Art Group Project :: A Finish - finally!

 Well, I just did a search to figure out how long ago I finished the top of this project. 

Answer: Dec 7, 2016! 

It has been basted and ready for quilting since March of 2017.

I needed something to quilt recently to get someone's mid-arm machine working. This is all that I had that was already basted and ready to go. Sadly that is the only reason this one got finished, but I'm glad it is finally done!

You can read previous posts about this project by clicking the following link: Art Group Project That post says that we were suppose to receive instructions for the final border at our December 2016 meeting, but obviously I didn't do whatever that was. And it's too late now!

Modern Gratitude :: A Finish

The top was completed back in January 2017. It was a one of the scrap group projects at my shop that year. Click here to read that post.

I really like this one and I'm glad that it is finally finished so I can enjoy it. Once I started pulling out completed tops to take to the quilter I began finding them every where! I had lots more completed tops than I realized. I've emptied one storage area of completed tops but they keep turning up! Now instead of just putting them back I'm pulling backing fabric, batting and sending them to a local long arm quilter. I'm determined that my son will not inherit a bunch of completed tops. He may inherit a bunch of completed, unused quilts - but I'm fine with that.

On Ringo Lake Clue 2

I'm surprised that I've been able to keep up somewhat.

This photo was take a few days ago but I'm just now able to write something to go with it. I now have all of my flying geese sewn, but only three are trimmed to size. I've got a lot of trimming to do! I hope to be able to get at least some of clue 3 cut out today. I plan to use the Corner Pop ruler method for it.

The reason I have been unable to post much here lately is that my shop is in the midst of Stuff My Stocking (also known as 12 Days of Christmas in other areas). It's one of those promotions where the shop offers a deal on one item a day for 12 days. It takes a lot of time (before, during and after) to do it well. If you are interested we do ship. You have to be signed up for our newsletter to participate. Go to our website, click here - Alamosa Quilt Company, and click on the "subscribe to our newsletter" button located on the header image below our logo. Today is the ninth day of the event but on the 12th I will be allowing folks to go back and take advantage of previous days. So if you sign up now you can still get in on all of the deals, provided we still have items left, which at this point we have at least a few of every item.

Happy Scrappers Group

My Happy Scrappers Group met on Wednesday and they brought show and tell! Both of these are previous projects we have worked on in the group.

This is Connie's completed Scrappy Little Wishes quilt.

It is king size! She made it for her bed.

This is Mary's version of Goose on the Loose.

She plans to do some fancy quilting in the black squares. Her plan is quilt geese in the squares. Real geese, not the quilt block kind.

Here are links to the pattern information for both projects: Scrappy Little Wishes and Goose on the Loose

Goose on the Loose :: Top Finished

There are a variety of ways to finish your quilt. I opted for a simple sashing with corner stones to finish mine. 

I used 2.5" by 12.5" light strips for sashing in the center and 2.5" by 12.5" dark gray strips for the outer sashing. All of the corner stone squares are 2.5". This will give me a finished size of 44" by 58", which is perfect for my eventual plan for this quilt. 

Originally I planned to add a pieced flying geese border around the outside. Click here for an example of a what I had in mind. But this will make the quilt too big for it's intended purpose of a quilt for my guild's oncology quilt project.

Other ideas: (1) piece the sashing using a string piecing technique. Making light colored string pieced strips for the center sashing and dark colored string pieced strips for the outside sashing would give the same look as what I did above. (2) use simple sashing around the blocks then using the Migrating Geese technique for the outside border. I've used this border technique a few times. Here are a few examples of quilts I've made using it: Current Art Group Project and Scrap Jar Insanity.

If you have been quilting along I hope that you will send me pictures of your blocks and completed tops/quilts.

Goose on the Loose :: Block 12

Are you ready for the final block? It's another paper pieced block.

Here is what you will need:

(4) copies of the pattern - download that here from Piece by Number and print them out making sure your printer is set to print full size - no scaling or "fit to page".

