Oy, this block was a pain! I actually tried making it before by cutting out the pieces using the provided templates, then paper-piecing, and I just couldn't make it work.
This time, I started with the big triangles, then used oversized scraps for the others, which worked, but required a lot of trimming to be done.
While I was working on it, I kept asking myself whether I shouldn't have just put it in the FWQAL "skip" category, but once I finally finished it up, I was glad I did it. It's such a great graphic block.
Before I could do anything, though, I had to clean up the pile of miscellaneous junk that had accumulated by my sewing area (right by the front door, unfortunately):
I didn't get an "after" photo, so you'll just have to trust that it was improved enough for me to actually work there.
First up was a partially done Farmer's Wife block, #50 Honey's Choice. I'd gotten the sub-units done (with some wrassling), but hadn't put them all together yet. This was also the first 5-patch block that I made using my new Marti Michell templates, which worked pretty well.
I'm not entirely crazy about the block--not enough contrast, and the colors aren't my favorites, but hey, it's done!
Next up: Disappearing 16 Patch in pink. This month's challenge had suggested sticking to hot pinks, but I didn't have that much selection, so I went with the pinks I had.
First I laid them out:
Then I moved them around:
Then I told my inner perfectionist that it's a scrap block, so quit fussing & start sewing! First rows of 4, then all together into a 16-patch, and then cut on the diagonal.
Walla! Tucked them into the folder with the previously made orange, purple, and blue triangles and patted myself on the back.
I then spent about 15 minutes practicing free-motion quilting--just parallel-ish straight lines, noodled around with an idea for an AAQI quilt, and called it a night.
So that's my first sewing of 2013, and I say yay! In celebration, allow me to share the "Think Pink!" number from Funny Face:
So, for my very first FNSI, I made these not-so-terribly exciting 9-patch setting blocks. I wish I had something more "oooh-worthy" to show off, but I did feel like I needed to do these first, given my problems with scant quarter-inch seams. The "ooh" blocks come next though, so there should be some prettier pictures in the next day or so.
I did get to use up a bunch of scraps at least. Some of the blocks were strip-pieced, but a lot of them were just made out of scraps that I trimmed to 2"x2" and then sewed together, kickin' it old-style.
Click on the link below to see what other folks got up to for their Fridays!
