September 2020 Quilt Update

September has arrived!  Each month of this year becomes more challenging with my theme.  Sometimes I think I should just toss it out and start again --- something most people wish they could do with 2020.  At any rate, I think I have another version for you.  One of my favorite things in the whole world are waterfalls.  Have you been around one that ROARS?  The picture above sure makes me feel the word right through the screen.  How about Niagara Falls?  I've not been there (on my list), but I've heard tell that it does indeed ROAR.

Journey - Clue 4

Week four has arrived.   Are you well on your way?  I am so hoping you are having a great trip thus far.  Please READ ALL THE WORDS before starting in on this clue and with that --- away we go.

I am preparing for a retreat that involves me driving to a location in the country.  Country life - ahhhh, quiet and serene.  Yes?  I guess that means we can do a little more driving this week.  Roads and Crossroads.  Pillows, afghans, quilts --- they are always roads and crossroads.  The simple four-patch is perhaps the finest example of this and takes me back to elementary/junior high school when we would spend our breaks playing four-square.  Such an easier time, or at least it is in my memory.  At any rate ---- we are stripping our way to these cute little units.

Journey - Clue 3

How is your Journey going?  Has it been educational or for pure enjoyment?  Both are great - believe me.  I have absolutely loved working on this project.  I don't know if it is the colors, the units, or just the ability to tune out the rest of the world, but it has brought me joy and for that alone --- it is well worth the effort.

We are ready for another leg of our trip --- PLEASE READ ALL THE WORDS first, before beginning.  Sometimes the pictures are just not enough.

What method of travel should we use this week?  Since I've just returned from a trip to Montana involving flights, I think it's back into the air for a bit.  Doesn't this graphic remind you of wings?  What type of wings?  Insects that land on flowers?

Nope --- we are becoming "Birds in the Air" this week.  I used to think that it would be amazing to be a bird for a day --- to soar through the sky and be able to ride the air currents.  Perhaps I'm just fantasizing, but let's go with that this week.  We are going to soar like birds.

Journey - Clue 2

Welcome to week 2 of our mystery.  How is your Journey going?  Are there days when you feel as though you are going like this:


Or perhaps, more like this:


Well, this week we are going to go down a straight and narrow path.  A direct route to the end of the clue.  No flying --- just driving down the road.  Can you do this?  It's fun and I promise, if I can do it, so can you.  (Psst -- as I went through this step, my grin was bigger with each addition --- so very fun.)



Our clue 2 units look like this ----

Unit 2 - Make 9

Soooooo --- I posted in the group a last month for you to set aside fabric and I reminded again in the first clue.  THIS is where we are going to use it, so now you can make your own decision, but at least you are able to since we came prepared.  For our roads, I just think it would work better if the fabrics were constant.  You are, of course, always able to do whatever makes your heart happy, but at least you have the option.  And with that --- your reminder to PLEASE READ ALL OF THE WORDS before starting the clue.  

Here we go --- the fabrics I chose for my constants are shown below.  We are now going to get cutting.

WOF must be at least 42" usable.  If yours is less, please cut additional strips.

HINT!!!  - I am going to give some "must dos" for this part.  Your choice if you do them, as always.  Take your time and cut straight.  These units WILL be cut later on and if they are not straight, you will be unhappy.

Cutting:
Black - (1) From the piece that was at least 25" WOF - cut 9 - 2 1/2" strips (shown on far right in picture, and (2) From the piece that was at least 15" WOF - cut 9 - 1 1/2" strips (shown on far left in picture)

Neutral - From the piece that was at least 20" WOF - cut 18 - 1" strinps
Red - From the piece that was at least 20" WOF - cut 18 - 1" strips
Gray - From the piece that was at least 30" WOF - cut 18 - 1 1/2" strips

Set the 2 1/2" strips aside for now and let's use the other four stacks that you just cut.

Using a 1/4" STRAIGHT seam, sew one Neutral strip to a black strip.

HINT!!!   SET THE SEAM.  EACH TIME.  Do you know what this means?  Take your iron and press the seam as it is sewn.  This helps to set the stitches and will help keep the piece straight.  THEN, press as directed.  Do this for each addition.

Then we will press the seam one way or the other.  You are making 9 of these strips.  Four will press one direction and 5 will go the other way.  You can decide how.  All up --- All down --- I chose ins and outs which you will see below and which I will share.  For this first one, I pressed to the black and will do so for my first four, the other five will go to the neutral.

At this point - your strip should be 2" wide.

Now, add another neutral strip to the other side of the black.  You will naturally sew the opposite direction from the first seam and this will help to keep your strip straight as well.  Again, I pressed this one to the black and will follow the pattern as above.  You should now measure 2 1/2".

Looks good, right?

A red strip will go next and after it's addition and press to the red (for 4, to the neutral for 5) our measurement should be 3".

The other side receives another red strip as well.

Press in the same manner as the previous red and your measurement is now 3 1/4".  This is making me smile so much.  I LOVE it.

Gray is next --- Add one to the red strip.

It's almost there and we are at 4 1/4".  Press to the gray for the first 4 - to the red for the last 5.

Do you have a 5 1/2" strip now?

Here are my backs, showing to the two different pressing methods.

