Bonnie Hunter 2024-25 Mystery -- Old Town
02-03-2025, 01:53 AM
#451
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Peoria, IL -- Midwest Transplant
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Big round of applause for LI Diva for taking a bit of a break and then getting back to the project! Isn't that quite a stack of subunits? Your block looks lovely. I think going ahead and doing the border stuff was a good idea, I'm still very aware I have quite a bit of piecing left to go...
Didn't really do much sewing at all yesterday. I've been thinking ahead to final (center at least, without the border) construction. Bonnie doesn't say much about layout or directions for that. Since I have more of a planned/controlled approach it will take a bit more layout than if I was doing it random scrappy. The stars in the blocks are made, but I will also be controlling the sashing, which will be a bit of a logistics mess but not so bad. I'm still probably a week? from getting my points made and the top lay out finalized.
For layout constraints in this project I have two stars of most fabrics, a few are singles. I'm not real happy with some of my reds just too dark but I didn't have the right fabrics for going more true red-brick. I think those too dark reds will be best around the outer edges. I'm ok if the French Fry blocks are prominent/fairly close together but decided not to make any sashing from the french fries. I did add in a few more yellows into the sashing.
I've found when I have twos of things, layout goes faster if I divide it in half and work on sort of a diagonal -- helps keep the matching ones away from each other. I'll put down a random block in the corner and then the next block in the stack that doesn't match fabrics (the reds and neuts), and so on. I think I will play with just the blocks at first and get them in an order I like before I add in the sashing and secondary design.
I prefer to put my sashing on my blocks as an L, that is a right angle around two sides of the block even if L isn't the right direction. I don't like attaching a long unwieldy set of blocks to a long even more unwieldy sashing strip (besides the possibility of pins dragging across my thigh). It will take me time with these blocks to get a picture but maybe I'll look through previous projects to see if I have a good example photo.
Didn't really do much sewing at all yesterday. I've been thinking ahead to final (center at least, without the border) construction. Bonnie doesn't say much about layout or directions for that. Since I have more of a planned/controlled approach it will take a bit more layout than if I was doing it random scrappy. The stars in the blocks are made, but I will also be controlling the sashing, which will be a bit of a logistics mess but not so bad. I'm still probably a week? from getting my points made and the top lay out finalized.
For layout constraints in this project I have two stars of most fabrics, a few are singles. I'm not real happy with some of my reds just too dark but I didn't have the right fabrics for going more true red-brick. I think those too dark reds will be best around the outer edges. I'm ok if the French Fry blocks are prominent/fairly close together but decided not to make any sashing from the french fries. I did add in a few more yellows into the sashing.
I've found when I have twos of things, layout goes faster if I divide it in half and work on sort of a diagonal -- helps keep the matching ones away from each other. I'll put down a random block in the corner and then the next block in the stack that doesn't match fabrics (the reds and neuts), and so on. I think I will play with just the blocks at first and get them in an order I like before I add in the sashing and secondary design.
I prefer to put my sashing on my blocks as an L, that is a right angle around two sides of the block even if L isn't the right direction. I don't like attaching a long unwieldy set of blocks to a long even more unwieldy sashing strip (besides the possibility of pins dragging across my thigh). It will take me time with these blocks to get a picture but maybe I'll look through previous projects to see if I have a good example photo.
02-03-2025, 08:21 AM
#452
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Join Date: May 2013
Location: Ballwin, MO
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Finished with clue 7!! Happy day! Now that they're all up on the wall, I like them better.
I plan to concentrate on those 4-patches today, see how many I can get done. They are not needing trimming, for which I am glad.
I still don't have an idea of what to do with the block centers. Did you all choose the same melon as your HSTs for the block center? The same aqua as the geese?
I plan to concentrate on those 4-patches today, see how many I can get done. They are not needing trimming, for which I am glad.
I still don't have an idea of what to do with the block centers. Did you all choose the same melon as your HSTs for the block center? The same aqua as the geese?
02-04-2025, 07:07 AM
#453
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Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Peoria, IL -- Midwest Transplant
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I've been taking the last couple of days pretty easy, but yesterday I got my contacts and it is wonderful to be able to see again.
Today is my sewing group, I'm still not driving but the hubby is still working late so can take me for a couple of hours. I can actually see much better now with my contacts than before when I stopped driving and had the glasses in addition. Been wearing the glasses over contacts for year. For some of my other problems, I still plan on getting driving glasses but I think I will be able to pass the driving test without.
