Be There, Get your Square – Block #6

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Block
Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis Block

Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, this block has given me FITS, and it still isn’t 100% correct.  Some of my seams do not match.  However, in reviewing the colors I chose for this block, I am going to make it again.  Yes, I know.  A block I didn’t particularly care making the first time, I’m going to go back and make it again.

With 1 trial run under my belt, I’m HOPING that I have a better understanding and appreciation for the whole process of traditional piecing, and an engineered block.  With that said, I am pretty pleased that I didn’t let this block defeat me.  It also gives me a much bigger appreciation for how quilters used to put their blocks together without our modern conveniences.  (Rulers, rotary cutters, etc.)

Block of the Month Information:
Voices of the Past II – Women in History” by Kaye England
Hosted by:  Inspired to Sew in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Be There, Get your Square – Block #5

Sojourner Truth Block
Sojourner Truth Block

Well I got another one down, but it still wasn’t the Jackie Kennedy block….I’m taking a new tact on that one, hopefully to be completed soon.  I did finish this block though.  This block was named after Sojourner Truth.  (Follow the link to see a short video about her life, a fascinating woman and story.)

This block did mark a quilting milestone for me, carefully measuring and marking a rectangle piece to create the block.  The center block in the top row has to be carefully measured, and then the green fabric sewn along a line you draw.  It was a tad tedious, however there were only 4.  If I had to make a whole quilt with this block I would just end up making my own paper piecing template, so I wouldn’t have to mark the lines each time.  (Which incidentally is what I’m going to be doing for the Jackie Kennedy block….wish me luck!)

Other than those 4 units everything else was super easy (and even those units weren’t “hard” just time consuming from what I’ve been used to doing.  Up next….Jackie…..Jackie I WILL get you put together correctly and all of those little points WILL be perky!!   😀

Block of the Month Information:
Voices of the Past II – Women in History” by Kaye England
Hosted by:  Inspired to Sew in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Be There, Get your Square – Block #3

Anna Eleanor RooseveltWell I have to admit I got a tad behind on my block of the month (BOM).  I missed out on several weeks when I went on vacation.  So after getting back, getting a few projects finished etc, I’m back in the saddle and finished my 3rd block the other day.

This particular BOM is being hosted by Inspired To Sew (previously known as Pine Needles Sewing Center).  If you remember this BOM is all about women in history , so this block was named for Anna Eleanor Roosevelt.  My photo didn’t turn out as well as it looks in person.  The robin egg’s blue fabric has polka dots on it and there are hints of that color in the batik that borders it.

Anyway the block went together fairy quickly.  I believe it took about an hour.  I had to do some un-sewing to get my points “perky” but I am really happy with how it turned out.

Remember if you are interested in these blocks, the book can be purchased from Kaye England’s site.

The blocks are a tad complex, and the pieces are small (for me) some are an inch and a quarter.  But I think you’d be surprised at how nicely they go together, and you do feel a bit more confident after you’ve constructed a block.  The other nice thing is if you HATED making the block, you don’t have to make it again and you can move on to the next one.  😛