Fraternal Twins

When I saw Mimi's block #20 I thought she had mislabelled it.  I was working on block #7 and I thought she was too.  I had to go and check for myself:

Block #7 

and almost the same, but not quite

Block # 20

 There are other similar blocks throughout the quilt.  I wonder why, when there are so many patterns available,  the maker chose to almost repeat the same design a few times.

#20 is complete.....

I sure hope I haven't made a mistake by going off course with my reds and greens by adding this faded red/rosier color fabric for the basket (even though it is in the same fabric line).  I certainly don't want or need to buy more fabric for this quilt (I could make 2-3 more quilts with what fabric I have left), but I haven't wanted to repeat basket fabrics and I don't think I have any interesting ones left, thus the introduction of the rosier fabrics. 

I have incorporated the rosier fabrics in a couple other blocks but only as flower buds. Here's a close up of this  block.

Right now it is bothering me.  I could easily remove it without it hurting the other pieces of applique.

Most of my baskets are red, I think I have one that is taupe and now this one.  I plan on making another one taupe and I have a rosey floral that I could use, but what do you think?  Am I compromising my red and green quilt ....that I wanted so bad? 

Three more blocks to go to catch up.....21, 22, and 23.  I think I will work on an easy one just to get one  completed quickly.  Gotta get busy.



Two more blocks...

Well, I think after completing these two, the next couple of blocks will be simpler ones for a change. I found both to be kind of labor intensive and although all those little fingers were surprisingly enjoyable to do...happy to say they are done.

Thinking that center 5 layer flower is a tad dark, but it will stay as is. 

The photo of the completed blocks laid out was taken a while back before the latest two were added. 

 Happy stitching everyone.

Pat in Northern Wisconsin

Block 23

Has anyone attempted to make the bow in block 23?  If so how did you manage it.  I just can't seem to get my bias  stems to curve that much.
Nancy

Cherry tree 22

I am all up to date now.  I could not get the centres of the flowers quite as small as the drawing - darn.  As I use Perfect Circles, and I did use the smallest,  they were still not small enough.  Never mind,  it is the thought that counts.  Now ready to start on the next one.

For those interested, we are going to start getting the border next month.  Get ready for all those circles!

Wendy (in South Australia)

Finally # 15 is done....

Gosh, I thought this one was about done,....twice.  Well into the block I realized there were pieces missing, so had to go cut out more freezer paper pieces and then fabric and get back to stitching.  Then I thought I was almost done when I realized there was one more bud missing.  I don't know what happened.  Either I never did them or I lost them  when I kept taking this one out of my bag to show off my progress.  Oh well, it is done...even the embroidery stems.  On to the next one.

What's everyone going to do with the newest block?  Are you going to make the circle stem wonky or smoothe it out.  I am debating. 

Blocks #23 and #5

Just to let you know that #23 has been posted.  It looks quite naive and simple to sew. 

Meanwhile I have finished #5.  It is a cute block and my favourite so far

I avoided sewing any of the basket blocks until I could find a fabric I liked.   The plan is to use the same fabric for every basket.

Now onto #7.

Another #13

I put off making block #13 because it has a different feel from many of the others.   It has lots of diverse elements as well as being asymmetrical.

I changed the colour recipe slightly, too.

I am now back in the groove with this project.  I got stuck on #16 and never recovered.  It has been shelved while I work on other blocks.   I am sure I will come back to it.  Only one more bunch of grapes to sew but it seems it was a bunch too many.

Now onto #5.

Here are my 18 blocks together.

I am so glad Sharon suggested this.  I have not EVER seen all my blocks together.  There just isn't enough design wall space and I just never got around to laying  them all out on the floor.  I had to get on a step ladder to really get a good picture. 

Now, not only Sharon's blocks motivate me, but seeing mine all laid out make me want to get back to them even more.  You were right Sharon.  I think this is going to work for a lot of us.  Thanks.

Post your Progress

Hi BTCT makers,

I am asking everyone who is working on this quilt to post their blocks all together. This might motivate others to pick back up and/or let us see how the different fabric choices others are using look all together.
Any takers? Blogs are a great place to show off your work, readers WANT to see what you are working on!

Group of Blocks

I showed this over at my regular blog, but thought I would share it over here. I like how the blocks all play so nicely, the bottom block that is cut off has a red pot. I will use purple for a pot along the way, and I can see how I must be careful with the chrome yellow, it's pretty outstanding, so a little will go a long way.
That's all for now, I've only got the vine glued down on block #12, so it will be a while before it gets done!

working on block #15

I have been putting off getting back to my Cherry Tree blocks lately, but I have picked up block #15 again, but the one thing that has been running over and over again in my head is how to do that "layered flower" that sits in the center of the block on the vase.  The one thing I did not want to do was have six layers of fabric in this one spot.  So my solution was to have just  two layers of the flower laid out on the background.  I know some of you have eliminated layers because the flower was getting so thick.

Anyways, I thought I would share with you how I have made this flower and then in a couple days I will be able to post a finished block.

I cut out my freezer paper pattern and had all the layers drawn on this one piece.

Then  I took my flower fabric and laid it on an alternate fabric that will be the secondary pedals.

I traced around the freezer paper onto the fabric and then cut away the next layer of the flower and traced that and so on and so on until all layers were drawn onto my main color.  I then basted the flower onto the background on the outside edge, the middle and somewhere in between those two bastings.

Then what I did was cut through the center of the lighter segment (of the  main flower fabric only)  so that I could needle turn on either side of the main fabric exposing the  lighter segment. 

Here is where the first, outer, lighter segment is all stitched. Then you skip the next red petal  and repeat in the next section that will be the lighter petal and repeat that process. 

Here is the second lighter (inner) petal all stitched.

Then the next step is to cut away the excess background fabric being VERY careful not to cut your main flower fabric. 

Easy peasy.

A finished ....two layered....flower all ready to be stitched down on your block!  I am so glad I ruminated over this one and came up with this solution.  Maybe some of you have used this idea, but I am just excited that I didn't have to use numerous layers to achieve the look without compromising the original design. 

Thanks for listening to my ramblings.  Now to finish the block. 

Block #22

Yes, I'm still working on BTCT.  It's been a while since I posted because I have been distracted by other less worthy projects, but here is my Block #22

Now I am only 16 behind!  I have blocks #16 and  #8 almost complete.  By my calculations, since I started sewing when #12 was published,  I am really only 2 behind, but anyway  who's counting?

BTW, with 94 followers to this group blog there must be lots of lurkers and closet BTCT quilts around...but who's counting?