2017 Finishes - Vintage Sampler - #37

I actually wrote a lot about this program quilt as I was working on the blocks.  You can look at all the progress pictures and blog posts here.

This is the pattern pamphlet that this program was all about.

The finished quilt.

Here are the close ups of the different blocks in the quilt.

Borders were very simple, mostly because the quilt and it's blocks are busy.

I ordered separately the backing from Keepsake Quilting, and I'm glad I did, because it wasn't offered for very long, and this whole line of fabric ran dry within months of it coming out to purchase.

Size: 82" x 90"

Fabric Lines Used:  Vintage Sampler from Paintbrush Studios by Barbara J Elkmeier

Colors:  Red, White, blue, black shirtings

Batting:  Flannel Sheet

Pattern: Vintage Sampler

Designer:  Barbara J Elkmeier

Long Arm Quilter:  Carol Logan Nelson

Year Began: 06/16

Year Completed: 10/17 

Scrap Quilt of Valor Blocks

I have been working on the quilt "Vintage Sampler" for the last few months.  Always, when working on BOM programs, there is plenty of fabric left over from cutting out the pieces for the blocks.  Since the colors for this quilt were red, white, blue and a little black, what was a girl to do, except make Quilt of Valor blocks!!

I found the pattern for this block on the fabric collections manufacturing page, Paintbrush Studio Fabrics.  You can find the pattern here if interested in making something for yourself.

This is my scrappy version of the block, and it's perfect that they turn out to be 12" finished.  Perfect for the Quilt of Valor program.  I am going to be able to get 9 blocks out of the scraps.  Well almost, I did have to add some of my own red to get the 9 blocks.

Then I had a lot of small scraps left over, so I made some very scrappy filler blocks as well.  

I was again laid up for another couple of weeks, recovering from eye surgery on the same eye that they put the gold into the eyelid back in April.  The gold made my eyelid too heavy, and I had a slight allergic reaction, so they had to go back in and remove the gold.  The biggest drawback from the surgery, is I can't lift more than 10 pounds, or bend over for almost two weeks. I have much yard work, kitchen cabinets to be finished refinishing, canning fall harvests, laundry, and my list could go on and on.  I am getting antsy.  

Warmest...

Vintage Sampler Block 9 - Feathered Star

I came back to show you that I finished the feathered star.

Some of the points are not perfect, but once it gets quilted, they will blend in and won't show so bad.

I'm on to working on the next section of the kitchen cabinets.  

Warmest...

Working on Vintage Sampler

I have been working on the Vintage Sampler, the next is a large Feathered Star block.  Anyone who has done one of these blocks, knows it is somewhat a difficult block.  

There are 133 pieces when the block is completed.  I have to keep everything labeled, and organized, so I can't do chain piecing.  So, if you look at the back of the first picture, you will see the last few blocks of the leader and ender "bowties".  Yes!  I am at the end of this project.  The next few weeks, I will be trying to figure out how I will be putting them together.  I have enough blocks to make two over-sized twin quilts.

Here is a block as a ender of one of the sides of the star points.

Snapshot of a layout of another part of the feathered star.

Some of the finished areas of the feathered star.  Taking a couple of days working on it, a few hours at a time.

I am also working on refinishing my kitchen cabinets this summer.  I am a novice at this kind of project, so I am taking lots of time to get it right.  It will take more than the rest of the summer to get them done.

Here is the before (cabinet doors off already).

The after pictures.

One-third done, two-thirds left to go.   Then considering to do the rest of the house, as all the wood (door frames, bathrooms, window sills, and baseboards) all need to be done and updated.   

Warmest...

Vintage Sampler Block 7

I had given a sneak peek at this block when I finished block 6.  

The three main blocks this time were the bird appliqué blocks.  Two blocks are mirrored alike images, and the third is a bird on a stick.  

This BOM, has filler blocks each month and so far, they have been put aside for assembly with the main blocks at a later date.  But beginning this month, we are beginning to combine the filler blocks to the main blocks.  This is one of the bird blocks with the filler blocks sewn on to it.  

