Saturday Sampler progress

Saturday Sampler is one of my favorite activities at The Pin Cushion - partially because we make just a block or two at a time and often learn new techniques, and partially because we get to enjoy the social aspects.  We meet the second Saturday morning each month, but of course that all ended in March.  Now we just pick up our block patterns and basic fabrics each month, without getting to enjoy Show n Tell or chat with the other gals in the group.  I really miss that part.  

This Saturday Sampler included a mix of 12" blocks and 24" blocks.  We made 2 of the smaller blocks each month, and then made the bigger blocks every couple of months.  Most were pieced and a few had some applique.  These are the final 12" blocks.  The purple is actually a much brighter color but the light was very grey due to rain when I finished this early yesterday morning.  Now I just need to make the last 24" block, and make the remaining little flying geese blocks for the border.  I have 16 out of 120 of those done.  

The big and little blocks will go together in sections.  I only have one section done so far.  My fabric choice was batiks and my backgrounds are all different light batiks.  The other fabric choice was 30s reproduction fabrics, which I adore.  So I've been a bit remorseful that I didn't choose the 30s instead because I've been seeing how pretty those blocks are too.  Not that I couldn't have just made a second set of blocks from my 30s stash.  I certainly have plenty to choose from.  

Saturday Sampler block #7

Block 7 has been completed, but not without some issues.  The center of this burgundy/gold block was actually a lighter tan batik with kind of an open pattern swirling through it.  But I had started this block with this particular background, and that center just faded away.  So I replace the center with this gold.  And I like the result plus it was less work than replacing all the background pieces. 

The blue version is my favorite however. I just love these colors.  

Saturday Sampler - final blocks

We can see the finish line of another Saturday Sampler.  This one has been a mystery quilt.  Yesterday we got the final clues to finish our blocks and also got the layout options. There were 11 different layouts in this pattern!!  Since I'm working on 2 different color combinations I'll end up with 2 quilts and I'm thinking right now that I need to choose different layouts for each. 

My Halloween fabrics are so fun, and both the green and the black have a touch of orange, so I'm thinking orange sashing might be perfect for this. We'll see.  I have 5 blocks done, and the other 19 just need one last triangle sewn onto a corner.  Then I can start to play with the layouts before making a decision.

I have 4 blocks made with the pink, turquoise, and black version and I'm choosing to go with no sashing on that one. I'll show you those blocks another day. 

Saturday Sampler choices

The Pin Cushion had just the perfect aqua for my Saturday Sampler.  I knew they would.  The royal blue was OK, but I like this aqua much better.  We needed a dark, a light, and a contrasting fabric.  Our first clue was merely cutting to prep for piecing.  On this coming Saturday we'll get the first of the piecing clues for the mystery quilt.  Saturday Sampler is one of my favorite "quilt-y" activities.  I feel like I learn something new each year, even thought I've been quilting for nearly 40 years.

And when I was digging around my stash looking for this black print, I also found a lime green Halloween print that would be fun for this project.  I pulled it out and set it aside - just in case.  It has some orange, grey, black, and a touch of purple.  And this week I bought a black print with a little orange to be the dark.  The green can be the contrasting fabric, and somewhere I have a grey spiderweb fabric that can be the light.  So maybe there will be 2 Saturday Sampler mystery quilts made at once.

Saturday Sampler

 

The final 2 blocks for Saturday Sampler are complete.  This block looked kind of complicated but was actually very easy to put together.  Blue was the only color I hadn't used yet.  It took me almost as long to decide on my fabrics as it did to sew the blocks.

 

 

I didn't have to work yesterday so there was plenty of time to play with these.  The layout provided to us was OK, but I wasn't excited about it. That layout used pieced alternate blocks. I made one and decided not to go that route.  But I liked the idea of alternate blocks, so I spent some time rearranging some options on my design "floor".  Now my plan is to go with an "on point" layout with 5 rows of 4 pieced blocks, separated by black print blocks. That will use 20 of the 21 blocks I've made.

 

I had a white with black print that I tried first as alternate blocks but it read very grey from a distance and made the colors look washed out.  So I dug back into that bin of black/white prints and found lots of black background prints.  Most of these have a fairly large print.  I will need to buy a couple more black prints for a bit more variety, plus I don't have enough to use for the setting triangles around the edges of the quilt.  Will I have this top done in time to show at the next Saturday Sampler class in September?  That is the plan.  

Saturday Sampler block

This block is called Afternoon Siesta in our Saturday Sampler pattern.  It's really a variation of a log cabin, and we were cautioned to pay close attention as we made this one.  The pieces don't simply "go around" the center block in this variation. But the end result still looks like a traditional log cabin.

We only had 1 block this month, instead of the 2 we have been doing.  August will be our last month with 2 more blocks and then we'll have a reveal in September with the next Saturday Sampler previewed.  I'm not sure I'll have a quilt top to reveal in September because I'm still not sure I'm going to use the alternate blocks and layout in the pattern.  I just can't decide how I want to lay this out. 

