Well. Now that I've digested the setting triangles, I see why Joe's Mom redid some of her half blocks into full blocks. I'm going ahead with what I have but I am tempted to switch out those ones that I'm not happy with. As I do the setting triangles I'm being slightly fussy with what yellows I use and am not using any of the lightest ones that gave me the most troubles. As long as I stuck with school bus yellow I was ok, it was me diving into lemonade that caused problems.

I understand we need mysteries but I would have definitely made some different decisions on my pinwheels had I known then what I know now. So for those of you who are lagging behind benefit from looking ahead! There are reds I could have happily used for the half blocks that I didn't use at all because they were just an inch short of the full blocks...

I don't think this is a "breaking the rules" picture especially since the reveal has been made and we've been showing our blocks but I had a hard time picturing the pieces that would be left over and I figured that the half blocks would be a bit better utilized, but no... these are indeed half blocks made from the pieces of a full block. So these are the pieces left over from one block.

Hmmm.... this is going to require more thought and more coffee.

While it doesn't bother me to have the rough edges for the setting triangles, I do that sort of thing all the time, it does bother me to have those unused pieces greatly.

Current thought is to just make them into full blocks, using what I've learned with being pickier on the yellows. Then take the blocks I'm unhappiest with and use them for the setting triangles, expect more of those pink ones in the edges along with the yellow/green bad combos and the ones with issues. No, it won't bother me to "do all that work" to put them together only to slice them apart -- I already did a lot of work in cutting and subunit assembly. Sometimes we call that crazy quilting for a variety of reasons. And hah! those funky monkeys that photo-bombed my progress shots will get culled out of the zoo by a quick flick of the rotary cutter. That first block where the one point disappears into the other square... well it will also disappear via rotary cutter.

I piece backs anyway, I'll make a sash of those sliced blocks and incorporate it there.

edit: I'll have to make the four corners as directed first and then yes, I think I will need to make some more 4-patches but I have plenty of narrow/short scraps. Another one of my problems in the early rounds was a red that had dark blotches and of course, just the dark blotch shows in the 1" square size. The sash would just be the triangles alternating in a single row, that should be enough to go across the quilt in one direction, or close enough for my purposes.

I just saw an interesting completed top on Quiltville. It looks like yellow was used in place of aqua, and a busy blue print as the neutral. The result of the yellow and receded sashing 'blocks' is that the stars really pop! The one drawback would be that the green doesn't show up as much against the blue. It also has a busy bunch of borders; all in all, it makes quite an impression.

Today I finished all my corner blocks and half of sewing the FG together. I did put one whole block together, without the sashing.. and it's ok. I have one point on the center star that doesn't line up accurately. I'm debating whether to rip that out and try to fix it. Tomorrow is another day. LOL

Well, I thought and thought and hemmed and hawed all day yesterday and didn't actually sew a stitch. I don't really want to but I think for me the thing to do is to make those setting triangles into full blocks and then cut my blocks for the half blocks, using the remainders as an accent strip on the back (which will be pretty cool actually). When I get my full set of blocks happy, I'll start cutting the setting triangles oversized at 1" over the diagonal point. That will let me slice off whatever it is I wish to slice off and give me plenty for the setting.

It is not ideal with the way the seaming and block is constructed, that diagonal seam does concern me. It would be easier if I used scraps to make some additional units to make two setting triangles instead of one and a bunch of "waste", but with my hand-dyes and the way we did that wouldn't be as easy as it sounds although it is possible. I will look and see if I can make the additional aqua/blue combinations (plus the red/blue 4-patches) that would allow me to get two blocks out of a half set. For some reason, not using entire block sets doesn't bother me as much as an unused half.

Yes, I could make something out of what is left from what I've already worked on but I basically just don't want to. If my scraps were more just on the dark/light side of things, I'd find them more usable for other projects, but as they are, my mind is not expanding to use them in any other project.

