Farmer’s Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 54, 56, 58, 66, 68 and 69

 

Time to catch up on my Farmer’s Wife quilt blocks.  I shall be making the last few blocks over the next few weeks and hope to finish piecing the quilt top before June is out. So let’s get going .....

                               

Block 54 – Magnolia.  I initially pieced this block incorrectly (leaves are the wrong way round) so I turned that into a Quilty Zip Pocket and set about paper-piecing this block correctly.  

My notes for this block state ‘too many seams so I combined A4 with A5, B3 with B4, C1 with C2 and D1 with D2.

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 54 - Magnolia

Block 56 – Marcella.  This is simple block and I am surprised it wasn’t one of the earlier blocks on the Gnome Angel sew along.  Notes state ‘really easy – paper-pieced whilst waiting for daughter to come home from work.’

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 56 - Marcella

Block 58 – Martha.  I patched this block back in October 2015.  It is just a collection of half-square and quarter square triangles.

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 58 - Martha

 

Block 66 – Mrs Anderson.  This was a “lovely block to make.”  I took off all paper-piecing paper off the four corners before patching the sections together.

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 66 - Mrs Anderson

Block 68 – Mrs Fay.  My notes in the book say it all “strewth – why oh why has the paper-piecing templates been created in such a convoluted, difficult manner.  No need for insets or half-triangle squares.  I patched this block easily with rectangles and squares.”  My notes on Instagram suggest a shortcut ‘I calculated cutting sizes myself but I have since noticed that this block is incredible similar to LoriHolt’s Winter Star Block from her Farm Girl Vintage book.’

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 68 - Mrs Fay

Block 69 – Mrs Keller.  I patched this block as it was a case of a simple nine-patch center and then quick corners for the sides and half-square triangles for the corners.  Notes read “okay – nothing special to make”.  But it sure did turn out pretty.

Farmer's Wife 1930s block no. 69 - Mrs Keller

 

Very Kerry Berry has covered a few of the blocks whilst I have been unwell so my Block-a-Day makes this week will be including Block 59 Mary and Block 60 Mary Gray. 

You can find all my Farmer’s Wife blocks on my Farmer's Wife Pinterest Board or by clicking on the tab above.

Until next time   ......

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 24 to 29

I am having so much fun with The Splendid Sampler blocks this week and I've just gotta share them with you .......

Block 24 – ‘’Inspector Sidekick’ is a traditional patchwork block designed by Michele Foster. I spun the corner blocks to tie in with the blue polka dots but it would've looked good had I left it.

The Splendid Sampler Block 24 - Inspector Sidekick

Block 25 – ‘Sunday Best’ is a delightful little applique block from the ever popular Anne Sutton.   This block was particularly fun – with little touches added with embroidery (buttons, pocket, flower stem).

The Splendid Sampler Block 25 - Sunday Best

Block 26 – ‘Dreaming of Dresdens’ by none other than one of The Splendid Sampler organisers, Jane Davidson.  The Dresden plate went together well but those little stems and dots were quite fiddly.

The Splendid Sampler Block 26 - Dreaming of Dresdens

Block 27 – ‘Sewing Machine’ by The Splendid Sampler’s other organiser Pat Sloan.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 27 - Sewing Machine

This block reminded me of my Sewing Machine mug rug and was the inspiration for my first buy-one-get-one-free offer but hurry it ends on 31 May 2016.

Get this Patchsmith Pattern free with any purchase until 31 May 2016

Block 28 – ‘Stitching Fashion’.  I was very, very excited when I saw that Charise Randell was one of the block designers.  I wasn't disappointed and I was thrilled to make Charise's paper-pieced block pattern.

The Splendid Sampler Block 28 - Stitching Fashion

So much so that I made another dress in different fabrics.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 28 - Dressmaking

And finally, today’s block - block 29 – ‘Scrappy Happy Heart’ – another, albeit simpler, paper-pieced pattern from Christa Watson.  I made this block totally from pink and red scraps. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 29 - Scrappy Happy Heart

Tomorrow I shall make another using my blue and turquoise scraps but more about that next week.

Until then ................ 

Splendid Sewing Free Mug Rug Offer

*** THIS OFFER HAS NOW ENDED ***

Have you seen block 27 of The Splendid Sampler – it is a delightful Sewing Machine block designed by Pat Sloan.

The Splendid Sampler block 27 - Sewing Machine

It reminded me of my Sewing Machine Mug Rug pattern...... 

The Patchsmith's Sewing Machine pattern

A mug rug is an essential item for any sewing desk.  It provides a safe haven for tea and cookies whilst reminding that even scraps have a function.

Which got me thinking about a splendidly simple give-away. 

Gingham Sewing Machines

Purchase ANY Patchsmith pattern from my Craftsy Store from today until May 31 2016 and I will email you my Sewing Machine Mug Rug pattern by way of a ‘thank you’.  

