Farmer’s Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 65, 70, 81, 96, 97 and 99

And so I come to the end of my Farmer’s Wife 1930s blocks with these last six blocks.....

                               

Block 65 – Mother.  This was the second-to-last block I made but the last block to include inset seams.  If you paper-piece this block ignore pieces F2, G2, H2 and I2 – there is no need for them.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 65 - Mother

Block 70 – Mrs Lloyd.  I don’t know why this block got pushed to the back of the queue, perhaps because I had enough flying geese at the beginning.  But I spent a pleasant hour patching and paper-piecing Mrs Lloyd.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 70 - Mrs Lloyd

Block 81 – Peony.  I was thinking of taking the easy way out to make Peony using Gnome Angel’s simpler alternative.  However, this was the last block I had to make so I decided to go for it.  What a mistake!!!  There are four 90-degree inset seams, one center partial seam and over 50 pieces.  There would’ve been more pieces but I couldn’t see why the E3/E4, F3/F4, G3/G4 and H3/H4 pieces had been split (utter madness) so I joined them together.  In the history of quilting, I can say with utter certainty – I will NEVER, EVER make this block again.   My advice to you – take the simpler alternative.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 81 - Peony

  

Block 96 – Tirzah.  I struggled to get the outer middle parts to match up with the corner units.  This had the effect of me not liking this block very much.  But it measures 6½” and it is done.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 96 - Tirzah

Block 97 – Tracy.  When making this block you really need to pay attention when stitching the sections together.  It is easy to get them muddled up.  Pay attention and this block goes together fairly easily.  But be warned – it is a lot of work.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 97 - Tracy

Block 99 – Widow.  The date on this page of the block reminds me that I paper-pieced this block in September 2015!  It is an okay block but very similar to many others in the book.  It is the fabrics that make it different.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block no. 99 - Widow

So there you have it – all 99 blocks completed.  If you want to see all the blocks together head over to my Farmer's Wife 1930s Pinterest Board.  I am finishing off the sashing and then it will be off to the quilters.  I will post photos here and on social media when I get it back.  Time to raise a glass and toast in the New Year. 

HAPPY NEW YEAR 

xxxxx

Farmer’s Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 88, 89, 91, 92, 93, and 95

I am finishing up my Farmer’s Wife 1930s quilt and this is the penultimate post with six blocks detailed......

                               

Block 88 – Rosemary.  This was a straightforward block to paperpiece – it just took a long time.  But no problems and I love the strawberry colours.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 88 - Rosemary

Block 89 – Ruby.  I wasn’t sure I would like this block as it is an odd design where none of the seams match.  However, it turned out really pretty using just two charm squares for each colour.  Notes in the book read “I may have stitched the sections together incorrectly but we will never know and it doesn’t matter.”

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 89 - Ruby

Block 91 – Sarah.  Another block full of half-square-triangles and flying geese.  A little boring after some of the more challenging blocks in the book.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 91 - Sarah

Block 92 – Sonnie.  It is over a year ago that I paper-pieced this block.  My scribbled notes in the book remind me that it took “1 hour and 20 mins but it turned out lovely and to size”.   That it did. 

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 92 - Sonnie

Block 93 – Starlight.  This is one of my favourite blocks – it turned out perfectly to size and oh so pretty.  I changed the paper-piecing templates to make it easier to line up a direction print so F1 became F2, E1 became E2, G1 became G2 and H1 became H2 (and F2 became F1, etc, etc).

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 93 - Starlight

Block 95 – Sylvia.  This block was a dream to put together using a mixture of paper-piecing and patchwork.  Notes read “prettiest block in the book – my favourite.”  I used 1½” squares for the paper-piecing from my scrap box and cut the outer borders larger than needed and trimmed the block to size.  Who'd have thought scraps could look this good?

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 95 - Sylvia

I hope to be back on New Year’s Eve with the very last six Farmer’s Wife 1930s blocks.  So until then ......

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Twelve – Christmas Antlers Mug Rug

As the big day draws near it is time to end Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas.  I hope you have enjoyed the mug rug show.  

So now, all we have to do is find somewhere to hang the stockings.  Where better than on a friendly reindeer or two or three!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

The Christmas Antlers Mug Rug pattern is available for immediate download from my

Etsy Store.

