A2Z Challenge: Block Z - The Final Post

Zig Zag

I can't believe this is it ... the last post and the last block to finish my quilt top (sort of, but that's another blog post altogether).  So "Z" was similar to "X" ... I thought I was going to have problems, but this block in the 501 Quilt Blocks book was perfect for the end of the quilt.

I thought maybe I would have the top sewn together by now, but I still haven't figured out how I'm going to quilt this thing.  I'm leaning toward a "quilt-as-you-go" method which means I don't want to sew the rows together quite yet.  I will post some followup posts on my progress as I finish this project.

Thank you so much to those that stopped by.  I did check out quite a few of the other A2Z participants but didn't do much commenting.  I'm sorry.  I do have the list downloaded and plan to visit some other blogs while I have more time, like on my summer break.  :-)

Until next time ... Happy Sewing!

Cat

A2Z Challenge: Block Y

Yankee Puzzle

I love this block!  I found this purple plaid recently and thought it would be perfect with the hot pink that has been sitting in my homespun box forever.  Yankee Puzzle turned out so bright and happy!!

Only one more to go!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Blocks W and X

Water Wheel, Windblown Square, and X Quartet

And yet again ... half-square triangle and four patch blocks put together in a different way!  Love the possibilities of the simply created!  I had both of the "W" blocks put together a while ago.  I really like the effect of the Windblown Square.

Surprisingly, finding an "X" block that I thought would fit my sampler was not difficult.  I had one option, and it blends perfectly.  It makes me happy when things work out!!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Blocks U and V

Underground Railroad and Variable Star

Both of my next blocks are new, and I really like how they turned out.  I knew I was going to do Underground Railroad from the beginning.  And again, how many possible ways can you rearrange four-patches and half-square triangles?  LOL!  On the other hand, coming up with my "V" block was a challenge.  While you would thing there would be a bunch of them (with Virginia and Vermont available) but many were looking way too complicated for what I wanted in my quilt.  I finally settled on the Variable Star.

Four more days!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block T

Thrifty and Triangle Squares

Well, I'm getting to the end of the quilt, and finding blocks that fit the alphabet theme and that have a different look from the other blocks is becoming quite challenging.

I really like Thrifty, but it is yet another nine-patch with four-patch corners.  I think this makes four of this style, and I had a hard time placing in the quilt without putting it next to another block of the same style.  I know I need to not worry about it, and the sashing will help break it up ... but my self-diagnosed OCD is still going crazy!

Having Triangle Squares right next to Thrifty helps as well.  This block is one of only a few that have four colors (including the neutral).  Most of my blocks are three colors, so it makes this one a bit special.

Six more days!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block S

Sawtooth Star and Snail's Trail

Happy Monday!!  Only 8 more posts to go ... can you believe we are almost done with April?  Being at the end of April for me means only 5 more weeks before final exams and I'm on summer vacation.  As a teacher, I am usually doing some sort of professional development over the summer, but this year is wide open.  I see a lot of sewing in my near future.

So my "S" blocks are two classics.  The Sawtooth Star that I made is not technically correct (I used half-square triangles instead of flying geese) and I have been playing around with remaking it.  It wouldn't take that much effort and it would give me a chance to fix some points.  I'm also not sure about that gold plaid in the center.

But since I made this Snail's Trail block I have been in love with it.  These pink and purple plaids are so awesome together and the lighter colors are such a good contrast with the rest of the blocks ... they break up all the darker colors really well.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block R

Rail Fence and Right Hand of Friendship

First off ... Happy Easter!  I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend!  We aren't doing anything special here, just relaxing and trying to get our kitchen back in order.  We have new cabinets in place and a working sink (YAY), floors are being installed tomorrow and our new appliances arrive Thursday!  I'm so thankful we are almost done!

So, I think I have a problem with Saturday's and getting my post done.  Hubby and I had an event to go to last night and I just didn't think about doing my post early.

Rail Fence was again one of the first blocks I did, and surprisingly is not in either book that I used for my patterns (see my teaser post for books).  Most Rail Fence quilts I have seen have been set in a stair pattern.  Because I was only doing one block I set mine like a pinwheel instead.  Right Hand of Friendship came a little later but it is not a new block.  This block marks the end of Row 5!  Pictures of rows 4 and 5 are below!!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block Q

Quatrifoils

Of course there are certain letters of the alphabet which are going to cause problems for most people participating in the A to Z Challenge ... "Q" being the first for me.  There was one "Q" block pattern in each of the two books I was trying to use for this project.  One of them was very similar to Churn Dash and Prairie Queen.  While it would have been so easy to do, it would have been placed right next to Prairie Queen, and it would have bothered my self-diagnosed OCD when it comes to my quilts.  The other "Q" block was rather quite boring compared to the rest of the blocks in the quilt.

