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Practicing FMQ and not having the time I need to stay with it is frustrating. Gardening and garment sewing seem to get in the way. Mabe next month I'll have more time.

I'm trying to learn to FMQ. Sometimes it seems that my sewing machine has a mind of its own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zyngawf (Post 5845766)

I'm working on Ozark maple leaf. For anyone not familiar with this, the leaves overlap from one block to the next so one or two triangles have to be the same fabric to finish the leaf in the block next to it. Piecing the blocks together is like shuffling a deck of cards that I have to put back in order again and lay out before I can go on, every time. It has been a real challenge to my brain, but gets easier. I look for the challenges. I don't really want things that go together quickly after learning about the quilt over population problem, with relatives and friends not always wanting another quilt.

Has anyone out there made this Ozark quilt?

I made "Third Week In October". It's a king size. Generally it looks like the maple leaves are falling onto the ground and into a stream. It's made as a 9 patch and some of the leaves are in 5-6 of the 9 patch. When I first started I tried doing it as a 9 patch but quickly realized I was shuffling so much fabric I couldn't find anything. So I invented a new way. First I enlarged the pattern to about baby blanket size. Then colored it. I chose a fabric for each of the leaves and taped a small piece on the pattern.

Now to a 9'x12' design wall. I pinned up 2" sq marked interfacing. Then I started putting a leaf's parts in the correct location, starting at 1 corner of the pattern. When there was all the parts to the leaf and it's neighbors I pieced anything what wasn't a solid 2" square; some 1/2 sq triangle, some paperpieced odd shapes. When everthing was on the wall, I sewed them together in columns and then rows.

Took several years to complete due to the size and complexity. I had to take breaks for some quick satisfation projects. It's beautiful. Next time I put it on the bed, I'll take a picture and post it.

Kept reading about snow......in August! Oh! This thread was started a long time ago.

I love challenges. And always have too many WIP's. Wed I go to a retreat at a cabin/house at Shaver Lake. It's always been fun. I've got so many deadlines right now, I think I could fill the car and a trailer. DH will put a stop to that. Thank God for him to bring me back to reality. So I have 3 sweat shirts in the makeover. A birthday present to finish the binding. An art quilt group challenge........ I get distracted. And always need a challenge that's moving along nicely to keep me motivated. That's an oxymoron. Maybe I need more coffee.

I loved reading what challenges each person. 60degree triangle, hex, Y seams, curves, paper piecing, making seams match and not cut off the points, FMQ, LAQ, housework (ugh), finding patterns, organizing. All are challenges. Sometimes a simple 1 patch is a releaf.

Another hill to climb and find out what's om the other side. "The bear climbed over the mountain......."

The latest JoAnn's flyer showed a "ragged" butterfly throw. Cute as a button. So, I set out to make my own pattern, and to make it a floor pillow instead. The butterfly body is done, pink pieces from a couple other floor pillows I just completed for my GD's "big girl" room. (she just turned two) The wings are cut out, all just the way I want. I found a cord skirt that I've reclaimed for the wing material. It's multicolored leaves, but they suit me for wings.

NOW since you don't just waltz into a store to buy a butterfly shaped pillow, I'm piecing and patching and puffing together scrap batting to make the pillow, which I've done many a time before. Mostly I'm trying to decide what should be puffier? I haven't done it yet, but I think I need to put some height under the "body" aside from what's in the rest of the wings. Got more than enough spare batting, just have to make sure it's where it needs to be and secured with some serious taking. This is taking far more time than I expected it would.

Quote:

Originally Posted by auntpiggylpn (Post 5843907)

I'm trying to figure out how to make the Periwinkle quilt from Missouri Star Quilt Co without buying their template. I want to make the blocks smaller than what they make them. I worked most of the afternoon making templates and sample blocks. Not quite perfect yet. . . http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ubaCTtz...ature=m-ch-fea

Couldn't you cut a square, guess at the proportions and fold the square and cut a slash from the middle to the edge making the top point more broad than just a diamond cut? May not be excactly the same size as hers, but I'm sure the old periwinkles were not all identical.

That's all her template is after all, a diamond that's stubbier than a diamond.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DebbieJJ (Post 5844109)

I'm working on a quilt for my SIL (my DB's wife). He wants it for her birthday in March, and he was very specific in what he wanted, a one-of-a-kind thing. I've procrastinated until it's time to get to work or be late. I've finally come up with the design, now to get it into motion........easier said than done with bursitis pain in my right shoulder! I'll post when I get it finished.

I hope he's happy with the colors, fabrics and design you've chosen."One of a kind" is not easy to do.

GrannieAnnie......Looks like you're a night owl also. Love you're creative nature.

GrannieAnnie - I remember looking at this - I think it is called an Arkansas Star, and that if you google it, can locate a free template to make that Periwinkle block.

Just finishing the bindings on several Quilts of Valor, two are mine and one is for a friend.