Jamie's January Block for Jennifer

I was very excited to get started with International Stashes in the new year, but also a bit nervous due to my lack of experience. I got a bit more nervous when I saw that we weren't supposed to use our rulers for this one. I hope it makes sense when I say that I didn't feel like I had enough experience with rulers, to be able to do this without one. I totally flubbed a few parts for this reason, and had to make up for this by making a smaller seam allowance, and even sewing on a couple extra centimetres of fabric in some cases. I hope it still looks ok in the grand scheme of things! I also had a bobbin issue right as I was getting ready to put it all together (late at this point!) and so had to send the pieces for Jennifer to put together. I figured at least this way she could make sure to get them together the way she wanted. All in all, it was a great learning experience, and got me excited about the next one!

February block for Amy

Hooray, I finished my February block for Amy before my children were on mid term break!

After Linsays help last time I thought it was time to tackle this one on my own. I am really pleased with how it has turned out. There is a slight pattern in the cream but too subtle to see in the photo, and nothing too "girly"

I hope it works well with the other blocks

Claire

Anthea's Star for Amy

I was conscious of your intended recipient of this quilt Amy and so discarded a couple of my initial fabric choices because they were too floral.  As a result I think my star has turned out.....well, quite masculine.

Has anyone else had trouble getting the block flat? Despite pressing alternate ways, pressing from the front, pressing from the back, and pressing and pressing and pressing some more, all those seems close together make the block want to "lift".  Am I missing something critical?

I hope you find that this block fits your plan Amy.

Anthea xx

Finished Quilt!!!

I am so so excited to share with you pictures of my finished International Stashes 2013 quilt!! I love it so much. I keep going up to look at and marvel at the beautiful fabrics and colors. Every time I look at it I find a something I haven't seen before. Thank you for all of your help. I ended up paying someone to quilt it. I have come to the conclusion that I love cutting, piecing and putting the top together, but quilting is just not my strong suit. Especially with such a big quilt, I just couldn't tackle it. I will give it a try again, though, I promise! I'm just so happy it is finally done! 

Amy's square for Amy

Here you go, Amy! This was a fun fast block to make. I feel like I've gotten some good experience making HST's these past three years and I'm finally getting the hang of it! I hope that this finds its place in your sweet quilt for your father. 

January block from Linsay

I finished this block a couple of weeks ago and as I was doing the last seams I thought to myself, 'Why does sewing small pieces of fabric together make me so happy?'  I have asked myself this question before but never reached a satisfactory answer.  I did love making this.  I love how the interior of each small block is slightly out of kilter but the nine patch is firm in its structure.  Jennifer should have this block by now and I hope if fits in nicely with all the other blocks.  I am looking forward to seeing the overall effect.

Zephyr inspects the block closely.

A close up of me and the block.

 

Micaela's block for Jennifer

Hi all,

I got a good start on the Jan square, but it took until yesterday to get it finished.  Hope you like it Jennifer - I had a great time working with the solids, and I loved the subtle differences that came from the free cutting, though I'll admit I did use my ruler as a guide about half an inch away from where I was intending to make the cut, and I estimated pretty wide. I ended up trimming quite a bit to get to the 8" squares, but I think it worked out in the end. It went in the mail today. 

 It has been very snowy here this winter, though I know we're not unique, it has been tough for many in North America... Here's our patio table.  We haven't had this much snow piled up for many years, and more is coming today!

I am excited about Amy's February square, and I've already cut out the pieces... now to wait until the kids are up from their naps so the sewing machine doesn't wake them up :)

Micaela