Friday, January 14, 2011

Belle Meade . . . .


My sewing room is all cleaned up from Red, White and Wonderful, although, since it was a kit, there wasn't much to clean up in the way of scraps. Normally, when I work on a project, I have a pretty good stack of leftovers, because I'm an over cutter and over piecer, and like variety and choice. I pretty much used all that lovely Roman Holiday fabric on Red, White and Wonderful. I may be able to piece a small mug rug or pin cushion with the leftovers, that fabric is too valuable to waste and I intend to use each little bit.

Now it's time for the next project that I was supposed to start January 1st, but since I'm the boss of my schedule, this project was pushed to today, January 14th, and that's OK.

Finally, I'm starting Belle Meade, and Nicole, over at Sister's Choice Quilts, she's starting Belle Meade today too. Well technically we started this project back in October, when we decided to get a jump start on the 656 two inch finished half square triangles that this pattern requires.


Belle Mead is a Bonnie Blue Quilts pattern, and can finish at 70" X 70", if you just go with the setting triangles, or 85" X 85", if you use the optional borders provided in the pattern. (FYI...Bonnie Blue is currently having a 35% off sale on fabric on the bolt)

Of course, me being me, I have no idea on how I plan to finish this quilt, I haven't even decided on my fabric for the setting triangles, I'm sure it will all easily fall into place once I get the blocks made and up on my design wall. (I'm sure hoping that's the case, and this doesn't turn into another center with no border UFO!!)

The one thing I have decided on,the fabric, I'm using French General by Moda. I'm mainly using Rural Jardin, but there's some Rouenneries (remember how hard that was to spell when it first came out, now we all know how to spell it....but who knows how to say it, that's the question...I say roon-ner-eeze but that doesn't sound French so I'm guessing that's wrong!!) and a little Lumiere de Noel.



So here are my 656 half square triangles, ready to be sewn to 41 bigger half square triangles. I used the Easy Angle ruler to make my hst units, the ruler worked well for me, I will use the same method the next time I need a large number of hst units for another project.

If I don't add the optional borders, this project will have 758 pieces when finished.



Here's everything ready to go, just setting on my work shelves. Nicole is blogging about Belle Meade today too, so be sure to stop over there to get her take on this project. I think we're are hoping to provide weekly updates on our progress, so stay tuned.

Hey Nicole, ready, set, SEW . . . . . . .

6 comments:

  1. Now you get to do the really fun part! I loved watching these blocks come to life...ENJOY!

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  2. I already know that I'm going to love this quilt when you are finished. Oh and I'm really impressed with your organization...amazing!
    Have fun sewing today :)

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  3. I love the fabrics you have chosen. I am looking forward to seeing your progress!

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  4. oooo I LOVE French General. It's going to be beautiful!

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  5. Thelma,
    I love Red, White and Wonderful!
    You are so organized and tidy. I can't wait to see Belle Meade as you work on it!
    Hugs,
    Donna

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  6. other than two charm packs that a dear friend gave me, i have no French General fabric ... probably cuz i can't pronounce any of their names
    and i stopped singing Alouette when i read the translation - ha ha ha

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