Dear Jane Quilt - Block D12 Crossed Swords

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D12 Crossed Swords

Poor Dear Jane, she is being neglected at the moment.  This is block D12 Crossed Swords and it has taken several attempts to get this block completed, not because it was difficult, but the busyness that comes with time of year. 

I am slicing the arrows off these shapes and sewing them back on again, mainly to minimise the amount of applique I have to do.  With a busy fabric I think I can get away with it.

Just one more block, F11 On Target, to complete before I move onto the next draw.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 22

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2

Yes, it is Monday. Yes, I am up-to-date with the Allietare Mystery Quilt 2015.  This is a busy time of year for me at work and if I can keep up at this stage I know I will be able to complete the later stages, so really pleased to be able to get this post up today.


Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2

There was a lot of cutting for Part 2 of the Allietare Mystery Quilt, 454 pieces in all.  Bonnie is wise not to tell us this up front else we might never pick up the rotary cutter. In fact this is why I love her mystery quilts - she dishes it out in achievable parts.

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2


I happened to buy 20 quilt clips at the Knitting and Stitching Show in Harrogate a few weeks ago, not really knowing what I would be doing with them, but already Bonnie's instructions for us to keep these blocks in set of four has put them to good use.  The 'sets' are making me curious - why do they need to be 'sets'?


Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2

And now for the fun part - pulling out all the puzzle pieces from Part 1 and Part 2 to see what you can make of it.  Here is my effort and I quite like it.  In this photo my neutrals and greys (black) look very similar, but then I am going for a softer look with this quilt.


Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 2

I chose the 'stitch and flip' method outlined on Bonnie's instructions as I decided that there would be as much waste cutting trapezoids as if I did it this way.  I took the time to add another line of stitching and as a result I have a pile of bonus half square triangles.  They are about 1" square finished.

Here are the stats for Part 2
Part 1 - 8.4% of 7872 sq" (8.4% total)
Part 2 - 14.7% of 7872 sq" (23.1% total)

Joining up with the regular Monday Mystery Link Up at the Quiltville blog!
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E5 Rising Sun

Dear Jane Quilt - Block E5 Rising Sun

As you will see from my other posts I have a few other projects on the go at the moment which means Dear Jane is taking a back seat for the time being.  Even with the excitement of new colours, I am finding it difficult to find time to do the blocks.

This was a nice simple block.  In the original Dear Jane quilt, this block is done in red and white, which ties in with its original Japanese origin. Mine is blue.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing, Applique
Pieces: 17

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H11 Piercing Rays

Dear Jane Quilt - Block H11 Piercing Rays

Do you see all the fussy cutting I have done with Block H11 Piercing Rays?  The Kim Diehl fabric makes it look like an optical illusion.  Another easy English Paper Pieced Dear Jane block which could be classed as an octagon if necessary.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 16

Miniature Block of the Month November 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month November 2015 - The Quilt Room

I am not sure whether anyone had noticed, but I had got a bit behind with my Quilt Room Miniature BOM.  With the imminent announcement of the Part 1 of the Allietare Mystery Quilt, I felt I needed to get my house in order before 2016 was upon us.  So here is the November block, 'Evening Star'.


Miniature Block of the Month 2015 - Foundation Piecing

With each block being a month apart, I still haven't managed to get into the swing of foundation piecing, so it was a relief that this one was just simple strips.


Miniature Block of the Month  2015 - The Quilt Room

I now have eleven blocks complete and this next week should see the release of the December block and possibly the options for the final layout.  I still have to remove all the papers, but it has been nice to see this quilt quietly move along throughout the year.  Does anyone know of any BOM's starting at the beginning of 2016?

Miniature Block of the Month October 2015 - The Quilt Room

Miniature Block of the Month October 2015 - The Quilt Room

Yes, I know. It is nearly December and I have only just completed the Quilt Room's October Miniature Block of the Month.  This was due to a bit of a muddle there end and a bit of a muddle my end, so I am willing to share responsibility.  I wanted to get them done before I started this years Quiltville Mystery quilt and get ahead of myself.

This one is called 'Pinwheel Star' and could have had loads of different colour combinations.  The layer cake of 'Snowman Gatherings' which I have been using is coming to the end of its useful life and this is BOM becoming a scrap project.

I don't actually live near to the Quilt Room shop and haven't found many others doing this BOM online which makes me think that I need to update my social media habits - where do you spend most of your time these days to get you quilty fix?

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 1

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 1

I am pleased to say that I have started the Allietare Mystery Quilt for 2015!  I wait all year for the details of the annual mystery and it hasn't been until today that I have been able to get hold of my rotary cutter and get going on it!  Here are just some of the half square triangles that I machine pieced today, but I am pleased to say that all the units for Part 1 of Allietare are complete.

