Three M's: March Mini and Moving

If you've been wondering about my lack of weekly postings it's because we're in the process of moving. But just before the craziness began I made a super simple mini for March.

Last fall our guild had provided the light-colored fabric and asked members to make a 9" block of their choosing to be included in a charity quilt. I made the block but never got to a meeting so in no time at all it became my March mini.  

The back with the last of the polka dots from my 1965 blouse :)

 

Normally I hem the binding by hand on the back but this time I machine-stitched it from the front and here's what it looked like. Not bad at all.      

And instead of making a label I wrote right on the fabric. I think this was the fastest mini ever! Maybe a couple of hours at most. 

I know Wendy will be posting hers soon with links to more so check them all out.

We sold our house in December with a June closing and are moving to our cabin. My daughter and her husband came down last weekend to load up a truck with a few small pieces of furniture plus boxes of clothes, books, quilts, genealogy files, etc., etc. 

The day after we arrived it snowed but it was gone in no time at all!

I've spent this week unpacking and finding places for all the things I brought with me. My new sewing space is in the loft where I can look out over the river and day dream :)

I've not only fully utilized this space but expanded to other rooms as well. 
Nearly all of my quilts are stored in archival boxes under beds and my fabric is in a closet. Quilt and genealogy files are in the basement in file cabinets. So far so good!

I hope to have some time today to work on my Deacon blocks :)

Thinking of you all during these uncertain times. Please take care.




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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer
 

Deacon Blocks 21-24

I've now completed 1/4 of the 85 blocks needed for this quilt and am enjoying every minute but there's still a long way to go!

Block 21 is attributed to Eliza C. Rogers, Mount Holly 1842 and was a fairly easy block to make except for those center points. I ripped out and tried 5 times, yes 5! to get it right but it just wasn't meant to be. That ever happen to you?

Block 22 attributed to Charles Kemble, Philadelphia. There was a lot of prep work for this one. My method of applique was to do two yellow petals and then add a red in between. Do you recognize that old chrome yellow? 

Block 23 was another broderie perse. I fused and cut the u-shaped floral from a pillar print that I had then appliqued it by machine using a small zig-zag stitch. It was fairly quick and easy.

Block 24 is my favorite in this group. Those buds were a challenge because of their size and the narrow points where they meet the pink flower. The clever treatment along the edges was created by appliqueing triangles on all four sides and in each corner. The original block is dated in the Quaker style: 4 mo 14th 1842 or the 4th month 14th day 1842 and signed by Albert(a?) Haines. 

That's it for now. Looking forward to the next set on Sunday :)




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Copyright 2020, Barbara Schaffer