Laura Nownes

[Rita C.]

Renata and Wendy, I wish I could join you but I have been frantically trying to get a wall quilt done for tomorrow. It's my parents 60th wedding anniversary and I decided to make them a memento. This is my second, and last attempt. I spent all day yesterday machine blanket stitching around a tree trunk and branches and 21 leaves (there are 21 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.) I will get back to my sampler on Sunday hopefully. In the meantime, perhaps I could just have a small shot of Limoncello(how do you spell that?) to keep my spirits up? :lol:

[Lois B.]

I am in my sewing room too today! So I will be checking on you, Wendy, Renata & Rita. I am caught up (almost) with blocks. I am still monkeying around with color choices though. I have been sewing some block settings like Nancy's from EQ. So in that respect I could consider myself a bit ahead. Still have to do my log cabins.

[wendy w.]

I've been to the tip and am going to have lunch and cut the grass then join you Lois .

A question for you. Why do you cut 4 1/4" squares for the sides not 4"? I don't understand :?

Get that quilt done Rita and show us it sounds interesting

[Renata L.]

Come on, Rita! You CAN DO IT! Your quilt for your parents will be ready to present on time! What a wonderful gift for your parents--please pass to them my very best wishes as they celebrate their 60 year as partners in life. You deserve your limoncello as you work on your quilt so sip away with the wonderful scent of fresh lemon engulfing your senses as you move your hands skillfully under your sewing machine (but not under the needle!).

I have two weeks of sampler to catch up on so I may very well be sewing with you on Sunday, Rita. Lois, great that you are checking in us and I hope that you will do some show and tell too!

The sun's come up, the sky is blue, the Chinese and Italian restaurants in my home have closed for business; guests just received their wake-up call; I've just had my first cappuccino on the patio looking at my hibiscus' new buds and dodging morning gnats (anybody know how to get rid of them?); in a few hours I'll be cutting fabric! Life is good!

[Renata L.]

Wendy, which block are you working on, the sawtooth?

[wendy w.]

Yes sawtooth is the one making me scratch my head. If all else fails I'll make the points for the 6" block and cut it down :lol:

[Nancy R.]

Hi Wendy - If you are working on the sawtooth star, then maybe I can help with your cutting sizes. I'm going to assume that your 4 1/2" measurement is unfinished size since it would be a pretty odd finished size. I think in terms of finished size, so that's what I'll use in my explanation. You should double-check my explanation since it's just 6am here.

For the star block, you have 3 basic units: the center square, the corner squares and the flying geese. If the block finishes at 4", then the center square will be 2"x2" finished, the corner squares will by 1"x1" finished and the flying geese will be 1"x2" finished. The squares are easy, cut 1 1/2"x1 1/2" and 2 1/2" by 2 1/2" squares. For the flying geese, the larger center triangle is cut as a quarter square triangle to get the straight of grain on the outside. Since that straight edge is 2" finished, we add 1 1/4" to the finished size of the square for the seam allowances, giving us a 3 1/4" square cut into quarters for this part of the unit. The two small triangles in this unit are cut as half square triangles, again for straight of grain placement. Add 7/8" for seam allowances and that gives you 1 7/8" squares for these units.

So, the cutting for one sawtooth star block would be:
1 - 2 1/2"x2 1/2" square
4 - 1 1/2"x1 1/2" squares
1 - 3 1/4"x3 1/4" square cut into quarters
4 - 1 7/8"x1 7/8" square cut into halves

These are exact measurements and do not leave any extra for trimming down.

Hope this helps,

Nancy

PS - Wish I could join you guys, but I have to work today. But I'll be watching to see what you do!

[wendy w.]

Nancy you are a genius! the penny has dropped. I was thinking of the edges as rectangles with triangles sewn on them when in fact they are quater square triangles.

My block is 41/2 " finished so the square will need to be 3 1/2". I'm on a roll now and will report back.

Thanks Nancy, get back to work and stop slacking :lol: What work do you do?

[wendy w.]

Yeh first star completed

[Nancy R.]

Congratulations!! Can't wait to see the pictures when you get them all done!

(I'm a software engineer, so I'm on my computer all day long. It's nice to take short breaks periodically to check in with my friends!)

Nancy

[Betty J.]

Your blocks look even better than the plan did, I love the skunk quilt.

BJ I want your DIL. My DIL to be just smiles when I show her my quilting so I've not offered to make her one yet. As soon as she shows an interest I'll be sewing like mad.

I am very lucky in so many ways with my delightful DIL. BTW, I decided to do a little bit of frogging on those blocks, skip week 4 blocks and make them my bird fabric blocks, and go on to the log cabin today. Might actually finish this quilt that way. :lol:

[wendy w.]

Bird fabric blocks sound interesting, I expect I've seen it but can't remember.

Hello Nancy, where's Renata are you able to drink Limoncello while you are working

[wendy w.]

Yeay, just got on the computer to join in, so far I have managed to
1. hang out 2 loads of washing - we have a lovely sunny day today
2. put on 2 loads of washing.
3. worked out how to mitre the corners on my reels blocks
4. cut out a new work skirt
5. gone to the bank to deposit a cheque & get some money out for tomorrow :wink: (Great Northern Quilt Show)
6. also got some food stuffs for tomorrow's packup - serrano ham & chorizo anyone?

and now I am about to see if I can get my new skirt stitched up, I've taken the pattern off a bought skirt & the pockets are trying to argue with me - we'll show them whose boss! :lol:

[wendy w.]

Hope to see you wearing it tomorrow then Rosemary

[Nancy R.]

Hello Nancy, where's Renata are you able to drink Limoncello while you are working

Depends on how creative I want to get with my code... :?