I've gone through my existing blocks and have selected out the one with the bad pinwheel, the bad green/yellow connections and other funky monkey type errors. I haven't cut them yet and won't until the very end, but I've marked them with a safety pin at the offending point. So I don't have to make all remainders into blocks if I can add in just a couple of triangles here and there, but for now it's back to the sewing machine with me.

It isn't that much extra work, I come out without extra pieces, and I'll be happier. All around, it's a win/win.

You and me both, Iceblossom. It was that interesting Frolic photo I saw that distracted me. It got me thinking about neutrals again, and led to some experimenting, but in the end I decided to stick with my current plan.

By the end of the day today I hope to be back to where I was when I realized I would have to switch out some blocks. From there it shouldn't be long before I have the half blocks finished. I'm eager to start on the full ones.

I saw another interesting Frolic photo this morning on Quiltville. This one was set on point yet had no movement whatsoever. The only distinctive feature I can see that sets it apart from Bonnie's version is that there is virtually no contrast between the goose and wing color on the green geese. They are both dark and the green is a very bluish green.

I haven't begun the quilt but I have a question about the flying geese. I like to make mine in the 4-at-a-time method (Deb Tucker wing clipper ruler)...but I'm wondering if there's any way to use that method to make the 3-color flying geese? I'm really averse to cutting the pieces out as half-square and quarter-square triangles and then having to attach the bias edges to each other - I always manage to stretch them somehow during that process. :rolleyes:

Maybe I just have to use the method of two squares on a rectangle, making one unit at a time, although it does tend to be a bit wasteful.

Do any of you awesome ladies have any tips or tricks for those three-color geese?? Thanks!

For my geese, PiedPiper, I started with Bonnie's Mountain/Goose triangle the size she had us cut it from the strip. Instead of using the two squares method. I cut an oversized square which I then sliced on the diagonal and centered the too big corner triangle on the correctly sized goose.

Many people used different techniques. Just keep in mind that it does matter which side is which on the 3 colored ones.

I press open so could ignore all that, but if you press to the side her blocks will go together better if you follow her directions on which way/how/when to do the seams.

I am processing along at my pace, working on clue 6, making flying geese, and finished over the halfway mark now. I like what I have done, and doing now. Patience is a virtue, although I am in the slow lane, I am still moving forward. Loving the postings.

Yay, I fixed the off point in the center of the first block, finished sewing the FG together and matched up all the sets. Then I made a second block... I'm happy!

suern3: They are the cornerstones you will put into the sashing for the blocks.

Thanks for your response. If I just keep plugging away I will probably see that. And thanks to Joe's Mom and Iceblossom ,too, for info.

I reviewed a youtube video of the Wing Clipper and it doesn't look like that will work for the tri-color geese, unless you want to throw away half of them (because half will turn out with the colors on the wrong side). I never had good results sewing HSTs to QSTs until this year, but found that with a scanter seam, I was able to get usable geese and I actually ended up enjoying the process. I guess you will have to fall back on the drawing line method if you don't want to work with the bias edge. It's definitely worth the trouble in the end!

I had to stop working on my half blocks today because I ran out of leader/ender pieces and had to stop and press and pin to get the next batch ready.

I'm always happier when I have a plan instead of a day of decisions. So today I got the four corners done along with the additional/remade 4-patches. I was able to pull out some matching fabric and make the couple additional pieces needed to turn one cut set into 4 different matching corners. It's often a joke/comment I make to myself even in a charm quilt where all pieces are different, the four corners are the same holding everything in.

I'm going to start out by only making 4 full blocks out of the remainders for the setting units. I'm watching the yellows and discarding the lighter ones that were giving me the most problems, I will most likely need to cut a few more but right now I still have plenty. Because of the diagonal seam I will get by cutting the blocks, I'd rather avoid that by making just the setting triangle units as Bonnie designed. I'm hoping I can pull out a few of my scraps and turn each block/set into two triangles (that's why I made the extra 4-patches). For some reason, it doesn't bother me as much to not use an entire set rather than have two half sets of pieces left...

