2022 Challenges, 1 - 5

I made a list last December of challenges for the year 2022. Now at the end of 2022, I'm reviewing how many of those challenges I met. I had no idea when I made those challenges last December that we would be moving into a new home this year!

This first post is about challenges 1 - 5. Click on the title of each number to read about the quilt.

1. Writer's Block - Didn't happen. I've had strips cut for this quilt for several years but I did buy the background fabric. Maybe in 2023.

2. Double Delight - I started piecing Double Delight March 1 and finished sewing the binding May 4.

3. Blue Ridge Beauty - This is not a finished quilt. I donated the flimsy to the school fundraiser my Pennsylvania grandchildren attend. It will be hand quilted then auctioned in the 2023 quilt auction.

4. Wildflower Woods - The flimsy has been pieced. I still want to applique some broderie perse on the triangles in the center section.

5. Reduce 2" strips box - When I was in Utah in September, I took all the colored 2" squares along and sewed them into foursies. They're still in the bag they came home from Utah in. Maybe more progress will happen in 2023.

Linking to Needle & Thread Thursday, Put Your Foot Down, TGIFF!, Peacock Party, Whoop Whoop Party, Finished or Not  Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Beauties Pageant, Patchwork & Quilts

Wildflower Woods Finish!

The borders have been sewn to Wildflower woods. The flimsy is almost completely finished and measures 78.5" by 90.5".

The narrow border finishes at 3". I cut the outside border at 7.5" which is a different size than what the pattern called for.

There is enough of the outside floral border fabric left that I am going to add broderie perse to the light fabric triangles of the center. That applique will have to wait until all the applique blocks for Hearts & Wreaths are finished.

Wildflower Woods is #4 on my challenge list for 2022.

Last week someone asked me if I enjoyed working from a kit or if I preferred working from my stash. I liked most of the fabrics in the kit but there were some I liked better than the others. The brown outside floral border is nice but the same fabric design was originally available with a black background. There was a small piece of that fabric used in another block, I like the black background so much better than the brown. That black background would have really made the pink in the narrow border pop.

I would have to say my preference really is working from my stash. 

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Stitch Sew & Show, Put Your Foot Down

More Added to the Center

There are two rows of blocks added to the Wildflower Woods Center.

This flimsy now measures 58.5" by 70.5" but this measurement was taken while laying on the floor. It's probably a little larger than that.

Next there will be a 3" finished border then a floral outside border.

If I have enough fabric left from the floral border fabric, I may add some broderie perse to the light fabric triangles of the very center of the flimsy. The red triangles brighten up the blocks, I thought some of them were rather dreary looking.

Linking to Put Your Foot Down, Needle & Thread Thursday, Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts

Butterflies

I had thought last Sunday was the only handwork for Wildflower Woods but I was wrong. Block 9 was a doozy. I don't mind set in seams but this block finishes at 6" and those were small pieces to be inset!

I decided the way to go was hand piecing the block. I hand pieced 2 butterfly blocks then carefully pressed them. Guess what, they were too small!

I had 3 choices of what to do next, 1 - piece 2 more butterflies which I was not going to do. 2 - piece 2 more windmill blocks since the butterflies will be set beside them or 3 - sash them.

Number 3 was an easy winner so that is what I did.The sashing isn't very wide but it works.

I made a change in the fabric used for the top part of the wings. The piece in the baggie was from the border panel which would have worked great if there would have been a whole piece of a flower but there wasn't. I didn't like the way I thought it would look. This piece of pink vine fabric was large enough to cut 4 wings so that is what I used. I liked this fabric than the original fabric.

Block (or month) 9 is the last block to be pieced. I started sewing the quilt together earlier and posted about that last Friday.

Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Show & Tell Monday, Monday Making, Handmade Monday, Design Wall Monday

The Center

The very center of Wildflower Woods is sewn together.

I like the way the corners are sewn onto the very center. You make triangles and the narrow border is sewn onto the top. Two of the triangles were sewn onto the inside center while the red triangles were sewn onto the other block triangles. Then you sew a long seam attaching them.

It looks complicated but it isn't.

The narrow border doesn't completely surround the inside center, the red triangle fits into the corners. I really like that idea, I'll have to remember that for the future.

I did make a change to the Forest Path blocks (pinwheel blocks) in the corners of the center triangles. I changed the border on those blocks to fabric I liked better. I had made a mistake when I cut the original print and had to go with a different one. The floral border was left over from cutting the narrow borders from the striped fabric.

This center measures 58.5" which is my own unique measurement, not the same size as the pattern. I've had a few challenges along the way.

I know it has been rather boring viewing the individual blocks as they were sewn but they look so much better all sewn together.

Linking to Put Your Foot Down, Needle & Thread Thursday, Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts

Windmills

The blocks for month 8 of the Wildflower Woods BOM were 8 windmill blocks.

I should have left more room between the blocks in the above photo.

Ordinarily I avoid directional fabric as much as possible but since Wildflower Woods is a kit, I have to use the fabrics provided.

