MONTH 4 -- Show Your Progress Here

[Helen W.]

Month 4 Done!!! Now I am planning a butterfly border. HelenW

Click on photo to enlarge

[Monique G.]

As always, Helen, your creativity shines through.

[Helen W.]

Thanks Monique...This color palette has really got me out of my comfort zone. A friend that just
visited from Colorado looked at it and said "I have never seen you use pastel colors in the 20
years I have known you. " HelenW

[Connie H.]

Your color use is beautiful Helen!

[lholzhu]

I love these low volume log cabin blocks. For sure will do them again in another project.
I have hand pieced mine. I am planning to enlarge the quilt so I am making another border of these blocks before adding the arch blocks. It comes to 52 blocks total and a made a few more. The next thing was what to but into these blocks. I decided to use a book from Becky Goldsmith -100 Whimsical Applique Designs: Mix & Match Blocks to Create Playful Quilts from Piece O' Cake Designs

I am taking the flowers, probably a few birds and using them in those blocks. I am not doing the flower pots and maybe adding or subtracting for some of the designs. I am using many scrap pieces and so far I am pleased with the results.

Advice- as the next few months will be appliqué, for those doing hand appliqué I strongly encourage you to watch Becky’s YouTubes regarding her tips. They are excellent. I am always trying to improve my appliqué. I have about 15 blocks done and they are great to pair with evening TV movies. I also look forward to Jen’s embroidery touches and will probably and that to these blocks in future.

** I did not trim down my log cabins, they are close to 8.5” unfinished. With appliqué sometimes the block shrinks so will trim them to correct size when completed. Just something to think about as you finish these blocks.

[Helen W.]

Linda, I too love Becky Goldsmith's you tubes about applique and hand stitching. Those birds in
that book are darling and so whimsical. I am going with butterflies for my applique, from Catherine
Redford's book, Butterfly Stitches. Another round of log cabin appliqué blocks is a perfect way to
grow the quilt. HelenW

[Monique G.]

The brightness of your appliqué will really stand out in this block. I love it. Everyone is coming up with some great ideas to make this quilt their own. I love the twists and turns we see in the forum.

[Monique G.]

I have my log cabin blocks around the centre block and placed block 1 and improvised block 2 in the second round. I believe I will do another gold border around the outside of this block with some embroidery in that border. I'm starting to like these African prints a little more than when I started.So far this quilt is measuring 63" square

[Vesta C.]

Monique G
I have a bolt of black solid and some beautiful Australian Aboriginal prints tucked away waiting for inspiration…..you just gave it to me!!! Your quilt makes my heart beat fast.

Vesta

[Helen W.]

Monique, Absolutely fabulous looking. You have done a masterful job of taking the bones of the
quilt pattern, and making something that rings true to the fabrics you are using. Could not be more beautiful. HelenW

[Alice]

Made the log cabins using bright colors instead, this way I can add crescents to keep the secondary pattern (circles) also skip tiny pieces appliqué

[Helen W.]

Alice, I love all the thought you have put into your quilt. Very harmonious.I like the way you turned the log cabin blocks so you got a triangle from 2 red/pink sections and 2 green sections together.
Then putting the crescents on the log cabin blocks ties it all together. This is the first BOM I remember
where everyone is just going off in their own direction. I just love it. HelenW

[Alice]

Thanks Vesta!
Thanks Helen! I’m thrilled that you can see what’s in my head… Didn’t expect to find my hobby at my age haha, but honestly spending time in my workroom is the best time each day!

[Monique G.]

Alice, I love what you have done with your quilt pieces. The added secondary patter is outstanding!

[Sheridan D.]

Ready for month 5. Can’t wait for appliqué and embroidery. Still missing 5 of month 4 blocks but all outer fans done.

My first block of the month and I’ve just completed all the log cabins. I’ve made the next row of pieced blocks and nearly finished the final border so keeping up ready to start the appliqué on the log cabin border.

I enjoy having this applique sections. Looks like I need to look at quilt picture more. Will plan my directional prints. Appliquick helped making orangish flower. Working bits at a time! Finishing up Caution Curves Ahead first & another quilt. Love this project. But, have to improvise some at 69 to make things easy for my hand tremor.

[Carole B.]

I’ve been absent from the 2024 BOM forum while working on my wool projects. This week I decided to jump ahead to month 4 and tackle the log cabin blocks. Previously, I’ve only completed the center block back in January which I hand pieced.

I started working on these using chain piecing, but after getting through the fifth piece, decided to finish two at a time. As someone who does wool appliqué, sitting at my neglected machine was enjoyable. And placing two completed blocks at a time on my design wall was exhilarating!

Since my design wall didn’t have room due to my wooly projects, I used my island to determine placement. I just finished stitching the 4 borders together and hope to start appliquéing next week. My goal is to finish the blocks from months 3 and 4 (or at least finishing drawing and cutting) so that I can bring them this July to a hand piecing class I’m taking at Sue Spargo’s shop in Ohio.

I’ve enjoyed watching how everyone has put their own spin to this beautiful design!

[Helen W.]

I’ve been absent from the 2024 BOM forum while working on my wool projects. This week I decided to jump ahead to month 4 and tackle the log cabin blocks. Previously, I’ve only completed the center block back in January which I hand pieced.

I started working on these using chain piecing, but after getting through the fifth piece, decided to finish two at a time. As someone who does wool appliqué, sitting at my neglected machine was enjoyable. And placing two completed blocks at a time on my design wall was exhilarating!

Since my design wall didn’t have room due to my wooly projects, I used my island to determine placement. I just finished stitching the 4 borders together and hope to start appliquéing next week. My goal is to finish the blocks from months 3 and 4 (or at least finishing drawing and cutting) so that I can bring them this July to a hand piecing class I’m taking at Sue Spargo’s shop in Ohio.

I’ve enjoyed watching how everyone has put their own spin to this beautiful design!

Hi Carole B... I was excited to see the wool project in your post. When I zoomed it, the fabric almost looks like velvet.
Love the hummingbird. I put them in lots of my projects. I started a BOM pattern by Bonnie Sullivan. Folk Art Sampler.
It has 9 blocks, but I want 12, so I will put together 3 extras. Also want it bigger so I am adding a sashing and will do
a pieced outside border. Here are the first 3 blocks. They are made of flannel. I have not done a lot of hand embroidery
yet, need to resupply my thread stash. Love the pearl 8, but sometimes use DMC if I can't get the colors I want in #8.
I added the robins to the block that just had a nest. I changed the vase to a watering can and added a frog and snail.
It is always fun to put your own spin on things.

Your log cabin blocks are such a beautiful subtle light gray/white. Looks great on the island. So glad to hear that you are
happily sewing at your machine. Way to face your fears!!!
Helen W

[Carole B.]

Love your blocks, Helen! You are so creative with your changes. On the wool project in my photo, the background is linen. I just love working with it!