Wheel of Time - Melissa V

I went back and caught up with block 1.  I made mine 9 inches to fit into my sampler.

First Five...

No, Wait! Wasn't that the title of an Education Initiative in California a few years back? Not what I meant at all!!! I meant that I'm finally back with the FBP, and I'm caught up (where I hope to be all year, thank you very much!)

Thanks to Hetty for stepping up and continuing the party; hope to see Donna's comments occasionally, and wish for her a more serene 2010!

There has been plenty of weirdness down here, with strange weather, interesting relationships, and general excitability. But I think that is all past now (hope, hope...) and the year should begin to "line out" a bit.

We who drive livestock understand that term, and if you don't want an explanation, skip this next part...

In the beginning of moving a herd (cattle or horses), there is lots of confusion and dust, and lots of moving along at different speeds. Eventually, the herd settles down and the leaders aren't feeling the need to run down the trail anymore. They set a reasonable pace, and the rest of the stock following their lead settle into a rough line behind them, with the "drag riders" keeping the stragglers from getting totally lost. How is that for totally un-quilty bit of trivia?

Anyway, my year is lining out, and I'm finally back in the space I want to be - so "LET'S PARTY!" I still have trouble getting the text to ine up with the pictures, but if I only post one photo a week, that problem should take care of itself, too!

I declare this year my own personal "Year of the UFO" and "Not Buying That"... Since I have about 10 of those huge plastic tubs full of fabric, not buying more isn't really a hardship - but the blocks may come out with some really odd and ancient (80's???) fabric in them. Here goes...

The first block is "Wheel of Time" in solids. I've never made a block that had no print or 'texture' in it at all, so this is a first... sort of Amish-looking. Not my favorite block ever, but not bad.

"Another Star" was from week two. I'm going to make all the 12" blocks in reds, blues, and whites (or a variation - but those colors predominately) until I get enough that Play Well Together to make into a quilt. Then maybe I'll switch colors? Controlled chaos.

Next is "Quatrefoil". I really liked this one; very straightforward block, with possibility of secondary pattern if one were to make a "One Block Quilt" (never done that - could be interesting!) Repeat of the R/W/B colors as it is 12"block.

Odds 'n' Ends was just that. A tiny block, and I found some blue strips from a backing that were just wide enough to do. The green print is from a dress I made for my daughter when she was in Kindergarten (she's now 29!), so it is dated... but I like the flowers.

Both fabrics were quite soft and the block isn't as even as I'd have liked, but it will never show! Keystoning in the picture doesn't help either.

This last one is "Mothers Dream" - actually the block for this week. Thanks to Kathy for the "How to..." regarding the use of the square, strips and triangles. You are right; far less bulk, and much easier construction.

Two Down...50 to go

I was feeling guilty about not getting my blocks done each week. It felt like I was starting the year already behind the power curve. So yesterday I set other stuff aside to dedicate a bit of time to catch up.

First, Week #1-Wheel of Time. I'm continuing to make the larger blocks from Homespuns/Plaid until I have enough for an entire queen sized quilt. Using homespun has been a challenge but I have found the practice very successful. I no longer use tons of spray starch to stablize that stretchy, uncooperative fabric. It has been wonderful to improve my skill handling difficult fabric.



I'm not enamored by this block. I made the 12" version and it was very easy to piece and not particularly inspiring.

Week #2 was another story. I really like this block. So much so that I didn't make just one. I made nine.




Voila! A nice little Spring wall hanging. The block is relatively easy to piece and great for doing scrappy (which I love.)




I plan to use this block sometime soon to tackle my 3.5" stip bin which doesn't get used often enough.

Thanks so much, Hetty, for for keeping this fun project going. I have seen a marked improvement in my piecing skill and I even have a completed quilt for my grandson because of FBP. As well as lots of blocks waiting to join new ones to become quilts in 2010. Welcome to our newest members. What a great bunch of ladies!

2010 Week 1 - Evelyn/Starfishy

wheeling along

Here's my first block for 2010 -- I think I'll do the 12" blocks in greens & golds for a while...

Wheel of Time

Thank you Hetty for letting me join. I tried to think of fabric I have on hand as I have a small stash and well Dh's cast off jeans and khaki pants it was. The thick denim was tricky to work with but I can't wait to make some more squares.

Patchwork Jenn

Wheel of Time

I decided to try a soft pink combination for this block, which I'm going to use as the centre in a medalion quilt. It went together very well and fairly quickly.

Happy New Year to you all, and thank you Hetty for organising this year's Party.

Ros

Kathie's Week 1

I'm so glad this weekly block party is continuing in 2010. I missed the end of 2009 because of being out of the country, and am glad to be back to my sewing machine again. Thanks for starting us off with a star pattern. I love stars and would probably be happy doing just them for a year!! This year I think I'll be a little more organized in my fabric choices so that I have blocks to put together for a quilt. I have a lot of Thimbleberries fabric, so I think that will be my fabric of choice most of the time. Here's my first of many.

Kathie L in Allentown

Wheel of Time

Here's my 'Wheel of Time'. It's not a difficult block, but I had a heck of a time with it. I had to re-cut, unsew and put a lot of time between sewing sessions on this one. I think it was the head cold that had me making so many mistakes. I feel a bit better today and the last of this block went together without a hitch.

As for posting of labels, I think we can go with the one that Jeanne did on her last post.

name, 10 week 1

Just make sure you put a comma between your name and no commas in the rest of the label.

Week 1 of 2010

Okay! Here we go for another year! I am going by Quilt Pixie's list, but if anyone has any other suggestions for future blocks, let me know.

This week's block is called 'Wheel of Time'. That seems appropriate for the first week of 2010, don't you think?

I am trying to figure out a way to keep these blocks separated from last year's blocks. If I put 'week 1' in the labels it will become mixed in with those. So I think we should put the year first, such as 'week 10-1'. Does that make sense? Let me know if anyone has a better idea.

Edit: I changed the label to: name, 10 week 1