I am glad I have all the blocks to complete this BOM program.  I worked on cutting out block 8 tonight.  It is three basket blocks, and one regular block.  I should have it done in a couple of evenings.

Warmest....

Vintage Sampler Block 6

It has been over seven months since I have written about this BOM.  I have gotten behind on BOM's in the past, but this one was none of my fault.  I have been so upset about this BOM with the quilt shop that sponsored it.  You couldn't participate or buy the complete BOM without going through a local quilt shop.  I signed up almost a year ago, and got the first five blocks with not problem.  Then a couple of months went by, and nothing.  I called, and they stated they would be getting it started again soon.  Another month went by, and then I asked to speak to the owner of the Quilt shop.  She told me they mis-calculated the ordering of the fabric for the number of participants, and they were working on getting more fabric to finish out the BOM.  They would be getting out the next block within the next week.  Well, she was good to her word, and I received the sixth block.  Then, again, one month, two months went by and nothing.  So, I called again, and asked to speak to the store manager.  Not in, and I left a message, not really expecting a return call.

But she called the next morning, and told me that the next block was due to go out in June.  June?  Why the wait?  She stated that they just got in the rest of the fabric and wanted to get the kits cut up.  I said that I wasn't too happy about stringing this out any more than it has already had been, and really didn't want to wait that long agin.  She then said that they sent out the sixth block at no charge as a way of apologizing for the mess up of this BOM.  I stated that I had been charged for the sixth block.  Then out of the blue, she asked if I would like to receive the rest of the blocks and the setting block all at once.  She should not charge me for block 7, and charge me for the remaining 5 blocks and send them out the next day.  I jumped on that offer so fast, as I wanted to get the remaining blocks now and know that I would be getting all the rest of the BOM without stringing it out any more than it has been so far.

So, I am back on track with this BOM, Vintage Sampler, and couldn't be happier.

Here is block 6:

It is really interesting how laying out a block just a little different, you get a completely different block.  This was the way I sewed the first block of two and it wasn't correct, so I had to take it apart and put it together the right way.

This is the right way, block 2.

As we are approaching the finish line of this quilt, it is beginning to require adding the sashing and building blocks to the main blocks.

Sashing added.

Building blocks and sashing building for future blocks.

This is a peek at block 7, it has three appliqué blocks and several joining of sashing and building blocks.   This block was one of the main reasons I chose to do this BOM.  My name is pronounced like the bird Wren with a hard E on the end.  Something like Rennie, Renny, (try rhyming with Jennie, or Jenny, only with a R)  Anyways, wren like birds alway attract me, and this quilt is no exception.  I also liked the shirting fabric that is being used as the background.

I am feeling very relieved, having all the rest of the BOM blocks and knowing I can get this one done sooner than later.

Blog Update

I didn't realize how long it has been since I last posted on my blog.  I have been busy, with various things, but not anything specific or important enough (in my mind anyway) that would make an interesting post.

The weather has been dicey around here in the Pacific Northwest, so I haven't been able to take pictures of finished quilts like I would like.  But, I have gotten binding on four quilts, and will have to  make future posts at a later date.

I have also been working on some BOM's and custom orders for my etsy store.

This is a custom order for a bigger fleece blanket.  Usually I make these fleece blankets in smaller blankets for babies.  The customer saw me making a baby blanket using this fleece print, and wanted to know if i could make one bigger, I said this was the last piece and since the fleece print was "old school" design for this team, it would be difficult to find more to make a big one.  Well I was off across the state visiting a hole in the wall kind of quilt shop, and lo and behold they had this fleece print.  they had about 2 1/2 yards left, so I bought it and contacted the customer.  Of course, the customer was ecstatic and said yes to me making it for them.  It measures 5' X 6', which makes a nice couch throw.

I also have been working on the Vintage Sampler blocks, I got a little behind, I am just now woking on Block 5, which came in the mail last week.

Here is block 3

These are churn dash blocks.  This month they started adding the sashing pieces so when at the end, all the pieces will go together nicely.

This is block 3 fillers that go in and around the major blocks of each month's package.

This is block 4.