I told you it was splendidly simple. 

A selection of Patchsmith Mug Rug Patterns

All Patchsmith mug rug patterns are in PDF format for immediate download and, at only $1.99 each they are a bargain.   But with this offer you will be getting two patterns for under a dollar each – now that is a splendid bargain! 

(Note:  The free Sewing Machine Mug Rug pattern will be emailed to the email address on the Paypal slip.  It is important you save the pattern to your computer and/or save the email for future use.  This offer ends at midnight 31 May 2016 and applies only to purchases made through my Craftsy Store. )

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 13 to 23 (minus a few)

The Splendid Sampler sew-along is gathering steam.  I am nearly up-to-date and thought I would share another seven blocks with you.

Block 13 – ‘Scrap Star’ is a lovely patchwork block from Corey Yoder:

The Splendid Sampler block 13 - Scrap Star

Block 14 – ‘Flying High’ is simple applique designed by Janet Clare.  I took the opportunity to slow down and hand-stitched this block.

The Splendid Sampler block 14 - Flying High

Block 16 – ‘Pieces of Friendship’.  I love the name of this block and it was good fun to make.

The Splendid Sampler block 16 - Pieces of Friendship

Block 18 – ‘Lina’s Gift’.  An easy Bear Paw block from The Splendid Sampler’s one-and-only Pat Sloan.

The Splendid Sampler block 18 - Lina's Gift

Block 21 – ‘Sweet Candy’.  This block was one of the 12” modern HST sampler blocks earlier in the year.  But you can’t have too much candy (unless you’re a dentist!). 

The Splendid Sampler block 21 - Sweet Candy

Block 22 – ‘Goose on the Loose’ designed by Amy Smart.  I arranged my flying geese so they would be facing friends in the USA (to the West of me), friends in Australia (to the East of me) and homeward bound.

The Splendid Sampler block 22 - Goose on the Loose

Block 23 – ‘Hand-in-Hand’.  What looks like a paper-pieced block is actually patched.  A very clever design from Kari Carr.

The Splendid Sampler block 23 - Hand-in-Hand

As you can see I am missing blocks 15, 17, 19 and 20 - they are waiting in the wings for a rainy day.   If you want to see all my Splendid Sampler blocks so far then pop over to the Patchsmith's Splendid Sampler Pinterest page.   

Until next time .......

'English Rose' Butterfly Mug Rug

I have seen the first butterflies of the season this past week – an 'Orange Tip'  in the garden and an 'English Rose' on my bedside table. 

Buitterfly Patch Mug Rug

The Splendid Sampler - Blocks 6 to 12

What a lovely sew-along The Splendid Sampler is turning out to be.  It is a real mixture of embroidery, patchwork and applique.

Block 6 – ‘Focal Point’ is a patchwork block that reminds me of an open parcel – a clever design from Natalia Bonner.

The Splendid Sampler Block 6 - Focal Point

Block 7 – ‘Snug as a Bug’ is a mixture of applique and embroidery.  Designed by one of my most favourite designers, Amy Sinibaldi, this was a lovely block to make.  Embroidery is not my strong suit but this block was simple.

The Splendid Sampler Block 7 - Snug as a Bug 

Block 8 – ‘Friends around the Square’.  The name of this patchwork block, designed by Julie Karasek, invoked images of friends sat around a picnic blanket high on the South Downs.  Bliss.

The Splendid Sampler Block 8 - Friends around the Square

Block 9 – ‘Local Quilt Shop’.  If only there was a local quilt shop near me but alas there isn’t.  But that doesn’t stop me day-dreaming with the help of designer Jane Davidson.  (I made the door slightly taller to distinguish it from the windows.)

The Splendid Sampler Block 9 - Local Quilt Shop

Block 10 – ‘Iowa’.  This patchwork ring reminds me of a very pretty Easter doughnut – covered in different coloured icing and sprinkles – lots of sprinkles.  Design by that lovely Sherri McConnell.

The Splendid Sampler Block 10 - Iowa 

Block 11 – ‘Crocheted Thoughts’.  I had to look carefully at the embroidery stitch for this block and even then, I think I may have made mine too small.  I didn’t have enough confidence to add the crochet hook as this block, designed by Alyssa Thomas, turned out so pretty I was afraid I might ruin it.

The Splendid Sampler Block 11 - Crocheted Thoughts

Block 12 – ‘Checkerboard’.  I grew up on blocks like this one – introduced to quick piecing by the likes of Debbie Mumm and Thimbleberries.  So when Pat Sloan’s patchwork block came along I just grabbed my 1½” scrappy squares and got sewing. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 12 - Checkerboard

So there you have it.  I have made a few more since these but more about that another time .......