Saturday Sampler

This month's Saturday Sampler block was tricky to lay out, but easy to sew.  This is my first version - the "dark" block. My light block will have the black moved into a less prominent position.  I really like the look of this one and keep picturing it in red/white/blue.

Oops!!

 

This month's Saturday Sampler blocks are Picnic Basket.  I had these laid out very carefully, rearranged the colors a couple of times, and finally sewed them together.  I can't believe I didn't see the problem with that second block - even while pressing it.  Not until I looked at the photo to write this post did I notice that I flipped one section.  So, once I get back home, I'll pull that block and pick out the stitches around that section so I can turn it the right way.

 

Random Saturday sewing

Sailboat Excursion - I'm not sure I see where this block name originated.  But I like the simplicity of the design. These are latest Saturday Sampler blocks.  The layout is pretty simple, with a reversal of the light and dark fabrics in the second block. Each unit of these blocks was just a simple half square triangle.



And I finished the presentation pillowcase from my stash of patriotic fabrics.  This can be used with one of our guild Quilts of Valor.  I finally feel like I've made a little progress in using up some of the big stash of fabric I've collected over the years.  It's not a huge dent, but it is progress.

Saturday Sampler

I really love going to Saturday Sampler each month. First of all, the Show n' Tell is always amazing and inspirational.  And the demo teaches us new techniques or reinforces techniques that we maybe don't always remember to do correctly.  Even though I've been quilting for over 30 years I still learn new things at Saturday Sampler and other classes. And it is an opportunity to experiment with colors and blocks.

This Saturday Sampler has encouraged us to "shop our stash".  Since I have a lot of black and whites, and a lot of brights in the stash that is what I've chosen to use. I've pulled different brights each month.  And since each month we are doing 2 variations of the block, I've been trying to make a light and a dark version.  This month's block is called Homemade Ice Cream and I used a coral batik, with a slightly lighter coral in this second block.  This might be my favorite block so far from the group.



Summer Watermelon Sampler is the name of the sampler program, but my fabric choices say nothing about watermelon.  But they might be kind of summery with all of the bright colors. The only block I'm not sure I like is the one with the green. It should have black where the green is and more yellow in those corners. 

Saturday Sampler in blue

Treasure Hunt is the name of this block for Saturday Sampler this month. My blocks are all made from stash so far, and the color scheme is black and white, with brights mixed in.  I pulled some blues for these blocks.  Both blocks are really the same block, but with the colors moved around. Obviously the first one has more contrast based on color placement but I like both.



I really didn't intend to put the white sections in the same place for both blocks, but it worked out that way after I cut the pieces needed.  So this is how they ended up. I like both blocks, but still may make one more and move the colors around more since I still have scraps left, except for the white.

There are now 10 of these Saturday Sampler blocks and we have a few more months to go. This will be a very BUSY quilt.  The pattern actually has pieced blocks to alternate with these, but I may just set them together with a plain sashing. 

Saturday Sampler progress

 

Chasing Fireflies - isn't that a fun name for a block?  This is the second block in our latest Saturday Sampler project which is called Summer Watermelon Sampler.  The first block was Lucky Ladybug. 

 

We chose our own fabrics this time and were encouraged to "shop our stash". Since my stash has a LOT of black and white prints and a LOT of batiks, those were my choices for this one. Each month we do 2 variations of the block.  I've decided that each month I'll try to make one version a darker one and the other a lighter version. Some of the prints have a little black on white, and others are reversed with just a little white on the black.  And I'll switch up the batik colors. This may be a crazy looking quilt.

New Age - cat approved

 

My 2016 Saturday Sampler is done, on the bed, and evidently cat approved.  I finished the binding while watching the Vikings beat the Packers on Sunday.

 

Usually Sammy hangs out under my desk when I'm working in the mornings, but Monday he didn't show up.  He seems a bit stressed because the family room furniture is all pushed into other rooms in preparation for carpet installation today. So our bedroom is one of the only safe places he can find right now and he has been spending a lot of time curled up in the middle of our bed. I'll just shut the door to the bedroom when the installers arrive so he feels secure. He is an old (16), 20 pound "fraidy cat".  

 

A New Age, made of over dyed muslin was a challenging project. The blocks went together easily each month but I had a couple of problems getting that pieced border correct. My mistakes were simple to correct however and then I added that last butterfly print border to make it long enough for a nice drop on each side. So it's a huge quilt.

 

Check out Linky Tuesday at: http://www.conniekresin.com/2017/10/linky-tuesday-october-17th.html

 

 

Starting a new Saturday Sampler

 

The new Saturday Sampler program began yesterday.  It's called Summer Watermelon Sampler.  Nothing about this one makes me think of watermelons or summer however. Even though I've been quilting for more than 30 years, I feel that programs like Saturday Sampler are a wonderful learning opportunity, plus the bonus of a social activity.  New techniques, and reinforcing techniques I already knew - all part of the learning.  And the show 'n tell every month is just plain inspiring!

