IBTWRC Basket Blocks

Voila!  

(that's my new word, anytime a taxi driver in Paris would drop us off at our desired location they would say "Voila", I just loved it, like they magically transported us to all these amazing places.)

Anyway, I've made 30 Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Ridiculously Cute basket blocks.  I think technically that's all we need for the front, the 31st is for the back.  

I can hardly wait to see the setting options.

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How about 20 mini cake stand basket blocks on a cake stand . . .

I've made it to 20 itsy bitsy teenie weenie ridiculously cute mini basket blocks.

The month's almost over, but I think I'll make it to 31.  I'm very happy with that background fabric, I almost went with a plain off white background, now I'm glad I didn't.   I don't this background is too busy or overpowers the basket prints at all, what a relief!

The details and pattern for this sew along are on the Temecula Quilt Co blog.

I'm not accepting comments right now but thanks for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed the change of pace from the dresden blocks.  I aim to please!

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And Then . . .

And then, 

there were 10.

10 teenie weenie itsy bitsy ridiculously cute mini cake stand basket blocks.  I'm not tired of making these blocks, yet!  10 down 20 more to go.

It's just Cooper and I at home this week, so I thought it would be the perfect time to have a sewing retreat, at home.  Is that called an advance, a stay-cation? Whatever it's called all I'm doing is sewing and walking the dog.  I'm not doing laundry, running errands, or cooking.  I'm living off of cereal, sandwiches, and Lean Cuisines, and so far it's been nothing but fun

I've decided to go with 32 Sister's Choice blocks for Not Jubilee Celebration, these 32 blocks.  I think I made 35, 3 didn't make the final cut.  I like the looks, variation and shading of these blocks.

It's amazing how much I can accomplish with days of 14 hours of sewing time.

Now I'm working on the sashing.

I hope to have that sashing done and on those blocks by Friday, should be a piece of cake. 

 I recommend this retreat at home thing, now if I could just come up with the perfect name for it, besides great.

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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?

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