It's Beginning to Look Like a Quilt Top

I really enjoy making these Cheddarback blocks.  This month there was a large one and four small blocks:  two letters and two pieced blocks (not in the original quilt) -- or we could change it however we wanted.  I made the large block, one letter, and three small pieced blocks of my own choosing.  Here they are. 

Block 37

I really like this block pattern.  I wish, though, that I'd had a better brown/grey, one that was just a tad darker.  The colors aren't quite accurate in this photo, but I think the block looks okay in the quilt.

Letter Block, Substitute for another letter block, and Blocks 37 and 38

The M....  I drew it out on graph paper then cut all the pieces 1/4" wider in every direction.  I stitched the V part of the M and thought I was doing great.  In the original block the V goes all the way to the bottom of the M and that's what I intended.  When I realized it wasn't going to happen I was just grateful that it went at least part-way down to the bottom so it looks like an M.  Drafting letters is not as easy as I thought.

Choosing patterns for the other blocks was the challenge.  I think so many of the little blocks in Cheddarback are quirky in one or more ways:  unusual patterns; common patterns with unusual fabrics; difficult to piece; etc.  I wanted to follow the lead created by the other blocks but came up short of 5" patterns.  And short on time, too, to make, or try out, complicated blocks.  In the end I made the three above.  All in all, I don't suppose they'll stand out considering that there will be 54 little blocks in the finished quilt.

My One Monthly Goal for November was to make the blocks above and sew blocks and sashing together as much as possible except for the two blue Blocks 26 and 35 (the blue ones in rows 4 (right) and row 6 (left)).  Rows 1-3 are completely sewn together, both horizontally and vertically.  Rows 4 and 6 are sewn together vertically except for the blue blocks.  And Row 5 is sewn together vertically.  I don't want to sew partial rows so this is together as much as it can be until I decide what to do about 26 and 35.  With so many blocks sewn together it's beginning to look like a quilt top!

You can barely see that I decided to use the pink-striped fabric for the outer sashing.  Though pale, I like it.  In fact, I like this quilt a lot, quirks and all.  When I finally looked at all the blocks together I thought, Oh, it looks like winter!  And then I decided it's a perfect summer quilt to bring to mind the coolness of winter.

So that's my One Monthly Goal finished for November, and just under the wire, too.  These next two days I'll be preparing for a visit from my daughters, son-in-law, and grandchildren who will arrive on Wednesday.  From then until Saturday or Sunday I'll be immersed in food, cooking, fun & games, and being extra thankful.

I'm linking this post to
> One Monthly Goal November Finish Link-up at Elm Street Quilts
> Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
> Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts.
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.
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