BOM Rehab . . .

When Sinta decided to host a BOM Rehab, to help her and quilters everywhere with unfinished BOM projects, it made me remember this old BOM I signed up for a couple of years ago. 

Northern Lights is a pattern designed by Marti Michell and carried by quilt shops.

I signed up for this BOM based on this picture of the finished quilt.  I loved and still love the soft neutral colors used to make the blocks.

When I got my welcome to the BOM letter from the shop it mentioned that "great care and time has been used to choose fabrics that closely match those shown in the pattern photo so that your quilt will have the same look".  I did not think the fabric sent each month closely matched the pattern photo at all, not only did it not match the photo, it didn't match itself.  I knew I was in trouble when the background fabric and the main focus fabric did not appeal to me, but I figured I would at least be able to use the other pieces sent to construct the blocks.  No such luck, this turned into a very expensive pattern since I wasn't using the "carefully chosen" fabric.

I've since learned that when I sign up for a BOM or pick up a kit in a shop to ask, "is the fabric provided the exact fabric as in the sample?" Most of the time it is, but when it's not, I've found that the shop was able to tell me what was different in the kit versus the sample.  It pays to ask.

So basically I just brought my envelopes in from the mailbox, threw them in a project box and watched for that $24.95 monthly fee to show up on my credit card.  I sure was happy when my 12 months were up and I could forget about the project entirely.

Well that all changed this weekend when I got all the monthly blocks out, studied the pattern photo, and read all the pattern requirements.

I figured out that once I picked a background fabric and a focus fabric, and the three border fabrics, that I would have a good start on getting on track and finishing this project.

I also figured that if I made all the setting blocks, it would be easier to select fabric for focus blocks.

So that's what I did.  This is the setting block.

The blocks are huge, 16 1/2 inches.

I  made all eight.

Now it's on to the 7 focus blocks.  

I'm hoping to make one a week, that way I'll have all the big blocks pieced before Labor Day, stay tuned!

Thanks Sinta for hosting BOM Rehab!

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"T Stands for Thelma" . . . .

My "T Stands for Thelma" quilt is home from the quilter.

I thought I would try white binding, I know that's sort of a quilting no no, but I like how crisp it looks, I think it was a good call. 

We  (we being me and my long arm quilter Connie Lancaster at Quilts Plus) decided just a nice all over pattern would work best for this quilt top.

This pattern by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co also goes by the name of Bibelot.  It would make a great choice if you're looking for that perfect project for the Schnibbles July sew along.

I decided to hang this quilt in my guest room.

This is Lifetime Quilt Number 82, click here for more detail.

Also, I'm up to 21 yo-yos!  

The olympic trials on TV lately helped with my production. 

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It's a start . . . .

Last year I made this patriotic table topper for a 4th of July blog hop and giveaway.  The twin to this table topper lives somewhere else,  I wonder if the person who won it got it out and is enjoying it as much as I'm enjoying mine this year.  After finishing this table topper I vowed to make more table toppers to enjoy throughout the year.

And one year later, this is still the only table topper I own!  But this is the year I'll have a fall table topper, I just know it!

Well I made up my mind and I'm going with "Free Spirit Medley" from Judy Martin's book "Knockout Blocks and Sampler Quilts"

The other pattern had more background fabric, this pattern better suits the fabric I have on hand.  So that's how I decided.

Since I'm going controlled scrappy, to make sure I get the design to pop like it should,  I'm sort of starting from the inside and working my way out.

It's a start . . . . .

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Celebrate ! ! !

Best wishes for a fun and safe 4th of July . . . .

wherever you may be!

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Tools Tuesday . . . . .

So here's my first review of an item that was in my tools drawer that I had not used and didn't know how to use!

Piping Hot Binding - Accent binding with piping by Susan K Cleveland.

It's more like a kit, you get this book, a piping ruler and some cording.

It was stumbling across this book while I was working on Leap Year that gave me the idea to frame my blocks which enabled me to use more fabric and make my project bigger!  Isn't life funny sometimes?

So the first thing you do is sew the cording inside the piping strip.

Then using this ruler, you run the covered cording down that canal in the ruler to trim it.

You can trim strips 1/2" or 1/4" inches wide.

This is my test block, I used the strip with piping on the right side and just a folded and pressed flange on the left side.  

I didn't see much difference in looks, not enough to go to the trouble of making the piping.

In the book Susan says, " the Groovin' Piping Trimming Tool is used to trim piping seam allowances to a consistent width.  When piping is sewn, it is impossible to maintain a consistent seam allowance.   Trimming seam allowances using a traditional acrylic ruler is a time consuming chore but the Groovin' Piping Trimming Tool makes this task quick and accurate"

I agree with this assessment, if you want to go to the trouble to make piping, this ruler works great.  I'm just not sure how often I'll make piping.

The book itself is great, it provides wonderful step by step directions for binding, piping and making a backing.    I'm keeping this little piping/binding kit, back in the drawer it goes.  If I ever decide to make piping, I'll want that ruler to trim it!

I'm giving this book and ruler a rating of 3 cupcakes out of 5!

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