It is also included in my Animal and Pet Mug Rugs pattern book available in paperback format from Amazon or for immediate download from my Etsy Store.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Eleven – Three Kings Mug Rug

The gifts are wrapped, the food is ordered and the mince pies are made.  Whilst the shops are ramping it up this is the time I slow it down.  And in slowing it down, I have time to remember the real gift of Christmastime.

The Three Kings Mug Rug pattern is another of the  ten seasonal patterns found in The Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rugs book – available for immediate download from my

Craftsy Store or from my Etsy Store.

Also available in paperback format via Amazon.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Ten – Three Trees Mug Rug

 

“Oh Christmas Tree – Oh Christmas Tree,

Much pleasure though can give to me ...”

But just like a tree, the Three Trees Mug Rug is not just for Christmas!

The Three Trees Mug Rug pattern is one of ten seasonal patterns you will find in The Patchsmith’s Christmas Mug Rugs book – available for immediate download from my Craftsy Store or from my Etsy Store.

Also available in paperback format via Amazon.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Nine - Personalised Mug Rug

I cannot think of one Gran in the whole wide world who wouldn’t love to receive a handmade gift at Christmas.  Nor Mother, Father, friend or relative either.

And when you are finished making Christmas gifts from Christmas charm squares with my Mug Rug Alphabet pattern you can whip up a skinny table topper for the Christmas table.   

I traced the letters onto fusible webbing so that they were touching each other.  I then cut out 'Christmas' all as one piece.

The Mug Rug Alphabet pattern is available as an individual pattern.  It comes with three full sets of alphabets so you will never be stuck for personalising a last-minute gift. You can find it with all my other patterns in my 

Craftsy Store or from my Etsy Store.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 59, 60, 63 and 64

Time for another four blocks from the 1930s Farmer’s Wife quilt .....

                               

Block 59 – Mary.  I thought I might make this block scrappy but after looking at the balance of blocks I realised I needed more blue and more yellow. It pays to lay your blocks out when you have complete fifty or so, turn away and then turn back to look at them.  What colours do you need more of to provide balance and cohesion?

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 59 - Mary

  

Block 60 – Mary Gray.  Here is something very unusual – no notes in my book just a date - 20 May 2016. I think we can assume that this block was straightforward as well otherwise there would be scribbling.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 60 - Mary Gary

Block 63 – Mollie.  This is my most recent block – made just a few days ago when I was poorly and stuck at home.  Notes in book read “home with sore throat – paper-pieced easily”.  It should also read ‘felt so much better for doing a little sewing’.

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 63 - Mollie

Block 64 – Monette.  Ooh-la-la. The templates on the CD are not sized correctly so I patched and paper-pieced this block.  I paper-pieced the four corners and patched them together.  Mon amie – c’est bonne, n’est-ce pas? 

Farmer's Wife 1930s Block 64 - Monette

I still have three blocks to make and a few more to blog about.  So until next time ......

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day 8- JOY Mug Rug

JOY TO THE WORLD .....

They say that a small action in one part of the world can have consequences in another, far-away place. 

I don’t know if it is true but today I am going to spread joy to each and every person I meet - be it a smile, a coin in a collection pot, a kind word, a compliment or a mug rug gift.  

And with each deed I will send a silent prayer of peace out into the world.

Mug Rug Alphabet Letters added to 5" Charm Squares

The JOY Mug Rug pattern is available for immediate download from my 

Etsy Store.    

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Seven – Snowman Mug Rug

Snowmen are like snowflakes – no two are ever identical.  With that in mind make sure you download the free Snowman Hats and Mitts applique sheet that accompanies my Snowman Mug Rug pattern so you too can create many different snowmen.

The Snowman Mug Rug is available as an individual pattern for just $1.99.

Alternatively you will find it in the Patchsmith's Christmas Mug Rugs Pattern book – both are available for immediate download from my Craftsy Store.  The Christmas Mug Rugs pattern book is also available in paperback via Amazon.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Six – Robin’s Gift Mug Rug

A little bird told me that mug rugs are the perfect gift to send through the post – they are lightweight, can be folded and convey a handmade personal touch.

The Robin’s Gift mug rug even has a handy envelope pocket for a gift voucher.

 Robin’s Gift Mug Rug is one of ten seasonal patterns you will find in the Patchsmith's Christmas Mug Rug Pattern book – available for immediate download from my Craftsy Store or in paperback format via Amazon.  You will also find it in my Etsy Store.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Five - Christmas Nativity Mug Rug

The true spirit of Christmas is never far away at this time of the year.

