Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Separate Blocks.

 Firstly some answers to comments.
* Meg I will take a photo of those same buds when the Firewheel tree flowers come out.
* Molly I will see if I can get the 2 templates needed for making those grippy balls. You will note there is a lot of stuffing about literally to make one. ( that will be sometime after the 25th which is the next time my group meets. )


This little pastel coloured block is the only thing I have completed in the last few days. It is my contribution to one of 2 quilts that our group is making for the family of our dear club member Marie who died earlier this year. Her husband wanted the fabric used up so the group is making 2 quilts for their  Grandchildren to use. One of pastel shades , one of brights. Our bright, lovely, youngest member of our group, Helen, sorted the fabrics into 2 sets for the quilts and worked out a suitable easy block for each. That way all the ladies may make a block towards the 2 quilts. I think it is great that the youngest is doing something special for the someone who was our eldest member. ( about 45 years difference in their ages. ) She called this block a Greek Cross, but I think it is the same as a Churn dash, just with the 4 outside rectangles in different colours. ( same layout anyway ) It wasn't a block I had made before.
Something else I am working on which I am trying to get totally simplyfied and correct is a Card Trick block. This I have made successfully once before ( a long time ago ). The reason I am being so particular is, it is my turn to do the BOM that our group is supplying instructions and a sample block for throughout the year. Each member of the Committee is making a different block for new sewers or others, who want a variety of blocks and techniques to learn from. On every site or book I have used as reference, I feel it is made unnecessarily complicated using templates. Smarty here is trying using squares cut to half square and quarter square triangles which requires no template. I haven't finished yet but am hopeful it's right so far. Otherwise I'll be starting again from scratch. I quite like a challenge. I'll show eventually when it is finished one way or another.
So far, for BOM,  the group has made a simple 9 patch; a log cabin; a churn dash; a flower applique block; a 2 coloured star and a drunkard's path block. At the end the person making all the blocks will have the best part of a sampler quilt. We will then have a session helping the quilt construction if needed.
Out in the orchard I am finding it hot work now as there is no over head shade ( till the vines get their leaves )The buds are at the fuzzy stage and easily knocked off or damaged so much care is required. Glad I have my radio to keep me company. R is still working on the felled gum trees. He has a great wall of stacked rings. He also has a lot more to do.

8 comments:

Meggie said...

What a lot of work goes into your daily lives. It is a wonder to me that you manage to get so much beautiful sewing done!
I love that Greek Cross block, & the frog is cute.

molly said...

Thanks in advance Ali! Your "churn dash" block is very cute. Amazing how different a familiar block can look depending on how you place the fabrics....

Jennifer said...

I have the book "Winning Hand Quilt" that shows how to make the Card Trick block using a four patch as the centre, building it out with squares and rectangles to make a larger square, then adding triangles for the corners. You are welcome to have it, if it would help.

Andrea said...

Those quilts will be lovely and much treasured - what a good idea to use up Maries fabric xx

Leanne said...

BOM the month - what an awesome idea from your guild! I am trying to get to local guild - but something always pops up - the ladies are a lot older than me - but soo kind & want to share. I want to learn from them!

How special from your guild re quilts.

Love Leanne

Tracey @ozcountryquiltingmum said...

That is a lovely idea for using up the leftover stash, and the family will love it..cute block as well. I love card tricks, find it a lovely block, good fun to work with, enjoy that orchard work, what kind of temps are you getting? Tracey

Unknown said...

Do you use the gum tree for fire? Why is it called gum tree?

julieQ said...

Love your block, and what a wonderful thing that your group is doing. I love that line of cut and stacked wood, it represents so many, many hours of effort for sure.