Anyway, back to topic! again, today is my sewing group and I am going to work on those pointy sashing pieces I call prisms. Still am about where I was Saturday?? Gold is cut, but I still need to cut about half of the little squares. So that's today's task, get those cut and draw the diagonals on them, and since I'm making sets, most likely match the neutrals to the prisms so that sewing should be rapid fire
Today is my sewing group, I'm still not driving but the hubby is still working late so can take me for a couple of hours. I can actually see much better now with my contacts than before when I stopped driving and had the glasses in addition. Been wearing the glasses over contacts for year. For some of my other problems, I still plan on getting driving glasses but I think I will be able to pass the driving test without.
Anyway, back to topic! again, today is my sewing group and I am going to work on those pointy sashing pieces I call prisms. Still am about where I was Saturday?? Gold is cut, but I still need to cut about half of the little squares. So that's today's task, get those cut and draw the diagonals on them, and since I'm making sets, most likely match the neutrals to the prisms so that sewing should be rapid fire
02-05-2025, 02:02 AM
#454
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Had a happy day at my sewing group. Didn't quite finish my goals but came close. I did get all the little neutral squares cut for the pointy piece (prism) of the sashing. I still have maybe 7?? sashing pieces left where I have to draw the lines. I found it was much easier to draw the line by starting in the middle and going down, then going up. Otherwise they slid around. I keep some pieces of colored paper around, it was easy seeing the squares on pink -- plus, those contacts make seeing easier anyway! I was much more accurate than when drawing lines in steps pre-contacts.
This morning I woke up way too early, but ambled down stairs and started sewing on the one side of the units. Went through all the drawn squares and then needed a fresh cup of tea so currently taking a break... It got cold again and I need that space heater, was nice for a couple days without.
Hope everyone is as well and healthy and happy as we can be And for those of us who are still slogging away on this project, keep on slogging!
This morning I woke up way too early, but ambled down stairs and started sewing on the one side of the units. Went through all the drawn squares and then needed a fresh cup of tea so currently taking a break... It got cold again and I need that space heater, was nice for a couple days without.
Hope everyone is as well and healthy and happy as we can be
And for those of us who are still slogging away on this project, keep on slogging!
02-05-2025, 05:37 AM
#456
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Range, WI
Posts: 481
Iceblossom, I'm so happy that you have the new contacts and your vision is improved. How wonderful for you and your future with sewing.
I will finish my last block today and then move onto the decisions about the sashing, how to arrange my blocks..straight on or on point? I keep watching all the other finishes and am inspired by the creative changes several have made. I do have all the units sewn but I'm not sure if they will get used. I keep telling myself that I should wait until the reveal, but then get sucked into it anyway.
I will finish my last block today and then move onto the decisions about the sashing, how to arrange my blocks..straight on or on point? I keep watching all the other finishes and am inspired by the creative changes several have made. I do have all the units sewn but I'm not sure if they will get used. I keep telling myself that I should wait until the reveal, but then get sucked into it anyway.
02-05-2025, 08:04 AM
#458
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Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 275
Progress is being made although slower than I would like. My dad passed away last month and so took time off for the funeral and family.
I finished sewing together 5 rows. The goal today, is to complete a 6th row (the blocks are complete, need to finish the sashing for in between the blocks). Then, hopefully sew the rest of the sashing for between the rows and complete the core of the quilt. Next goal will be the borders.
I finished sewing together 5 rows. The goal today, is to complete a 6th row (the blocks are complete, need to finish the sashing for in between the blocks). Then, hopefully sew the rest of the sashing for between the rows and complete the core of the quilt. Next goal will be the borders.
02-05-2025, 11:38 AM
#459
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Camarillo, CA
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I am working on the borders! Talk about thinking this quilt will never be completed!!! You finish the main section, then have to sew all these 4 patches, and squares! I have never taken so long to complete one of Bonnie's mysteries! I have one side completed and sewn on. I am still sewing the 4 patches and squares together for the next side and since I am only doing a 3 x 4 format for my quilt, find I have to cut more squares for the borders on the short side.
02-06-2025, 05:20 AM
#460
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: South Range, WI
Posts: 481
I agree with you, JeanieG...this quilt seems much more work intensive than others I've made. Now I am trying to decide if I like it best with or without sashes. Any thoughts from you ladies (or gents)?
