Orphan Block Tops Zeke, Archibald and Bertha

Orphan Block Tops Zeke, Archibald and Bertha 

blowing in the wind.

Zeke

40 x 60

Zeke started out with nine 12.5 inch slab blocks framed in cream that someone gave me. 

I made three rows with the slab blocks and between the first and second blocks in the rows I added some 4.5 inch four patches I had in the Parts Dept.   That was so I could get to the 40 inch width I try for in kiddo quilts. 

Someone else gave me some 12.5 x 18.5  scrappy blocks. I used four of those blocks to make two more rows adding more four patches between the two blocks so they were also 40 inches in width. 

Archibald

40 x 60

Archibald consists of 12 inch (finished) green blocks received from different folks. 

I added strips between columns and rows to get the width and length I needed. 

Someone gave me a big pile of the dark green/white 2.5 inch striped fabric strips that I've used in several quilts and for bindings. 

Bertha 

40 x 56

Someone gave me these 8 inch (finished) Cracker quilt blocks. 

The problem with them is that most of the blocks have more than 1/4 inch seam where the points meet in the block. I looked at trimming up the blocks; however, the seams vary so much in each block so that by the time I trimmed them up to have 1/4 inch seams at points the blocks would be different sizes. 

Awhile ago I tried sewing a few together with the colored edges meeting; however the blocks looked too wonky that way. So I put them aside until now. 

I decided to try a layout with the blocks all going in the same direction. This way it is not so noticeable that the points in the blocks don't match up. 

And sew on...

I thiink that might be all the tops I'll make for this month. I'm off to start piecing backings because I think I'm going to have to have a January quilting marathon. 

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CELEBRATE! (my word of the year)

Dec. 21 - Finished a book! When The World Went Silent by Ellie Midwood. I believe I've read all of Ellie Midwood's WWII historical fiction books. Most are fictional stories based on true characters. This book is a fictional story based on true events  - the Uranium Club - Nazi Germany's attempt to develop a nuclear bomb. 

Dec. 22 - Sitting on the couch and looking out the deck doors - a beautiful pink sky at sunset and later a very beautiful bright object in the southwest sky that I think might be Venus. Or maybe Sirius. I'm no expert on night skies. I just like looking and I'm thankful I'm not seeing a lot of drones hovering over my house.