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.
6 comments:
These came out all lovely--but I do think "Zeke" is my fave of these 3, Cathy!! hugs, from your scrappy friend...Julierose
So you have been right through the alphabet with your orphan blocks and now you are starting again, well done indeed! I havent felt like stitching these past few weeks, but hopefully once Christmas is over I might feel like starting again. Christmas wishes from New Zealand to you and your hubby.
You know, if you say you're running out of orphan blocks, your mailbox will fill up in no time. Did you even guess you would get all the way through the alphabet this year?
Your tale of the uneven seam allowances in the cracker blocks reminded me of the comfort quilt I put together with 16 patch bloocks made by our quilt group for another member of the group undergoing breast cancer treatments. I suggested the 16 patch because I thought easy peasy, who could mess up sewing a bunch of squares together. Not only were seam allowances all over the place, but some people couldn't even cut an accurate 2.5" square. I swore I'd never put together a group quilt again.
Merry Christmas to you and John. It's OK if you take a break for a day or two.
Pat
I was wondering if you would start over with the alphabet. I feel like my quilts are all my children, unique and special, but I never thought to give them specific names. I don't think I have actually made orphan blocks either. Just scrap quilts. I am glad you live far enough away from the big cities so you can enjoy the evening sky. I am just on the outskirts of Houston and the moon and a few stars is about all we can see. I hope you and your husband have a peaceful Christmas.
Great setting solution for the cracker blocks. The other orphans have found a good home in your designs, too. Merry Christmas to you and John.
Congratulations on these cheerful quilts. How nice to receive so many blocks in the mail… And great of you to make them into something useful. Merry Christmas to you and your DH.
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