 

Can you tell that I love going to Saturday Sampler?  Here are my finished blocks for this month. Both blocks are made with the same pieces, but the corner sections are turned in block #2 and the fabrics are in different locations.  Plus I did a little switching in block #2 to increase the contrast. 

 

 

These came entirely from my stash.  The plan for now is to use scrappy black and whites, with bright batiks, all of which I should be able to pull from the stash and/or the scrap bins.  I may even make another set using other scraps because these were really simple blocks to make and God knows there are plenty of scraps to use up.

Check out Design Wall Monday at:
http://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com 

Saturday Sampler top is done

 

Another flimsy is done and ready for quilting, although I have no idea exactly how I want to quilt it. I like the colors in this one, especially in that floral print. Florals are generally outside my normal choices, but it feels good to step away from my comfort zone once in awhile.  

Saturday Sampler progress

 

I had a little sewing time last night finally, and put together the blocks for the center of my Saturday Sampler.  And I cut the first border set but only got the 2 side borders attached.  This one is definitely fun and easy, and a pattern I might do again. 

 

The wide outer border will be the flowered fabric. I may add a narrow light blue border first however. And I just noticed that my picture makes the peach look a bit more orange than it really is.  It's really navy, red, peach, pale blue, and the flowered print.  This would have looked nice in the master bedroom in our previous house, which was done in a nice 1980s peach and navy blue.

 

The finished quilt should make a good sized couch quilt.

I can't believe it

 

Can you see my latest mistake? 

 

I can't believe that I keep making mistakes in getting these pieced borders onto my Saturday Sampler.  This was the 4th and final side - and I sewed it on upside down!!!  Why did I not see this when I pinned the border on?  Luckily I could just take off the 2 corner sections and switch them around.  So it went with me in the car yesterday as we did a short road trip. Note to self - don't wear navy blue corduroy pants while holding a quilt in my lap and ripping out a seam. Fuzz covered my lap.

 

I'm beginning to have big doubts now that I'll be able to still put on the final 2 solid borders onto this top before the Saturday Sampler session on Saturday morning.  Oh well . . .

UFO Challenge update

The March number drawn for the American Patchwork & Quilting UFO Challenge is #12. That is ironic, considering those 2 baby quilts are at the long arm quilter as we speak. So when I get them back they will need binding to be finished.

	UFO/WIP Project	Status Before	Status After
1	Valentine Bench Pillow	Needs blanket stitching around applique, then sandwich, quilt, and add envelope backing
2	4 Seasons Cats	Finish hand quilting, bind
3	ABC kid quilt	Machine quilt, bind
4	House Warming Party	Finish blocks
5	Circa 2016	Finish making blocks
6	Easter Sunrise runners (2)	Applique, quilt, bind	DONE in January!
7	Batik Stars Saturday Sampler	Finish blocks
8	2016 2015 Saturday Sampler	Finish blocks, need to cut out setting pieces Quilt and bind	DONE in February!
9	Reindeer 60-degree runner	Quilt and bind
10	2015 Friendship Exchange	Blocks are made, need to determine a layout
11	Beach cross-stitch piece	About half stitched only
12	RSC16 Crown of Thorns	12+ blocks finished, need to determine layout

The funny thing is that February's number was 8 and I posted about my 2016 Saturday Sampler and how I needed to make the final block and cut out the setting pieces. Then the very next day I posted about my 2015 Saturday Sampler as if that was my #8.  And I did finish that 2015 Saturday Samper in February, so I guess one finish is as good as another.  And my 2016 Saturday Sampler quilt top is seeing wonderful progress so I'll just keep working on it until my baby quilts come back from the quilter. 

UFO #8 is finished

 

Saturday Sampler has been one of my favorite quilt shop activities for years. Some of the projects were easy and some were challenging. Some of the projects were designs that I loved, and some were not. Some were projects I finished right away because I knew just where that quilt needed to go, and others became UFOs.  Some years I made 2 sets of blocks with a second set coming from my stash.

 

This Saturday Sampler was challenging, but nothing I couldn't handle. I loved the pieced blocks in both large and small sizes, but wasn't sure I wanted them mixed in with the applique blocks. There were also several gingerbread people blocks (very cute), and some wording blocks. I decided to keep the gingerbread blocks for a separate project.  But I did include the floral blocks in this quilt. I hand appliqued these, which was fairly time intensive.

 

The finished quilt is about 65" x 70".  I think this may be more of a display quilt, instead of a "curl up on the couch" kind of quilt.

Saturday Sampler

 

Block 11 for Saturday Sampler is done and so is the bonus block to enter into the drawing.  One more block to go. This is another block that I might use again sometime. I like the star points on this one and they are made with adding corners to a vertical rectangle.