oksewglad

Like you Jan I'm not from a line of quilters. My mom was just getting started before she died. She was making "utility" type quilts from left over clothes and drapery fabrics and would put an old woven flannel blanket in the middle and then tie them. I've got a log cabin version she used with 3" strips and bring it out for special guests. No it's not pretty but it's what I have and I cherish it. Her father and GF were tailor's in Sweden, then Gpa got the urge to travel west to America and became a farmer, but sewed in his retirement.

Hey do we have a new groupie? Welcome DaeK!

wendiq

QuiltE . Two nice blocks.....I love the sky "raining dog goodies"! I think a sense of humor in a quilt is good...

gardnergal970

What a heritage you have Oksewglad. I think originally all quilting was utility and you have one of the best from your Mom. My grandmothers both quilted utility quilts and I got my start by snipping the chain pieces for Mom while she made the treadle fly as she made quilts for wedding gifts out of feed sacking. I don't remember too much about the finishing but I think she did them all herself. I took some quilting lessons many years ago but didn't really take it up seriously until about 18 months ago. My goal is to make quilts for all of my family. I'll have 10 done by the middle of next month. I love to quilt!

DaeK...saddle up and travel along with us. We're a fun group.

Termi

oksewglad, your EF block is beautiful, very nice contrast and it looks perfectly pieced. I like your little sailboat. It goes well with EF. How do you get your blocks to lay so flat? Mine always come out wavy or bumpy.

gardnergal970

Termi...I like your blocks. I'm far from an expert because my blocks get wavy too but for me, most of it is in the pressing and sometimes I don't have the grain right and it stretches as I sew. Let's see was Oksewglad says.

JeanieG

Here are my blocks for this week. I see QuiltE and I used the same fabric for our sky! We must think alike! LOL

janRN

Termi, what a cute sail boat block--I love the background fabric with the waves; great fussy cutting in EF. Very nice blocks.

Jeanie, I love EF--it's so bright and cheery and I see you used my favorite fabric for sky in sail boat. Great blocks.

oksewglad

Termi and Jeanie, great additions. Love your FC, T, and your sail boat colors especially the striped boat! I see Jeanie's got the raining cat's/dogs fabric too. Great FC in your EF block, too. So cute with the hat and badges with bandana fabrics.

How do they lay flat? EF still has the paper on--won't shift at all!! Since I scan mine with my printer they are pressed flat too. Could be why they are laying flat. Thanks for the kind words. I think I have all the threads cleared off and always seem to have a couple of strays show up.

QuiltE

Well, Well ... what a busy place this has been since I last stopped by!
I'll try to catch up now!!

OKSGlad ... good call on the raining cats and dogs. Speaking of which, we've had storms going thru all evening, with tornado warnings! I don't think there's any serious worry, though of course, things can change suddenly! As always, your blocks are well done. hhmmm? wonder where that centre FC came from? Worked out well with the other fabrics. Muddy waters? I see storm clouds in the back! New printer/scanner is doing a great job.

JanRN ... I didn't have any quilt background in my family either. I know my Mother had made them but not in my time. I too made all my clothes in high school, and most once I started working and after marriage. Even made a coat as well as my wedding dress (no, nothing too intricate). Then life happened, we were busy with the farm, and no time for me and my sewing .... other than to do mending! And on a farm (and with my husband especially), there was LOTS of that to do! I'm SO glad that I got back to the sewing ... particularly discovering my quilting passion.

DaeK ... Welcome to the PC trails!!! Hope you will saddle up and join us. Or perhaps you're getting ready to make a sailboat quilt. With all that history and memories, it'd be ever so special to -remake!

WendiQ ... this quilt is all about humour, and non-sensical stuff for me! I think the yellow has set me free!!!!!

GGal ... OMG ... you've only quilted for 18 months? WOW! You've really mastered things and are motoring! Congratulations!!!!!!!

Termi ... oh how I do like your Fishing Boat ... great match up on those stripes and the sail fabric, just looks like it belongs on the waterfront! And even waves in the water to complete the scene. And EvFav ... those horses are just trotting right along at road speed, I'm sure! You've done yourself proud on bloth blocks.

Your question re getting blocks laying flat ... there may be different solutions, depending on the cause. Is it because of the bulk of the seams that they do not lay flat? or that the pieces are too big/small and causing the problem? seams of varying widths? fabric becoming stretched?

Some of my solutions, lay in the questions. Plus, I press at every step, after every seam, first setting the seams. Spraying the fabric with Best Press (I've converted from spray starch) before you even start to use it can help to stabilize the fabric, particularly when working bias cuts. And for sure, at the very end, the BP can help get all flattened out. I have had blocks that the bulk of the seams were little mountains, but with pressing and some BP, they flattened right out nicely.

JeanieG ... oh so cute! Yes, we must be thinking alike on this! YOur yellow sails and dark blue boat certainly contrast better than mine. Impressive FCing and piecing on Ev Fav!!

mirabelle

Wow everyones blocks are gorgeous, can't wait for Wednesday each week to see what everyones blocks look like.
Thank you all for your kind words, I am really having so much fun