The Yahoo Group is a great resource and anyone can join.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/farmerswifesampler/
The piecing pdfs are in the File section under "Foundation Patterns."

They're doing their blocks in a different order but the pix are fun.

I'm trying to avoid making hideous looking blocks, but at the same time, use some of the hideous fabric I've somehow acquired over the years. I often try to mimic Laurie's blocks because I'm pretty bad about getting color values/contrast right. When we first started FWS, I divided a lot of fabrics into sets of colors that I thought would go well together. If a block requires 5 colors, for example, I look through my sets of 5, hoping to find one that works well for that block.

I get a lot of surprises. Sometimes the "perfect" colors are definitely NOT and sometimes, the "iffey" ones end up making a stunning block. I am learning a lot, though, so I'm grateful for that.

Thanks for the site. I actually found it!! Go me!!

Just be aware that the pages can get cut off sometimes. You'll need to be on your toes.

Anyone who hasn't purchased the book should *not* use the paper piecing patterns from the FW Quilt yahoo group. That's really important. The author made a wonderful book and should be rewarded for it. Buy her next book, too. :0)

I agree everyone should, at least, buy the Farmers wife book to do the quilt. I also purchased the disk from Electric Quilt to do the blocks and love it. Installed it with my EQ7 stuff, and can go back and print the block as many times as I need to paper piece or templates.

In case you cannot tell, I like the unique, different approachs to individualize my fabrics in my blocks. And love the variety of the blocks I see on this site. I do an outline of the block printing to "tack" each complete block to, add it to the protective shield and put it into a large 2 1/2 notebook in order as we are making them on this site. IF I have a problem, I will ask the knowledgable friendly folks on this site...some one will know the answer. I have been very impressed with their knowledge and friendly attitude on THIS site. Thanks to those who ask the questions and thanks to those who answer.

I do not know if I am going to use the contrary husband or contrary wife block in the final block arrangement; other blocks have also been duplicated to make the final decision later. It's hard to tell who is the most contrary in our marriage, but it is a true partnership of equal faults and good points that seem to blend well.

I haven't been able to get on the site for a few days and enjoyed reading everyone's comments! I used similar colors as others have done. Regarding the pping blocks on another site...that's soo odd. I have EQ, so it's not a problem for me, but I know having patterns will be helpful for many people! There are just some blocks that are so designed as to have pping be a blessing for sure!

I'm trying to use up scraps - I use the smallest pieces in my stash up, and move up to the pieces that are almost as large as a FQ. Only when I absolutely needed some cream/light did I cut into a larger piece. As I do this, the "leftovers" get divvied into either the 1 1/2" square basket for another quilt, or into my smaller-than-1.5" scrap box for a crumb quilt.

I've been making my own pp. lol

Kind of wish I were using scraps but I'm taking the scraps from this project and using them for stuffing.

I've heard of a lot of people using scraps for stuffing, but I remind myself that even my scraps are $9 a yard. Only the teensiest pieces go unused. I'm doing my best to NOT go fabric shopping - but it's an addiction!

Yes, indeed. I try to keep my stash down to works in progress only. I'm not doing too badly at it.

The stuffing's only for butts! :0D Scraps add weight and sturdiness. In other areas, I use wool or cotton.