Sweet Land of Liberty, August's One Monthly Goal

These are my August blocks for the Sweet Land of Liberty sewalong on Cheri's Facebook page, hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts.

The red stars are a lot bright.  They may become another color -- eventually.  And that Economy Block with the yellow may not become part of this quilt.  They're not sewn yet.

I did really, really consider whether to add the words to the couple-with-tree block.  The original lettering was too large so I traced my couple and tree on another piece of paper, then added the letters around it.  When I held it up to the window to trace the letters onto the block I just couldn't do it.

Perhaps the printed background fabric on the block was one of the reasons I decided against the letters.  The print doesn't show in the photo as much as it does in person.

Last night I sewed the first two rows together.  This was a challenge I did not enjoy.  I altered the length and width of the Lady Liberty and pineapple blocks requiring an adjustment to the other blocks, too.  There is no way this quilt will finish anywhere close to square.  The left side of the quilt is about 1/2 to 1" longer than the right side.   

I claimed getting this far on this quilt as my One Monthly Goal for August.  I am unmotivated to finish this quilt and procrastinated working on it all month, almost dreading it.  Finally, on Thursday night, as I thought about it before falling asleep, I decided to just fold up all the pieces, put them away, and forget about it.  I love Cheri's quilt but I'm not in love with the process of making my own version.  By Friday morning, enough sense had returned that I decided to at least finish the goal I had stated at the beginning of August.  Now that I've completed that goal, I'll reconsider whether to keep going or not.  I have some parts of the rest of the quilt finished but have the lower right corner and the row of stars and houses across the bottom to finish.  Still quite a lot, actually.

As much as I like, enjoy, and appreciate primitive quilts, maybe making them myself isn't what I love to do.  What do you do when you're "done" with a quilt but the quilt's not yet finished?  Do you ever just throw it out or pass it on?  Salvage part and repurpose it?  Or, perhaps, you never lose interest in a project?

I'm linking this post to One Monthly Goal August Finish Link-up at Elm Street Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Patty.

--Nancy.
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One Monthly Goal for August, 2019

Motivation is hard to come by these days.  Thank goodness for online, public declarations of monthly goals!

My goal this month is to catch up with Lori's Sweet Land of Liberty sewalong, hosted on Cheri Payne's Facebook page/group.  Below is a photo of what I made the last time around but didn't finish.

This is what I should be doing for August with notes about what I still need to do:
> 4 Economy blocks
> 4 Snail's Trail blocks - done
> couple and tree - done EXCEPT for the lettering
> checkerboard and stars - done EXCEPT for appliquing the stars

So I'm more than halfway finished with that part.

The other part of the August sewalong includes sewing the top part of the quilt together.

These are the pieces to be assembled, mostly ready to go.  I'll have to decide about
> the flag near the log cabin (whether it goes or stays)
> whether to add a heart to the sawtooth star block, and
> whether to add the three flying geese to the flying angel block

You may remember that I increased the length and width of the two blocks on the left, which means I'll have to adjust the other blocks in that row so they all fit with the top section.  This quilt is such an improv-style quilt that I doubt the changes will make much of a noticeable difference in the finished quilt.  I just wanted it to be longer and wider than the original.

I'm just under the wire for the August One Monthly Goal link up at Elm Street Quilts!

--Nancy.
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Lady Liberty, Little Dolls, and a Tinman

These are last month's blocks for Sweet Land of Liberty which I didn't finish till this month.  This was a sewalong last year at Humble Quilts, repeated this year at Cheri Payne's Facebook group, which explains why I have some months' blocks completed already.

My Lady Liberty is different than Cheri's pattern.  I based this one on Robin's Liberty though they don't look much alike.  I also lengthened and widened both of these blocks.

Lady Liberty needs a face.  I think she looks very serious so perhaps I'll draw her features similar to the face on the right.  Keep it simple for a primitive quilt.

Here's Liberty and her shadow.  Don't you think she looks elegant on the right, sturdy on the left?

