2 down 10 to go

480 log cabin blocks  completed in 26 days.   30 blocks constructed using the mini 4 1/4″ log cabin blocks.  The 30 blocks then sewn into 6 rows 5 across.  Wheeeew I can’t believe I did it.   My quilt top is square which is important to me because I think I have OCD when it comes to 1/4″ seam allowances.   I did take 2 vacation days as well as skipping church one Sunday.

I used the Judy Martin technique of cutting strips of fabric the length of each round. Then  Layering  them in order and I steam press them together.  I place them all dark on bottom of stack and all light on top.  After I have steam pressed them I carefully move them to my cutting table and cut through all the layers the width required which for me was 1 1/8th inch  keeping the cutting squared and straight.  I usually work with 10 blocks at a time speed piecing them

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I separate the light from the dark and line my little logs up for speed piecing.

I keep a June Taylor Cut & Press I board and a small travel iron next to my sewing machine for pressing each round.

The strip for each round should fit perfectly if you are sewing using a correct 1/4 ” seam allowance.

Of course a little help goes a long way.

My Helper

1/2 of the top sewn together.

 

 

I felt very relieved to have set a goal and finally achieved it.  Went to the UFO Group last night and viewed  awesome show and tell quilts, runners, wall hangings.  So much talent, so many creative ideas.  It’s wonderful to be surrounded by all of it.

Then “THE BASKET” was produced.  “THE BASKET” contains the numbers left.  With dreaded anticipation I waited as they drew the number Eleven.  I checked my list and ooooooohhhhhhh my God.  It is a BOM from 1997 that I had subscribed to and had never touched.  Guess what….. I’ll be touching it now.    Actually it’s a lovely Christmas wallhanging that combines piecing and applique.  Imagine that.  The pattern is called I Believe and was produced by a company by the name of Village Classics out of Ohio.  I am hoping to get 4 blocks completed each week as I have family coming for a visit the 3rd week of February and I need to get as much done as I can before they get here in order for me to enjoy their visit.  Fingers crossed and maybe some late night sewing and I’ll be able to get I believe in the winner’s circle.

I’ll post blocks as I get them finished.

See you next time.  Keep in those stitches.

Sissy

12 months – 12 projects ~~~~ My UFO Adventure

Hello- My very first post.  Welcome to my little blog. I signed on to participate in a UFO project at our local quilt shop.  The goal is to get those UFO’s finished.  We were to make a list of 12 projects and description of completion.  I had made several lists and discarded them as being too ambitious, and my finalized list was still edited as panic gripped me at such a huge committment.   Silly me put them in the order I wanted them completed.  A wrench was thrown in the mix by the facilitator putting the numbers 1-12 in a basket and drawing a number.  The first number drawn is # 5.  On my list that is 200 – 4.25″ log cabin blocks which represents 1/2 of a log cabin quilt I have wanted to make for years and collected the fabrics and stored in one of my many tubs.  I have been sewing furiously since January 1st on these blocks.  My goal is actually to complete 480 blocks and get 1/2 of the top sewn together.  With the time left to me I hopefully will be able to work on my #1 project which is to finish my 2014 Row by Row experience quilt top. Yesterday was my birthday so I took a vacation day so that I could blissfully sit in my sewing room and sew my little log cabin blocks.  I have completed 350.  I am on track and very proud of myself.  Big pat on the back.