FLYING GEESE ?

I am a pattern tester for Erica Jackman, Kitchen Table Quilting.

She sent out a call for testers on a new pattern that will drop mid-June 

I was intrigued by the white diamonds in this design.

How the heck did that happen?

I accepted the challenge to test this pattern with this fabric pull.

I love using my stash for pattern tests.

I cut out the pieces using various FQs from my stash.

What I cut from my fabric and what the pattern says to cut from the fabric

selections she uses...may vary just a bit....it all comes out ok,

with the correct number of pieces cut.

I like to pull my blocks together before I begin sewing.

The units are simple...one rectangle, two flying geese.

Oh there were LOTS of Flying Geese to be sewn and pressed.

THEN the most important part of my testing came into play.

The pattern said you could PRESS SEAMS OPEN or TO THE SIDE.

I don't like to press seams open, sew I pressed to the side.

HUGE MISTAKE because when you sew the

Flying Geese on each end of the rectangle are sewing points turned inward.

There are way too many layers of fabric to sew thru.

PRESS SEAMS OPEN!

She took this advice and made the pattern change

to PRESS SEAMS OPEN!

And then came the layout on the design wall.

This was fairly easy...

And here is my  finished lapsize top.

It's not really my style. I am not cazy about it.

I really don't mind the time I put into this.

My Flying Geese skills are improved

and I don't want to see any Geese for awhile!

But the good news is...

I used up lots of stash that I have had for years.

The Stitching Sister's charity will have another top

to make a quilt for a cancer patient.

Oh and one other tip, should you make this top.

I tried using the web technique for sewing the rows vertically.

I didn't like it for these small 4 1/2 x 12 1/2' rectangles.

I had better luck sewing the blocks horizontally. 

I have donated this too to The a stitching Sister, a local charity that

Makes quilts for cancer patients. 

I found the perfect backing. 

It will be long arm quilted by another volunteer at

the Sewing Center 

Being a pattern tester is fun.

If you ever need someone to test for you...

give me a jingle!

@kwiltypleasures on Instagram

kwilty.pleasures@gmail.com

FEBRUARY 4 PATCH SLICES

Another Sewcial Distance Quilt top project is done!

This time 3 of us are sewing apart/together!

I am wintering at Ocean Isle Beach, NC

Kim is located in Pickerington, OH

Shirley is located in Evansville, IN

I love me some Kate and Birdie fabrics.

I had this 'Wonder' line and some background in my stash. 

I am making a baby quilt.

Kim is busting her Bonnie & Camille stash.

She pulled 3 charm packs of  ‘Little Snippets’ line for a lap size quilt. 

And my friend Shirley decided to join the fun. 

She cut 5” squares from her stash to make a Queen Size top. 

First step is to sew all the charms into 4 patch blocks.

A nice stack of 2 patches, then into 4 patches

 was quick and easy chain piecing!

Pressing station for my mobile sewing area.

Next step was to ‘Slice’ the 4 patch blocks 

across the center diagonally.

Then I cut the 3” wide background strips at 16” lengths. 

I suggest cutting each sashing strip individually

vs the pattern saying sew 2 triangles to each WOF strip.

I wanted to press the center crease into the strips for lining up the triangles 

to sew one triangle to each side of the strip.

***Missouri Star pattern has thinner strips for this part of the Lattice pattern.

THIS RIGHT HERE is important to make sure the strips fit the block

and not to short. DO NOT switch back and forth!  Right, Kim?

I pulled 2  triangle units for each block making sure they looked nice together.

But I didn't dally to long on matching them up.

Then the chain piecing and pressing began.

4 Patch Slice Block finished with the background sashing in it. 

My pattern suggested trimming blocks to 10 1/2” squares

I did, but might not have to...

Missouri Star pattern does NOT square up the blocks.

And then the blocks were completed.

I made the binding using up any left over 3" strips

 (trimmed to 2 1/2" Binding strips)

Waste not, Want not!

 

There are many ways to layout the blocks for a final quilt top.

Regardless of the pattern. Missouri Star only show the Lattice layout.

Diamond layout

Chevron Layout

Lattice Layout

 

Here are the finished tops.

I selected a diamond layout and added one border.

It finished at 47” x 57”

Kim used 3 charm packs, added 2 borders 

using the Missouri Star Lattice pattern

Finished at 60” x 70”

Shirley used the Missouri Star Lattice pattern with 2 borders 

and made a queen size top!

All in all it’s a quick and easy pattern.

A great way to use up charms, layer cakes, scraps 

or stash yardage!

You can find The 4-Patch Slice pattern that I used

from Inspiring Creations, right here. 

Missouri Star skinny strips lattice pattern video/tutorial is here .

Have fun. Both are fast and easy!  

SEW-CIAL DISTANCE JAN, 2021

It’s now 2021 and still a need to SEWCIAL distance remains. 

The vaccines for RONA are coming and at some point Kim Hensley 

and I will be back in the same room, together, sewing. 

But til then...

One of my sewing goals is actually TWO goals.

Use scraps and older stash for CHARITY QUILTS in 2021

I pulled 2 1/2' print strips and 5" sold squares.

And this is how it turned out.

It was very fast and quick to make 

Kim has set a sewing goal for 2021 to use her huge stash of  Bonnie & Camille 

This quilt will use ‘Handmade’  Jelly Roll with white 5" squares

And this is her finished quilt top.

We are thrilled with the pattern and results.

Quilting comes later, but it’s a good start to the new year!

If you would like the free pattern, click here! 

I will be wintering at Ocean Isle Beach, NC

in February and March but please stay tuned 

for lots of Sewcial Distance fun with Kim and me!