I finally decided to draw the words and images on the center of the sawtooth star.  I tried to find Micron pens in colors, specifically red, blue, and green, in the correct size.  I had a 50% off coupon for Michael's but they were doing a reset and had put all the pens in the back.  No help there, so I used the 08 black I already had.  I might add a little red heart and a gold star.  I traced the pattern in reverse on freezer paper then pressed the fabric to the paper and traced the pattern.  Worked like a charm.

We were to make 4 economy blocks and a dozen flying geese.  I just keep making both so I hope these aren't ones I posted last month.

I finished July's blocks the first time Lori hosted this sewalong last year.  Here they are, except for the 4 flying geese, which I didn't photograph.

Many thanks to Lori for hosting this sewalong again.  I think I might be able to finish the top this year!

--Nancy.
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Seeking Stripes, SLoL, and a Web

Specifically, red and white stripes, for two blocks in Cheddarback. 

The original fabric is a wavy red and white stripe.




I first chose this stripe, to the left, and used in it one block.  I thought it would be fine but after it was finished, I knew it was too pink.

Next, I used this fabric from my stash.  The color and "look" are better but the fabric is thick, like a bottom weight pants fabric.  I made the block anyway because I didn't have a better fabric.  (The striped fabric is used in at least two blocks.)

Then I found a shirt made of this fabric.  You can't tell from the photo but the stripes are about 1/16" wide.  Very narrow stripes.  I decided it was better than the other fabrics, so I unstitched the first block and replaced it with this.  It looks only slightly less pink than the fabric in the first block!

Of the three fabrics, I think the check looks closest in color to the fabric in the original block but the check fabric is just so thick.  At this point I have to decide whether to keep looking for better fabric or whether to settle.

If I'd been thinking ahead I would have saved all the reject Cheddarback blocks to become their own little quilt.

On  the Sweet Land of Liberty quilting front, I'm stalled on the sawtooth star with the images in the center block.

I thought of appliqueing the hand and flag and using pen for the letters.  I really don't want to embroider but I'm not sure I want to create and stitch tiny appliques, either.  I'll probably use pen.  I already traced the image on the reverse side of freezer paper so I can iron fabric to the paper and have the lettering facing forward when I trace it.  Indecisiveness is one of my downfalls. 

I'm trying to finish July's blocks for SLoL and have just this block to do.  I can finish a 12" sawtooth star in 2½ days, right?

We finally got past that awful heat, humidity, and high dew points of the week before last.  We had a few cool days last week but the temperatures are inching up again.

One last photo.  I don't like spiders very much but there's something about the fiber arts aspect of their webs that draws me to them.  This lovely is outside our breezeway.  Huge and gorgeous!

I hope you're staying cool (or warm, depending on where you live), and enjoying whatever you're doing.

--Nancy.
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Liberty's Shadow and the Fabric Search

I finished Lady Liberty for my Sweet Land of Liberty quilt last week.  When I cut away the fabric behind her I thought it looked like a shadow of herself. 

A number of years ago I'd gained too much weight before and after hip replacements (because even if you can't move you're still hungry) and after I lost many pounds, a friend who hadn't seen me for a while commented, "You look like a shadow of yourself."  I thought it was one of the best compliments I'd ever received. 

About my fabric shopping.  I needed/wanted a pale blue sprig fabric for some of the sashing on Cheddarback.  A few months ago I looked at the two nearly-local quilt shops but didn't see anything I thought would work.  Online at Connecting Threads I saw what I thought would be the perfect fabric.  I really must stop shopping online or, at the very least, lower my expectations.

The fabric on the left looked more blue in the online photo and the pale yellow background wasn't obvious.  It won't work for Cheddarback.  I ordered pieces of the other three because I thought they would work for some other future quilts.  I love the grey on the right.  The other two are okay but not fabulous.  You just can't tell about fabric from an online photo.  Sigh.