Even though I'm improving some of my issues, I still chose badly with my Parakeet/Yellows and I'm going to go ahead with the minor change of using my "Parakeet" in the sashing strips instead of Neutral.

Finally -- I've got the last of the dark hand dyes stabilized and in the dryer now! So still work ahead of me tonight (ironing, ugh). And then just a couple more hours to stabilize the last little batch and it is all done, quite the sizable stack at that!

Tomorrow at small group I will need something to do -- so I'm going to start pinning the HST units together for the border. Perfect sort of task for sitting around a table and chatting while working. The way it is designed the saw teeth do go in a certain way. I'm going to be pinning them together as one red/one blue, then putting those into squares and so on and so on. It will be a big motivator to work on the border too, because I'll be using all my pins!

Linda, your blocks are so cute! Great job.

Leslie

IceBlossom, I am at the same point you are, just digesting what those blocks really look like. I know I need one more to make one more full block to do an in point layout, but just can’t bring myself to do it. My 12 full blocks are together in units, and all matched up.

Will start on the setting triangles and corners tomorrow, but will likely stop and digest some more. Hoping to fund a way to use the pieces from those, plus a few more that I can cut, to stretch pieces for 8 blocks into 10 half blocks and 1 more full blocks. Am currently thinking of using the left FG as border corners, and doing the pinwheel borders. The 2 HST borders don’t do much for me. Or maybe make 4 4x4 QST or maybe.....

I took the hst squares and turned them into a stripe border. I will post a picture this weekend. My quilt went in a different direction than what Bonnie showed.

I have almost half my blocks assembled but to be honest I'm not wild about them. Not really sure why.
They are going together nicely but they lack a wow factor. Maybe I'll feel differently down the road.
I think I'm struggling with the excessive scrappyness of it?
Will post more pics soon.

I am still plugging away at my individual blocks, and my story is the same as everyone else. I am a little disappointed but my color combinations in the individual blocks, but I do actually like the effect as I add more and more blocks to my file. I am still happy with the experience and will do it again next year. I think right now i'm just dealing with a little burnout of looking at the same fabrics over and over for so long. I love the finished project, I'm just a little shaky on my journey there. I'm nervous my version of the finished project will be different enough to lose what I loved about Bonnie's.

I am loving seeing everybody's blocks and layouts! Keep up the good work!

Well, I think I have all my units done, so now time to get them organized and put together a block. Based on all the issues I had with my flying geese, I have renamed my quilt "Pointless". I have kind of been dragging my heels and finding other projects that I have to do first:)

wildyard, your blocks are so pretty!

Origami, I always feel that Bonnie's version is special, and attribute that to the fact that she is able to choose her fabrics with foresight, rather than working blind.

Qbj, I'm looking forward to seeing your version!

LOL.

Well, once I got my roars of laughter over "Pointless" down to a low chuckle, I decided I had some time to do some work before group.

I'm taking my neutral (yellow) squares and 4-patches and putting them together first. They do not go all the same way, they need to be pairs of mirror images. Red top corner for half, and Blue top corner for the other half.

I've used up all my pre-cut yellows, discarding the lightest of them, but that's easy to cut more, I've kept the pile of yellows on top next to the pile of my newly defined "Parakeet". I've got just enough time to sew and press them before group, leaving me all possible pins for working on the border. I think this is a good way to get me to stop groaning and just do it, it won't be too bad really and I won't be able to start any new projects until I free my pins from this border.

Thanks, ladies, for the tips on the flying geese. Your input is greatly appreciated.


And I am so enjoying seeing everyone's progress! Such beautiful and varied quilts being made from one lovely pattern! :)

Can someone help me?
I don't know why but I can't see or figure out the alternating block.
I've read the instructions over and over and don't see how it's put together.
Thanks!

Susie , the alternate block is made up from the pieced sashing. It has an hst in each corner from the main block. You need to put together a couple of rows with both the vertical and horizontal sashing along with the blue corner stone in the centre in place before you can see it. It took me awhile to see it, too.

Susie can you see the alternate block in the second row on the left?

