And Another January Block..

Here is my January block for Jennifer. I had a crash course and helping hand from Linsay (thank-you again!) and am really pleased with the outcome. Jennifer, I hope it fits well with the other blocks you receive. The tan brown and red look similar in the photo but stand apart in daylight.

Although I don't have a presser foot with the 0.25" seam allowance, I am easily able to reposition my needle to still achieve the correct seam allowance with the standard foot. Not great long term, but adequate until a quarter inch foot arrives soon in the post.

Will pop in the post

Claire
x

Here's another January Block for Jennifer

Despite December and January zipping by in a blur of festive celebrations, camping holidays, kids swimming lessons, a short return to work and now planning for another few days camping, I managed to complete your block last night Jennifer.














I felt being completely incompetent and nervous when using my rotary cutter without the ruler to lean against Jennifer.  I'm always up for a good challenge and I pushed on and eventually managed somewhat rectangular pieces of fabric.  However, my somewhat wonky rectangles and squares have resulted in somewhat curved seams and a couple of slightly under 8-inch sub-blocks.  But I could compensate for that when joining them all up.  Two trimming errors (same sub-block, same error repeated, same self-admonishments) meant that I had to cut two extra rectangles and I have to confess that they were made using the ruler.

My local fabric shop is quite limited in its range of solid colours so I am nervously hoping that you like what I did manage to find Jennifer. It wasn't until my final sub-block was being put together that I realised that I had not used any white, but I think perhaps that is why I could combine a pale grey, very pale green and a cream without making the whole thing look too washed out.

I feel like I say this every time, but I really am looking forward to seeing how you arrange all our blocks,

Anthea xx

January Block

Hi All,
I have Jennifer's block done and ready to ship! Yippee! It was fun to just start cutting into the fabric!

And now my exciting news-look what has come to live at my house!!! I have quite a bit of learning and playing to do and I cannot wait! Cleaning and cooking may be put on hold for a while....

January Jennifer...

Ta da!! I'm never early for anything...and yet, somehow I managed to get Jennifer's block done before the end of the month! Maybe this is a sign of what's to come in 2014 for me...

Jennifer, I had so much fun making this block. I'll pop it in the mail asap. You always pick the greatest patterns. I was a bit nervous about cutting without my ruler and then sewing the blocks together evenly. My sub-blocks never were exactly 8". I'm struggling to figure out why this continues to happen, but think it is a combination of my old old machine, its tension, and a slightly bigger 0.25" guide on my machine...anyway, I think I pulled it off, even with some uneven edges in my sub-blocks. Maybe this is the year I'll get a new machine. There is something I like about using the machine my mom used when I was born though... anyway, the quest for a perfectly sized block will continue for me.

Warm January wishes. We had such miserably cold weather here, but now it feels spring-like outside, which feels weird. Bring back the snow! Go away rain! xo  Katy

December Block for Micaela

Sorry I'm late, Micaela. I made this last week and then didn't get around to downloading my pics until this morning.

It took me a little while to get the hang of the crazy patchwork, but once I got going I really enjoyed making this. Looking forward to seeing how they look all together.

Thank you, all, again for letting me join in the fun in 2013--I plan to keep an eye on your progress this year and when I get around to making some more blocks for my quilt, I'll be posting pics as the project comes together.

Happy New Year!

Doris

Sneak Peek at 2013 Charity Quilt

Hello Ladies, I think I have all of the blocks now for our charity quilt for a child. Thank you 2013 members! It was so fun to lay these out and start to get an idea of what the finished quilt will look like:

 

The plan is still to finish this and give it to a local refugee center here in Switzerland. I have already made a contact and they will be happy to take our quilt.

 

Please let me know in the comments section any of your ideas for a charity quilt for 2014.

 

xoJennifer

USA Amy's Block for Micaela & a Christmas Miracle-ahem-FINISH

Happy New Year to all of you! It is going to be a fantastic 2014! Welcome to all our new members-I am especially excited that Pam has joined us. She is my Aunt and my role model/inspiration/idea of what and who I want to be as a quilter! Yep- no pressure Pam :)

Now onto pictures- I finished Micaela's December block-two days into January-sorry! After my rush to finish the quilt below, my machine and I needed a few days off and a good cleaning. I enjoyed making this block! Very liberating just grabbing fabrics and stitching them together without any clear plan.

 Now on to the Christmas Miracle-Finish.....drum roll please.....  I stitched the blocks together and added the borders Monday December 23, spray basted and quilted Christmas Eve and added the binding on Christmas Day. We did not see my parents until December 27 so I had a few extra days. To say that they were surprised would be an understatement! My mom keeps says she thought she was getting a few pillows because we had discussed some ideas. She especially loves the idea of our group and that this quilt came together from women all over the world. She is so touched! I thank all of you for helping to make this incredibly special quilt! And the pictures....

I used white thread to echo quilt around and inside all the stars and diamonds. 

The green fabric on the back is the same as the borders.

My parents right after opening the quilt.