olympics sew-a-long with Temecula Quilt Co., top completed

Temecula Quilt Co. did a sew-a-long on their blog during the Olympics.

I had all the fabrics already out in my active pile for the weekly Circa 2016 blocks, ready to cut the 4 1/2 inch squares, and the 2 1/2 squares and many of the 1 1/2 inch squares were already in my bins, so it was quick work to get this started. I've been grabbing time here and there to finish it up and it was always a pleasure to get a bit further along.

Temecula Quilts based their pattern on this wonderful antique piece. I love how it looks like someone without great skill but pragmatism took a quilt in progress and finished it up. Thank you, Temecula Quilts!

This photograph is from the Temecula Quilt Co. blog

project is available for download in their Project Patchwork series at their site:

http://temeculaquiltco.com/patterns.html

basket medallion sew-a-long third border, stars

This is part four of the Gwen Marston Style sew-a-long.
Lori at:
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/
started the medallion sew-a-long with the theme basket for the center.
Cynthia at:
http://wabisabiquilts.blogspot.com/
chose the first border theme--childhood.
Cathy at:
http://wwwbiglakequilter.blogspot.com/
chose log cabins for this next round. 
Katy at:
http://katyquilts.wordpress.com/
chose stars for a theme.
For next month, Wendy at:
http://theconstantquilter.blogspot.com/
Her chosen theme is something fishy. I am not sure where this will lead me!

Star Theme:
I have loved the Missouri Star Quilts Falling Triangles design and thought it might look like twinkling stars if made smaller.
I scaled it down and used different piecing methods (I don't like the bias edges in Missouri Star's method) to come up with a 3 inch finished block (3 1/2 inches unfinished).
The pink is cut from 2 1/2 inch strips with an EZ angle ruler, as is the grey triangle. The rectangles are cut from 1 1/2 inch strips to 2 1/2 inches and 3 1/2 inches.

My first set of blocks were made from a slate grey that turned out to be too dark for this top. They are set aside for another project.
These I made with a steel grey and about 20 different pinks.

At this point it measures 51 inches square plus seam allowances.

I have discovered that when I want to make a rectangle quilt, and the quilt wants to be a square, I will be making a square quilt.

See what others are doing: 
http://humblequilts.blogspot.com/2016/09/gwennie-inspired-medallion-round-4.html

attribution/derivatives/inspiration

Monica at Lakeview Stitching has a very good post on the current Modern Quilt Guild's statement:
http://www.lakeviewstitching.com/2016/08/sunny-and-derivative.html

Here is the Modern Quilt Guild's post:
https://themodernquiltguild.wordpress.com/2016/07/30/all-about-derivatives/

The current turmoil of attribution/derivatives/inspiration brought back an issue I had several years ago.
I saw a simple block used on a blog, scaled it down and re-worked a bit and posted my resulting quilt to my blog. My version was (yes) much better. It was noticed by a publisher who asked if they could include it in their magazine. I said I would ask the blogger for permission and she said no.
A few months later I found a doll quilt I had made about a decade previously that used the same block. Made long before the blogger posted her block.
A bit of there is nothing new under the sun.
The whole experience left me sad.

I post my designs with the encouragement for readers to use at their pleasure.
My designs are based on what I think is my own take on traditional patterns and methods, but who knows.
It is tricky to stay in the law and yet let our individual work and the state of quilting progress. Especially when the law is so vague.
I hope that others find inspiration here on my blog and run with it.

tip #37--go negative

I have to be careful with this post. No pictures are included.
We usually look at quilts and think, "I like that. That one too."
Take a bit of time to "go negative".
What is it about the quilt that you don't like.
This is TOTALLY subjective.
It doesn't mean it is a bad quilt, it just means I would make different choices in making it.
This helps me define my own style.

A quick look at quilts with this mindset shows my aesthetic is irritated by:
-scale that is just a bit too big
-strong checkerboard effects in scrap quilts (hard to define this one, but I know it when I see it--when there is too much planning in layout, no seridipity of things falling where they may)
-primary colors
-30's repro quilts with no brown or black in them
-too much repetition of value
-use of one fabric line in a quilt
-odd proportions--table runners irritate me!
-quilts that are "girl" or "boy'--I was more of a unisex dressing mother
-bed quilts to the floor

THEN, after going negative, let it go and appreciate the work of the quilter.
But, know and own your own style!

patience corner--an 18 year old heads to college

Seth is nearly all packed up. We shipped a guitar and record player (vinyl is as popular now as it was in Andy and my college years in the 70s). Off to Los Angeles in the morning--take good care of my sweet midwest boy, California!
I told him to pick a quilt and he selected this Patience Corner, made in the year 2000.

Block finishes 6 inches.
Light squares are cut 2 1/2 inches; green rectangles are cut from 1 1/2 inch strips into pieces 2 1/2 long and 3 1/2 inches long.
My design from a traditional block.
Use at your pleasure.

tip #36--clean your machine bed

The picture shows just one hand (the other was holding the camera), but you see how my wrist and thumb are on the machine bed? Even thought I wash my hands before sitting at the machine (thanks, Mom!*) oils and dust accumulate. Even if you can't see it, you may feel it as drag as you sew.
Wipe it down with a gentle cleanser and a soft cloth.

*Mom made us wash our hands before sewing and before playing the piano.

geese in flight--top completed

99 blocks set 9 by 11
72 by 88 inches
Block finishes 8 inches
solids--4 geese cut with companion angle from 2 1/2 inch strips
prints--8 half square triangles cut with EZ angle from 2 1/2 inch strips; two rectangles cut 2 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches

I decided on the north and south straight set.
My design--use at your pleasure.

Working on a back. And, I have started a framed nine-patch with this solid on prints series of quilts!

Faculty week is coming and my summer of sewing is winding down.