(12) 3" by 4" rectangles of scrap fabric for the geese [label these "#1,4,7"]
(4) 3" by 4" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#2"]
(4) 2" by 5.5" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#3"]
(4) 4" by 4.5" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#5"]
(4) 2" by 6" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#6"]
(4) 2" by 7" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#8"]
(4) 3" by 7" rectangles of background fabric [label these "#9"]

The numbers I'm telling you to label your pieces with are the ones used on the pattern. You should have 7 labeled stacks - one for the geese and six for the background pieces.

An Add-a-Quarter ruler is optional but very helpful.

You can paper piece the block using any method. There are at least two that I am aware of: (1) sew through the paper (which is what I did) and (2) use freezer paper and don't sew through the paper. I did a tutorial on the second method a few years ago. Click here to go to my tutorial.

As I said, I used the first method for this project. I printed out the patterns onto Carol Doak's foundation paper, cut out the patterns and sewed directly to the paper with a shortened stitch length. I used a 2.0 stitch length on my BERNINA 380. When it comes time to tear off the paper, gently run a pin along the seams lines to score the paper and it pulls off fairly easily.

Note: Knowledge of paper piecing is assumed. If you need assistance with the "sew through the paper" method I recommend you refer to Carol Doak's tutorial. Click here to go to her tutorial.

The pattern is for a quarter of the block. You will need to make four of them. 

And then sew them together.

Here are all of my blocks.

I'm trying to decide how to sew them together. I know that I want to sash them in some way. Originally I had planned to add a flying geese border but now I am rethinking that. Because I am planning to donate this one to charity I'm not sure I want to spend the time to make a pieced border. More importantly, a pieced border would make this one too large for the charity I have in mind.

Check back in on March 15th. I'll make a decision soon and have it finished by then. Well ... I'll have the top finished by then. Not sure when I'll get it completely finished.

Second Gratitude Top Done

My second version of this quilt is now a completed top!

It has been hard to get good outside photos around here lately. We've had record snowfall for January for our area. As a result, I can't even get to the fence in our backyard where I usually take photos.

Click here to see the first one.

Goose on the Loose :: Block 11

I'm calling the block for this month Pinwheel Geese.

This is what you need to make one.

From scrap fabric:
*(2) 5.5" squares
(4) 2.5" by 4.5" rectangles (same fabric or at least same color)
(4) 2.5" by 6.5" rectangles 

From light background fabric:
*(8) 3" squares
(4) 2.5" squares

From dark background fabric:
(4) 2.5" squares

*If you have some extra flying geese units that you made previously you can omit the starred fabrics and just use those. You'll need eight of them that you can trim to 2.5" by 4.5". If you do this, skip to Step 2. This is what I did for my block.

Step 1: Use your Wing Clipper Ruler and the (2) 5.5" squares of scrap with the (8) 3" squares of background to make eight 2.5" by 4.5" flying geese units.

Step 2: To get the pinwheel effect in this block you will need to use the Flip, Flip, Finish technique to make those units. The Wing Clipper method will not work well for this because you need to be able to control which side the dark "sky" triangle is on.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of each of the (4) 2.5" light squares and the (4) 2.5" dark squares. Lay the dark square on the left hand side of one of your (4) 2.5" by 4.5" scrap rectangles. Sew on the line, trim 1/4" away, press. Then repeat on the right hand side with one your light squares. Repeat for the remaining three 2.5" by 4.5" scrap rectangles. For reference, I'm calling these the "night & day flying geese units."

All four of them should resemble the above unit.

Step 3: You will need to make four units that look like this:

Use one of your night & day flying geese units (from step 2) and two of your "regular" flying geese units (from step 1). Sew the two regular flying geese units together, points touching. Sew the night & day flying geese unit to the left hand side of this. Notice that all the points of the geese are in a line. Lay this unit on your table face up with the night & day flying geese unit on the left hand side. Sew a 2.5" by 6.5" scrap rectangle to the bottom long edge of the triple geese unit. Repeat so that you have (4) of these quarter block units.

Step 4: Arrange the quarter block units to make the block.

If you have any questions leave them in the comments. I'll get back to you personally if I can. If not, I'll leave the answer as another comment.