Janie,thank you for your post but is this in the instructions? I'm really lost!!
I've done 11 blocks and am stuck.

Aha!!! Now I see what you mean! Thanks!! :)
YOur block is lovely!

It's confusing because it like there is an alternate block, but in fact there isn't. It develops when the corners of our blocks come together with the sashing. Personally I am happy that I don't have to make even more blocks to be alternate. LOL

PiedPiper, it took me a bit of going back but here are some pictures showing my geese units being made with the correct size Mountain/Goose and the oversized triangles.
https://www.quiltingboard.com/8346567-post776.html

Don't worry Susie, like JanieW says, the "alternate" blocks come together when you put in the sashing. Some people are skipping that and just putting them together as a straight set with or without sashing. If you haven't made your sashing yet (with the Neutral/Red rectangles we made in Clue 2), it is the piece we are told to cut in the last clue that I am changing for my project. I'm going to help reinforce my "Parakeets" by using it there instead of Neutral.

You can do a lot with your top very easily by switching out that center piece, that was what I was trying to show with some of my pictures the other day. Before I committed to my change, I simply spread out pieces of yardage and laid out the blocks on top of that with my Clue 2 pieces until I found something I could live with. I really liked the horizontal layout with black in the centers, but I'm going with the "as designed" on-point layout.

Thanks everyone!! Now I get it. You have to be patient with me sometimes haha! :)

I'm enjoying all the discussion for alternative sashing so have been playing around with some of the suggestions. Iceblossom I agree that the black can really cause the blocks to pop. What do you ladies think? Totally white sash, green, black or as Bonnie's original design? I still have many blocks to sew together and haven't decided whether I will put them horizontal or on point, but it certainly is fun to play with ideas.

Carol, first of all your blocks are beautiful! You can't go wrong with any choice for sashing.
I love how black makes blocks pop but for some reason I don't like using it. My eyes are fine-
it may be because I'm so used to having furry cats lol

Carol, I love your blocks and of the optional layouts, I am really drawn to the one with the green. I might look into that but don't really think I have enough greens left to do it. Otherwise, I will go with the original sashing using scrappy neutrals.
I have 8 of my blocks sewn and am taking a break to rest my back and shoulders. It's fiddly and my muscles get tense and cramp up. Love spending time with my heating pads. LOL

CarolinWi, it really tones down the blocks but I think I like the solid piece of sashing best! My problem would be the leftover sashing subunits from Part 2, but those are easy enough to add into a border/piecing strip for the back or another project.

So many final decisions for each of us to make!

Today at Tuesday group I got the first set of pinning done on those border units and did indeed use up most of pins. No switching of projects or portions of projects until I get those sewn. No guarantees on pressing them today though...

Project was well received, most people claim not to understand my unhappiness with my yellows/parakeet but accept that I have an issue. We all know by now that I have many issues. But I also have several takers for the project if it does indeed end up on my donation stack.

I have followed Bonnie's mysteries for years and have made 2. Where are the pictures of the quilts this year? I always enjoy the progress with each clue. Sure missed seeing it this year.

I think the issue is that not many of us have finished quilts to show as yet. I know I am still putting together the blocks, then I have to work with the sashings. Bear with us, lol, we will have quilts to show eventually!

In my case it's because I'm still assembling the blocks. I've had some trouble with it and am getting a better handle on it.
It was kind of daunting for me but things are going better now.

Frolic progress
 

I am getting there slowly but surely. I may have to redo a few blocks that don't have enough contrast.
I truly enjoy seeing everyone's progress and how beautiful the blocks are.

Tweety, I love your blocks and even tho some are more and less contrasted, I think it adds texture to your layout.
I am not allowing myself to get too excited about getting to the end of this quilt. I don't want to get carried away and overdo. My body will suffer if I do that. I set limits on what I can do each day, and take lots of resting breaks for heating pad and fluids. I don't bring drinks in my sewing room, so have to be mindful when I am not in there.

Tweety, your blocks are gorgeous!!!!!!