The background fabric and the pink fabric were both directional fabrics. I was extremely careful sewing these blocks together and I'm pleased to say, all the background fabric is the same direction! There were two directions the pink stripe fabric ended up but I was careful to make sure the stripe in each block was the same direction.

These blocks will all be trimmed and sewn into a single row eventually. I'm waiting to do that step until the center blocks are sewn together.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Stitch Sew & Show, Put Your Foot Down,  Needle & Thread Thursday 

Garden Baskets

I have something else to show you today instead of Hearts & Wreath blocks or Welsh Beauty. I was recently informed by an out of state friend that they thought most of my quilting journey was with hand work. They only read my blog on Sundays which is when I highlight the handwork I've done throughout the week.

During weekdays, I blog about progress made sewing whatever quilt I'm working on. Right now, that quilt in progress is a BOM called Wildflower Woods. I'm sharing with you today because month 7 is appliqueing Garden Baskets.

Ten baskets have been appliqued. These blocks will finish at 6" and all be sewn into a row. I haven't trimmed them because I haven't sewn the center of the quilt together. I want to make sure everything fits together before I go trimming any edges.

Last Sunday I told you I changed the settings since some people were having problems commenting. Now I have the problem I can't respond to the individual questions on my blog or to you by email. I'll see what I can figure out.

Thanks to everyone who does leave comments.

Linking to Kathys Slow Stitching Sunday, Oh Scrap, Stitching Stuff, Show & Tell Monday, Monday Making, Handmade Monday, Design Wall Monday

Forest Paths

Month 6 of the Wildflower Woods BOM are 4 pinwheel blocks which have been named Forests Paths. 

The border fabric had several designs and I decided to go with a partial design for my border. I thought it gave a lacy effect and I liked the way it looked.

When I was piecing the HST blocks for my Blue Ridge Beauty, I mentioned that I didn't cut the HST's the way the pattern said. I used my half/quarter ruler. Several people asked me what I was talking about. I took pictures as I cut the HST's for the pinwheels.

There are other brands of this ruler, I was in my Fons & Porter stage when I purchased this ruler many many years ago.

First you need to cut your length of fabric to the width you want. you can cut in half inch increments. I wanted my HST's to be 3.75" so I cut my width of fabric 4". This will give me plenty to trim them to the 3.75" size after sewing. You need to make sure the edge of he fabric on the left side is a straight cut.

Line up the left edge of the ruler then cut your diagonal line. By placing the light fabric on top of the darker fabric, you can cut both layers at the same time and they'll be ready to sew.

For the 2nd cut, turn the ruler, line up and cut.

Linking to Put Your Foot Down, Needle & Thread Thursday, Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts

Dove in the Window

Month 5 of the Wildflower Woods BOM was Dove in the Window, 4 blocks.

Normally when I'm piecing a new quilt, I cut the fabrics each step at a time but now I'm only making 1 block at a time so I cut all the fabrics for the block. 

See the sashing in between the blocks? The instructions said to cut it at 4.75", so I did. Unfortunately, after I pieced the dove blocks, I realized the sashing should have been cut at 5". 

This kit is several years old so I can't run to Carolines to pick up more fabric. What else could I do, I just pieced the sashing. Fortunately there was enough extra fabric to cut enough pieces to piece. I made sure I had the design in the fabric pieces going the same direction. 

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Stitch Sew & Show, Put Your Foot Down,  Needle & Thread Thursday

Swamp Angel

Block 4 of the Wildflower Woods BOM is called Swamp Angel. Gene Stratton Porter had the nickname of Swamp Angel which is why the designer used this name for the block.

Evonne gave very clear directions in the piecing of this block, it's not easy to make a 9-patch based block finish at 10" but this one will.

I cut the QST's first then the HST's which was a bad idea. I cut part of the HST's into QST's! I realized my mistake immediately after I cut them. I made a narrow seam, sewed 2 pieces together and it worked out fine in the end. My quilt isn't going to be perfect but you don't see the seam unless you get your nose right up against the block.

It's a good thing I didn't add the suggested broderie perse applique to the light triangle corners of the center. The floral fabric was missed when they bagged the fabrics for block 3, I had to cut it from the leftover fabric used in block 1.

I've made this block before in other quilts but I don't know the traditional name for the block. Designers like to name blocks to suit their pattern which is ok. I'm sure plenty of you sewests know the traditional name and will let me know.

 Linking to Put Your Foot Down, Needle & Thread Thursday, Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts

Wildflowers

Block 3 in the Wildflower Woods BOM is called Wildflowers. These curved blocks are what you would use to make a drunkard's path quilt.

I've never pieced this block before. I really avoid curves like this, just like trying to avoid covid! I didn't trim the curved blocks quite right so the centers aren't perfect. I can live with it, besides, I don't have enough fabric to make new blocks anyway.

The blocks will finish at 10".

