I have my pattern for block 1 printed out, starring at me.

the question is a simple one, Looking at section B I have my fabrics all picked out.
the question is, do I make each of the 4 blocks identical? Or make that section different so it is really scrappy?

Sorry it took so long to reply after work I rushed home made dinner for the family then off to women's Bible study, then home and make fudge cherry cheesecake brownies for work tomorrow.
So, scrappy or not to be scrappy that is the question (sorry I'm sleep deprived) to make all four the same colors would be easier for cutting and make for quicker assembly...then there is the 40 blocks all different. In many of the modern NYB's they are all different but I've also seen a more controlled scrappy look.
I think I am going to do all different. I don't know if that helps or not? But I am looking forward to seeing what you decide.

This is a good place to share ideas, so I thought I'd tell you what I'm going to do. I'm trying to use up my stash, and many pieces are fat quarters. I'm going to place my pieces onto four fat quarters stacked up, and cut out the pieces for the block that I'm doing. I will then piece them together. Each block will have basically the same fabrics (I might throw a different one in for contrast) but it will be in a different location in the block. I hope that this makes sense. And, I hope it works when I try it.

This weekend is our Thanksgiving holiday in Canada, so I doubt that there will be much piecing occuring at my house, but there will be lots of time for family and friends -- turkey and all the trimings.

amh
Saskatoon SK Canada

Our family originally came from Canada so we are having turkey on Sunday and inviting our friends over since the on on November is strictly just family. I am looking forward too turkey and a new recipe for pumpkin. Cheesecake with marshmallow topping!

Amh I kinda like your idea of a somewhat controlled scrappy. I am throwing that idea around in my mind. I am still not 100% sure if I can do this. I am on the 50 paper pieced stars group. We still have 10 more to go. Plus I have several other projects going. I will decide over the weekend. This is one of the quilts on my bucket list.
Pat

O also love all of the zodiak stars on this website. DOes anyone have them? I would love them. Yet another thing to add to my long bucket list.
Pat

Gosh, I haven't touched fabric in two weeks. I have been back on a counted cross stitch kick. When the sewing mood hits me again I will work on my NY beauty.

wow!! do you know, i have had the 'urge' to do some too!!:p
what's wrong with us!!! lol...:D
:D:D:D rofl...

I was hoping to see some more pictures ;)

I seem to do crafts in spurts. I bought lots of new Batiks too for the sew along and am in the middle of a batik sampler that has four NYB blocks in it and am half way done but stopped and then picked up counted cross stitch and am on a roll with that now. So when the mood hits me again to sew I will.

Well, here's my first go at it:




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It looks great!!

Your first block for October is BEAUTIFUL!! :D I love your fabric's & color's. Thank you for sharing with all of us today!!
:D :D :D :D

First block down. There was much ripping out involved, but it was fun nonetheless. I have the hang of it now, and have the next block cut out and ready to sew. Seems to take me as long to cut it out as it does to sew it. This will be my first attempt at adding a photo to a post, so I hope it works.

amh
Saskatoon SK Canada

All four look great!!

I'm in Boss Lady. I'm in

Well I don't feel so bad now! I thought there was something wrong with me! I jump around too, working on sewing or quilting then switching to knitting or crochet or something else. I cross stitch also but not as much as I used to. There just isn't enough time to do all the things I want to!
Right now I am knitting a wrap for my youngest, crocheting a baby blanket, piecing another baby blanket. I have copied the first four NYB blocks and they are sitting there waiting for me to get to them. I *think* I will get to them today. I plan to use batik in them. I have a good size collection and I guess it is time to use some of them.
I guess it's time to learn how to send a picture now.
Have a great day all!
Phyllis

Beautiful blocks both jclinganrey and amh!

Here are my first blocks. I decided on batiks and stocked up a few weeks ago. Never realized there were so many batiks. Let's just say I've got the big box of crayons. I'm enjoying pping the blocks. This is my first attempt. There were quite a few rip outs... not having enough fabric to flip over... stitching on the wrong line. I think I have the hang of it now and have started on the next blocks.

I tried the second block (block 1) and it kicked my butt. Yep, I said it. It kicked my butt. I tried to post a pic but couldn't even manage that. Probably just as well. Will make more the the '0' block to regain some conficence then will re-visit the #1 block.

I discovered that my blocks squared up to 8" which will be 7 1/2" finished. Fine with me!!!

How is everyone else doing??

Jane

They are beautiful. When I make one I am using colorful Batiks too.

Nice blocks ladies. I am still in the starting blocks, the patterns are printed out and I have plenty of batiks but nothing has happened yet. Hopefully this weekend. Even if I can just master block 0 that would be great. If I'd do 4 of those each month I would still end up with a nice quilt.

efayard:

Love your blocks. Can't wait to see your next blocks.

amh
Saskatoon SK Canada

I have a question ladies.

