Auditioning the Blue and White sampler blocks

I've been trying to figure out how to set those blue and white sampler blocks.  I have another quilt that has the blocks set like this:

but I'm thinking that might make the top to busy?!  Maybe better to set it in plan white like this...

One really good thing about taking pictures of your blocks before sewing them together is seeing things like the four blocks in the middle where the dark blue patches all line up in a diagonal line.  I rearranged those after looking at this picture.

I think those other triangle sets might come in handy for my blue work quilt.

What do you think?  I surely enjoy messing about on my design wall!  

Happy weekend, and Labor Day for those who celebrate it!

cheers, Claire W.

More Non-Binding Tricks!

Do you ever find yourself making 3 right hand turns just to avoid one to the left?!
As I was pondering what binding to use on this quilt I held a 2" strip of dark green flannel next to the outer border and thought that looked pretty good.  But how to make the binding turn into a 2" border when I did not have enough of the flannel to go around twice, and, well the quilt was already quilted?!  Never one to be stuck by technicalities I cut strips of blue flannel  3/4" wider sewed them to the green strips and did this little quick turn maneuver.

You can see the side border is already sewn on and the bottom border has been sewn so it can be folded back to front.  The edge of the green strip has been pre-pressed.

With right sides together, the green strip is positioned a little beyond the initial seam and trimmed to make a quick turn corner.

With the strips turned right sides out I measured and pinned the strip into place.

Making sure the folded edge covers the initial seam.

I used the lazy S stitch on my Bernina to sew the folded edge down;  kinda decorative and sure to catch the edge and secure it.  Then another line of stitching to hold the strips together.  I debated about putting a strip of batting in but thought the flannel was bulky enough. I also stitched in the ditch where the blue meets the green seam which gave it a look like piping.

Here's what it looks like on the back.

So from this...

To this...

I think the green really adds to the quilt (and another hand sewn binding is averted, tee hee!)

See what I mean about 3 right turns?

Cheers, Claire W.

Bias Quilters Reunion

When I first became a member of my local quilt guild (geez, almost 20 years ago) I helped form a small quilt group.  We sewed and quilted for many years together learning about our craft and sharing fellowship, but times change.  Some of us went back to work after our kids were older, some turned to other hobbies;  travel, gardening, other crafts etc.  But we have all remained friends and every once in awhile we get together and I am reminded what a great time we have when we are all together!

We got together for a reunion the other day at my house and I wanted to make it really special because it had been some time since our last get together.  I cleared the dining room table and brought out the linen.

I did not have time to make mug rugs or pot-holders for party favors... 

but I gratefully have lots of tomatoes to share this year so everyone got a baggy to take the first course home and clear their plates.  

Our friend Meryl made the cutest dessert, EVER!

Chocolate mice made with a chocolate dipped cherry, Hershies kiss for face and sliced almonds for ears set upon a wedge shaped rice crispies treat for cheese!

With raspberries and cream and yummy cookies brought by our friend Esther it made for a very elegant 

dessert indeed!

We were going to call ourselves the Un-biased Quilters ( an image of open mindedness?!) but the lawyer in the group, (none other than my good friend Randy of barristersblock.blogspot.com) pointed out that everybody has bias soooo we settled on "The Bias Quilters".  

That's funny 'cause in fabric the bias is the stretchy part and the non-bias is not so flexible?!

Go figure!

Biased or not we had a wonderful afternoon!

cheers, Claire W.

Another road trip, More Blue work

We traveled from Santa Cruz, CA to Hood Canal, WA,  over the 2 day drive I managed another blue work square.

This one is kind of plan.  I left the top of the basket open with the idea that I will add in the date when I finish the quilt! I think that brings the count up to about 15 blue work squares.  A few more road trips and I will have enough for a quilt top!!!

My family has owned a cabin on Hood Canal for about 40 years.  The cabin is very rustic (that's a nice way of saying funky).  But the view makes up for the accommodations!

We've had beautiful weather here, sunshine everyday! 

I brought my feather weight so I've been goofing around on that when I'm not outside enjoying the wonderful weather!

I hope you are all enjoying your Summers where ever you are!  And if you are in the Southern Hemisphere I hope your Winter is a gentle one! 

Cheers, CW