Cheddarback Blocks #54-58

These blocks were so easy this month!  Several had many pieces to cut, pin, and stitch but even those were easy compared to last month's blocks.  For any of you new here, the blocks are for Cheddarback, a sew-along offered by Gay Bomers at Sentimental Stitches.  The blocks are free during the month they are published and $5.00 per set after that.

Block 55

This was the simplest block with the fewest pieces this month.  It went together in a few minutes.

I cut out the pieces for all the blocks at the same time, pinned while watching TV, then stitched them between seams on another quilt.  They were small enough pieces to be leaders/enders.

Block 56

There were more pieces in this block but it was easy to stitch.  We cut the triangles larger than necessary, sewed them together, then cut the squares to size.  I didn't have a pink plaid for this block (as in the original quilt) but thought the pink and white stripe would be fine.  I wish the stripes were horizontal but they're staying as they are.

Block 57

I think this block had the fewest pieces of the month.  The Cheddarback original has a circle with a flower appliqued to the center.  When I find a fabric with a flower that I think will work I'll add the circle.  Or not.

Block 58

Sewing the diagonal lines on squares to make flying geese have always been a challenge for me.  I usually can't get the diagonal line right and my geese are never quite right -- crooked or too small.

I finally realized that if I folded the square diagonally and pressed it I would get a line to follow.  Then, if I pinned carefully I could use my presser foot as a guide to stitch just a thread or two along the outside mark on the triangle.  I need to practice more but this method works better than any other I've tried (short of cutting a large triangle for the goose and two small triangles for the background).

Block 54

This block is so heavy -- physically heavy.  Yes, it's the big 12" block but it still seems disproportionately heavy.  Probably because it has so many small pieces and maybe because the pink was originally an Oxford cloth man's shirt.  The pink in the original block was so light it almost looked white.  I found an even better shirt at the thrift store early in the month, before coronavirus came along.  It was all cotton, size 3X, and the very palest pink.  It would have been perfect but I didn't like the price.  I think this fabric works, considering that the creator of Cheddarback often used what seemed like clothing fabrics.  I was thrilled when this block measured exactly 12½", especially considering the different thicknesses of the two fabrics I used.

These are all the blocks together.  I'll add the sashing and cornerstones soon and then put them on the stack of other months' blocks to sew into the quilt.

I hope you are well and able to stay home out of the virus's way and have interesting things to do.  I have plenty to do but for some reason feel unsettled (and tired and sleepy), especially since our governor ordered us to stay home (with a few exceptions) beginning at midnight on Monday.  Last week he suggested we stay home but I guess lots of people ignored his suggestion, hence the mandate to stay home.  A week ago Ohio had 50 virus cases and today there were 442.  That's an 800% increase in just a week!  I don't want to catch the virus and I don't want to give it to someone else if I happen to be a carrier.  I know it's for the best to stay home and so I won't go out unless it's necessary.  But gosh, I may just spend a lot of time napping.  

I'm linking this post to
> BOMS Away at What a Hoot Quilts
> Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt

Stay safe!
--Nancy.
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