Blueberry Pie

The center of my Blueberry Pie is finished! This was a fun and easy center to piece. He measures 74.5" square.

Doesn't he look like a woven coverlet?

I did change the pattern and made my quilt larger. Math and I don't always agree but I was very pleased when two out of the three types of 9 patches were exact the number of blocks I needed for the quilt.

Blueberry Pie is going into a closet until I'm ready to applique the border.

The original pattern doesn't have an applique borders but I'm envisioning 12" applique borders followed by a 9 patch border.  The 9 patch border will be followed by a more narrow border on the outside. 

Blueberry Pie's original name was Writer's Block. The pattern is found in the Red, White, and Sometimes Blue book which was published in 2011 by That Patchwork Place. Kelly Corbridge is the designer of this quilt. The background fabric is a light soft gray called Whisper Weave Cloud by Benartex.

I changed the name from Writer's Block to Blueberry Pie. I didn't think the name Writer's Block had anything to with the quilt! Cynthia suggest the name Blueberry Lattice but I went with Blueberry Pie.

Perhaps someday I'll make a Cherry Pie but with more pieced blocks and no applique, someday being the key word here!

Linking to Put Your Foot Down, TGIFF!, Peacock Party, Whoop Whoop Party, Finished or Not  Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Beauty Pageant, Patchwork & Quilts, Oh Scrap

Blueberry Pie

Last week was a chilly week so there was no problem spending time in the house piecing Blueberry Pie.

Sashing has been attached to the checkerboard squares. The checkerboard squares plus the sashing measures 15" finished. There are 16 of these blocks and they need to be trimmed.

Only one strip of the next sashing set has been sewn.

More details about Blueberry Pie can be found via this link.

Here are answers to questions asked in comments - I was asked if I pieced the 9 patches tiny small square by square or if I'm strip piecing? Strip piecing all the way! I might have pulled a few 1.5" squares to add but not very many blocks happened that way. I'm a stripper!

I was also asked if Blueberry Pie is a candidate for hand quilting? I don't know, I am planning on a hand appliqued border and I do like to hand quilt projects with applique. But . . . . it will be awhile before the applique happens, I want to finish appliqueing Hearts & Wreaths first.

Linking to To Do Tuesday, Wednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down

Blueberry Pie

It's chilly outside, perfect sewing weather! The 16 checkerboard blocks needed for Blueberry Pie have been pieced. Sorry the color isn't good in this picture. The background is light gray.

The next step is to add sashing and cornerstones. The color is correct in this picture. I must have moved over  a bit when I took this picture.

The Writer's Block pattern is found in the Red, White, and Sometimes Blue book which was published in 2011 by That Patchwork Place. Kelly Corbridge is the designer of this quilt which I have remained Blueberry pie. The background fabric is Whisper Weave Cloud by Benartex.

Linking to To Do  Tuesday, Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss, Put Your Foot Down

Blueberry Pie

I didn't plan on taking such a long break but life happens! Besides, it's finally summer!

I had asked for suggestions for a new name for the Writer's Block quilt I'm making. Several names were suggested which were good names but Cynthia came up with a great name that I modified slightly. She suggested Blueberry Lattice since the 9 patches look like lattice on the top of a pie. I've decided to go with Blueberry Pie as the new name and she agreed with me.

If you make your quilt with reds, you can name your quilt cherry pie!

Over 100 9-patch blocks of each type have been pieced. I need to figure how many I need exactly since I'm making my quilt larger. Quilting would be so much more fun without math!

Linking to Needle & Thread Thursday, TGIFF!, Peacock Party, Finished or Not  Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Beauty Pageant, Patchwork & Quilts

Writer's Block

I've started piecing a new quilt that I've been wanting to make for years called Writer's Block. This pattern is found in the Red, White, and Sometimes Blue book which was published in 2011 by That Patchwork Place.

This red and white quilt is lovely but my quilt is going to be made with various blue fabrics and the background is a soft gray fabric.

Kelly Corbridge is the designer of this quilt, I think she must have had writer's block when she named this quilt. I'm going to change the name of my quilt but haven't had any ideas so far, any suggestions out there?

This quilt has been on my list for years, ever since I first saw it in the book. I even cut blue strips but have been searching for the right background fabric ever since. Now I've found it!

The background fabric is Whisper Weave Cloud by Benartex. I didn't buy this fabric online, it was purchased at Calico Point. The picture in the link displays the fabric so much better than any picture taken by me.

I've sewn the strip sets and have started cutting them into sections for the 9 patch blocks. There are three different types of 9 patch blocks.

Block A is a diagonal chain 9 patch. The best thing about this block is it works whichever way you turn it! I really like it when that happens.

Block B is a regular 9 patch block with dark corners.

Block C is a regular 9 patch with light corners.

When you arrange those blocks together into a double 9 patch block, you get a checkerboard block.

Those 9 patch blocks aren't sewn together. I have a LOT more 9 patch blocks to piece and there will be more variety of blues when they're completed. Individually the 9 patch blocks finish at 3".

Of course I'm changing the pattern, my quilt will have 16 checkerboard path blocks instead of the original 12. I'm also envisioning an applique border. Unfortunately the applique border will have to wait until I finish Hearts & Wreaths which has to wait until I finish the hexie table runner for the antique blanket chest.

This quilt is going to take a while to piece because I'd rather be spending my time outside. There will be plenty of time for sewing inside when summer heat and humidity arrive. 

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

What's Happening in 2023?

A year ago I had big quilting plans for 2022. I was really going to sew those quilts that had been on the sometime list. A lot of them didn't happen, so what do I have planned for 2023?

I'm not going to attempt to be as ambitious as I wanted to be a year ago. The for sure projects are . . .

1. Lady Jane is the quilt designated for hand quilting. She needs to be marked then put into the hand quilting frame. The backing is waiting and wool batting will be used. She will be quilted with white thread.

2. Hearts & Wreaths -  The borders need to be marked and then the vine embroidering will start. After that, the leaves will be appliqued.

3. Make some Christmas quilts. I've already pulled fabrics and put them with patterns.

4. I'm NOT going to start any new projects for the RSC this year. I have 3 projects that need to be finished from last year, Star Dance, Dancing Stars and Scrappy Sprouts. Hopefully these will be completed this year.

4. There are several small quilts that are to be machine quilted by me.

5. Maybe this will be the year Writer's Block happens, this quilt has been waiting for so long.

Writer's Block is the from Red, White, and Sometimes Blue book.  I cut strips for this quilt four years ago but never found the time to actually sew anything. Of course my quilt is going to be blue & white. The background fabric was purchased earlier this year. It's a soft white with a gray dot.

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

6. Finish at least 2 UFQ's besides the RSC projects. There are several.

I think this is a manageable list. We'll see what has happened by the end of 2023.

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

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

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.

Linking to Peacock Party, TGIFF!, Finished Or Not Friday, Off the Wall Friday, Scrap Happy Saturday, Whoop Whoop Party, Patchwork & Quilts, Oh Scrap