One of the admins in Cheri Payne's Facebook group recently began a sew-along using the patterns from Everyday Patchwork on her blog. It's a sample quilt and suggested we choose any nine and then she would give us the next step. When I looked at the patterns I decided to make all the blocks and turn them into a quilt following her pattern for finishing the quilt.
These are 6" blocks but Cheri adds a 1" border (cut at 1½") around each making each block 8". It's an interesting addition, I think. She also uses sashing between the blocks.
I started making the easiest blocks first and then realized I'd be happier to have the hard ones finished first--smooth sailing downhill, so to speak--so I cut and stitched the green, blue, and lower left block, I don't know if those are the hardest but they are certainly not the easiest, at least for me.
The blocks that have multiple small triangles will be a challenge for me. Somehow, the blue one, center row left, and the red and tan one, lower left, are both at least ¼" too large. My diagonal seams are a true ¼" but the others must not be. At least that narrow border around the edges will help compensate with these two blocks but I'll have to take more care on the others.
I like this sampler quilt because the blocks are small and I can use scraps to make them. I can see the value in making a sampler quilt as I work on these. It's a great way to try out blocks I might not be inclined to make otherwise. And they push my skills a little, too, I think.
My One Monthly Goal for May is to make the other blocks to reach a total of 25. I may make enough to have a quilt that's 5 blocks x 6 blocks but I'm claiming only 25 blocks total as my goal this month.
Do you ever run out of creative energy? Do you notice if it happens, such as when you're tired, have been sick, have personal or family challenges, or at other times? What do you do when your creative energy runs low?
I'm linking this post to One Monthly Goal - May Goal Setting Link-up at Elm Street Quilts. Thank you for hosting, Patty.
I'm also linking this post to Oh Scrap! and Quilting is more fun than Housework. Thank you, Cynthia.
--Nancy.
It is a relief to follow a pattern every now and again. Especially when creative energy is low. I hope this project gets you through this low patch and sets you up for some original creativity as Summer arrives :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Allison. I hope so, too!
DeleteGreat blocks. Thanks for linking up with Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal and good luck with your project.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Patty. And thanks for hosting One Monthly Goal.
DeleteI just made my first sampler this year, combined some blocks made by a mystery quilter and some of my own.
ReplyDeleteI am doing the monthly color challenge that is similar to your monthly blocks and we can follow a pattern or not.
That would be great way to put a quilt together quickly, Tami, using both your own and other's blocks. I keep thinking about doing the color challenge but can never quite commit to it. Maybe one of these months/years.
DeleteI often run out of creative energy (or any kind of energy for that matter), but since I generally have so many projects in progress, I can just putter along with one or more of them until the spark comes back. It helps to have things kitted up or laid out ahead of time when the batteries are low.
ReplyDeleteThe only sampler I've ever done was the Long Time Gone top that I made last year. It was a lot of fun. I made blocks for a Temecula sampler, but bogged down when I didn't like the setting, and haven't gotten back to it.
Your sampler blocks look great, and having a border around each block will reduce a lot of anxiety about block sizes! No matter what, they'll all end up the right size!
Thanks, Gayle. Yes, that border around each block makes this sampler like this seem more carefree than some really tight blocks/quilt patterns.
DeleteI'm surprised to hear that you run out of creative energy. Your idea of staring many blocks/quilts when the energy is high is a great idea. I have three in progress now but need more/different fabric for two of them. Maybe I should start another, scrappier than these in progress!
I sometimes think about the once/week block sew-alongs but I know I would get behind.
Your sampler blocks are looking great. And what a bonus to be able to use scraps. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cynthia. Yes, I love using scraps. Thanks for hosting Oh Scrap!
DeleteI mostly know her applique, but this looks like a great sampler, too. I'd probably enlarge the blocks to 12", 'cause that's how I am. =)
ReplyDeleteI thought about making bigger blocks but I'm already making large blocks (9" with 4½" sashing) for another quilt and thought the smaller blocks would be a good change. I'm liking this size so far, at least for this quilt.
DeleteBTW, love your flower you are creating in your last post. Yes a sampler quilt is good for lots of practice. I need lots of practice with accuracy and it doesn't seem you need it though. These blocks look marvelous, Nancy. Adding a border to each block-I think that was Cherie's way to take the stress out of stitching something you love and not to fret about matching up,etc. I love that idea (maybe because of my precision challenge!).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jocelyn. I agree: I think Cheri was all about stress reduction when it comes to making quilts and accepting imperfections, too. Sadly, I do need lots of practice with accuracy, but I haven't noticed that you have that problem -- but aren't we all more critical of our own work?
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