 You will find it in Christmas cards that support charities; supermarket collections for the less fortunate; Christmas Carollers and the stranger who lets you queue-hop in front of them as you rush about.  You will also find it in the Nativity Mug Rug whether you are making it to gift, to sell or to keep.

And if you are creating a gift basket for a friend, relative or family-in-need then you might as well make it quick and quilty .......

Find details for adding applique to the One Hour Basket HERE.

The Christmas Nativity mug rug will be available shortly Etsy Store.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Four - Santa's Wheel Mug Rug

We all need somewhere to rest our coffee and cookie as we write our letters to Santa.  And when the letter writing is done - the Santa’s Wheel mug rug is the perfect place for a glass of milk and a carrot on Christmas Eve.

Applique isn’t just for fabric though. How about a little bit of quick-fuse on card?  (I drew the smile using a fine point Sharpie.)

The Santa’s Wheel Mug Rug is one of ten seasonal patterns found in the Patchsmith's Christmas Mug Rugs pattern book -   available for immediate download from my Craftsy Store or from Etsy.

or in paperback format via Amazon.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Three - Mistletoe Mug Rug

As many of you enjoy a little kissing under the mistletoe this season you will be needing somewhere to rest your frothy hot chocolate. Look no further than the Mistletoe Mug Rug

And for a quick, handmade gift just add some Patchsmith mistletoe to a 5" square of fabric to create a snazzy seasonal coaster.

The Mistletoe Mug Rug is one of ten season patterns you will find in the Patchsmith's Christmas Mug Rugs pattern book - available for immediate download from my Craftsy Store or from my Etsy Store

or in paperback via Amazon.

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day Two - Reindeer Mug Rug

Day 2 of the Patchsmith's 'Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas' and the Reindeer are out to play.

Of course Patchsmith Reindeer are not just for mug rugs - they also works well on bags, pouches, cutlery pockets or card.

 You will  find the Reindeer Mug Rug in the Patchsmith's Christmas Mug Rugs pattern book -  both available for immediate download from my 

Craftsy Store.  

(The Christmas Mug Rugs book is also available in paperback format from Amazon.)

Twelve Mug Rugs of Christmas - Day One - Christmas Wreath

I’m kicking off my 12 Mug Rugs of Christmas with a simple Christmas Wreath mug rug from my One Block Mug Rugs pattern book.

Mug rugs make the perfect gift for sending through the post - they are light to send and can be folded to fit into a medium sized envelope.

The One Block Mug Rugs pattern book lets you mix-and-match ANY 6" block with ten easy sidebar designs to create a fun and functional mug rug mini quilt.  

(Also available in paperback format from Amazon.)

Farmer’s Wife 1930's Quilt Blocks 83, 84, 85 and 87

Block 87 - Prudence rejigged (see notes below)

It is a while since I posted any Farmer's Wife 1930s blocks so here are another four blocks .....

Block 83 – Poppy.  This block was a lot of work and took two evenings to complete.  The notes in my book suggest it is easier if you take the paper-piecing papers off prior to joining the sections.

Block 83 - Poppy

  

Block 84 – Posy.  I changed the template everso slightly in order to eradicate eight ‘Y’ inset seams making the red crossbars straight at the ends rather than pointed.  I also couldn’t understand why the paper-piecing templates had fussy itty-bitty corner triangles making up the corner squares – there was no need when a small square would work equally well (see the solid red corner squares in the photo).

Block 84 - Posy

 

Block 85 – Primrose.  What a lovely block for using up some of the scraps left over from all the other blocks.  Notes in book read “went together fine using my 1½” scraps”.

Block 85 - Primrose

Block 87 – Prudence.  “My advice when paper-piecing this block according to the book – DON’T DO IT.”  I first made this block using the templates in the book - what a nightmare!   So I redid Prudence by patching a nine-patch centre with four corner half-square triangles (tip:  make your HST bigger and trim them down to size).  I then taped the paper-piece templates together as indicated by the red lines on the diagram below.  So much easier.

NOTE:  this diagram is for illustration purposes only and is not to size – you need to print the templates that come with the book. 

You can see the difference when the two blocks are placed side-by-side (click on the photo to see a bigger image).

Block 87 Prudence
(Left using templates - Right using my changes)

There are still a few more blocks to blog about which I hope to do before the end of the year.  To see all the blocks together just click on the 'Farmer's Wife' tab above or visit my Farmer's Wife Pinterest board.  

Until next time ......