Using Thangles

I continue to stitch on my Drunkard's Wife Quilt Along blocks.  Here are two that I made using Thangles.

This first block, block 11 of Felice's Drunkard's Wife QAL - Long Island Iced Tea, is made entirely using 2.5" strips of fabric.  That is the glory of using Thangles to piece half-square triangle blocks -- there is no need to cut odd sizes of fabric strips.

block 11 -  Long Island Iced Tea

This lively block uses 2" Thangles (my favorite size - just sayin').  Like Felice did in her version of this block, I elected to make a scrappy version.  My block uses 5 different pink prints and 3 different background prints (including a dark and a light print from Emma's Garden).  In fact, the fabrics were all leftovers from the other blocks in this quilt-along.

To make the block, gather your scraps and slice them into 2.5" strips.  You need an equal number of light and dark prints (well, actually 11" more of the dark strips).  Cut eight 2.5" squares from the dark prints.  Cut four 2.5" squares from the light.  Set these 12 squares aside and with the remaining strips make 24 half-square triangle blocks using Thangles as follows:

Mix and match your dark and light strips.  Place them right sides together, pin the Thangle paper pattern on top of the light print and stitch on the indicated stitching lines (click here for detailed step-by-step photos).  Each 2" Thangle strip will yield 6 half-square triangle blocks, 2.5" unfinished.  Cut the stitched Thangles papers apart, press the block open, then remove the paper.

TAKE:  two dark 2.5" squares,

      one light 2.5" square and 

six of the half-square triangle blocks...

and 

ARRANGE them to match the nine-patch pattern below. 

one quarter of my Long Island Iced Tea

Mix and match your scrappy fabrics in any order that tickles you.  Make four of these nine-patch quilt squares.  To piece the finished block, I angled three blocks in one direction and the fourth in a different orientation (see the first photo).

This pattern is called the Single T or the T-Quartet in the traditional quilt world.  Here are different sites with images and/or directions in making this block (here and here and here).  Note: none of these versions are as scrappy as mine!  Felice's directions can be found here.


I used Thangles again when piecing this block #9, the Pina Colada block.

block #9 -  Pina Colada

It took me a bit longer to find the intentional mistake in this block, but I did.  It is another easy block to make using Thangles,  although you do need to cut two 4.5" squares of the light-background-print fabric and one 4.5" square of the dark print before cutting the 2.5" strips of both dark and light prints needed for the Thangles (note: you can go scrappy if you wish).

Using the 2.5" strips of fabric, pin one light and one dark strip right sides together with the Thangle paper pattern on top of the light.  Stitch on the indicated stitching lines (click here for detailed step-by-step photos), cut apart, and press the block open before removing the paper.

Do you notice how the seam is automatically pressed to the dark fabric?  Mini-lesson:  Pressing the seams to one side (instead of pressing them open) adds strength to the seam and longevity to your quilt's life.  

Using the three 4.5" squares and 24 half-square triangle blocks, lay out your block, keeping the light 4.5" squares in opposite corners and the dark square in the center.  Remember to add your mistake (wherever it pleases you or use my photo as a guide).  Stitch together and press. 

The traditional version of this block is known as Cut Glass Dish and also as Winged Square.   Click here for another set of directions on how to make this block.  Cut Glass Dish is a free pattern offered by The Quilter's Cache, and is also sold on Craftsy and other sites.  Googling Winged Square reveals this site, Quilting Assistant (click here) with free directions.  Several images of this block used to make full-size quilts are easily found on the internet as well.  The internet is a wonderful tool to refer to when looking for guidance in how to make quilt blocks, and to see images of lovely quilts, and best of all - to share what you make or discover with others!

I hope you are enjoying this intentional oops series of quilt block patterns as much as I enjoy stitching the blocks together.

My lil owlie pillow

I spent the evening repairing this little pillow.

Lil Owlie - after the attack

As you can see,  my lil owlie has suffered a vicious mauling by our puppy when he (the puppy) was still new to the family (he's a little older and wiser now).  I've tucked the damaged pillow away for over a year or maybe closer to two years.  I loved it too much to toss it and yet hadn't decided how to repair it (especially the lower right corner - can you see that the corner is missing?).

I made this pillow using an owl from my toddler class bulletin board (in 2011-12, my co-teacher and I decorated our classroom with these owls).  I made two owl pillows, trading one in Another Little Quilt Swap (in the 7th swap) and keeping the other one (the one shown above) for my home. I especially love the background of this as my friend Liz B painted, over-dyed lightly, and enhanced it.  Click  here for more information on this pillow.


Meanwhile, on Instagram, The Cloth Pocket is hosting a WIP contest tonight.  I immediately grabbed this damaged owl and determined to fix it ....

Lil Owlie in need of new eyes and a beak

First step:  Carefully remove the damaged, half-eaten eyes and beak.
Next:  Stitch two black yo-yos, attach to white circles and stitch in place on the owlie's face.
Next:  Make the new beak and stitch it in place too.
Last of all:  Mend the dog-chewed-and-eaten corner ....

