More fun making blocks............

 I did more cutting than sewing yesterday but did get 4 blocks sewn.  I don't have them all turned the same way and that gives me another idea for a layout.

I have pieces sorted for 8 more blocks.  A reminder here for my once a week readers, I am cutting these blocks with my die cutter and the block is Crossed Canoes.

While I had the iron on yesterday morning I pressed the 12 blocks that were already sewn and put them up on the design wall.  If they get sewn edge to edge there will be a lot of bulk where 4 blocks come together.

Then I tried them offset by half on every other row which might be interesting.  I could find an alternate block to put between them too or a narrow sashing between blocks.

Meanwhile my mind is going 100 mph planning what will be finished, what backings and battings need to be cut, etc.

Crossed Canoes....................

For my TV sewing I decided to make more Crossed Canoe blocks that I cut with my die cutter.

I'm doing them in batches of 3 blocks because 2 passes through the cutter with 6 layers on each cuts the number of pieces I need for 3 blocks, 3 light fabrics, 3 dark fabrics 2 layers of each print.

Since Friday night is a 3 hour TV session I got 3 sets of three sewn.

I don't have any idea what I'm making at this point.  I'm just enjoying sewing blocks.

 

Need to cut corner triangles..........

All of the rows are sewn together in this warm color Kaffe collective 16 patch quilt top.  I need to cut the corner triangles now.  I think I have figured out what size they should be.  It measures about 59" x 80".  I think I will cut all 4 corners from the red Cactus Flower print.  It's hard to tell I used 2 different fabrics for the setting triangles.

I looked up the Amaryllis to see how tall it is supposed to get.  It says 18+" and the one bud stalk is 21" now.  The other one is just reaching the support loop now.  It is called Fantasy and supposed to bloom Jan-Feb so it is right on time.  The wax coated has the last bud blooming now.

 

Long rows.............

The top left 4 rows and the bottom right 4 rows are sewn together.  All that is left is the 3 longest rows.  The rows are already sewn.  I just need to add the triangles and sew the rows together.

When you add oversize setting triangles there are large points that need to be trimmed carefully before the rows are sewn together.

I lay the row along a line of the cutting mat so that it stays straight and then lay the ruler on and make sure it is parallel to the left edge and trim.

When you cut setting triangles to the exact size needed you won't have this step.

I needed a break from sewing those long rows so I die cut some Crossed Canoe blocks and sewed them.  

Batik Pineapple Log Cabin quilt top sewn.............

One of the 3 quilt tops is sewn together.  I usually cut my setting triangles oversized so the center design floats.  It is 45" x 58.5".  I thought it was going to be narrower than 45" so I could use just one width for backing.  Now I'll have to get creative.  I have several long narrow pieces of batiks cut away from other backings so I'll look there first.  This one won't get quilted this month because I have 6 planned ahead of it. 

Multi-tasking again..............

I cut the setting triangles from both orange Shaggy and red Cactus flower.  I need to cut a few more but I needed to see some on the design wall to decide which fabric to cut the rest from.  It is so much prettier in person.  Be sure to click on the photo to see the setting triangle fabrics closer.

On to the batik pineapple log cabin quilt top: I sewed the setting triangles onto the rows and added a strip on 2 of the corners to compensate for the size of the corner triangles.  The spots run in rows so they are running in a different direction than the rest of the fabric.  I could cut some on the bias so they would match but I kind of like the change of direction.  I have 2 more strips to add before I can sew rows together.

This is a close up of the setting triangle fabric.  It is a muddy dusty blue with cream spots.

And because that wasn't enough to think about I put the first 20 strips of the throw size Kaffe Trip Around the World up on the design wall.  Either top left or bottom right corner could be the center.

I thought my multi-tasking skills were gone but I was thinking about all 3 quilts all day and making decisions on each.  I can't say I work as fast as I used to but I can still multi-task.
 

The other setting triangles...........

While I was in the basement pressing the setting triangle fabric for the 16 patch quilt I glanced over at my design wall which has had these pineapple blocks on it for a couple months.  I had been trying several neutral light prints for the setting triangles and then I saw this batik fabric and thought it might be fun.  The color is off in this photo since it is a dusty blue with beige spots.  I only had a yard of it and I cut all of the side triangles I needed.  This did not leave me a large enough piece to cut the corner triangles (look at the top corners).  I do have enough to add a straight strip to the corner blocks before I add the smaller triangles which were end cuts from cutting the big triangles. I think this fabric gives it a little whimsical vibe.

The wax coated Amaryllis has just one flower left plus that last bud to bloom.  On the other Amaryllis one bud stalk is quite tall and the other stalk hasn't grown much.