So Mom went online to help find something else.  Quilter's Cache had a 9" "Q" block pattern called Quartrifoils.  To me it has kind of a floral look to it, so I made it this dark burgundy and gold.  Thanks Mom!!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block P

Pennsylvania and Prairie Queen

Being off of school for the week, I have been working hard on finishing by blocks.  After this afternoon I have one more to do and then I will be putting more rows together.  YAY!

I completed my "P" blocks a couple days ago.  I don't really have anything special to say about these two blocks.  I have been trying to use that turquoise blue material for a while.  I think Prairie Queen was a great block choice.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block O

Ohio Star, Ocean Waves, and One More Block

I originally had Ohio Star and Ocean Waves done and thought that was it for "O".  Instead I had to make One More Block ... and I made this decision today.  I actually just got it done a few hours ago.  Nothing like working with a deadline!  Yikes!

A lot of my blocks are nine-patch style.  I really felt that, at this point, the quilt needed a break.  The setup for this block is a bit different and I chose colors to make it stand out.

My sampler wouldn't be complete without an Ohio Start block.  The Ohio Star block I originally made was all one color (solid neutral squares in the corners).  This was the only block made this way in the quilt so far, and it was really out of place.  I added the dark corners to the block not knowing that by doing that also changed it's name.  The way my block is made now is called "Swamp Angel" but to me it will always be Ohio Star.

Up until about two weeks ago, Ocean Waves was not going to be included in the quilt.  I didn't like how it blended with the other blocks.  But now with so many other blocks, you cannot tell how different it is.  I had this awesome blue, red, and gold plaid that was a bigger pattern.  I knew it would get lost if I cut it up into 2-inch squares and looked for a pattern with big pieces.  I actually really like this block, and have reinstated it into the quilt top.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block N

Nonsense

So, not much to say about "N".  I wanted a block that had more color than neutral, so I reversed the actually shading for this pattern.  As usual, I really thought about the colors in reference to the other blocks around this one.  I hadn't used this pretty rose solid yet and thought it the perfect addition.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block M

Maple Star and Mosaic #10 (Variation)

Happy Monday all!  I had a wonderful first day of spring break ... spent most of it in my jammies and in the sewing room!  Yesterday Mom and I went to a friend's house to do some long-arm quilting.  We were talking about how I plan on quilting my homespun sampler and Mom suggested that I "quilt-as-I-go".  I know that I don't want to put this on a long-arm, but I have a bit of time to make that decision.

For my "M" blocks, I chose Maple Star and a variation on Mosaic #10 (from 501 Quilt Blocks book).  I hadn't done a block in mostly brown yet, and I thought that the Maple Star was a good  choice for these colors.  I was originally going back and forth with the Missouri Star block ...but I'm glad I made this choice.

I made the second block a while ago and the funny thing is I can't find this pattern anywhere.  I have no idea where this block came from.  As I was looking for this block I made note of others that were similar.  In the 501 Quilt Blocks book, there are a handful of Mosaic blocks, and this block mostly resembles Mosaic #10.  In the pattern though, instead of a nine-patch center, there is a square-in-a-square.  What would a quilt of mine be without a little mystery?

Hope you had a great Monday!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block L

Louisiana

Okay ... I know that it's Sunday!  Let's just call it an "ooops" and move on, shall we.  I'm just going to blame my mom by saying she had me thinking yesterday was Sunday, for part of the day anyway.  When I realized it was Saturday, completing a blog post has already left my mind.

Anyway, Louisiana is block "L".  This was another redo ... but this time it was because the first one was too small.  I have no idea what happened.  The second one is just right.  I love the rose colored homespun material and the simplicity of this block helps balance the quilt a bit.

I have two more rows put together, for a total of three!  Louisiana will be the first block in row 4.

I am not a photographer ... using an older phone and whatever light happens to be in the sewing room at the time ... but seeing both rows together is getting me excited to see the entire top finished!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block K

King's Crown

In the 501 Blocks book, this block is actually called "Crown", but I first got this pattern from a Fons & Porter sampler pamphlet that my mom had.  We have no idea where it came from, but I used this pamphlet for a couple blocks.  Fons & Porter called this block the "King's Crown" so I kept it.  Again, as with a lot of my older blocks, I lost a couple points.  I'm okay with it.  I love the black and tan homespun and don't really think I need to redo it.

