A Short Video of some Motifs/Techniques Learned in the Free Courses!
Finally, I've gotten back on track with Erin's Jingle Block of the Month quilt top. But, not completely...because my points are matching on my pieced block...
and the berries are not on the applique block...
Mostly this is because the pattern left off the berries, and I forgot Erin had posted that they were needed but she had forgot that too. She also mis-counted her red 2" inch squares...there should have been "8" and not the "4" that the pattern for Pieced Block #2 calls for. But, that's okay...that was not my problem, I figured that out and marked my pattern. I just did not pay attention to the center area enough and got off track a little. I'll pick it out and re-align...but, not right now. For now...these are done and marked off my list.
Ya Hoo! I'm caught up with the block of the month...here is the March block...obviously, another applique one. I'm still loving Erin's pattern...simple embroidery (stem stitch) for the floral stems...and the applique pieces are really easy to trace on to the freezer paper, and baste because the shapes are gentle curves.
Then applique them down to the background and I'm all done!
The blocks are 9 inch finished...so not too much work...thankfully!
This will be a pretty quilt I'm thinking....let's hope I can keep on track now that I've gotten caught up with the rest of the group. Summer is coming...and that means garden! And, there is also baby-sitting...and you know that takes a chunk of time!
I thought that the redbirds would be difficult...but they were not at all. Still struggling to make really round berries...and am thinking about changing to cardboard as the "shape foundation"...and starching a lot before going final. But, there will be more berries for sure...so I'll get some practice! Ha!
This is a pretty block and I'm enjoying this quilt.
I've said it before...and I'm saying it again... Erin Russek's patterns are really easy to work up!
I so appreciate the gentle curves and the not-so-slender points for hand applique.
Here is the second block for the quilt. It is the first pieced block. The poinsettia fabric in the center will also be the last large border for the quilt. It is too large of a scale print to work well in any of the applique blocks, but I'm hoping to get to use it in all of the pieced blocks.
This is the month for hand-applique it seems! I'm trying to get the Merry Merry Snowman quilt top done, and working on Erin Russek's "Jingle" Block-of-the-Month quilt as well.
The Jingle BOM started in January...but I didn't start until the very end of February...and the 30" center medallion took some time to complete. So, I'm playing catch-up to get the monthly blocks done. The first one is about half way done.
I have all of my applique pieces finished and ready to stitch down...the leaves were easy to get ready. Just trace the pattern reversed on to freezer paper, press that piece to the back of my fabric, trim 1/4 inch around, and them fold the edge over and tack-baste (gather outer curves and clip inside curves). The tips are folded down, then each side folded over and tiny tacking stitches hold my basting in place.
The red-bird took a little more planning...and some basting through all layers, including the freezer paper at the sides where the fabric was clipped to allow inside curves to happen.
The bill has a black piece stitched on top of the red...on top of a gold corner for the bird's bill.
The black was wrapped to the back at both ends and tacked down.
The birds and berries are stitched on; and tomorrow I hope to get all of these leaves attached.
The first couple of leaves are already stitched down. I start by going around one end, up one side, around the other end...then I stop and pull the paper out.
Then I press the now-empty leaf back down and continue to stitch all the way around. I need to repeat this about a dozen more times tomorrow....and this block will be complete.
Do you download Block of the Month patterns? I do...sometimes. And there are a couple of Erin Russek's that I've been wanting to do....and keep finding excuses to begin. THEN, this year, she announced "Jingle" and I just had to really, really just HAD to do this quilt. There is a huge and glorious center medallion (see photo above), and it will be surrounded by eight pieced blocks and eight applique blocks.
The center is a purchased pattern for the 30" medallion...called Mrs. Kringle. Very reasonably priced, and a pdf download so you can start NOW! The surrounding blocks are free each month. Here are some of the pieces being prepared.
And here are the pieces that I've finished getting ready to stitch down.
Let me know if you are also working on this quilt, as I'd like to follow your progress too!
Hugs!
