The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 9 Box

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 9 Box

I tried to do this one before, but it ended up as Block 41, the Friendship Star.  I welded some of the bits together to reduce the number of total pieces in this block.  It meant there were some Y-seams, but they are really no trouble when you are hand piecing.
I usually start a project knowing what I am going to do with it, but in this case I had the fabric and the Farmer's Wife book sitting there and thought I might as well start constructing the blocks and work out the layout as I went along.  Lots of ideas have passed through my mind, but I am thinking I might make up an applique border.  Any thoughts? 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 2 Autumn Tints

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 2 Autumn Tints

This little Farmer's Wife Quilt project had reached a standstill because I hadn't prepped any blocks.  A pending weekend away, with plenty of travel time to get some sewing done meant that I really needed to spend some time getting the bit and pieces together.  Just as well that I did as I managed to complete four blocks. This one is Block 2, Autumn Tints and makes the most of some fussy cut roses.

The trip away was to the 2018 British Quilt & Stitch Village, Uttoxeter, UK, where I had entered my Nearly Insane quilt into the Traditional Quilt category.  I won a 2nd rosette, but was also pleased to receive the People's Choice Award, which was a great surprise - thanks to everyone that voted!

Exeter Quilt Show 2018 - American Jane fabric haul

American Jane Fabric

I expect you are all wondering when you will see my Dear Jane quilted.  So am I.  I am procrastinating and yesterday I managed to find some displacement activity by going to the Exeter Quilt Show at Westpoint.  You will see from the picture the magnificent haul which I largely managed to pick up at the charity stall. Instead of concentrating on finishing Dear Jane, I am already starting to focus on the next project which I had planned.  I am looking for American Jane (Moda) fabrics and I managed to pick up some old ranges in the form of a Frivol box (Bread and Butter), a deconstructed Jelly Roll (Recess) and a tiny charm pack (Hop, Skip and Jump).  I supplemented it with a layer cake from the current range (Merry Go Round).

I'm not allowed to start until, she is quilted ....

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 7 Birds in the Air

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 7 Birds in the Air

Wow,  I think this Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 7 Birds in the Air, has had the most pieces in it so far.  Forty in total.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 19 Checkerboard

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 19 Checkerboard

These little chequerboard (or checkerboard) blocks look straightforward, but the number of triangles that go around the edge always amaze me. There are 25 pieces in the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's)  Block 19 Checkerboard, but it has the illusion of less.

It is good to be back to some regular blogging.  I realise why I enjoy blogging, it keeps me on track with a project.  

Kim Diehl Half Square Triangle Cat Mat

Half Square Triangle quilt layout

In a change to the usual Farmer's Wife Sampler quilt blocks I have another little project to show you.  It is another mat for the cat, using up the left over half square triangles from last years 'Scrappy Challenge'.  You won't remember that because I haven't shown you yet.  I am interested in trying out different layouts for HST's and there were enough left over to make this mat.

Quilting Feathers

I also wanted to use the project to test my quilting skills.  For over a year I have been practising  drawing feathers, but did not have the courage to try it on an actual quilt.  The muscle memory you gain from drawing really does help and when I took to my machine, they came out naturally - what had I been waiting for!

Quilted Cat Mat - Kim Diehl fabrics

The fabrics are the Kim Diehl leftovers from the Dear Jane quilt, which is still waiting to be quilted. Even with Dear Jane, my 2017 Scrappy Challenge and this small project, I still have plenty of fabric to make MANY more quilts.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 97 Waste Not

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 97 Waste Not

Another block has been completed, largely thanks to getting stuck in three traffic jams on one journey this week.  This is Block 97, Waste Not. As I have mentioned in the comments before, I have been making these blocks at 4" instead of the usual 6" and I seem to spend most nights thinking about what layout I should use.

Bella Solids Fig Tree Bundle

With so few pieces in each block I have been struggling to make them work, so I have invested in a Bella Solids Fat Quarter bundle which co-ordinates with all the Fig Tree fabrics I already have.  Let's hope this will move this project along more swiftly.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 6 Big Dipper

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 6 Big Dipper

I had a request for some of the Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt blocks to be shown off in the snow that we have had in March this year.  We have had almost a foot of snow, the most since 2010. It has taken until today to actually have a block finished to show you, but here it is , Block 6 Big Dipper, sitting on the snow which is now rapidly melting as the temperature has resumed its normal level and sun is actually shining.

Suzi cat

There was also a request for photos of Suzi in the snow.  I think the expression on her face answers that question.  She has settled on the Allietare quilt for the past few days, just watching the white stuff come down in disgust.

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 14 Butterfly at the Crossroads

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 14 Butterfly at the Crossroads

Here is another Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt which I finished over the weekend.  Again, a block that probably has another name - any suggestions?
Here in the UK the temperature has dropped and we are expecting snow this week.  I think I saw a 'flake' fall from the sky today, but probably not enough to bring everything to a standstill quite yet.  I will keep you posted. 

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) Block 4 Basket Weave

The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt (20's) 
Block 12 Broken Sugar Bowl

Another orphan that missed the boat for the Nearly Insane quilt! I really love the red and white combination for a quilt block, but I am trying to break the habit with this new adventure.  This is The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt Block 4 Basket Weave, also known as Rail Fence.  With just 12 pieces it came together quite quickly.

If you re in the UK this weekend you can see my Nearly Insane quilt on display at the Severn Valley Quilts Exhibition in Thornbury, near Bristol, BS35 2AQ.