On a side note ... I am officially on Spring Break!  I am looking forward to spending most of the next week in the sewing room!  Yay!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block J

Jefferson City

I'm coming to realize that with every sewing project (at least for me), there will be a time somewhere in the middle of the project which totally tries my patience, where everything that can go wrong does go wrong, and that will make me evaluate my choice of hobbies.  From the beginning, block "J" was a pain the <insert bad word here>.

There wasn't many "J" choices in the two books I am trying to use, and what was there I didn't really like.  I picked Jefferson City first, then changed my mind, then changed it back a few times over.  I am trying to use as many different homespun colors and patterns as possible.  So I picked material from my box of homespun for this block and realized it wasn't homespun.  I don't even know where that fat-quarter came from, but having to change material also caused another change in block choice. 

Finally, I settled on Jefferson City, a green theme, and got the pieces cut out without mishap.  This block is sewn together diagonally (on point) ... I'm not a fan of on-point set quilts.  I had to rip out seams three times.  My sewing machine also picked this block to fight me every time I had to sew over seams.  I had the block half done and just stopped, left the sewing room, not to return for a couple days.

At last, I finally got the block done.  I got the borders attached and set it on the cutting table to trim to size.  It was sitting right next to the book, page open to this pattern ... OMG I sewed it together wrong!!  Normally  I wouldn't own up to this.  The block still looks good, even with the colors in the wrong places, but I felt that this whole experience needed to be documented!!  LOL!

This is it ... no more problems ... I got them all out of the way with "J".  Smooth sailing from here on out!  Fingers crossed anyway.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block I

Irish Chain

My mom, a while back, found some solid homespun material for me.  I used some of the darker colors (like the turquoise in Alabama and blue in Clay's Choice), but there was this bright red that I was just itching to put in a block.  Wait til' you see this Irish Chain block in the middle of the quilt ... the red stands out so much it's hard to see what's around it ... LOL!

Row two is almost done and will be posted at the end of this week!  Moving right along ...

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block H

Hourglass and Hearth & Home

 

The first block representing "H" is Hourglass.  There are a few variations in the books, but I did the most basic because visually this looks more like an hourglass than some of the others.  I also decided the hourglass needed to be neutral to make it stand out more.  The picture shown is actually a remake.  The first, made some time ago, was smaller for some reason, and I would have lost points if I put the border on it.  I like the colors of the new one, so I'm glad I remade it.

The second block is called Hearth & Home.  The pattern for this block actually measured 8 3/4 inches.  I was making all 9 inch blocks, but I'm also bordering them.  It wouldn't take much to make the border just a hair bigger to accommodate the smaller block.  I tried it and with all the other blocks you cannot tell the difference.  I love the look of this block ... and it came together well!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block G

Glorified Nine-Patch and Grandmother's Pride

Welcome back!  I hope everyone's Sunday was nice and relaxing. We just started a kitchen remodel and I'm a bit stressed.  Luckily Mom is doing the talking to the contractor!  I had to hide in the sewing room for a while to try not to think about the couple things that are wrong already!!

Anyway ... today's "G" blocks are both new to my project; Glorified Nine-Patch and Grandmother's Pride.  Mom really likes Glorified Nine-Patch and thinks it would make a great quilt on its own.  I agree!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block F

Fifty-Four Forty and Friendship Quilt

The two blocks for "F" are both older-made blocks, but they were probably the last ones made before this project was put away for the last time.  Did you notice that both of them are a nine-patch?  So easy!!

If I had to pick one block as my favorite of all the blocks made so far, it would be Fifty-Four Forty.  My grandmother had created one of these blocks as a sample for some project, and when she passed my mom got a lot of her quilting things.  This block was up on our design wall for a while,  It made me happy every time I looked at it.  When I decided I wanted it in my sampler I immediately looked for the pattern.  I had a really hard time finding it because of the way the colors were arranged ... but finally found a 9" one and made it instantly!  Love, love, love!!

When I first started looking for homespun material, most of it was dark shades of blue, green, red, and brown plaids.  I found this orange homespun and just knew I had to have a block with an orange focus and less neutral.  The Friendship Quilt block is about half orange and makes a real statement in the middle of some of the other blocks.

So, with week 1 of the A to Z Challenge done, I have a total of 11 blocks, which is almost two rows done.  The first row is completely sewn together and is now off the design wall to make room for next weeks blocks.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you on Monday!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block E

Electric Fan

 

There's not a whole lot I can say about this block.  This was a new one to cover "E" in my alphabet, and I really just wanted to do a block where I didn't have to think too much.  This block was super easy and I it looks really good with all the other blocks!  Surprise!

