Farmer's Wife Quilt Progress

My farmer's wife quilt blocks have gone a long time unattended. The blocks were finished back in May. As I was making a perfect little stack of my new blocks, I realized they were not all the same size. Some where a whole half inch off. All the blocks created using the templates were small! I must not have hit actual size when I printed the templates. This created a huge problem, if I cut them all down to size I would lose most of my points. Quite devastated and frustrated I put the blocks away.  

Over the summer I did cut the sashing and the corner blocks, then remembered my error and once again put the whole project away as it was too painful to see all those pretty points that would be lost with the addition of the sashing. All that time spent on the project only to have it look bad in the end. 

Look at the edges near the sashing and you can see all my missing points :(

This last weekend I finally trimmed the blocks to the same size and started putting on the sashing. It was hard knowing there wasn't anything I could do about all my disappearing points, I just worked on through and tried not to over think the process. The top isn't as bad as I had envisioned but it's not my typical level of craft. Overall it looks ok.

Two of my favorite blocks on the right

The original plan was to hand-stitch the whole top, but that would be too slow and I would fixate on all the mistakes. For that reason, I am going to machine quilt the top instead. The backing is going to be an orangey floral backing fabric I was gifted a while back.

Has anyone else ever experienced this level of disappointment on a project that has taken so much of your time?

-Patch & Chels

Just Swell

Swell 

Finished size 60 in. by 66 in.

From the book Simply Retro by Camille Roskelley

Say hello to the tenth finish of the summer (you cannot see number nine yet!). This project was from some time ago ... last year. I used up some of my cool 2.5 inch scraps to complete the top. It was a perfect scrappy quilt for all these squares!

The backing is an aqua floral, I picked up on sale and had enough to do a complete backing (that happens almost never!). The binding is a deep purple polka dot that is also used in the quilt top. 

The top was quilted using the dogwood flower, this time I was good and took some pictures of the quilting. It's a fun top quilting pattern and can be done on a simple domestic machine. If you're interested check out the tutorial at Oh, Fransson!  It takes a while to get the flow of the flower down, I would recommend practicing before starting on a quilt. The first time I used this pattern it took a couple rows to get into a rhythm, then it all clicked. Almost none of my flowers are perfect, but it adds to the character of the quilt :)   

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Labor Day weekend here in the states! This weekend was crazy busy, many of my cousins came from all over to visit. Between all the parties and plans, a group of us did get in another great kayak trip down the Pemigewasset "Pemi" River. In the photo below my friend's daughter was in my kayak. She was getting the whole rowing thing down, then quickly gave up! Although, entertainment was provided by singing "Just around the River Bend" from Pocahontas. 

-Patch & Chels

Road to ... Oh Damn!

First week of summer vacation!! Although, in my head I had grand plans of being a couch potato that wasn't the case.  For some reason, it's just not in me to sit around all day. I didn't make any progress on my modern maples quilt, those blocks are still laid out on the floor awaiting their turn.

Today I finished a project from forever ago (ok, forever as in 2 months ago).  The pattern is really called, Road to ... Oh Damn the link to the pattern is included if you would like to see how it's done :)  I didn't make any mistakes (that I know of!) This was all part of my de-scrap goal from April.  After the Jelly Roll Race quilt, I pulled material for 2 more quilts, one is still just a flimsy finish.  Here are some images of the top so far.

A little confession time: now I am up to 7 quilts that need to be basted, and 20 projects going on simultaneously! Guess we already know what my summer plans will include, getting these WIPs finished and/or under control!  All these projects are making my head spin.

Anyone else have plans this summer? Quilt plans? Vacation plans? Let's hear them! 

Sew long for now, 

Patch & Chels

Traveling Chalkboard

Many people have commented on how I photographed all my Farmer's Wife blocks using a little chalkboard.  I completed my blocks a couple of weeks ago, and decided to pass along the chalkboard for some inspiration/motivation to others who are working on, or starting their FWQB.

Here is the concept, each person will get the chalkboard for a month before sending it along to another blogger.  We will all be linking to one another so you can follow the chalkboard's journey.  How cool, I think my chalkboard might get to more states than me!  You can also follow the chalkboard through our flickr group, named the Traveling Chalkboard.

