SPINNING PINWHEELS.....

BLOCK # 3 - AFA QUILT-ALONG

This block certainly tested the old Singer 201K.  I took it slowly and in the end I'm pretty happy with how this block has turned out.

I did learn one thing about sewing on the Singer.  I need to check my scant 1/4" frequently, as the seam guide 'shifts' a little without you noticing it.  I purchased a little tool to help me with the scant 1/4" .....

it's called the Perfect Piecing Seam Guide by Perkins Dry Goods.  So every now and then, I place this little guide under the sewing foot, lower the needle into the tiny little hole in the guide and then screw my Singer seam guide in place butting it up against the Perfect Piecing little tool.  I then remove the little ruler and away I go again, sewing with a true 'scant' 1/4" seam.

Now I'm making my Batik version of Block # 3.  

This time I will press my seams to one side.  Up until now, all seams have been pressed open.  I just want to see what difference it might make to this block in particular.  I like to 'stab pin' my triangle points together so I get a nice crisp centre to my pinwheel and you just can't do that using the open seams.  Well, I can't anyway!  I have referred to this method before (Civil War Quilt) - this method is from Rodale's Perfect Piecing - a book I go back to time and again.

I've updated my virtual quilt in my sidebar, it's coming together nicely.

Happy Sewing,

Helen

FABRICS USED IN THIS BLOCK:-
BROWN CONTRAST FABRIC -  "MONOCHROMATIX" BY PATRICK LOSE FOR ROBERT KAUFMAN
ORANGE - RAINFOREST COLLECTION BY  CORAL TREE FABRICS "SUMMER RAIN"

FAWN/BLUE/BROWN/GREEN -  Brook Turquoise Pebbles by CP Designs for Studio e

NOW I'M ...... TEXAS.. H A P P Y ! ! !

TEXAS TEARS... again!

This time I am very happy with the block!  I was extra careful in cutting my  1 7/16" pieces, very careful when I pressed each segment -  NO STEAM!  SPRAY STARCH!    I was super careful when piecing my triangles (marked the  1/4" dots on each point)   I was so careful when I finger pressed the pieces in half to match them up.  I pressed ALL SEAMS OPEN!  

My block measures exactly 8 1/2" square with lovely 1/4" seams all around!

Thank you to everyone who emailed me with info on the rulers.  I have ordered a ruler.. it's an EZ Draft 'n Cut  2" X  18"  ruler.  It has the 1/16" marks.

I did learn a lot making this block.  In all my years of patchwork, I have never had to join triangles like those along the sides of this block.  Most of the things I have made have all used HST's.

Now I'm looking forward to seeing what next Saturday's block is like!

Happy Sewing!

TEXAS TEARS - TRUE TO ITS NAME!

TEXAS TEARS

This is Block 4 of the Civil War quilt.  Good grief! this one was a challenge!  My block is actually wrong, as the T has too much seam left at the centre top.  My mistake? ...  I didn't have a ruler with 16th markings, only 8th's and quarters.  So, I cut it at 1 1/2" instead of 1 7/16" but used a larger seam allowance - hence the extra bit on the top of my T.  So today, I decided to make another one, this time marking the 7/16 mark on my ruler (from a very old tape measure).   I cut it all out, pieced it together (taking photos along the way) but still my block was wrong.  Now, my first block actually came out the correct size -  8 1/2" but this next block was almost 9" and I had no seam allowance left on the outside of the block which in this case actually cut off my T.  Okay, you know the old seamstress trick..... measure twice, cut once .......  yep, you guessed it!  Perhaps I need new reading glasses, but I had marked my 1 7/16 incorrectly!!!  So the arms of my X were too wide! Oh dear, you live and learn!  and YES... I am making ANOTHER one!  Hey, I have oodles of this Civil War fabric so I might as well keep going and get it right!  I'm a stickler for figuring things out (as my friends know only too well)  .... I will get this block right!!

Does anyone have a ruler with 1/16th marks.  If so, what make is it?  I obviously need to get one!

Now onto some really exciting news:-

SPIKE Jr.

Many of you know we have a daily visitor ...... Spike the Kookaburra    and more recently.. Mrs. Spike.

Well today I had a lovely little visitor..... baby Spike!    If you double click on the photo you will get a closer look at him.  He is just adorable!  Today he was growling with his Mum and Dad but I haven't heard him actually laugh yet.  Kookaburras make the strangest sound (like a growl) when they want to be fed or are worried that the other bird is getting more than them.  Little Spike has the growl all figured out but has to work on his laugh.  It's so wonderful to have these little visitors.  We don't overfeed them - trust me... I know (picture bits of grasshoppers, frogs etc hanging from beaks!!) but we do give them the best cuts of meat (no minced meat as it sticks to their beaks).

Okay, back to more Texas Tears.....

Happy Sewing!