Lil Owlie ready to party again!

Ta-dah!
I've finished!

This marks my second finish in the 2016 Finish Along for the first quarter.  Do you like my creative patch to mend the lower right corner?  This little sleeping owl is appliqued in place and matches the fabric on the pillow back.  Click here for my original list of UFOs to finish for this quarter.

My lil owlie pillow is #345 of the official Q1 finishes for this first quarter.  Click here to see it and other amazing finishes.


Thank you to @TheClothPocket and also to the many hostesses of @FinishAlong  #2016FAL; #finishalong2016  #theclothpocketwipcontest #wipcontest

Oops, my progress report...

Ive been stitching away and posting photos on Instagram, but need to catch my blog readers up on where I am with my Drunkard's Wife QAL.

block #4 - Mint Julep

Here is block #4 Mint Julep of the quilt-along.  This is an "oops" of the classic Ohio Star.  My block looks to me as if it is standing up on its tippy toes.  The center pink daisies are from Patty's line "Emma's Garden" with Michael Miller fabrics.com.  Click here for the directions to make this block from the Generations Quilt Patterns website.  They have directions for several quilt blocks, so it's a great site to know about and have bookmarked.

block #6 - Mai Tai

This is the sixth block in the "Drunkard's Wife QAL", nicknamed Mai Tai.  It is a spoof or oops of the traditioal Mosaic or Connecticut block.  Or perhaps you know another name for the traditional version of this block (if so, please tell me too what it is).  I used 3" Thangles to make this block. Emma's Garden 'Happy Go Luck' Pink Daisies make a large part of this block.  This print brings back memories of my younger days, and the simple joys of plucking petals from a daisy "he loves me, he loves me not....".  Daisies also remind me of the sweet little saying "oopsie daisy" or is it "whoopsie daisy"?  (I think I have just named my quilt!).

block #10 -- Sake Bomb

The tenth block is called Sake Bomb.  This one is also a fun goof (or oops), and I am not positive what the name of the traditional version is called.  Could it be Rolling Stone or Wheel or Single Wedding Ring or is it possibly named something different.  I was pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to piece too.  Click here for Felice's directions.  Directions for all of the blocks of this funky quilt-along are on Felice's website, click here for the full set (Drunkard's Wife QAL label).  Felice has posts other tutorials and insights and great stuff as well as this fun quilt along.  Her website is Sew Scattered.  Stay tuned as I continue to stitch up more of my blocks for this quilt along.

My first tie pillow

I am working on a special project -- making memory pillows using the shirts and ties once worn by a dearly loved gentleman.  The pillows are for his children and grandchildren, something to keep the memory of his love in their daily lives.

Here is pillow number one.  It uses six ties that have been appliqued onto a shirt and is an original design that I came up with while playing with the pretty silk ties.  This may be a fun project!

The back of the pillow is made from the shirt's button front.  The buttons open to reveal the custom made pillow form inside.   The pillow measures approximately 12" by 18" in size.

As seen in this detail view, I quilted the front and back pieces of the pillow to add to its longevity.    

This pillow is my first completion in the 2016 finish-along challenge.  Click here to read more about the finish-along challenge where you will see my full list of 10 projects I hope to complete by March 2016 as well as links to more details about this challenge.  I do excel at beginning projects, but this year I plan to finish many too.

My first silk tie pillow is entry #344 of the many finishes that have been posted for the first Quarter of the official Finish Along.  Click here to see the many links.


Time to dream up the next pillow ....

Daily drawings in January

This month, I've been participating in Lisa Congdon's Daily Drawing class through Creative Bug.  It has been fun and enlightening.  I can draw some objects so easily and struggle with others - but the wonky look is "in", so I'm good!  Below are a few of my favorites from the month.

day 9/31   Bird

As I was deciding if it was still bright enough to take a nice photo of my bird drawings, I spied my little chicken pincushion (a purchase from this year's International Quilt Festival) and plopped it ontop of my sketch pad as a prop.  Too bad I didn't spy it before I filled my page -- I could have sketched my stuffed birdie!

day 14/31   Fern

The day I drew the Ferns, the Houston Chronicle had a front page story on Ferns (front page of Section E).  I had to include this front page in my photo shoot -- wouldn't you?  (Again - I spied the page after I had filled my page!  must work on my timing!)

day 16/31 Apple

By now, I'm loving the posing of each sketchpad photograph but on day 16, Apple, I had only bananas in the house.  But there are apples in the quilt underneath my sketch pad - so that counts, right?

day 20/31 Fork

Drawing the forks was a challenge.  I did try to draw handles of my own forks, but need to practice with forks a bit longer. 

day 22/31 Paint Brush

This might be my favorite -- the colorful (& dirty) watercolors add a pop of color to my black-n-white sketchpad.