Allietare Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 1

Last week I shared my alternative Allietare Mystery Quilt fabric selection with you.  Since then there has been a slight change in plan with the original pink being swapped for tan.  As I mentioned, this quilt is going to have a home in the bedroom, matching the checked curtain fabric which you can see behind the bundles.  The pink was nice, but on closer inspection the fleck of colour in the curtain fabric was tan, not pink - no worries, there is plenty of tan in my stash!  Working with just the neutrals and the constant today meant I didn't have to make any final decisions about the combination of the other colours - maybe that will be next week ...

Allietare Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 1, Neutrals


One of the reasons I enjoy the Bonnie's Mystery Quilt each year is because it is a chance to reacquaint myself with my fabric scraps and my fabric stash.  In this selection of neutrals there is the remainder of the Jo Morton fabric which I used for the Humble Quilts Miniature Doll Quilt Swap back in May, the button fabric which first showed its face in the Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt in 2013, and a fat quarter of feather fabric which I knew I would use 'some day' - it certainly justifies those random purchases.

Allietare Mystery Quilt 2015 - Part 1, Constant

My constant is this two tone green fabric 'Sherwood Fern' (1501) by Henley Studio. I have enjoyed watching the different combinations appear as I pressed them open with the iron and am pleased with my colour combination so far.


Creative Grids 45 / 90 Triangle Ruler

As on previous times, I am using the Creative Grids 45 / 90 Triangle Ruler.  The shape and the lines on this ruler are different to the Easy Angle Ruler which Bonnie recommends, so I had a few trial runs to make sure I came up with the right size half square triangle unit.



Sewing machine maintenance

I also spent some time before I started to do a bit of maintenance I gave my machine a thorough clean with a brush, a blow of my aerosol duster, a new needle, lots of bobbins wound and making sure my single needle plate was in place - this accessory really does make sewing triangles FUN!


Suzi the cat - Allietare Mystery Quilt 2015

Suzi the cat did show her face today.  She learnt to sew whilst making the Easy Street Mystery Quilt in 2012, but has not been as enthusiastic this time around.  To be fair, the weather here is horrendous - wet, windy and not the sort of day you should leave the house.  She has chosen to snooze all day, oblivious to the weather and the launch of the major sewing event of the year. 

I will be linking up on Monday to the Quiltville blog and can't wait to see other fabric combinations.  Thank you Bonnie!

BTW; Bonnie's  quilt works out 7872 sq" - part 1 is just 8.4% of the total!
 

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 13, D12, E5, F11 H11

Dear Jane Quilt - Draw 12, C1, D10, M1, M6

I think this set of blocks is my favourite so far.  I will always say that red is my favourite colour, but if you look at my clothes, my home furnishings and accessories, green comes a close second.

Time for the next draw ....

D12 - Crossed Swords
E5 - Rising Sun
F11 - On Target
H11 - Piercing Rays

The excitement continues with yet another NEW colour - BLUE.  If you like blue and you like Dear Jane quilts, head over to see what my sister has achieved. 

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M6 Simplicity

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M6 Simplicity

Whilst I am a keen English Paper Piecing addict, it is very rare that you will see a hexagon on this blog.  No hexagons today, just a big octagon.  Block M6, Simplicity is another opportunity to show off my fancy striped fabric, from the Winter Blessings range by Kim Diehl.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 25

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M1 Dogwood Days

Dear Jane Quilt - Block M1 Dogwood Days

With block M1 Dogwood Days complete, I have just been researching what the term 'Dogwood Days' is all about.  Apparently it is a celebration of the Spring blossoming of the Dogwood trees in the USA.  Further research revealed that loads of US states have fairs to celebrate the event. 

I will admit that is was more luck than judgement that the fussy cut squares in the centre of this block are four leaf flowers, like the Dogwood blossom, but doesn't it look great?  I will admit that I am loving these green blocks and this one is particularly cute.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 29

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D10 Battlefield

Dear Jane Quilt - Block D10 Battlefield

This is Block D10 Battlefield.  I was stitching this at one of my local quilt groups and a lot of concern was raised about the size of those corner triangles (and my mental health).  Whilst my paper templates were floating about I was more concerned if there was a draft or if someone sneezed!  Now they are safely stitched into the completed 4.5" block, they are in control - a bit raggety at the edges, but nothing the sashing won't rein in.

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 42

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C1 Trooper Green's Badge

Dear Jane Quilt - Block C1 Trooper Green's Badge

This is my first 'green block'. It certainly makes a refreshing change and I think the fussy cutting with the stripes has added a bit of 'je ne sais quoi', and makes it look more complex than it really is.

With the clocks changing recently it has become a bit of a struggle to get decent photographs.  Oh to see a bit of daylight!

Techniques: English Paper Piecing
Pieces: 13