Still searching for a light blue sprig fabric, I went (again) to the nearest local quilt shop on the northwest side.  I did not find a blue sprig fabric but, instead, bought one of their scrap bags with lots of small pieces of reproduction fabrics (which I didn't photograph) and these.  I don't know what it is about copper that makes me like it so.  The double-pinkish on the right may be useful in Cheddarback.  But I didn't find a blue spring fabric.

On to the next most local quilt shop (again) on the southeast side.  And I found it, there on the left, below, about as perfect as possible.  Of course, I couldn't leave with only a half yard of fabric after the drive to get there.

I rarely buy purple fabrics so I'm on the look-out for them for Cheddarback.  The first shop had no reproduction purples.  I bought the only two I found, above.  I don't love either of them but I don't suppose you can love every single fabric in a quilt or your heart wouldn't know where to turn.  I like the army green fabric quite a lot and I love the red.

I had an interesting experience at the last shop, which sells mostly reproduction and primitive fabrics.  It's not a very large shop and it's not often very busy.  The table with fat quarters is diagonally across from the cash register.  I usually head there first so I don't have to ask the owner to cut into yardage for me.  The table is often in disarray with quarters tossed on top, some partially unfolded or partially nestled in with the rest, and others stuffed in at any angle.  It's usually hard to see what's there.  Without even thinking I neaten it as I look through the fabrics, piling them in my hand, then fitting them neatly amongst the rest. 

Two visits ago the owner noticed and thanked me for straightening her table.  I was so thankful she didn't mind!  The last time I was there, she didn't charge me for all the fabric I bought.  I realized when I got home what she'd done so I emailed her but received no response. 

This time she approached me and asked if I'd like a job.  (This is the fourth time in my life people have asked if I'd like to work for them!)  She is interested in having me neaten her shop and offered to pay me in fabric.  It's a bit of a drive so I didn't jump at the offer.  We didn't discuss how often, how long, or how much fabric and I told her I'd let her know.  Anyway, she told me she wasn't charging me for the three fat quarters I had on my stack that day.  So kind of her.

Do I need any encouragement to obtain more fabric?!  On the other hand, how often do I want to drive 35 miles round trip?  There are a few considerations before I'll make a decision.

I'm grateful that my search for blue sprig fabric has ended!

More about what I've been working on soon.

--Nancy.
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Sweet Land of Liberty, June

I didn't make much progress on the June blocks for Sweet Land of Liberty because I was trying to finish the May parts!  This is what I did this month. 

Four Economy blocks and a dozen flying geese.  I can't keep straight which I've claimed for previous months and which I haven't.  Either way, I'm ahead of what we should have at this point in the sew-along. 

See that Economy block on the left in the center row?  I love it!  The plaid was a shirt a month ago.  It was a great shirt but it will be even greater in quilts.

These are the blocks for June and the fabrics will probably become Lady Liberty, a pineapple, and the Sawtooth Star, though I may change my mind.

The Lady Liberty pattern is different that the one Cheri used.  I saw Robin's Liberty and fell in love with it.  Mine won't be as delightful as hers since I don't have her pattern but I hope it will fit with the primitive style of the rest of the quilt. 

I decided to enlarge the quilt a bit so the background of this block is an inch wider and taller than in Cheri's pattern.  I had to do that because of the changes I made in the first row and top and side borders (which I'll describe below when I get to that photo.)

Pineapple fabrics--probably.  They look a little brighter in the photo than in real life.  I only have a few gold fabrics so I'll use what I have.

These are the probable fabrics for the Sawtooth Star.  I'll choose just one of the solid tans--or maybe I'll choose a lighter fabric.  And I expect I'll use a pen rather than embroider the center block.

I spent most of my time this month putting together the top row and borders from last month.  Preparing and appliqueing the vines, berries, and letters was slow going.

I want this quilt to be wider than the original so I added a border on the left between the body of the quilt and the flying geese and I widened the border on the right where "America" is appliqued.  I think I've increased the total width by 3", which means I'll have to adjust everything below it.  It will be a challenge but I think this is probably the best quilt to try this on since it already has so many improv-style adjustments.  (I'll tell you how crazy I am in a few months when it all works--or doesn't.  Or, if you visit here often, you may read about it as I work on the quilt.)

