Wednesday, September 7, 2011

James River Blues Update . . . .

So I'm plugging away on James River Blues by Paula Barnes for Bonnie Blue Quilts. I'm enjoying the drama free fabric decisions and the fact that I can just sit and sew, no thinking, no planning, no math. It's very relaxing.

Although I do have to admit, most of you know me better than I know myself.



The first thing I did when I started my project was to make my test/inspiration block. I always make one block to double check my math and get a feel for assembling the pieces before cutting out all the fabric.

Well, when I got that block together it was a shade too big for my liking, so I shrunk it down an inch. I know, I know, I told you I wasn't going to make any changes, but you were right and I just couldn't help myself.

So here are some strips, waiting to be cut and pieced to make around 300 four patch blocks.


And here's my stacks of pieces for my hst units. I'm using the Easy Angle by EZ Quilting to cut the units, I don't think I'll ever go back to drawing that line down the middle of a square and sewing on each side of it. I do however still make the units bigger and square them up, even though they come out fairly perfect using that tool every time, I don't think I'll ever give up on that.

Now that summer's over and I'm done traveling for awhile, I'm hoping to make some serious progress and complete 3 more projects this year. Each year I have a goal of making 12 quilts, one per month. I don't know why, there's nothing special about the number 12, but that's a goal I set each year and last year I missed it by one, I think I'm going to make it this year, James River Blues will be my tenth finish for this year, it's looking good!

9 comments:

  1. Go Thelma!!!! I like your fabric choices for the test block. That's going to make it a warm, cozy quilt.

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  2. Thanks for the tip on Easy Angle. I'm planning a quilt that has about a zillion hst pieces and I like the way that method cuts off the dog ears. I'll give it a try.

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  3. Thelma, have you ever heard of "Stitching Lines"? I'm working on a project with lots of angled rectangles, HST's and QST's. I have the wonderful rulers for HST and QST's, but these new little 'tools' have saved me more time than anything in my 'toolbox', along with ensuring accuracy all of my blocks with angles of any kind. Here is the website...check it out and watch the short little demonstration video, if you haven't already!!!
    www.marinandcolusa.com ... Hugs

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  4. I love EZ angle too. When I see your fabrics, I realize I don't have enough variety of lights in my stash....must go shopping!

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  5. I found the same thing - when I cut my triangles out, they seem to be more accurate than sewing next to the line and then cutting. I still haven't figured out why!

    Equipment question - where did you get the wonderful table your sewing machine sits in? Is it made by Bernina? It looks perfect with the extra room for cutting or fabric to sit while you stitch it.

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  6. I think it's a great idea to slip in a quilt that is a little bit mindless... no math chalenges or altering the pattern! Just relax and go with it! And add EZ angle into the mix, even better!
    I also like your 12 quilt per year challenge. You go girl!

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  7. It's going to be wonderful! I had to laugh that you shrunk it - you sound like me. I need to dig out my Easy Angle - I forget how to use it.

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  8. I love your new quilt project Thelma . It is nice to make a quilt once in while that is a kit and everything decided for you. I really like your sewing area how you have it set up. What a nice view you have out the window while you are sewing. Looking forward to following your progress.

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  9. I love using the EZ angle, too. I never got all excited about the James River quilt done in blues, but love the look of it in blues and browns. It looks like a great quilt to make at my next quilt retreat.

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