November Patchique' Blocks

November Patchique' Blocks

Yesterday I found some time to make four Patchique' blocks.  What a pleasure that was! (I did do "chores" in between stitching.  )   It had been about a month since I made any Patchique' blocks, and I enjoyed picking out what colors that  I thought my future quilt would need. 

Block # 46:  Chigai kaku (which means Different angles)

Block #46   from Japanese Taupe Quilts  by Susan Briscoe

This block has 4 partial seams in it.  But, Amanda, The Patchsmith, explained how she made her block, and I forged my way through it!  The center block section was easy.  It did take me awhile  a half an hour to figure out how to connect the left and right sections, but I did it!  

My block #46-

Block #46    Different angles   by Susie's Sunroom

Next ... block #113:   Tessen ( which means Chinese clematis)

Block #113  From Japanese Taupe Quilts by Susan Briscoe

This was a quick and easy applique' block to make.  I wanted to feature blue and browns on this block.  I used a brown embroidery thread  (Rayon Madeira thread)  to emphasize the  blanket stitch around the edges of the applique' .    I will add some embroidery  on the flower center, after I make the blocks into a quilt top.

Block #113   Chinese clematis   by Susie's Sunroom

The third block- #60  Yotsume guruma (which means Quadruple wheel)

Block #60   from Japanese Taupe Quilts by Susan Briscoe

Wait a minute...Do you hear that pounding??!!  No, it's not a helicopter hovering over your roof ...
That's my heart racing.... I discovered that this block is a PINWHEEL.... simply disguised by the name  " Yotsume guruma or quadruple wheel " !!!  Amanda says it is a "flying kite."  I like that name, too!

Yay!    I spent a lot of time picking out some of my favorite fabrics to make this block.
And here is my sweet  little pinwheel-

Block #60   Quadruple wheel     by Susie's Sunroom

I love this pattern and combination.    Should I use it for pillows  or corners if I need to make my quilt bigger??

The last block for today:   Block #121   Kaku kuyo  (which means nine squares)

Block #121  from Japanese Taupe Quilts  by Susan Briscoe

Here is my block... with the familiar nine patch square!

Block #121 Nine squares   by Susie's Sunroom

I think of moons floating in the night sky when I see mine.   
And this is what they look like all together....

By Susie's Sunroom

My Patchique' Pile....I may or may not have done a Happy Dance through them....

Amanda says we have 2 more blocks to do.  I peeked, and the patchwork one has lots of teeny pieces...  better get out my seam ripper now!!

I'm off to my sewing room!

Block Talk in August

This week I have two Patchique' Blocks and two Sew Kitschy BoMs  to share with you.

Sewing blocks along with The Patchsmith

Patchique' Block #2 :  Shima ichimatsu (which means Stripe Check)

#2  Stripe Check   from the Book 

I followed the helpful tips that Amanda, The Patchsmith , has explained  in her blog post ,  since this block is made up of 36 two-inch squares.  It involves sewing the two fabrics in 2 inch strips together, and cutting that new strip crosswise.  I was happy that it all turned out, using my scant quarter inch.

Block #2  Stripe check              by Susie's Sunroom

Patchique' Block #106:    Ken giku  (which means Sword-petaled chrysanthemum)

Block #106   Sword-petaled chrysanthemum  from book

This block is basically a dresden plate, with 16 petals.  I wanted the flower to be brown, with green and red colors to be featured.  I started sewing, and held my breath when it came to adding the last petal into the circle... and the petals fit in beautifully.  Whew!

#106   Sword-petaled chrysanthemum                        Susie's Sunroom

  
Next up:  Sew Kitschy BoM      Paper Pieced  designs by Kristy  at  Quiet Play blog

July's block:  Retro Radio

July BoM  Sew Kitschy   Retro Radio    @Quiet Play

July BoM  Sew Kitschy   Retro Radio            Susie's Sunroom

August Block :   Kitchen Utensils

August BoM  Sew Kitschy   Kitchen Utensils    @ Quiet Play

August BoM  Sew Kitschy      Susie's Sunroom

And here are my  eight blocks... only one more block to go!

Sew Kitschy BoM                          by Susie's Sunroom

Just wait until you see the ninth and final block... it's really  "Sew Kute !"

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:   Quiet Play Sew Kitschy @ Quiet Play  and                   
                      Can I Get a Whoop Whoop @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict  and
                    Fabric Frenzy Friday  @  Fort Worth Fabric Studio

Patchique Blocks 18 and 109

Patchique Blocks 18 and 109

                                                         
I actually made these Patchique Blocks awhile ago, but have been too busy to share them with you.  Progress on the blocks has been going well, and  Amanda has assured us that the end "is in sight"....  ( We aren't making every block in the book... there are 125 of them.)