These are close-up photos, taken across the top row in overlapping sections.  I think I'm supposed to do something else with the star on the basket.  I'll have to take a look.

The angel block in the center still needs to have three flying geese appliqued diagonally cross the upper right.

The eagle with the star still needs some stitching or applique.  Not sure which.  I may choose to make the quilting do double-duty to replace any embroidery on the large eagle.

I'm so grateful that Lori is holding this sew-along again with Cheri Payne's Facebook Friendship group.  Slow as I am, I need the extra time to finish each section.  It's been fun.  Thank you, Lori.


I hope all is well with you and in your part of the world.

--Nancy.
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Easy, at Least in Theory

It's Y-seams I'm thinking about when I say they're easy in theory.  Those five pieces of fabric in this block should be able to be stitched together in a snap.

But they don't sew up as easily as I think they should.  This is my first old-style bow tie block.  It turned out pretty well, although I had to unstitch several times to get it right.  And then, of course, pressing went a long way to help flatten it.   This is Block 18 for Cheddarback, a 5" block.

I'm almost finished stitching the applique letters on the upper border of Sweet Land of Liberty.  You wouldn't think 18 letters would take very long to stitch but they seemed to go slower than some of the larger applique pieces.

This is the first time I've appliqued onto a large section of a quilt.  I noticed that the edges began to ravel.  Not a good thing when there's only a 1/4" seam to begin with.  I finally decided to cover them with strips of fabric, pinned to hold them in place.  How do you deal with raveling edges when you applique?

And last, I want to share a thought about solid color fabrics.  I know Kona is really popular, and Moda Bella, too.  I find Kona a little hard to hand quilt and I think both Kona and Bella are just a tad rough.  A while ago I won a gift certificate (I can't remember from whom or for what online shop) and purchased some brown fabric.  It came, I washed it, I made a note what line of fabric it was, then put it on the shelf.  I pulled it out to use on Liberty and wow, am I impressed! 

It's Riley Blake Confetti Cottons.  It's soft, smooth, and easy to stitch -- and I love it.  (I know the photo above suggests lines but it's the photo and not the fabric.  The color is a solid.)  I often use solid color shirts from local thrift shops but if I ever need a color I don't have, I think I'll see if Confetti Cottons has the color I want.  (Riley Blake didn't pay me to say this, just in case you're wondering if this is an advertisement.  It isn't.)

I'm still missing my Hannah.  Sad days at our house.

--Nancy.
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May Goal Accomplished

There was lots to do in May for Lori's Sweet Land of Liberty sew-along (hosted on Cheri's Facebook page).  I knew I wouldn't be able to finish everything so I set a goal for what I knew I could reasonably finish.  I'm pleased with the progress, and especially pleased that I was able to get all of the vine and the two birds and star on the right side appliqued. 

The hand, basket, berries, and eagle are ready to be stitched down (though the eagle has been flying around trying to decide exactly where to perch).  I still have to prepare the letters and stitch them into place, too.  There's plenty to do to be caught up but, on the other hand, I have July's sections finished already, so perhaps I'll catch up by the beginning of August.

Just now I noticed that the heart fabric on the hand is the same fabric in the flag the angel is holding.  I may change the heart fabric.  I added a 1½" strip on the left side between the flying geese and the rest of the quilt (above) and a 3" strip (instead of the 2" in the pattern) on the right side between the economy blocks and the rest of the quilt (below).  I know that means I'll have to adjust the width in the rest of the quilt.  I hope it won't look obvious.  I wanted a quilt that was closer to 60" than 57".  I also want a longer quilt but I'm not sure if I can successfully accomplish it.

I think this is my second primitive style quilt.  (The other, Baskets of Plenty, is still blocks waiting to be sashed and quilted.)  I don't know how this one will look by the time it's finished but I suspect it won't have the quaint, inviting, truly primitive appearance that Cheri's does.  But it will keep someone warm for a nap.

