JUST TAKES 2 AND SOMETHING A LITTLE DIFFERENT

I’ve completed blocks 7-11 of the Just Takes 2 quilt along project.  I did things a little different than the instructions given on three of the blocks.   On the house block, I went into my EQ5 program, found a house pattern very similar to the one given by Brenda Papadakias, made some slight changes, then printed it to the correct size for paper piecing.  I am quite happy with the result and more comfortable with this technique than the one Brenda suggested.



On the fan block, I copied the whole fan with seam allowances onto a paper piecing sheet ( I use Deb Karasik’s Perfect! Paper Piecing Paper.) Then I paper pieced the fan blades. Next I cut a 6 1/2” square of my background fabric, then machine appliqued the paper pieced block on top of the square, using invisible thread. Next, I traced the quarter-circle piece onto Steam-A-Seam 2, also including seam allowances, pressed the shape onto the black fabric then cut out the shape. Next I ironed the quarter-circle to the background fabric, making sure the top of the piece overlapped 1/4” on the bottom of the fan blades. Once again, I machine appliqued that piece to the block. After pressing the entire block, I cut out the backing fabric from behind the fan blades leaving about 1/4 below the stitching so there would not be so much bulk in the block.

At least for me, this is something a little different.  My latest quilt book purchase is Transparency Quilts written by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr.



I’ve been drawn to solid colors lately, purchasing several pieces from the Centennial Solids line and some from Cherrywood Fabrics.  There are two quilt patterns in this book that I’m considering for my niece’s baby quilt.  Very sophisticated but warm and comforting for Baby Girl E.P.  As you can tell from the cover photo, this is not my usual 19th Century patchwork quilts genre.  I’m branching out and stretching my wings!