Gratitude Progress

The first of these quilts is finished. This one is the original kit using Jo Morton's fabric line called Gratitude from Moda.

I'm making good progress on my second, more modern style version.

All of my flying geese units and arrow units are made. Above I have the center almost together. Then I need to piece the remaining two borders and add them.

To read my previous post about this project, click here.

Goose on the Loose :: A Month Off

My group decided to take the month of December off since our meeting day fell so close to Christmas.

Here is a collage of the first nine blocks we have done.

We've actually made 10 blocks but I got frustrated trying to make a collage with 10 images and quit. All the details about this quilt along can be found on the Goose on the Loose page of this blog. The eleventh block will be release January 18, 2017 and the final block will be released the third Wednesday in February. In March I will offer setting and border suggestions, but this is your quilt and you should feel free to finish it how ever you want.

Art Group Project :: Part 4

Click here for previous posts about this project: Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

At this point we have completed 5 of 6 rounds. This is what mine looks like at the moment.

It's about 34" square at the moment. We'll get our instructions for our last border technique next week.

Goose on the Loose :: Block 10

This is the block for this month.

Here is what you will need to make one: (2) 5" squares of scrap fabric and (2) 5" squares of background fabric for the corner units; (1) 4.5" square for the center and (8) 2.5" squares for corner triangles; (4) 2.5" by 4.5" rectangles of scrap fabric; (1) 5.5" square of scrap fabric and (4) 3" squares of background fabric for the flying geese units.

If you made extra flying geese previously, just pull out four of them and trim them to 2.5" by 4.5".

Make your flying geese units using your Wing Clipper Ruler. These should be trimmed to 2.5" by 4.5" (which makes 2" by 4" finished size flying geese units). If you don't have a Wing Clipper ruler you can still make the block. Just choose another technique. Here is a link to four other techniques for making flying geese units. Make sure that your flying geese units are 2.5" by 4.5" unfinished.

To make the half square triangle units for the corners, draw a diagonal line on the back of your (2) 5" squares of background fabric. Put these right sides together with the (2) 5" squares of scrap fabric. Sew 1/4" seams on either side of the diagonal line. Cut them apart on the line and press to the darker fabric. Trim them to 4.5" square.

Draw a diagonal line on the back of your (8) 2.5" squares for the corner triangles. Four of these will go on the corners of your 4.5" center square. The other four will go on your half square triangles. See photo below.

Place a 2.5" square on one corner of one of your half square triangle units. Sew on the drawn line and trim 1/4" away from the sewn line. Press. Repeat for all of your half square triangle units.

Place a 2.5" square on one corner of your 4.5" center square. Sew on the drawn line, press and trim 1/4" away from the sewn line. Repeat with the remaining (3) 2.5" squares and the other three corners of your center square.

Sew one of the 2.5" by 4.5" rectangles to one of the flying geese. Repeat for the other 2.5" by 4.5" rectangles and flying geese units.

Layout the pieces as shown in the photo above and sew them together to complete the block.

If you have any questions leave it as a comment. I'll get back to you personally if I can. If not, I'll leave the answer as another comment.

Goose on the Loose :: Block 9

This is the block for this month.

To make it you will need:

(1) 3.5" square of background fabric for the center
(3) 4.5" squares of scrap fabric for the geese
(12) 2.5" squares of background fabric for the sky surrounding the geese
(4) 5" squares of scrap fabric for the corner blocks
(16) 3" squares of background fabric for the corner blocks

From the (3) 4.5" squares of scrap fabrics and the (12) 2.5" squares of background fabrics make twelve flying geese units using your Wing Clipper Ruler. If you made extra flying geese units previously, use them instead. The finished size of your flying geese should be 1.5" by 3", which means that you need to trim them to 2" by 3.5" before sewing them together.

If you don't have a Wing Clipper ruler you can still make the block using the Flip, Flip, Finish technique. You would need (12) 2" by 3.5" rectangles for your geese and (24) 2" squares of background fabric for the sky surrounding the geese.