Since this was my One Monthly Goal for May I'm linking this post to One Monthly Goal May Finish link-up at Elm Street Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, Patty.

--Nancy.
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Little Problems along the Way

I'm working on the Sweet Land of Liberty (SLoL) sew-along for my One Monthly Goal in May.  No smooth sailing this month.

The first problem was the stars.  We need four paper-pieced stars that finish at 4" x 6".  I knew I'd made five so I thought I was set to go.  Unfortunately for me, the stars I made were not the stars for the upper border but, instead, for the lower border and finish at 5" x 7".  I realized this only after I'd cut the 6½" strip of fabric for the top border and placed my stars next to it.  They were too big. 

After looking at the pattern directions again it didn't take many minutes to realize the problem.  So I cut and stitched four new stars.

Next, I realized that the Economy blocks I made might not be quite right for the upper right side border because two birds and a star will be appliqued on them.  I won't take the time to prepare and stitch applique pieces that won't show, so I want to have a choice of Economy blocks in lights, mediums, and darks when it comes to choosing the fabric for the birds. 

So I cut and stitched a dozen more Economy blocks.

Yes, some of the squares are floating but I'm fine with that.  I love the look of Economy blocks all over again.  And now I have enough blocks to play with placement when I choose fabric for the birds.  But, of course, I'll probably make more of these wonderful little blocks.

Partially or already done:

• The vine and berries are prepared.
• The basket is prepared.
• The eagle is cut out.
• The patterns for the letters are all traced and cut out. 
• The star for between the birds is ready to stitch.
• The hand is prepared to applique but needs to have the heart attached (which is ready).

Still to do this month:

• Finish appliqueing the star to the basket block.
• Cut and sew the 1½" strip to the top row.
• Sew the stars and 6½" strip together, then stitch to top of quilt.
• Position the vine and berries.
• Choose and sew together 5 flying geese for the left border, then attach to the quilt.
• Choose, cut, and sew a strip that goes between the main part of the quilt and the Economy blocks.
• Choose and sew together 5 Economy blocks for the right border and sew to the quilt.
• Applique the heart to the hand.
• Choose fabric for the birds on side border (on the Economy blocks).

To do when this above is finished, either this or next month:

• Applique the vine and berries. 
• Applique the hand.
• Applique the eagle.
• Cut, prepare, and applique the birds.
• Choose fabric for and prepare the letters, then applique them.  (I think this will take a lot of time!  Those letters look challenging.)

I like lists a lot but I felt much better about my progress before I wrote these lists.  Putting it all in writing makes it seem like there's lots more to do than when I was just thinking about it.  But, hey, I have 10 more days!  I can do this.  Right?

I'm linking this post to
> BOMs Away at What a Hoot Quilts
> Moving It Forward Monday at Em's Scrapbag
> Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt
> Main Crush Monday (MCM) at Cooking Up Quilts
> Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts 
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.
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Sweet Land of Liberty Progress and One Monthly Goal

I'm only a week late finishing my blocks for the Sweet Land of Liberty sew-along.  That's okay, every block and every quilt will get it's turn for attention.

The second month's blocks for April included
> the "of thee I sing" angel with flag and banner
> the eagle and flag
> 4 pieced stars, and
> 12 flying geese (mine don't look very primitive)

Granted, I'll need to add hair to the angel and an eye to the eagle (and maybe some writing) but I'm calling this finished for April.

For May, the third month of the Sweet Land of Liberty sew-along (hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts on Cheri Payne's Friendship Group on Facebook) we have a lot more to do.  We'll be putting the top row of the quilt together and adding the upper border and part of the side borders, specifically,

• sew all the blocks for the top row together
• cut a wide strip for the upper border and sew the pieced stars to it
• sew together flying geese for the left side and economy blocks for the right side, and sew those to either side of the quilt
• attach the upper border to the first row of blocks
• cut and applique a basket with a star
• cut and applique about two yards of vines plus berries, stars, eagle on the top border
• cut and applique the words, "Sweet Land of Liberty" on the top border
• cut and applique a hand on the upper left
• cut an applique two birds, a star, and the letters America along the right border

Whew!  This may be my month for watching lots of movies.  The hardest part for me will be choosing the fabric for the top border, though it will take time to prep the applique pieces, too.

