Chocolatier!

 At long last, it's a top!

I started this in 2017 but got bogged down by some of the complicated blocks.  I made and remade the arrowhead block repeatedly.  I was also intimidated by the paperpiecing and the applique blocks. The solid fabric is Kona cotton and it is fairly thick to sew with. It was a challenge toy accuracy.  Then I didn't feel up to cutting the background fabric. I finally got all the blocks done and laboriously sewed the blocks into rows and rows into sections and, finally, sections into a top.  I would really like to have this custom quilted. 

Making Bracelets

So I am working on the "Bracelets" border for the Chocolatier quilt.  This is a series of  6 1/2" blocks to form the border pieces.  I had already made all of the flying geese (ages ago!) so now I'm working on the wee square in a square blocks.  They are 2.5 inches square.  So far I have learned that I need to remember to move my needle over (I forgot last night) and to PIN and stitch slowly. I will need to make 15 more of these coral blocks and then 16 with the dark teal.  Lots to do!

One nice thing about making these 6 1/2" blocks is that it is good practice for the Saturday Sampler this year at my LQS.  We will be making four 6 1/2" blocks a month this year for the new sampler.

 

Goals for 2023

 I always like to set a few goals at the beginning of the year.  It gives me something to think about, even if I don't achieve all of them.

• Get better at zippers.  To this end I bought a copy of The Zipper Pouch Book.
• Finish the Chocolatier quilt to top status
• Finish one Saturday Sampler quilt to top status (it doesn't matter which one!)

This is it so far!

going batty

 I saw some bat quilts so I drafted this little bat.  Super cute and I was really proud of myself for drafting it on my own.  I have an idea for a batty quilt. . .

And this little goose is for the Chocolatier quilt.  It took me forever to trim the doggone things and I only needed 64 for the quilt.  My hands were hurting for some reason so I opted not to sew for the rest of the day.

More chocolate

With these blocks I've finished the pieced blocks in the center star.  Tonight I'm hoping to start the Argyle blocks for the outside.  My goal is to finish this to top status by the end of the month.  it will require a lot of focus on my part and I'm already getting distracted!

And here is my checkoff photo.  The argyles are the green, brown and pink ones on the points.

and another

A little chocolate

So I decided to clear some blocks  off my table that I had cut out a couple of years ago.  I had "gotten stuck" by the Arrowhead block below and was too intimidated to try the paper-piecing in the star block.  These blocks are for the Chocolatier quilt.

And here is my checkoff photo of the quilt.  I'm hoping to get some more of these finished so I can clear it out totally!

Goals for 2019

I can't believe Christmas break is over and I'm headed to work again on Monday!  After reading about Jo's completed BOM, I decided to start my list anew. 

1. PA Dutch-needs sashing and borders
2. Chocolatier-needs blocks
3. Cool Yule-needs sashing and borders
4. Ramona's baskets (civil war): one block left then assemble and make the borders
5. Ramona's baskets (30's): need to make three blocks, then assemble and add borders
6. Shelby's graduation quilt/goose chase-this one is the one that has really slowed me down

One the plus side, in December I found out that I am anemic and that's why I'm exhausted all of the time.  I started taking iron so I am hopeful that will help with my energy level and I'll be able to sew when I get home in the evenings. Plus the new Saturday Ramona started today!

The fabrics are batiks which I normally don't care for.  In fact, I was going to use civil war repros but I really like how this one looks, so I bought the batik block.

I need to make of list of things I completed this year.  That will make me feel better!

Chocolatier update

 I like to keep myself motivated and realized I haven't touched this project in ages!  I got sidetracked by my nephew's eagle quilt-or maybe it was the Ramonas.  Anyway I made these blocks in February and never posted them.  I also cut out more blocks and they've been sitting on my cutting table ever since!  I need to just knock them out so I can finish this darn BOM. So to encourage myself I've made another checkoff jpg to keep me going.

BOMing along

Two more blocks from the Chocolatier Quilt.  These feel so tiny after making all of the PA Dutch blocks.  I did remake the pinwheel block as the center was about an eighth of an inch off.  It was really bugging me.

I also bought a new pressing stick at the Saturday sampler at my LQS.  This one is only nine inches instead of my 18 inch one.  It's easier to use on this small blocks.

I've already started on the next set of blocks.  And my unfortuate Arrowhead block is going to be remade-again!  This is what it looked like before:

Keeping on. . .

These are the four blocks for the corners of the Chocolatier quilt.  I had trouble getting the tip of the flying geese to line up properly with the four patch HSTs.  I ended up pressing the seams open on the four patch and stitching about seven stitches over the intersections of the seams and then checking to see if they lined up properly.  I had to do it over and over to get it right but it was worth it.  I think they look pretty good.

This is the first block from Month #3.  The kit included only strips of fabric so I didn't think I could use my Fit to Be Geese rulers. So I tried to make a flying goose (?) using the instructions in the pattern.  Nope.  Not even close.  So I finagled the fabric to use my FTBG ruler and made my flying geese properly.  I don't like how the intersection of the block is a little off-about an eighth off.  So I ripped the seam out and will redo it tonight or this weekend.  I had hoped to sew it last night (just one seam!) but we had a pack meeting and Red had a math worksheet he was struggling with.

on the other BOM. . .

So now I'm working on BOM #2.  This one isn't nearly as old-this is from 2017!  I blithely made one block and then (as usual) I got stuck on the next one.

I don't remember the name of this one but it was fairly easy to sew.

This block is the arrowhead.  I had a tough time (obviously) with this one.  I still didn't get it right but decided to move on.  My sister recommended I try to make the block with some other fabric just to check it out.  The base for the arrowhead is 2 x 2.5 inches.  I bet I am sewing it together with the wrong orientation.  I hope I can try it out tonight but I have a cub scout committee meeting.  I started on the corner blocks this weekend and finished one.  I'll try to take some pics tonight.