If you need details about using the Wing Clipper ruler or the patterns for previous blocks, click here go to the Goose on the Loose Quilt Along page.

To make the corner blocks, draw a diagonal line on the back of each of your (16) 3" squares of background fabric. Take one of your (4) 5" squares. Lay one of your (16) 3" squares of background fabric right sides together on a corner of the 5" square.

The diagonal line should be going from one side of the 5" square to an adjacent side. See photo above. Sew on the diagonal line, trim off the excess 1/4" away from the sewn line and press the triangle back. You should again have a 5" square.

Repeat for the opposite corner.

Then repeat for the remaining two corners.

Sew your flying geese units together in groups of three. These should measure 3.5" by 5".

Then layout your pieces as in the photo below.

Sew it together in rows and you are done!

Goose on the Loose :: Block 8

This month is a fairly easy one. You will need one 7.5" square of a dark scrap fabric, one 7.5" square of a light scrap fabric, four 4" squares of light and four 4" squares of dark and your Wing Clipper ruler.

Use your Wing Clipper ruler to make eight flying geese units, four with the dark 7.5" square as your geese and the light 4" squares as the sky and four with the light 7.5" square as your geese and the dark 4" squares as the sky. These should be trimmed to 3.5" by 6.5".

Arrange these similar to the layout below.

Sew them together in pairs.

Then sew them together into the block.

And you are done!

If you don't have a Wing Clipper ruler you can still make the block using the Flip, Flip, Finish technique. You would need four 3.5" by 6.5" dark rectangles and eight 3.5" light squares then four 3.5" by 6.5" light rectangles and eight 3.5" light squares.

If you are looking for other information about this quilt along, click here.

Goose on the Loose :: Block 7

Below is my sample of the block for this month.

To make your flying geese units using the Wing Clipper, you will need (5) 4.5" squares of scrap fabrics for your geese, (20) 2.5" squares of background fabrics for the sky around the geese. If you need a refresher on how to use the Wing Clipper Ruler, click this link to go back to my post for block 2 which contains a video and link about the Wing Clipper.

To make your flying geese units using the Flip, Flip, Finish method, you will need (20) 2" by 3.5" rectangles of scrap fabrics for your geese, (40) 2" squares of background fabrics for the sky around the geese.

No matter which method you choose, you will need (4) 2" by 8" rectangles of background fabric and (1) 3.5" square of background fabric.

Make your (20) flying geese units using your preferred method. If you made extra flying geese last month, just pull them out. If necessary, trim your flying geese units to 2" by 3.5".

Sew your flying geese units together in groups of five, all "flying the same direction." I will refer to these units as "five geese units" throughout the rest of this tutorial.

Layout your block units as in the photo below.

Sew one 2" by 8" rectangle of background fabric to one side of your flying geese units. 

Hint: If you lay your five geese units face up on your table with the geese "flying towards" you, then you need to sew your background rectangle to the right hand side of the five geese unit.

Now your block looks like below.

The block now goes together using partial seams. I will walk you through the process, but if you want to watch a video on how to do partial seams I recommend this one by Laura Nownes:

Click here if the video does not show up for you to directly to it on YouTube.

Start by sewing half of the center square to one of your five geese units. I started with the bottom five geese unit.

Flip the center square back right side up. 

Then add the right hand side five geese unit. The first seam you sewed, the partial seam, should line up with the seam between the second and third flying geese unit. Pin this seam.

Sew the entire seam and the block now looks like this.

Next add the top five geese unit and your block will look like this.

Fold your first, partially attached five geese unit out of the way and pin the left hand side five geese unit in place.

Sew it on and your block now looks like this.

Now go back to the bottom five geese unit, pin in place and finish sewing it on. If you start sewing at the spot where you stopped, along the center square, you should not end up with a pucker at that point. 

In the photo below I started sewing at the spot right below the "A" in "AlamosaQuilter.blogspot.com"

Now give your block a good press and you are done!

As usual, leave a comment if you have a question. I will answer you personally if possible or leave an answer as another comment if you are a "no-reply" blogger.