First stop is Stephanie at Late Night Quilter.  She is working on some beautiful FWQB using many of my favorite prints from Happy - Go - Lucky, just wait until you see them!  They are so great, makes me rethink my color palette.  Stephanie is also coordinating the Supernova Friendship Block Swap.  There is a link to the flickr group.  This block is fascinating.  I have been snooping to see the color combinations people have chosen.  If only I could take on one more project! 

Stephanie also has started the Late Night Quilters Club.  (I hope you're in awe right now of how much she is doing!)   Not sure if any of my readers tend to find themselves at the sewing machine late at night trying to finish up a project this is the group for us.  Yes us, I did join because let's face it, working a full time job leaves me no other option!  The best part is, the group is on Facebook.  You don't even have to be a blogger to join!  Plus, isn't this banner super cute?  

As for now, the chalkboard is in the custody of the United States Postal Office headed to it's new destination.  Stephanie should be receiving the package shortly or already!  Follow along at Late Night Quilter to see what happens next!  (The suspense is already killing me!)

As for progress on my own FWQB not much is happening.   All the blocks did get squared to the correct size, but that is about it. Right now all I can show is this pile of trimmings.  Hopefully, soon I will have a second to sew the sashing and blocks together.  Although, I am in no rush either.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Fort Worth Fabric Studio. 

Sew long for now, 

PATCH & CHELS

Be .... Joyful

This month's Sugar Block is dedicated to finding the joy in everyday life.  Sometimes I amaze myself at the number of times a day that I complain about nonsense.  Then have to think, really was that necessary?  Either way this month I have been stopping and taking in the moment to enjoy.  Sometimes I forget how funny my students are!  Plus it's almost summer vacation, so us teacher's also get excited about that too!

This months color selection.

I totally love the block this month!  Loving how it plays with the others, starting to get really excited to see this one finished.  Just a few more months, ok, more like 7 more to go.  Must be patient.

Sew long for now, 

PATCH & CHELS

Final Stretch

Oh, they are sew pretty all together!! After last post, I realized that with nine more blocks I would have a good sized lap quilt.  So back to the book to get these last blocks sewn up!

From the stack I am going to use 42 of the 9 inch blocks.  Now I just need to start cutting sashing!!!

Sew long for now, 

PATCH & CHELS

Farmer's Wife

Last week I broke down and printed all the templates for the Farmer's Wife quilt.  Some blocks where beyond trying to figure out.  I finally got around to sewing up another group of them.  Ok, I got really carried away here!  Here is a sneak peak into my method of madness.  That poor book binding might not make it through this experience!

Overall sewing with the templates wasn't bad.  They take forever to cut and trace, but not horrible to sew.  It actually is less trimming once I got going.  At first they were pretty intense, then things got easier, or less stressful.  Once all the blocks were laid out on the floor, I realized with only six more I have a good sized lap quilt.  Six more it is!  

Sew long for now, 

PATCH & CHELS

Scraptastic Time

The Jelly Roll Race 2 has got me started on a major descrap kick.  Overwhelmed with a huge selection of pink charm squares, I decided on two different quilts.  Talk about too many squares, two quilts and I didn't even made a dent!

The first quit is called The Road to .... Oh Damn I found at the Quilty Friends blog.  This block finishes at 12 inches square.  I am going to use darker pinks and lighter pinks to help create the pattern.  

The minty green fabric is going to be the "Oops" blocks.  Quilty Friends has great directions for fabric requirement for many different sizes.  I am going with the 16 block option with borders.

The second quilt is called True Blue although this one is going to be True Pink!  The Quilt Ladies blog did 52 weeks of quilt block patterns, and week 50 caught my eye.  The plan is to complete 30 blocks, each finishing at 12 inches square.   

Even with my lofty goals this year, it would be nice to destash my older scraps as another goal!  I also would like to donate some of my scrap quilts to charity, so these might be a good donation pair!  Anyone know of any great organizations that need donations?  It would be nice for them to stay local to New England, if possible.

Sew long for now, 

CHELS

Farmer's Wife Quilt Sampler

Back at it!  Here are 5 more farmer's wife quilt blocks completed.  

Hope everyone out there had a great Sunday!  I sure got a lot done :)

Sew long for now, 

CHELS

Linked with Quilt Story and Blossom Heart Quilts :)