Keeping Up with Patchique'
I spent a relaxing afternoon working on the Week 6 Patchique' blocks. (Most of the time was relaxing, but there was a point that was stressful while I was trying to line up 49 little blocks...)
Block # 11: Kasuri koshi (or Kasuri check)
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| Block # 11 photo by Susan Briscoe in book page 41 |
This nifty little 9 1/2 inch block has 49 little blocks in it!! Those are checks I'm supposed to make.
One year ago, I probably would've "passed" on this block.
But this year, I am determined to stretch and grow... and so I fearlessly follow my talented leader, Amanda, The Patchsmith, as she helps find easier and more practical ways to create the trickier Japanese Taupe Quilt blocks.
Amanda diagrammed -out how to make 2 different rows of strips, and then how to cut up these rows, and combine them in a way that was easier than putting 49 little pieces together. (see her blog post HERE.)
I tried to be very exact in sewing my strips together, and to use an exact scant 1/4 inch seam allowance, and not to stretch my fabric by pressing seams early... and managed to match " a lot of the seams ." I used my seam ripper (Cruella DeRipper) a bunch, but I didn't curse , because I made those seam stitches looooong in length (and therefore easier to rip out !) Besides, Amanda said this block is "fiddly" and she won't be making this block again!
So be kind when judging this block.... I am still learning!
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| Block # 11 Kasuri koshi ( Kasuri check) by Susie's Sunroom |
I can live with this block. I do love it's colors. It is even prettier in person. It is strangely calming! (Maybe because it is DONE !)
Block # 78: Rokuyo (Hexagonal flower)
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| Block # 78 block by Susan Briscoe in book , page 80 |
This applique' block was fun to make. The book has a pattern that is one quarter of the design, and I had to fold the Heat n Bond lite , and cut out the flower shape design as if making a snowflake ( on 2 folds.)
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| Block # 78 Rokuyo (Hexagonal flower) Susie's Sunroom |
I did not sew accents stitches on the center of my flower, as the red fabric has the "stitch marks" printed in the fabric. I did blanket stitch around the outer edges of all of the shapes.
Here is the composite chart of all of my finished Patchique' blocks so far:
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| Susie's Sunroom completed Patchique' blocks so far |
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| My completed Patchique' blocks so far 12 completed! |
I was gathering my felt and embroidery thread up for this project, and dumped a big pile of different threads out of the bag. Guess what I found hidden in the pile? This cute little pair of embroidery scissors! I obviously bought them a long time ago, and had completely forgotten about them. (Yay.... a late Christmas gift to myself!)
Changes and observations:
- I simply enlarged the pattern , at 120 % , on my scanner, to get the pattern to be large enough for these 5 inch scissors.
- I omitted using the Heat n Bond fusible that the pattern calls for. I just made sure I sewed the pieces together securely.
- I didn't want the little ribbon hanger at the top, so I omitted this.
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| Lift the strawberry cap up, and slide the scissors in |
- This project was really fun to make! I didn't use the sewing machine at all. The embroidery touches are simple and quick. And it was easy to sew the little glass beads onto the felt front.
I will most certainly make this Strawberry Scissorkeep again. It simply makes me smile when I peek inside it and see those tiny little scissors.
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I'm off to my sewing room!
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