Continue until you have 9 beautiful WOF strips.  These are so much fun and you are going to LOVE what we do with them, even though it was scary for me.  However, that is enough for this week.  Just put them and the 2 1/2" strips away until next week.  Until then, happy sewing and take a minute to share what you have sewn in our private group.  Here is the LINK.

The Quilt Cottage - Libby, Montana

It seems like eons have passed since I've been able to be out and about and stop in at a new-to-me quilt shop.  We are actually up in Montana on vacation and enjoying a little day trip.  Upon our arrival in Libby, I mention a shop I'd like to see and my sweetheart happily follows directions and has us there in no time.  Yay!  Come along with me --- let's see what's in store.  First off, isn't this lavender building just super fun?  I LOVE it.  The white picket fence is perfect and everything screams, "Come in and stay awhile."

Journey - Clue 1

I feel as though our Journey began in March, well that IS when the idea was hatched, but for many of us, life has taken a slightly different path since then and given us several hitches along the way.  2020 has definitely made it's mark, although I'm fairly sure many would like to erase it, it has taught me many things.  I have slowed down a bit --- why hurry?  There is really no place to go.  My sewing has improved as a result.  Yep, it really does work, no matter how much a tease a great friend about it.

Are you ready for THIS Journey?  Did you re-read the intro or see the post about setting aside some of the fabric.  If not, please go do this right now.  Here is the Intro LINK.  It's a good idea to review anyway --- start out mistake free.  I guess that means, let's go.  One step in front of the other -- slowly and with determination - taking many methods of transportation all to achieve the final result.  NOT, one like the picture on the right.

Thus, the Journey begins and this next part you will read so many times over the next few weeks and will want to scream it back at me, but . . . . READ ALL THE WORDS.  I cannot stress this enough.  Those few minutes spent doing more than looking at pictures will save you so much heartache in the end.  With that said, party on!



Journey's begin in various ways.  Today we will soar  in flight with some Flying Geese -

Unit 1 - Make 164

For this clue, I will be using the Easy Angle Ruler AND the Companion Angle Ruler.  My instructions are for this method.  If you wish to make your geese, using a different method, please remember that it WILL use more fabric. Just make sure you have the same unit size in the end.

Typically, when making geese, this ruler combo gives you the body with one ruler and the wings with another.  I am going to mix it up a little but will explain why as I go.

You will need your NEUTRAL and GRAY fabrics for this clue.

IF you are left-handed, here is a LINK that shows how to manipulate the ruler for you.  Basically, you start at the ride side of the strip set instead of the left, but go through the directions yourself for thorough understanding.

With two - 2" NEUTRAL strips, set right sides together, use the Easy Angle ruler and make the first cut as shown.  Notice where the 2" mark is in relation to the strip - they line up AND you can read the words Easy Angle.  This will yield  you ONE pair of wings.  (If I'm being honest here, I will tell you that I have four strips in my stack - two pair of right side together and so my cut nets TWO pair.)  Now, we are not using neutral wings in this clue, but instead of wasting the fabric, just set these aside.  You WILL use them later.

Switch to the Companion Angle Ruler at this point.  You will flip it back and forth, always placing on the 2" line (it is int he center of the ruler, not on the sides).  Due to our earlier cut, we will start upside down. (my ruler is NOT warped --- what a strange picture)

If you have two strips, you will get two each cut, if four then four each cut. These are NOT pairs, you need 164 bodies (centers).

Continue down the strip and when you get to the end, if there is enough for another set of wings, clean it up and set them aside too - as shown.  You will have to flip the ruler over and see that the words are now upside down and vertical, starting away from you.  Notice that the little black triangle is now below the strip.  It's okay --- it's just a dog ear you are cutting off anyway.

Once you have 164 bodies (centers), it's time to cut the wings.  You will need 164 PAIR.  With TWO (or Four as I do) - 2" GRAY strips, right sides together, use the Easy Angle as shown above.  The first cut is shown as above.  You can read the words and line up the 2" mark.

Cut and re-position

Here are your little sets of wings.

Continue until you have 164 PAIR.

Now, gather up those bodies and wings.

Your layout looks like this --- one body and 1 pair of wings.  The pair needs to be mirror images of each other, which is why we cut them right sides together.  (please don't get hung up with lighting -- these are both correct and color really doesn't matter right now, just make sure they are both right sides up, along with the body)

You will take the wing on the right side and flip it over onto the body, as shown, lining up the blunt tops and points in the lower right corner.  It WILL extend over the top on the left.  Set the left wing aside.

I run these in chains.  Each one has a blunt top so it fits right up against the previous one nicely and no tips are eaten by the machine.  Love it.

Soon, you'll have a lovely little stack ready for pressing.

Your unit now -

Clip apart and press to the wing.  You do not need to worry about the dog ears right now.

Lay your mirror image piece on the left side as shown

Stitch ---

I chain these also --- I haven't had an issue with points being eaten as I use a vintage, single hole machine.  If it an issue for you, flip and sew from the center down as we did the right sides.  There is NOT a rule set in stone that the smaller piece needs to be on top.

Now the process repeats itself.  Snip

And press --- again to the wing.

Your unit should measure 2 x 3 1/2" - does it?  Don't count those pesky dog ears.

Units all pressed and ready to move on

Clip the dog ears -

And your finished unit should look like this.

TA-DA ----- 164 little geese.  See ya next week.  OHHHHH -- please join our private online group and share your work.  Hope to see you there -- here is the LINK.