Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Are you up for a challenge?

Sheryl at Temecula Quilt Co is hosting a "Little" Summer Sewing challenge.  Here's the scoop, for the month of July, piece one little basket block a day, and at the end of the month, Sheryl will provide 2 settings for your blocks to make "a darling little summer quilt".

Here are my two blocks, I'm right on schedule.


These blocks finish at 2 inches, aren't they just the cutest things ever?

The details and the pattern, created by Marsha McCloskey, are available here.



Here's a peek at all the pieces and parts.  Those hst units are 1inch square.  If you go with a print for your background fabric make sure it's small.  Mine is from The Cotton Club by Paula Barnes for Marcus Brothers.  

The block instructions call to trim the points.  Luckily for me I have a tool that makes that very easy,


Judy Martin's Point Trimmer.  I don't know why I own this trimmer, I don't even remember buying it, but I'm glad I have it now, it does a great job of trimming off those points perfectly.

The instructions also call to trim the seams down to 1/8" from 1/4".


It really makes working with these little pieces so much easier to reduce any bulk as you go.



I know it's hard to get an idea of the size of these blocks, so I"m going to try and give you one.

Is it bigger than my mini churn dash blocks?



No, it's not bigger than my mini churn Dash blocks!


Is it bigger than Coopers paw?



No, it's not bigger than Cooper's paw!



Is it bigger than a saltine?



Yes, these itty bitty basket blocks are bigger than a saltine!


Don't you want to spend the month of July making basket blocks that are smaller than Cooper's paw but larger than a saltine?  Who wouldn't?

25 comments:

  1. They are such a cute little blocks!! And you're doing beautiful work! I gotta ask, are they hand pieced or machine pieced? I'd love to try this!

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  2. Oh how adorable. I laugh when I saw Cooper's paw. Cooper, you are a very big boy; you have big paws!! :) Too funny. I am not the kind of girl who goes for tiny teeny little square but this one I have to try... at least a few. It might just end up in a mug rug but... we'll see how far I can go. Thanks for the inspiration.

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  3. Oh, how I wish...but I'm packing and heading to North Carolina by August 1st. I'll just have to watch your littler than Cooper's paw, but bigger than a saltine quilt grow:-))

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  4. now that's tiny lol! if you make one a day will it be big enough for a quilt? humm but they sure are cute!
    Helen

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  5. Adorable paw that Cooper has and boy, those blocks are small. How do you keep up with it all Thelma? I am so far behind but love these red blocks....humm, perhaps later.

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  6. oh my so cute!! as always
    another project im not sure I don't know how you get so much done so quickly and perfect
    my coastal lily is finished you can see it over on my blog I think if you click on my name or go here ( diana-runswithdogs.blogspot.com) If you would like I had fun doing it along with you
    my sewing room is cleaned up and ready to start new ill post about it wed

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  7. Your post gave me a big laugh today, probably bigger than the block! Those look too tiny for me, but super sweet.

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  8. The blocks turned out great. I happen to be lucky enough to live in the same town as Marsha,and taken a couple of her classes. She is one awesome teacher so if you ever get the chance to take a class..... She has great tips for making tiny blocks, and they are easier than they look.

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  9. Two inches??? (shaking my head!)

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  10. I cannot stop making them!! LOL!!! I think Sheryl wrote July AND August to piece a block every day. :-)

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  11. I think Linda's right - July and August to piece a block every day. I'll have to post a picture of my first blocks - I'm all over these. So stinkin' cute. LOL

    I'm quite smitten with yours. The fabric choices are sheer perfection.

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  12. oh, my goodness! those are tiny but super cute.

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  13. hehehe... you are too funny! Here's what I'm thinking...
    #1 They are cute little baskets!
    #2 I love Temecula Quilt Co.
    #3 I love what you do... big, small and in between.
    #4 That is teenie tiny... you are a mad woman!
    oh, and
    #5 I love Cooper!

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  14. How cute are these basket & SO Small! Too small for me but I will enjoy watching your progress this month

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  15. Oh my gosh what an adorable block! Is resistance futile? LOL

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  16. Tiny blocks! I couldn't handle that. But will watch your progress for sure!

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  17. Omg! Those are the cutest little blocks ever! Hope Cooper got a special treat for modeling :)

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  18. Two of my favorite things...baskets and miniatures. Everything else has come to a grinding halt while I make these. Five down and how many more?

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  19. Wow! This is the best post of the day :) But unfortunately, I am not up to the challenge this month...still playing catch up.

    However, the project looks adorable so I will have to add this to my "one of these days" list.

    In the meantime, I'll look forward to your progress and Cooper's presentation!

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  20. Some times a challenge is to small!! I tried one block, but it turned out a mess.

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  21. That sounds like sooo much fun! DO not tempt me Thelma...I am already behind on the other new things I've started LOL!

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  22. I had seen their post and printed off the instructions, but after seeing your examples ... I'm a little freaked out. I may sit this one out and just enjoy vicariously through your posts (which isn't unusual)!

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  23. I Ove the tiny basket block. Can't wait to see the quilt. Would love to take part in the challenge but have too many irons in the fire now.

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  24. I LOVE your baskets. Anything tiny is for me. Unfortunately I'm not allowed to sew at the moment (it's a self imposed restriction) otherwise I would totally be doing this.

    Thanks for sharing

    Melissa

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