When I sewed the curved pieces together, I had to take the paper off to get a nice curve. It would be nice to be able to stop any stretching by keeping the paper on. Is there a trick that someone has that they can share. I've made my blocks 12 inch, which should make it easier, but it did not seem to do that.

Also, is there a trick to cutting out the pieces. What I did was cut out each piece (actual size), lay all the like colored pieces on my ironing table about an inch apart. I then took a piece of friezer paper and ironed it onto the pieces. I then could iron the pieces onto my fabric and cut out. I could then cut rectangles and cut them apart later, or cut the freezer paper piece out (leaving enough seam allowance) and plop it into a little space to conserve fabric. Some of these blocks have many pieces and I'm wondering if someone has a slick way of cutting them out as the above was quite time consuming.

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I tackle more blocks, but thought I would try to pick the brains of some expert paper piecers. I welcome any suggestions.

amh
Saskatoon SK Canada

Oh dear such beautiful blocks! I love to see them!

amh, I can't help you here as I only made one on these blocks for my Sylvia and I didn't have lots of troubles with that one. But it's quite some time ago and I don't remember if I left the paper on or not. I'm sure you will get your answers though from our expert paper piecers :D

I found I had to take the paper off to sew the curved pieces. Also I just cut small rectangular pieces for the piecing. I probably did have more waste but have gotten better at cutting smaller pieces as I went along.

Everyone's blocks are looking fanstatic! I finished Block 1 this morning. I had 4 of Block 0 practically done when I realized I had used GoogleChrome as my browser when printing out the blocks and it printed them smaller so the finished size would not have matched the blocks I had already sewn, URGH all that fabric wasted.

Tip: For curved pieces. I sew along the seam line. Then I rip the paper out from the seam line area leaving the majority of the paper on the block. I snip along the curved pieces to allow for curving the seam. I also smash the paper down if it's bugging me. I also use LOTS of pins. I may have pictures of this at home I will try and post them tonight.

Here are my Block 1's

OH Kristen, you make me want to jump in now! Those blocks are gorgeous!

They do look GREAT. I wish I was in the mood to sew!!

As for cutting the pieces I measure the width of the piece so as an example the archs I measure from the top to the bottom (the height of the block) then I measure the triangle pieces, so if the height is 2 1/2 I will usually cut a strip about2 3/4 to 3 inches and then I measure the triangle piece so if it's 1 1/2 I will cut a square that is 3 1/2 inches and then cut diagonally. I hope that helps.

You'll get there :-) Hopefully all these beautiful blocks will inspire you.

Kristen:

Thanks for the suggestion on how to cut the fabric for pieces. I'll try it with the next block.

I'm not so sure that your Zero blocks are not useable. Perhaps you want to make a flange border for those blocks. It could be quite striking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DapTlyxKuY8

Thanks again for the answers to my questions. Can't wait to get back to working on block #1 again.

amh

That is a great idea. How was your Thanksgiving?

I had a great thanksgiving. I entertained friends on Saturday, and on Sunday entertained family. Once all my visitors went home on Monday all the sheets went into the laundry and I sewed. It was a great weekend. Had to go back to work to rest!!!

I'm looking forward to doing a little bit of sewing this evening as well. These blocks are a bit of a challenge, but that is always fun.

amh

I had 15 people (friends and family) for dinner Sunday. It was quite the feast! My pumpkin cheesecake with marshmallow topping was really good. We pretty much finished off a 21.5 lb turkey I boiled the carcass and pulled the meat off and we had soup Monday.

Good work!!

I downloaded and resized the patterns. I plan to use 8 of them for a purse, as mine is about work out. It'll probably be next month before I have time to get started.

I must say all these blocks look wonderful. But as for myself am having trouble getting it together. The pp is going fine, it's sewing the curves. I read the instructions, but it's just not clicking with me just yet. But seeing the wonderful job everyone else is doing, it will give incentive to keep trying. Love this block so will keep trying. Is there any little tips of putting this together to make it easier that I am missing?

LOL!! I was determined to get my blocks started yesterday. I got in a hurry. I was done with the first one and happy. Got up this morning and thought it looked wrong. I have put my A pieces together the wrong way and ended up with a very nice wedge block. Oh well, guess I will be ripping this morning. And hopefully won't repeat it.

oh wow, I am so glad I signed up for this. BUT....life won't let me sit down at the machine. I still have time so I will this month make time.

I wanted to comment on these blocks. Beautiful and scrappy. Scrappy, is so cool. This is how scrappy I want to do mine. So this means less fretting or what goes in which block.

the pictures and tips are great. Thank you

Oh wow such beautiful blocks. I am dying to start but need to finish a baby quilt and get caught up on my 50 paper pieced stars. Hopefully next week.I really need to quit my job it is interfering with my fun!