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Stitch Sew & Show

Wildflower Woods

I've started a new project . . . and it's not a blue quilt!

I don't normally sew BOM's but several years ago I ordered a fabric kit from Caroline's Cotton Cottage in Rome City, Indiana, called Wildflower Woods. Wildflower Woods is based on wetlands located in Noble County, northern Indiana, which Gene Stratton Porter wrote about and worked so hard to conserve. 

The fabrics were delayed for a long time and the kit wasn't available whenever I stopped at Caroline's. Then the pandemic happened and shut everything down. I finally made it back to Caroline's in September 2020 and picked up my kit. It has patiently waited it's turn and now it's time to start.

The kit was a BOM but I received all the monthly kits at one time. Here is the center medallion of the quilt for month one made with 4 Lady of the Lake blocks.

Month 2 has been added to the center.

The instructions suggest some broderie perse on the light triangles of the center. I did have fabric left from fussy cutting the Lady of the Lake blocks but I think I'll wait until later in the process to decide if they'll be added.

Wildflower Woods is #4 on my list of challenges for 2022.

Linking to Put Your Foot Down, Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts

2022 Challenges

I don't make New Year's resolutions, I make New Year challenges. Here are my quilty challenges for 2022. These are in random order and won't necessarily be pieced consecutively.

1. Writer's Block from Red, White, and Sometimes Blue.  I cut strips for this quilt three years ago but never found the time to actually sew anything. Of course my quilt is going to be blue & white, or maybe blue & cream or maybe even blue & gray. I haven't decided on the background fabric.

I don't know why it's named Writer's Block, it reminds me of a variation on the Burgoyne Surrounded quilt. I plan to add an applique border.

2. Double Delight - This is a free quilt pattern by  Bonnie Hunter. Double Delight was her 2008 mystery quilt and is found at the bottom of the free pattern page with the rest of the older mysteries that never made it into books.

I prepped the fabrics for the quilt and took all the bits and pieces along to the Jane Stickle retreat in November. Sewing on this quilt didn't happen but it's ready to go! The little 9 patches have been sewn for several years.

3. Blue Ridge Beauty - Another Bonnie Hunter pattern from her book Adventures with Leaders & Enders. This quilt will be made with blues and creams/beige.

4. Wildflower Woods - This was a BOM kit I purchased several couple years ago at Caroline's Cotton Cottage. The fabrics are civil war colors. I'm not enthused by civil war fabrics anymore but I will make this quilt anyway, it will be a nice change from all the blue quilts. The fabrics are more brighter and colorful than the photo on the website.

5. Reduce the amount of strips in the 2" box. Quilting Twin has lots of free patterns for 2" strips. I want to make at least 1 queen sized quilt top from the box and I've printed off the Snowflake and Circling the 9's patterns. 

I sorted through the box and divided the strips into two groups, white based and cream based. I had forgotten a year ago I pulled most of the autumn fabrics and made two quilts. There isn't much of those fabrics in the box anymore.

6. Every year I piece a quilt flimsy which I donate to be quilted and sold in a school quilt auction. This auction provides funds for the school my Pennsylvania grandchildren attend.

Maybe one of the quilts I piece from the 2" strip box can be used as a donation quilt for this auction.

7. RSC projects - I had decided on several different quilt blocks but changed my mind and decided to finish projects instead.

In 2018 I finished a smaller quilt called Star Dance. I want to make this flimsy larger so I'll be making sawtooth stars each month.

Dancing stars and scrappy sprouts need finishing also. Sewing blocks for a new quilt is fun but the sense of accomplishment when finishing one is so awesome!

8. Hand quilting, I would like to have Welsh Beauty halfway quilted by the end of May, more would be great but I'll settle for halfway.

9. Applique - Of course I'm continuing Hearts & Wreaths. This is a wonderful project to pick and take with me.

10. UFQ's - I have several unfinished scrappy quilts started several years ago that need to be finished. I want to finish at least one of them.

11. Fire Island Hosta Queen - Years ago I bought the pattern, last fall I bought fabric, it's time to make the quilt! This quilt is going to be a long term piecing project, it's a Quiltworx design.

12. Goose Garden - I bought this pattern years ago and pulled some fabrics. There is an alternate way to set the blocks on the backside of the pattern which I like better than the front design. This isn't a huge quilt and will be good practice for the Fire Island Hosta quilt.

13. Charity quilts - I made at least 15 charity quilts in 2021. I'm not sure how many I will piece this year but I do have 6 crib quilts to be quilted and donated.

14. Flower Patch SAL continues through the spring.

15. Get Together - This quilt is on the cover of the April 2020 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting. The magazine actually had a sew along for people to participate. Of course I didn't sew along at that time, I work at my own pace several years behind everyone else. I have made some of the 9 patch blocks and purchased blue and red fabric for borders.

There are other quilts I'd like to make but these are the main challenges for 2022. I'll try to remember to have a post at the end of December 2022 and update you on my accomplishments or lack of accomplishment.

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