(Be careful of my links. I couldn't get back after I clicked them and don't know why)
This is what I'm trying to reproduce. But, not so big. Because it's so much of a challenge. Because every piece (12 per block) is joined to the next piece with a curve. Every seam is a curve. Every seam takes 6-8 pins. And, each block takes 30-40 minutes. Well, except the one the other day that wouldn't meet in the center and took over an hour...of picking and sewing and swearing and picking...okay, not so much swearing because the blocks were still new and intriguing, but if I had to do that again, there'd be swearing.
I decided that I'd try it as a roman shade over the bathroom window. That way, I only need a few blocks. Fifteen if I'm lucky. Twenty-four if I'm not. But, either way, not so many that I want to toss this one in the bin before I can finish it.
I started with a set of 4 FQ's in the fall colors and when I bought them and realized what a great set they were, I knew I'd keep them together and then I remembered the quilt in the picture above and knew this was a great place to use them. So, I added two FQ's from stash so I'd have 3 darks and 3 lights and started cutting.
The cutting is easy. I have the 1/8th inch thick plastic templates that I bought several years ago, before I became intimidated by curved piecing. I can cut a block in a few short minutes.
But, joining the pieces together is long and tedious.
I bought the templates to make a batik one, like this. I'm still going to do that...one day. But for now, I'm going to make just a few of these 6 inch blocks and hang it with pride.
Because this is a real challenge.
And, one more pic that I probably should have shown yesterday, but our maple tree was green when I left yesterday morning, gold today and the leaves will all be on the ground by end of the weekend. If they stay dry, I'll try to get them up for mulch (they make great mulch). If they get wet, tho, they'll mold and we'll have to get rid of them. And, rain is in the forecast.
So, for a day or two, we'll enjoy the fall color because it's all we're going to get.
Take care and have a great Thursday. Just one more day until the weekend! Lane
9 comments:
I've always wanted to do a Double Wedding Ring. I have the fabric, I have the templates, but I've not tried it yet. Why? I'm too intimidated by all those curves! I've promised each child a DWR for their wedding. One is already married and two of the others will be in the next few years. Just call me a 'scaredy cat'!!!
This is a challenging block for sure! But, oh how pretty!! This will be beautiful!!
Winding Ways blocks are among my absolute favourites! I made one wall hanging and now have been setting aside some fabrics for another larger one!
I think this will be wonderful when finished. You have picked some beautiful colors. Your tree is lovely - all of the leaves in our trees have fallen and we are raking and raking!
I love Winding Ways or Wheel of Mystery as it is sometimes called. I have made this pattern and it is ready to quilt but somehow I just don't get to it- perhaps over Christmas vacation.
It creates such a lovely design.
This is how far I have got mine- http://quiltmomsjourney.blogspot.com/2009/08/quilting-i-will-goand-invitation.html
Notice that it is over a year later and it is still not quilted - perhaps I should get at it.
I do love the secondary pattern that it creates.
Yours is going to be very lovely.
Thanks for sharing..
Warmest regards,
Anna
Nice pattern and love the big maple tree in your yard. I'm quite close to Los Maples State Park and love to visit there this time of year. Yes, I have a block/quilt I want to do someday, I just can't figure out how. I can't find the block directions anywhere and have tried to qraph it with some success, but even with that I don't see how to put it together.
I can imagine that you feel somehow intimidated, love the colors though.
For me there is one very intimidating: dear, oh dear Jane.... especially the way I want it to look: great on both sides. Still have to wait for some patience and an empty schedule to start with. Some day, oh some day... 8^}
Thank you for sharing
Oh -- I can see a bit of a wheel starting to emerge in the pattern. Beautiful colors. Keep at it! It will be so worth it.
xo -El
This is weird. I am right now today putting together the wheel of mystery that I started in John Flynn's class at PIQF. He doesn't use pins, he uses registration marks on the pieces and a stiletto to guide it through the feed dogs. The hard part for me is cutting out all of the pieces with the templates. I keep forgetting the marks and having to go back and notch them out.
I bought one of his batik wheel kits, but I want to finish the one I started with my own fabrics first.
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