Sunday, July 31, 2011

I DID IT!

Here it is, all finished, ready to be basted and quilted.  Susan Briscoe, author of 130 Mini Quilts Blocks, was kind enough to get back to me and tell me that the problem was NOT me but that there was an error in her book.  As she says, luckily the error means that the pieces were cut too large and can be easily fixed.  I did just that, ripped, cut, and re-sewed while hiding in the basement yesterday trying to stay cool!  Susan asks that if you ever find an error in one of her books, please let her know.  I can imagine that so many people and factors are involved in getting a book printed; small errors like this can be easily overlooked.  You can check out Susan's blog to see the correct instructions for making this block.  Thanks you Susan for your help on this.  I may become a piecer some day after all!

Be sure and check out all the fun classes coming up at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.  I’m going through withdrawal as I haven’t been able to get up there lately.  I even missed Knotty Girls Wednesday night.  Besides missing all my friends, I miss seeing all the new fabrics, books and patterns arriving at the shop almost every day.  If you see something special, drop me a line and let me know what I’m missing!  I may have to get a sitter so I can go shopping!

I think I saw this link on the Quilting Board.  Click here for a free pattern by Quilt Soup.

Stay calm! Stay kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, July 28, 2011

MAY TODAY THERE BE PEACE WITHIN!

 Well my second day of piecing didn’t go as well. I think I felt a little like Karen did on Ramblings of a Novice Quilter. I swear I followed the directions precisely.  I measured and re-measured before I cut.  I accurately drew my sewing lines.  And I still came out with this (above).  The two blocks above yesterday’s block are supposed to accurately fit the Sunburst block.  These two blocks together look way too big to me.
I took the two blocks apart and measured each one.  Each block was supposed to measure 5 inches.  That’s what the book said!  When I re-read the directions, I couldn’t see how that would happen since each blade was supposed to be cut 1 ¼ inches or 1 ½ inches. (there are 7 blades)
I thought there must have been a typo (it happens), so I took the block apart and made sure each blade was cut to 1 ¼ inches. (Yes, I have a little problem with math!)  I put the pieces back together and the block is still too large. (Sorry about the smudge on these last two photos.  I was trying to get the glare out.  I have Photoshop Elements 6 and if anyone could tell me how to do this I’d appreciate it.) 
I put my flawed blocks into the UFO pile and went back to my applique.  The reason I started this little piecing venture it the first place was because I was bored with sewing circles on my Whimsical Quilt Garden.  Sewing circles may be boring but at least it’s not as frustrating as my little piecing venture.

However, I did see a Summer Sampler Series on Freshly Pieced that I would like to try.  Check it out.  
Stay calm! Stay kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll
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Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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