Mystery Monday – Step 4 of the Golden Oldie

Cut ALL of the strip units you made in Step 3 into segments 2” wide.  You will need 100 LIGHT/MEDIUM segments and 100 LIGHT/DARK segments.

Join the segments to make 50 LIGHT/MEDIUM four-patches and 50 LIGHT/DARK four-patches as shown.  Combine the fabrics at random.  The four-patches should measure 3 – 1/2” x 3 – 1/2” (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.

If you’ve missed the earlier steps it’s easy to catch up!  Just click on the links below:

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Don’t forget to tune in next Monday for Step 5!

Mystery Monday – Step 3 of the Golden Oldie

Join 10 of the 2” x 21” LIGHT strips to the 2” x 21” MEDIUM strips to make 10 strip units that look like this (below).  Combine the fabrics at random.  The strip units should measure 3-1/2” wide (raw edge to raw edge) when sewn.  Press seams toward the MEDIUM fabric.  Join the remaining 2” x 21” LIGHT strips to the 2” x 21” DARK strips to make 10 strip units.  Combine the fabrics at random.  The strip units should measure 3-1/2” wide when sewn.  Press seams toward the DARK fabric.

If you’ve missed the earlier steps click on the links below:

STEP ONE

STEP TWO

Stop by next Monday to see what Step FOUR brings!

Show and Tell - Miscellaneous

Here’s some more show and tell from the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend sponsored by Quilts by Barb. This time the projects could be whatever the person wanted to show off…limit of one. Enjoy! Tried to get the quilting but was difficult in the few minutes I had and the lighting situation…

I did my best to get pictures of everyone’s project but things moved pretty quickly so I apologize if you’re not shown…

Mystery Monday – Step 2 of the Golden Oldie

If you’re just tuning in make sure to check out Step 1’s blog post from last week. 

STEP TWO

Make half-square triangle units from your 4” squares.

To do this layer your MEDIUM fabrics on your LIGHT fabrics and then layer your DARK fabrics on your LIGHT fabrics.  Once the triangle units are created, trim square to 3.5” x 3.5”.  Press seams toward the MEDIUM or DARK fabric.  You should have 50 light/medium units and 50 light/dark units.  

My Curvilicious Project and others…

This past weekend I went to the 2009 Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend sponsored by Quilts by Barb and I have actually finished one of the projects I started there. (I started three…what was I thinking? I know what I was thinking…I wanted to learn everything that they were teaching even though one of the teachers is my MIL, Diane Lapacek, and I can ask her any time!) I just wanted to share it with you.

This project came from the book, Easy Biased Covered Curves by Wendy Hill. Because I did the mini project and the mystery quilt project I didn’t want to go to crazy with the Biased Curved project…I just wanted to learn the technique so I could use it in future endeavors. I decided I would make a tote bag out of my blocks.

Since the curvy project seemed a little wild to me I decided to choose wild colors for my bag. I really wanted it to pop…

I think I accomplished that….

I enjoyed learning the bias technique but did not really enjoy all the prep work involved. I will have to try it again in my basement since we had to walk outside to use the basting spray (I’m lazy) and I won’t have to do that at home…may make things less tedious. The actual sewing of the bias onto the curves was really not too difficult as long as you took your time.

I’m really happy with my final result…helps make the time worthwhile!

This is a great (and practical) tote bag for anyone who wants to call attention to themselves. As you can see, I used a wide variety of yellow, orange, green, and blue fabrics to create this bright, vibrant bag.I’m sure people will notice you if you are carrying this bag around. I used a few of my leftover scraps from my biased curved blocks on the handles to create an even wilder looking bag. I think it adds flavor and sturdiness. I lined the bag with Blank Textiles Fusion Illusion Fabric and added a fun little teal striped pocket to the inside of the bag(approximate dimensions 4.5” x 5.25”).

Bag dimensions are approximately: 14” x 14” x 5” with 20.5” straps.

What do you think of this ‘Curvilicious Tote Bag’?

Here are some pictures of other participants Curvy Projects (most are when in progress):

Which one is your favorite?

Show and Tell – Past Years’ Retreat Projects and other Show and Tell

There are three sections to the Quilts By Barb Show and Tell during the Quilt Retreat Getaway Weekend. We show quilts that were completed from, previous years' projects, other Show and Tell Projects and "the yard that keeps on going..........." The following are a mixture of previous projects and other Show and Tell.

I have to do a disclaimer that I took these pictures quickly ... they are not perfect and some may be blurry, but I think you’ll get the gist of it!

I wanted to put this one last because this quilt is from a block exchange we did at a retreat a few years back. These were the blocks the winner received and this is the gorgeous quilt that was made.