Long Time Gone

[jptousley]

The Plus a Star block was challenging to plan and confusing to lay out. I found the use of a design board was critical with this block. After photographing the block I converted the image to grayscale and found the value of each fabric interesting. The blue plus in the upper left actually photographed quite a bit darker than it is.

[Dee C.]

Jackie, a plus block is a challenging block to lay out and time consuming. Two excellent things you did are using a design wall and converting a picture to grayscale. Both of those techniques are invaluable. Well done!

[seagreen]

I enjoyed working on the Plus a Star. It was like a puzzle laying it out and piecing it together. Also attaching my other blocks. On Trip Around the World, I strip pieced. No way was I gong to cut 1-1/2 inch little squares and sew them all together. Also, I find the bowtie layout just jumps out at you too much, so I made mine a bit smaller and did a different layout. That's what it's all about, adding your own style.

[Dee C.]

Seagreen, I am so pleased to see you adding your own style to the quilt. It is good to know ourselves and what we are willing to do and not do. You are doing a great job and thank you for posting a picture.

[Laura L.]

I just finished the Trip Around the World block. I'm a little behind. I'm loving seeing everyone's blocks! They are all great!

[karonray]

On the Churn Dash, if you press the seams of the rows out instead of in you can rotate them when constructing the units and they will lock into place. They want to go in but then you have to deal with double seams in the construction of the units.

[karonray]

I really liked making these Churn Dash blocks. So far I'm still making both the 1800s and 1930s quilts, I think I might actually like the brighter colors of the 30s better.

[karonray]

I agree with several that I would like Dee's lessons to expand a little. Sometimes the construction of the block, fabric choice and cutting are as important as the piecing of the components.
Thought I would share the ones I have finished. The Triangle in a Square I turned every other one up side down which makes the diamonds. Also paper pieced [EQ8] the half Log Cabin and Courthouse Steps.

[jptousley]

I agree with those of you that an expansion of Dee’s lessons would be appreciated. I merely use the weekly sessions as markers to pace my construction of this quilt...by Saturday I will complete “x y z”. I do think more discussion of block construction, color choices, impact of color and pattern, as well as additional cutting tips would be welcomed by participants. For example, Karonray had a couple of good suggestions...pressing the churn dash blocks, rotation of triangle in a square. This type of information could be of interest to everyone, not only those who frequent the forum. This quilt offers so much more in construction possibilities and beneficial lessons than just piecing and pressing. However, the majority of each session has revolved around those two components.

[kelly u.]

loving this sew along

[kelly u.]

here's another

[Laura L.]

Finally finished the plus block.

[jptousley]

Had fun with this one...and, yes, a few blunted points....

[Helen W.]

I'm a little disappointed in how little activity there is on this forum. Half the fun of a sew-along is seeing everyone else's blocks and progress. Is anyone else working on this project? BTW-I found it easier to post my photo in the new forum as opposed to the old one. It's probably the only thing easier on the new website. :-(

Laura L, Love the fresh look you get with your color selection and the light backgrounds. Really shows the pattern designs well.
Are you doing the BOM Color My World. I bet you would love it. Also, lots of activity during the first couple weeks of each month.
If you are not aware of it, I recommend you check it out. HelenW

[Laura L.]

Helen W., I did the 2020 BOM "Afternoon Delight" but still need to sew my blocks together. Once I can get out to shop more, I will try to find the right fabric for the setting triangles and borders. I am downloading and printing the 2021 BOM, but decided to do Long Time Gone instead. I normally sew with 19th century reproduction fabrics, so this color scene is totally out of my usual comfort zone. It's fun to break out of the box from time to time!

[karonray]

The Courthouse Step block can be paper pieced using a Log Cabin foundation by changing how you construct it. I printed out EQ8 Log Cabin 5, in the correct size, made changes to make it for Courthouse Steps then printed copies of it on newsprint. I also changed the placement of the background so the feature fabrics were the outside strip. Cutting the fabric strips 1 1/4" for both this and the Pineapple, the 1" works but the extra 1/4" made it easer for me. If you want to paper piece the Quarter Log Cabin, EQ8's Quarter Log Cabin 6 closely matches what is in the pattern. If you don't own EQ8, it is not difficult to print a copy of the pattern for a friend once you know the name of the block and size.
The Pineapple block has some hints that might help. If you find me putting my alternate ideas here is helpful would you let me know by pushing 'like'.

[jptousley]

I also chose to paper piece the Courthouse Step block, but had to draft the block since I do not have EQ8. I like the placement change of the background and feature fabrics and will do so with my remaining 6 blocks. I think it gives a more balanced, squared feel to the block.

[Peg]

I couldn't stop once I got started! I'm still watching Dee's weekly chats to learn tips and tricks for small blocks- for the next Jen pattern I made the sashing in deep teal, similar to one on Pinterest (Barb Black?). I think it gives a pop of interest and adds some organization to all the tiny piecing. Instead of the patchwork borders in the pattern I'm going to do 6-8" borders in a gray-on-gray print with appliqué flowers and leaves in all the colors in the quilt- see Jen Kingwell Midnight on Oasis and Green Tea quilts for ideas. I've been using fabric from my stash- more modern designs than my usual Kaffe and Tula. But I feel I've hardly made a dent in my stash!

[Sharon M.]

My Longtime Gone....finally caught up ready for tomorrow