Two of the blocks are 12" square, the one on the left is called "Woven Star" and the one on the right is called "Star of Hope", and the filler block is some more Broken Dishes.

Fall is a very busy time of the year.  Just like spring there are so many things that need to be done outside and in all the garden  and flower beds.  Lots of clean up and dead head work that when done, make for ugly pictures.  But, I have wanted to make a pathway from the backyard sidewalk to my greenhouse.  I dug out the dirt and hauled in the filler and hauled in the flagstone to make this pathway.  It was really hard work, but very satisfying to get done.  I know it is a little crooked, but my herb barrels weren't placed perfectly either, so the pathway follows their setting.  I really don't care, I am stating that it is quaint and since it is my work, I will claim it in all it quirkiness!

My rescue dog photo bombed my picture!  

Warmest...

Vintage Sampler Month 2

Month 2 of the BOM Vintage Sampler came in the mail last week.  I gave it a few days to rest in the package, before I had the time to open it and tackle sewing it.  Not that there was much tackling, as it was two very simple blocks and strips.

This BOM is a little different, in that the piecing of the blocks are sewn together as the BOM progresses.  Below in this picture, you will notice that the basket portion block was from month 1.  Now it is sewn to the block from month 2.

Until next month when a new package comes in to rest.

Warmest...

Vintage Sampler Month 1

Remember in this post when I said I signed up for this new BOM?   Well the package came the other day, and I was able to get it cut out and sewn up.

The first month involves three different blocks, scattered out all over the quilt.  There are a couple of things that are different about this BOM.

First, it give you three ways of doing the cutting out of the pieces.  Rotary, templates, or die cuts.  I chose the templates, because they are Marti Michell acrylic templates, and I already have them.  Using the templates takes longer to get them cut out, but when you go to sew them together, the pieces fit like a dream and the block comes out perfect.

Second, each block has instructions to add the sashing pieces as you make the blocks, so when you go to put the sampler together, it is just putting together all the big pieces.

This block was very amusing to me, it is a BOWTIE, just like the hundreds of cheddar bowties that I have been making for the last few months.  I made these without even looking at the pattern. Ha!

And, I am a sucker for basket blocks.  One of the better blocks I have made only because of the templates.

I am really liking the fabric, the prints, and the blocks so far, I am going to be looking forward to each months package.

Warmest...

Gardening and Sewing - Hand and Hand

This time of year is picking up in the garden, my mom and I shelled peas this week, ended putting up about 9 quarts.  Doesn't sound like much, but when you are shelling them, it is a lot to get done.

The rest of the garden is planted, tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, and soon lots of peppers.  I have fenced off the chickens, so they can do some free ranging in the back yard.  They are happy campers.

This is under my needle for the last few days.  I finally got it back out to do the quilting myself.  

I am so close to being done, I have two corners and the border left to get done, but as always, something seems to pop up that take the front burner.

We went to a city in our fair State of Oregon, called Bend (supposedly it is in the top 10 best places to live in the whole United States).  It is a fairly small town, and they have three quilt shops.  So we stopped at one and they were holding a parking lot sale, where customers can rent a parking space and set up to sell their extra quilting stuff and fabric.  It is just awesome to attend.

This is the first thing I came across, a vintage toy Singer sewing machine.  It was made in the 50's and is so cool.  It has an on/off switch (no foot pedal) and no bobbin.  Simple and a nice addition to my vintage collection.

Then I moved on to another parking space and this quilter had a extra large bin of scraps with a free sign taped to it.  I asked if I could have all the scraps, because you know, I am still needing about 400 different fabrics to finish my cheddar bow ties.  To my surprise, she said take them all.  I bagged them up, two grocery bags full, and brought them home and sorted them out.  This is a pile that is being cut for the cheddar squares.

This is just the start of the pile I am going to be cutting out over the next couple of days.

And alas, the progress of my cheddars to date.  The bag in the back of the picture has 600 completed squares.  The bowl has about 250 so far.

Then yesterday, that new BOM I posted about here came in the mail yesterday.  It is block one and the initial flyer of the BOM.   

I better get going and get busy!

Warmest...