Month 9

[Vicki H.]

:cheer: Finally finished half-square triangle units with foundation piecing method. A bit time consuming but had some allotted time to really concentrate on getting it done before we leave on vacation.

[Vicki H.]

Wow-wee you're galloping along beautifully.

[Margaret W.]

Wow you are good. I have only prepared my foundation papers! I really like how your quilt is coming along, it looks great.

[Vicki H.]

For all those who do not like foundation piecing because of having to remove the papers afterward, I have found a solution. I've been using Select Print & Piece by Floriani. It runs through the printer very nicely. Only had to print one at a time though through my Laser printer. I did a sample block and washed and dried it in the dryer. It came out very soft and no hint of the product in the sample. This has really saved me as I have neuropathy in my right arm and having to tear all those pieces of paper out caused a great deal of pain in my arm. I thoroughly recommend this product. It is easy to stitch on. Just remember to print in Actual Size.

[Vicki H.]

Alternatively you could use the Ricky Tims Stable Stuff.

[Vicki H.]

:cheer: Finally finished half-square triangle units with foundation piecing method. A bit time consuming but had some allotted time to really concentrate on getting it done before we leave on vacation.

Beautifully done!

[Peg]

I decided to change things up a bit and made the month 9 1"-HSTs with the same off-white as month 7 (rather than 2 prints). This gives me a double sawtooth look and made borders 7-8-9 more of a single unit. Looking ahead, for month 10 I'm going to do 2 prints (instead of off-white) for the square-in-squares to give me a darker 2" band before heading into the LAST!! border of the off-white with appliqué flowers.

I made the HSTs using full sheets where you sew a lot of diagonals, cut apart (yields 20 per sheet) and then sew them together in border strips (sewed these chain style to do 4 rows at once. Nice thing is there is not re-sizing. I printed these off the internet (check size before using). You should be able to use other products than paper like wash-away this way.
I didn't have the directions with me and was mistaken how many I needed to make- I have way more than I need- I mean like another 150 1"-HSTs!! Guess a miniature quilt is in my future.

I've attached a detail of the corner borders- it is getting harder to take photos as the quilt grows!

Can't wait to see more photos, even if they aren't up to month 9. I like seeing all the variations as we each make it our own creation.
Peg

[Vicki H.]

It is really looking good!

[Vicki H.]

Your storming through it beautifully.

[Margaret W.]

Your quilt top looks great! I have done a similar plan with my Month 7-8-9 in that I have used the same fawn backgrounds with each border to create a wider border effect. I noticed on some of the finished quilts I have recently seen how to get a secondary effect from the use of light and dark backgrounds and foregrounds.Something I had wished I had seen sooner. But still I an happy with my quilt top as I started it as a challenge for myself this year. The challenge was to keep up to date each month with the other challenge now being patience as I piece all these little pieces and put them together.

[Margaret W.]

Your quilt top looks great! I have done a similar plan with my Month 7-8-9 in that I have used the same fawn backgrounds with each border to create a wider border effect. I noticed on some of the finished quilts I have recently seen how to get a secondary effect from the use of light and dark backgrounds and foregrounds.Something I had wished I had seen sooner. But still I an happy with my quilt top as I started it as a challenge for myself this year. The challenge was to keep up to date each month with the other challenge now being patience as I piece all these little pieces and put them together.

[Peg]

Margaret, Love the center square! Is that a printed piece? a story behind it? Good design choice on the border colors for month 8- they echo months 5 and 6 and play up the concentric design.
Generally I am a quick quilter- happiest with fun, graphic patterns in interesting fabrics that can be done in about 2 weeks, then I'm off to the next project. It's more about fabric than the pattern. I signed up for this BOM to see if I could be disciplined about more complex techniques, smaller pieces, at slower pace and a sustained effort over a long time. Having a whole month to work on 1" HSTs is the only way I'd get this one done. I'm loving it, though. I like the history lessons along with the instructions and feel this quilt will be extra special because of its back story.

[Vicki H.]

I found it also to be a real challenge with all those little pieces. Definitely not something for a beginner. Hope their next BOM is a little easier as I have other UFO,s I'm trying to finish

[Margaret W.]

The center square is a Robert Kaufman fabric called 'Under the Australian Sun' designed by a local lady Leesa Chandler. I decided that if I was making an Australian quilt I should incorporate my stash fabrics and just other feature fabric to pull it all together. I am off next Monday to see the original Rajah Quilt which is on show at National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne. I am looking forward to inspecting the fabric, design and of course the stitching on the original quilt.
I usually work on my quicker quilts too. But after I finish working on each months border I try and work on something more relaxing - like another UFO or currently a tumbler block quilt thanks to an idea from Bonny Hunter from Quiltville. I am trying to use up my stash so I can buy more fabric :cheer:
I will be pleased when I am finished these little blocks too!

[Peg]

Lucky, lucky you to see Raja in person!
Have fun, P