day 24/31  House Plant

I tried drawing my African Violets -- not sure that I succeeded, but I did try!  I also learned that my house plants were in need of some attention (tossing water on them is not enough!).

day 27/31 Lamp

Lamps were fun to sketch, but I forgot to sketch my favorite lamp -- a funky curvy wood base lamp actually we have a table lamp and matching floor lamp, inherited from my in-laws home.  I should at least get a photo of them to share here, right?

day 28/31 Salt & Pepper

I don't really collect Salt & Pepper shakers, but when I see a pair that tickles me (the bluebirds) or that remind me of my grandmothers, I tend to purchase them!  Maybe I am collecting Salt-n-Pepper shakers after all!

day 29/31  Sunshine

Drawing the Sunshine (well, really we were drawing the sun!) was very easy -- a throwback to elementary school days where the sun was always included at the top of the page, next to the stripe of blue for the sky.  The quilt behind this drawing is one that I received through Another Little Quilt Swap hosted by Kate North that happened in 2014.   Click here for more quilts that were traded in that swap or here to see what I traded when I received this quilt.

day 31/31   Telephone

The last lesson of the class was to draw a telephone.  I wish I had more of the old-timie telephones to sketch.  Instead I drew some old-timey wireless phones and the latest of iPhones at the moment (iPhone 6 is on loan from my husband).

 Ta-dah!

I have completed all 31 drawing lessons!

I plan to continue drawing too.  Of course it helps that there will be a February Daily Drawing class on Creative Bug (but not by Lisa Congdon - so I will get to sample other instructors).  I'm looking foward to this and am quite tickled that I kept it up all month (playing catch-up when I missed a day or two ...

Blue dog and red kitties

I love testing new patterns and basically I love to sew and I truthfully accomplish more when I have a set deadline to finish by (especially when someone else sets the deadline, so I cannot push it back).

Here is the latest.... I was asked to test a new paper piecing pattern for Kristy of Quiet Play, and share the results by January 20.  This is my progress photo:

 

This shows the madcap scramble of the pieces to the puzzle that will soon morph into a completed 12 1/2" quilt block.  Can you guess what it will be?  (confession: I may have cropped out a few of the sections -- can you spy the dog's nose?)

Here is the finished block which I have titled: My Blue Doxie

Cute.  

Don't you agree?

This is called Geometric Doxie Paper Pieced Pattern and is one of the newest patterns released by Kristy @ Quiet Play.  Click here to see her website or here to see her patterns.   Kristy also has her patterns on Craftsy (click here).

I have tested a few other Quiet Play patterns as well.  My first (and still favorite) is this sitting kitty, which I've mentioned in a previous post, but here is a little more of the behind-the-scenes story.

The pattern is called "Geometric Little Cat Paper Pieced Pattern" and is only available on her payhip site (click here).   I pieced this in red as my Houston Modern Quilt Guild was having a red-and-white block exchange with the London Modern Quilt Guild.  The blocks were meant to be 12" finished and this measured a smidgeon too small so I added this border.

The upper portion was simple -- just cut more of the Kona white with my rotary cutter.  The lower portion was trickier due to the stripes.  Cut one lengthwise and then two crosswise.  But I do like how it turned out.  I have named this one My London Kitty and hope it finds happiness in its new London home.

In fact, I loved my London kitty so much that I decided I must make another one for myself to keep.  Here is My Houston Kitty.

When I was piecing this kitty, I totally forgot to use a different color for the floor that the kitty is sitting on, and originally pieced the entire kitty with an all white background.  I didn't like it and didn't know what to do to fix it.  I didn't relish the idea of restitching the entire tail section .... so ... I carefully removed the tail from the background white and the appliqued the entire tail onto the new floor section.  If you compare this Kitty to the London Kitty, you can see that the section with the tail does not have the same seams .....  I love this little kitty and am thrilled with how it turned out.  Perhaps I will make another ....

These are just two of the patterns by Kristy @ Quiet Play that I have made.  Her patterns are a fabulous introduction into paper-piecing -- although if you are a beginner, select a pattern without as many teeny-tiny pieces!  If you run into difficulties with her directions, Kristy is just a short email away -- or message her through InstaGram (@quietplay).  She lives across an ocean from me, but through the marvels of our digital age, she is much closer!

My newest gadget

Look what I found while helping my sisters clean out as they prepare for their massive tear-down and remodel.

It looks to be a loom for weaving/knitting/looping a new scarf.  Fortunately a project is already in progress so I am using that to figure out how to use this neat tool.  Oh, and there is extra yarn in the bag, so I am hopeful the scarf will end up at a nice length. 

I'm learning a new craft! -- totally self-taught (or taught by deciphering the sample on it ...).  Love this new skill and the challenge of doing it correctly!  Any one interested in a pink scarf?

Do you know anything more about this gadget?  I'd love any information you can share....