One more day and the first week is complete!  If you are completing the A to Z Challenge or just ready my posts, I hope you are enjoying the journey so far.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block D

Double X, Dutchman's Puzzle, and Darting Birds

Just like the "C" blocks posted yesterday, these 3 blocks were created early on in my homespun project.

The Double X block pattern from "501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks" does not have the bordered square in the center.  I have no memory of why I did this ... I can't think of a reason why I would have changed the block.  But I do like the effect!

Dutchman's Puzzle is another one of my favorite blocks.  I'm not a fan of Flying Geese, so I would not do a whole quilt of Dutchman's Puzzle blocks, but I like the way it looks.  It's another one of those classics (like the Churn Dash) that I just feel needs to be in any sampler.

Darting Birds is another one of the 9-patch type blocks made with half-square triangles and solid squares.  I like to make these types of blocks because of the simplicity of them, and they give a good mix with the more complicated looking blocks.

Well, my quilt will be 7 rows with 6 blocks in each row, for 42 blocks total.  Row 1 is done ... sashed and sewed together!!  I will post that picture on Saturday with F.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block C

Clay's Choice, Chisholm Trail, and Churn Dash

When I decided to complete my homespun project for the A to Z Challenge, the first thing I did was pull out the blocks I already had made and found names for each one.  Then I decided what other blocks I wanted to make to complete my alphabet and the rest of the quilt top.

These three blocks were of the group already created.  I made the choice long ago to have some blocks with more dark material around the outside and a small amount of neutral in the middle.  Clay's Choice (in blue) was the perfect block for this.  I love the cream pinwheel in the center!


Chisholm Trail (in burgundy) is still one of my favorite blocks.  It always amazes me how many different combinations half-square triangles and solid squares can make.  I can imagine an entire "scrappy" quilt made with this block!  Oh-no ... I cannot take on another project ... yet!  :)

Lastly ... the very Christmas-y, total classic Churn Dash, in my opinion needed to be in my quilt for it to be a true sampler.  I started this project when I was first learning to make quilts.  The Churn Dash is so simple that I think it was probably block number 1.  This version is a remake ... when I put the border on my first try, I lost a bunch of triangle points.  I think I probably trimmed the block, not knowing any better at the time.  But this was an easy one to fix, and I really do love the red and green together.

Wow!  This was a wordy one.  I hope you are enjoying my journey.

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block B

Big T

My "B" block is also a new block.  I choose this block for the ease of putting it together ... I enjoy 9-patch style blocks and you will see a bunch in this quilt.  I assumed it's named because there is some sort of resemblance to a letter "T" but honestly, I really don't see it.  I do think it is really pretty though. :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

A2Z Challenge: Block A

Alabama

This project has been a work-in-progress for quite a few years, so to bring it out again has been quite nostalgic.  I had about 20 blocks already created, and am creating the rest new to make a 6 by 7 (or 42) block quilt.  Alabama was the first block that I decided to add to my group.  I love the turquoise solid homespun ... the block really "pops" next to some of the others!

Thanks for stopping by!  See you tomorrow!  Happy sewing!

Cat

Note:  If you are new to "Blogging from A to Z", check out their website here.  This is my second year participating, but my first on this blog.  For an introduction to my A to Z project, read my preview blog post for this year posted here.

Blogging A to Z Teaser

Hey all!!
It has been 7 years since I completed the Blogging A to Z Challenge.  I always had plans to do it again, but all my good intentions of blogging at all seemed to fail.  But this year I am signed up ... and I will triumph!

Many years ago, when I started quilting, I fell in love with sampler quilts.  I started working on random blocks with homespun material thinking that someday I would have a wonderful sampler.  Throughout the years I added blocks, re-worked blocks, decided on a layout, changed my mind, and then put everything away again.  Well I decided to bring this quilt back out, hopefully for the last time, and complete it during the A to Z Challenge.

I am adding blocks for each letter of the alphabet.  I will have a total of 42 blocks when I'm done, some letters with be represented by more than one block.  Each block measures 9 inches, but I am bordering each block to get them to be 11 inches (finished).  I am pulling most of the block patterns from two different books; 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks and Marsha McCloskey's Block Party.

I have also decided on a sashing that I will be adding as I go.  By the end of April, I should have a completed quilt top!

I hope you all enjoy the posts!  I can't wait to get started!!

Until next time ... Happy Sewing!!

Cat