My One Monthly Goal for May is to attach the top row of blocks together; attach the top border with stars; sew together the geese and the economy blocks and sew them to the sides; and prepare the basket, vines, and berries.  I think I can accomplish those things if I stay focused.  Whatever else I accomplish will be a bonus.

I'm linking this post to One Monthly Goal May Goal Setting Link-up at Elm Street Quilts.
I'm also linking this post to BOMs Away at What a Hoot Quilts.  Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.
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Angel Flying at Great Speed

I love this little angel!  She is one of the blocks for April for Lori's Sweet Land of Liberty sew-along with Cheri Payne's Facebook group.  I think she looks like she's flying at great speed with purposeful intent, an impression that's probably because the flag pole is bent and her wings are swept so high. 

She needs features on her little face and a banner that sweeps along in front of her with the words "Of thee I sing."  I prefer not to embroider those.  I think the embroidery thread wear away more quickly than the quilt will wear out, especially since I intend to use the quilt for napping or on a bed.

Have you ever used anything but embroidery when adding letters and details to a quilt?  Have you used a pen of any kind to write on the fabric?  How did it write and how did it last through washing and drying?  I have several pens to try but being short on time this month, I thought I would ask you, dear readers.

Thanks for any help.

I'm linking this post to
> Peacock Party at Wendy's Quilts and More
> Finished {Or Not} Friday at Busy Hands Quilts
Thanks for hosting, ladies.

Take care,
Nancy.
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Quilts in Active Progress, Blocks to Finish in April

I often have three quilts on the go at the same time: one for piecing (at home), one to applique (while riding in the car), and a third to hand quilt (while watching TV).  But with sew-along blocks of the month I think I'm up to five quilts in progress.  Here they are.

Little Rubies.  I'm hand quilting this using Baptist Fans and am almost finished with the first row of fans across the bottom.  I hand quilt less than I applique these days.  (No photo but you can see the top here.)

Hospital Sketches.  I'm still working on Block 1 (while most people are already on to Block 3).  I've appliqued the trumpets, the central circle vine, and the large flowers.  I still need to place and applique the 24 leaves.  This is a free block of the month sew-along hosted by Barbara Brackman at Civil War Quilts.  If I want to be in sync with the newly published blocks I'll I'll need to begin the next immediately upon finishing this one.

Sweet Land of Liberty.  There are several blocks and pieces for this month's sew-along that Lori of Humble Quilts is hosting on Cheri's Friendship Group on Facebook.  I'm looking forward to choosing fabrics for a sweet angel, sewing a few stars, and a few flying geese, and maybe some other bits I've forgotten about. 

Cheddarback.  I love this sew-along, offered by Gay Bomers at Sentimental Stitches.  Since I'm trying to reproduce this quilt, it's been fun to try to find fabrics that are similar (in color and/or style) to the original ones used in the quilt.  Mostly, I don't have fabrics like the original quilter's but I can come close with colors.  I already have the fabrics chosen so I can get five blocks sewn this month, right?

And last, Linda Brannock's Flowers.  (This was a sew-along on a Facebook group last year.)

My blocks are finished and this is a collage of the blocks in an approximate arrangement.  Linda Brannock's original uses two sizes of half square triangles (or is it half triangle squares?) as sashing.  The sashing is fun but looks really challenging to me, especially because I want to increase the final dimensions of the quilt.  This seems a good time to work on take on this challenge.  

That should be enough to keep me busy and out of trouble for the month of April, don't you think?

I'm linking this post to
> Wednesday Wait Loss at Inquiring Quilter
> WOW (WIPs on Wednesday) at Esther's Blog
> Let's Bee Social at Sew Fresh Quilts
> Midweek Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Thanks for hosting, ladies.

--Nancy.
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