Tuesday, June 28, 2011

FWQAL #2

I worked on a few more blocks for the Farmer's Wife QAL, which were a little more challenging than the first few I put together, however just as addicting.

Farmers Wife QAL- Birds in the Air
Birds in the Air

I don't think I've ever spent so long working on something so small!  I'm learning that with these intricately pieced blocks, the more contrast between the fabrics, the better the pattern shows up.  As for this block I used some Anna Maria Horner Good Folks and Denyse Schmidt Hope Valley.  This block certainly gave me a run for my money, it really wasn't overly difficult, but all those teeny tiny HSTs, I'm going cross eyed just thinking about it!  Aside from the monstrously thick seams on the back from all those small pieces, I'm really pleased with how this block turned out, however I can't say I ever wish to make this block on this scale again.  

Farmers Wife QAL- Bouquet
Bouquet

Please disregard the funky little icky-ness on the bottom right corner of the block.  The rest of this block came together pretty seamlessly, lots of odd shaped piecing, but nothing overly difficult, again though, not quite sure what happened with that bottom corner.  I figure in the grand scheme of 111 blocks, who's really going to notice, right??

Farmers Wife QAL- Box
Box

It's funny how sometimes two fabrics look great when you hold them up next to each other, but actually in the block?  Not so much.  This block is very...busy.  Yes, busy is a good word.  I like it enough to not remake it, but it's not my favorite.  

Farmers Wife QAL- Bowtie
Bowtie

This was the simplest of the four blocks I worked on today, and my favorite.  I love this block, and the colors I chose too.  There's some It's a Hoot!, Riley Blake and Joel Dewberry.  Yum.  

My creation

Here's the 10 I have completed so far, and as you can see, I am fully embracing the scrappiness. 

 My creation

I'm loving making these teensy tiny blocks, however if there is one and only one thing I am learning from working on them, it's to slow down and pay attention!  I know its time to call it quits for the day when I start to make silly mistakes.  Stay tuned for more work from down on the farm next week!


4 comments:

  1. Your blocks are looking good Jess! I start this week finally.

    I have seen three of those bouquet blocks turn out just like yours. That can't be a coincidence... And that's an advantage to starting late... When I do that block, I think I'll add a quarter inch to the long blocks as they are the two that seem to wind up wonky and short. I can always trim them down later, right?

    Take Care,
    Paul
    www.OutnumberedQuilter.com

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  2. I am loving the scrappiness! Great job and color combinations, Jess!

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  3. Oooh, your bowtie looks especially fab! Yummy blocks so far :)

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  4. This is so funny, because I was nodding my head in agreement through this entire post. Learning that the pattern shows up better with more contrast? Yep. Wondering what happened to your Bouquet block? Totally. Funny how sometimes two fabrics look great next to each other, but in the block they sort of lose each other? Oh yes. : ) Your blocks are amazing though! I love this QA!

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