Disappearing 9-patch

Just sharing this awesome quilt that my friend and client, Linda Mason, brought for quilting.  I've seen quite a few quilts of this pattern but never that thrilled me like this one.  It just made me happy to look at it.

Some close details.  Linda's collection of Japanese fabrics and Asian prints is wonderful.

Don't you just love these little characters?  I see a Disappearing 9-patch in my future...well, someday anyway.   Happy Quilting!

Spirit of Sacagawea...nearing completion!

 I can seriously say, I was not sure this day would ever arrive.  Finally, the top is finished and quilting can commence.  It has been quite some time since this quilt has gotten attention.  There was a little bit of time yesterday to work on the bottom row of sashing.  When I came up to the studio this morning it was really cold since the stove ran out of pellets....SO! hmmm...finish this up.  Cold is a good excuse to do other things because the Gammill really hates to cooperate when it's too chilly, or perhaps I just don't like to either.


For anyone who hasn't seen this project already, it's from the book "The Spirit of Sacagawea" by Laurie Simpson and Polly Minick.  They have a Flickr group here with pictures others have posted photos of their work.  Pinterest is another place to see awesome versions...just do a search for Spirit of Sacagawea quilts and you will be amazed.

Overall, I think it looks great!

This block is called "Chokecherry".  I decided my berries needed to be blue, like huckleberries or blueberries.  Yes, I always need to be different, what can I say.  Still need to add the embroidery on the stems, inking didn't cut it (I was hopeful).

This block is called "Stack of Coins".  You will find Sacagawea on a coin!  My machine piecing skills are so evident here, my scant 1/4" is never scant enough.  I considered redoing the block and then decided to add a border to bring it up to size.  I really don't care for the look so the verdict is still out on a re-do.

I think this is my favorite block of the whole quilt.  It is called "Salmon berry".  

This block is called "Rocky Mountain Pass" in the book.  I call it Cogs.  Let's just say I'm glad this one is finished and whether or not I like it doesn't matter because, after all, it's finished.

"Some Assembly Required"

My dear friend, Nancy, recently sent me this pattern.  Camelot, designed by Trish Harper.  You can find this pattern on Broderie for purchase as well as look through their Flickr account to see amazing photos of wonderful blocks.

 I happen to be a handwork junkie.  I prefer applique but any handwork will do.  Knitting, embroidery, whatever, I love them all.  I have a feeling that Nancy knew I would not be able to resist this pattern.

 This is Block #1.  I'm going to refer to them as "rounds" since I've yet to add the setting that will make them into blocks.  I'm saving that step for the end as I have a twisted plan for accomplishing it...a little divergence, shall we say?

 Round #2 I just completed this morning.  So much for a "work in progress Wednesday".  There are sixteen blocks in all for this project and so far they're moving along pretty quickly.

Why is it that after I choose fabrics and get them stitched together do I always see what I could have done better?  In the big scheme of things I know it will be fine but I kind of wish my center circle (behind the X) were lighter and wishing my green points were darker.  Oh well, persevering.

 Hand piecing is so wonderfully accurate, given the assumption that my templates were precise.

I like to run the pattern through the copier and print it on template plastic.

Pro's: Perfect straight lines (though you must check that the copier doesn't warp anything)

Con's: Ink can take too long to dry unless you're patient, and still it can rub off the plastic and onto your fabric.

Love that nice flat center.  I'm not great at machine piecing so I know this would NOT have turned out great had I tried it that way.  For proficient machine people, give it a shot, probably so much faster.

There is probably a technique for tightening up that center (see the bitty hole?).  If you know what it is please share with me.  Several of the blocks have just this kind of center and I would love to know how to improve.


Happy Quilting,
Laurel