had to find quicker ways to get the parts in order...

It's been awhile since I first played with my liberated geese - but I was very pleased with the method.  Used in my LibRR but gave the rest of the geese away to a BlockLotto lady who was ill.  The first time I made a batch using the BlockLotto directions there were so much wasted fabric I didn't like making them that way at all.

 

Tips: Getting Parts Ready: 9-Patch

Method Video:  Billie Lauder Basic Nine Patch - Two at a Time!

Having had success with Billie Lauder's method for 4-patches, I decided to do her method to make my 9-patches.  With this method you make 2 blocks with the same cuts.  By preparing several squares at the same time, the fabric could be swapped out so it's more scrappy looking....

4-patch and 9-patch made with Billie Lauder method!

1. Cut two squares of fabric Color A and Color B - make it easy and pick a measurement easily divided by three.  (For example 6 inches, 4.5 inches, 9 inches).
2. Place them right sides together, and then sew up two opposite sides.
3. Without cutting the seams you just sew, cut the fabric in to thirds.
4. Sew the loose piece of fabric to a sewn side so you have one set with the color A, B, A and one with color B, A, B. 
5. Press toward the dark fabric.
6. Place fabric right sides together - line up to match the seams and sew up two opposite sides of the block.
7. Press toward the dark fabric.
8. Cut into thirds, add the loose pieces.
9. Press toward the dark fabric.

I made mine starting with blocks that were 4.5 inches square.  I did in black and white so I wouldn't have to think about color.

I couldn't decide what colors to make the next set of 9-patches in so I cut some 4 inch white fabric and sewed my 2 inch strips (cut into 4 inches) on the sides.  Cut that in half so the seams were not cut, then sewed short end to short end in a ring.  Measured to cut one in half - then used that one as the cutting line for the rest of the 4-patches.  This was a fun way to use those pieces of fabric and to end up with some randomly colored 4-patches.  These were some of the fabric used in the spikes parts.  The dark green looks out of place - but I really like the other colors - these will be great additions to a quilt.  I even like the way in this quick layout there is extra white (or black) to make a random triangle.....

Both blocks (at least in theory) are the same size! They will finish in a quilt as 3-inches.

My husband is very curious to see what I come back with from the Marston/Moran workshop.  He says he can't picture it at all....!  (Neither can I!  I'm wishing I knew someone in the class and that we could be collaborating during the workshop - that would add so much to the learning experience!)

I think I'll do more 9-patches after I get some sawtooth and wild geese prepared...


From Homework for the Marston/Moran workshop:

11. Making “Parts” in advance.  You will see in their book that they used, black and white Sawtooth, Wild Goose Chase, Four Patch and Nine Patch blocks for fillers, borders and sashing.  They also used Strata in a number of quilts.  You can make a bunch of these parts before you come to class if you want.
1. Sawtooth: made with 2” squares or 3”squares cut diagonally
2. Wild Goose Chase: made with 2 ½ x 4 ½ rectangles and 2 ½ squares
3. Four Patch: Strip pieced with 2” wide strips
4. Nine Patch: Strip pieced with 1 ½ wide strips
5. Strata: Cut long strips of fabric between 1 ½ and 2 ½ wide and sew together to make new fabric which will be cut up in different ways.  Make a new fabric 45” wide and about 25” long.