Picking colors is the hardest part of these blocks; it takes me longer to decide on a color combo that it does to actually make the block sometimes. Seeing all these different combinations and styles is so helpful & inspiring. I look forward to seeing what yinz (Pittsburghese) chose.

When I join the sections together I press my seams open after I remove the paper in the seam allowance. I started sewing clothes when I was in high school a few years ago (LOL) and the seams were always pressed open; there is much more stress on clothing seams than on block seams. Plus there will be quilting over the seam lines so I don't think pressing them open weakens them. Plus the fact that I'm anal about flat seams.

All caught up now. Here are augusta and aunt. I'll work on my alphabet quit until week 5.

Pam, You can always make doubles in another themed fabric :D...Oh the gorgeous blocks I'm seeing!!!

Haha I know Honchey. I don't think you all know what a novice I really am. It is all I can do to get these done. I really am enjoying this process and am committed to it for the long haul. Thank you all because I am learning so much. Honchey, I was going to reach out to you earlier today about my sewing machine. I have a Brother CS 6000i. Were you the one who told me you had worked on one of these? I am asking because I was wondering if I am supposed to oil it.. (don't laugh everyone, I really don't know). My manual does not describe how to do it. I have been thinking it needs attention. I was wondering if it doesn't tell how to do it because they expect you to take it somewhere.

Aunt was calling my name, saying use Jinny Beyer striped fabric, so I gave in and sewed her. I think I've done every block out of order so far. :-p

Wonderful 'eye' candy ladies! Wow. Wow. And WOW!

Thanks Jeanie, i did follow the instructions for cleaning the bobbin. Weird that it wouldn't need to be oiled though.

Givio, more gorgeous fabric and expert piecing and, Rosy, I'm loving all your flower prints. Pam, I have an Elna Quilter's Pro that I'm not supposed to oil. The manual says it's self-lubricating.

Well I didn't get home from work until around 10 last night. So I didn't do any sewing. I did get my fabrics picked out for my redoing of April and Aunt. Along with a plan of attack to organize my stash for this project. Also finished fabric picking for next week, so that's something. I'm going to have a pretty slow day at work today so I'm hoping to do some prep and precutting for several blocks. This week started out kinda frustrating with these, but now that I have settled on a colorway I think (hope) it will get a bit easier. Man this project has already taught me a ton. I needed to narrow my color options so I could actually get stuff accomplished, instead of trying this and that and not loving the results. For this much work, I want to LOVE the result!

I'm considering cutting my some of main solids into 2.5" strips. It seems like that size will works for many of the blocks. I have enough yardage that I can do that and still have plenty to use if I need larger pieces. Have any of you guys done that?