Sewing these patchwork and applique' blocks
 with Amanda, The Patchsmith

Patchique' Block # 18:   Kawari kasuri taikaku ( which means Kasuri diagonal variation)

Block # 18  Kasuri diagonal variation from the book

And this is my Block #18:    

#18   Kawari kasuri taikaku     Susie's Sunroom

I enjoyed making this block.  Amanda kindly pointed out that this block is very similar to block #17  ....  with the center block showing some variation.  

Block # 17  Kasuri diagonal    Susie's Sunroom

Patchique' Block # 109:  Asa no hana  (morning flower)

#109  from the book   by Susan Briscoe

Block #109  Morning Flower     by  Susie's Sunroom

This block whipped up into shape easily, after I followed The Patchsmith's directions, using fusible applique'.   This is one of my favorite applique' blocks so far.

What do my Patchique' blocks  look like so far?

My Patchique' blocks     as of August 2014  

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:   Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabric Studio

Patchique' Blocks 25 and 125

Patchique' Blocks 25 and 125

Sewing Along with Amanda, The Patchsmith

This week's Patchique' blocks were enjoyable for me to make.  They do have some tricky parts in them,  but luckily for me, Amanda,  The Patchsmith,  made the blocks first.  She then looks the directions over and  figures out the best way to make each block!  

 Block #25:   Chigai igeta  (Staggered igeta)  (inspired by a family crest)

Block #25  Chigai igeta   from the book    Japanese Taupe Quilts  page 49  

Now when you look at this block in the book, it is very difficult to see differences between the two dark  brown fabrics in this design. Her diagram was not much help on this pattern, either.    But,  Amanda figured out how to make hers,  and then blogged about it.  This is her pretty  Block #25 (  a fusion of  English country and Japanese colors and style):  I love her fabrics!

Block #25    by The Patchsmith

Ahhh,  now I  can see the 'staggering.'  

So I got busy, printed out Amanda's block, labeled the sections so I could sew the pieces together.....

I made my block, laying it  right beside a picture of Amanda's block,  with the blocks numbered in a grid.
I confused myself,  because I made my light fabric assigned to Amanda's dark fabric in the picture. And visa versa.   

 I looked and all of the  edges all lined up nicely.    YAY!
Uh-oh.  Did you see  my  mistake? 
  I didn't put the sections together in the right order.   Boo!

Fortunately,  I could rip out the seams easily on the bigger sections,  and re-join them in the proper order!

Block #25  Staggered igeta               Susie's Sunroom

It was well worth taking the time to fix the design.  

Block #125:    Kano rinpo (means Kano treasure wheel)  (family crests featuring plants, leaves and objects)

Block #125   from Japanese Taupe Quilts   page 107

Amanda's directions made this block a breeze.   I found two Tupperware lids the perfect size of 7 inches and 4 1/2 inches in diameter, to make my donut circle.

I centered my circle onto the block

Block #125  kano treasure wheel

It didn't take long to choose the fabrics for this block. I dug into  my bag of scraps ,left from making the other Patchique' blocks.   

Blocks #25  and #125   together     Susie's Sunroom

32 blocks completed!!

Amanda says we are over the half-way mark now!   

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:      And Sew We Craft Together Linky Party @  And Sew We Craft

Patchique Blocks 30 and 85

Patchique' blocks 30 and 85

 It's been another fun  ( and rewarding )day while making the next two Patchique' Blocks!

Making patchwork and applique' blocks,  along with The Patchsmith, from the book   "Japanese Taupe Quilts", by Susan Briscoe

The patchwork block:   # 30  Kasane itsutsu me  (Five layered squares)

Block #30  Five Layered squares  from Japanese Taupe Quilts book

  
It is made up of 29 pieces of fabric.... not  5 bigger squares.

Block #30  Five layered squares     by Susie's Sunroom

 It is really very pretty (in real life), with subtle browns and a muted red. (Love ya Moda Fabrics!!)

The Applique' Block:  # 85  Hanakaku  (Flower square)

Block #85  Flower Square   from  Japanese Taupe Quilts  book

 My #85 Flower Square block:

Block # 85  Flower Square   by Susie's Sunroom

This block actually reminded me of an  crochet  Granny Square.   And it was another opportunity to make a yoyo for the flower center!

Blocks # 85  and # 30

And here is a picture of the completed blocks so far:

28 Japanes Taupe Quilts blocks finished so far!  (No we aren't making all of them!)

Hoping you have a great Memorial Day weekend.    I am so thankful for all of those that have  lost their lives in  military service for the United States.  Thank you to those who have risked their lives to defend us all.

I'm off to my sewing room!

Linking up at:   Fabric Frenzy Friday @ Fort Worth Fabric Studio