Update 54/40

I have not been able to do a lot of quilting. My Uncle passed away on the 12th after a two week illness, and things have been hectic. Doug was diabetic and on dialysis for several years, he and Vickie (my Aunt) made the decision to stop all treatments. It was a very hard decision, but one I agree with and support. His death has also dredged up memories of my mom's passing (a few months ago), leaving me sad, blue, and in no mood to quilt or do much of anything. I also worry about a friend who is also diabetic and is not even willing to talk about dialysis. His doctor has said that without dialysis he has at most 3 months. Stan is worn out and tired all the time, and has been having bouts of confusion, I doubt that he will last the 3 months, more like 3 weeks.



54/40 Update - Well what started out crib size, made up from a few orphan blocks, has morphed into a King size top, yes that's right, I had to make more blocks. Tarranda asked me to make it big enough for a bedspread, so its now 96x108. Still on the design wall - at least half of it is - won't all fit so I'm having to sew it in sections. I have all the row components finished and just need to assemble the last few rows (6 rows left), then sew them together. The borders and binding are ready to go, and the longarm quilter is expecting the top the first of next month. With luck I can get it finished up tomorrow, I am eager to get started on a different quilt - am getting tired of this one.



Have done some sewing on the Jan 24th "Mystery Quilt - Scrappy Stars". I like how the sample blocks look, might have to make it my "Leaders and Enders" project. My next quilt has to be the "Hearts", I need to get it made and quilted before the first week of April. I hate deadlines, but it is an anniversary gift for Arlene and Stan. And if the worst happens, and Stan passes away, it will become a "Quilt of Comfort" for Arlene.



Here is hoping that the next few weeks will be easier.

54/40 Change of Plan

Started sewing the extra blocks needed for the 54/40, got the 12 extra done. When I placed them on the design wall I really liked how it is all coming together. So now I need 28 more blocks to making this one Queen size, unfortunately I have already sewed 3 rows together, and to add more rows I will have to work to make all the stars work together. I'll put one row on top, one in the middle and one on the bottom, this should spread out the new colors.

My sister, Tarranda, has hinted several times that she needs a queen size quilt to fit her new bed, I think that this one will be for her. Once it's done I will decide then.

I have all the new blocks cut, and set up ready to sew. Will have just enough of the background fabric, I think that I have about a third of a yard left. So I can't make anymore changes to this quilt, as it is I will not have enough to put a border of the background fabric on. Either I purchase more fabric, or run the stars to the edge of the quilt, which means using a small binding so as not to cut off the star points. Think I will be going to the fabric store. . . .LOL . . . I like a wider binding usually 5/8 inch

54/40 blocks

Yesterday I put the 54/40 star blocks on the design wall. Mixed the 9 and 12 inch blocks together, using the middle of the 12 inch as the lattice pieces. After I got them all placed I decided to enlarge the size, so I cut and started sewing more 9 inch blocks. I just selected 6 new fabrics that with luck will go with the others, this also allows me to use more red and bright pink. I had a couple of blocks that really drew the eye, by adding more I hope that it will all balance out the entire quilt. I have all the individual units of the new blocks sewn and the center squares selected. Need to cut the 1 1/2 inch strips to use in the construction of the lattice pieces, and figure the size of strips on the outer rows between the star points. Will leave the top on the design wall for a couple of day, making little changes as needed (rearrange), and think about the border. By next weekend I should have the top completed.

I have also cut more pieces this time in batik for the 54/40 pattern. I have made a commitment to use these blocks as my leaders and enders project. I used this technique to complete most of the 54/40 currently on my design wall now. Sending thru in sets of 4 takes only a couple of minutes, and allows me to really use the blocks. I have a zip-locks full of 4 patches in different sizes (2, 2 1/2, 3, and 3 1/2 inches), I have no idea what to do with them, they don't really go with any project I have going. The fabric is not a good match for my 54/40's although I have thought about doing a totally scrappy 54/40. Using 8 different fabrics for the star points, what ever piece comes to hand. I have extra pieces cut of several fabrics, but not enough of one to make a complete block, making scrappy will allow me to use up these pieces.

Quilt Update.

Not a lot of sewing last week. Did sew more of the 54/40 stars, I am working in the 9 and 12" blocks. As of right now my plan is to make the 9" blocks, and use the 12" for sashing or lattice at the block intersections (actual size of lattice will be 4").

I took some 5 orphan 54/40 and placed the large star in the middle and 4 smaller for the corners, made a cute little wall hanging. I liked that the setting was different, have been doing the 54/40 stars for a long time, needed to change things up a little.

Currently making them with cream colored backgrounds, but I believe that I will start cutting batik and blacks in the 54/40 and make it my Leaders and Enders project. I have so many 4 patch blocks that I might never get them used up, by making the 54/40 in sets of 4 (what is needed for one block) it will not take long before I have my batik and black 54/40.

Also started cutting the batik scraps up for flying geese blocks. I like how the bright fabrics play against the black background. Need to find different patterns using flying geese, don't really want to make rows. Have been playing with different layouts, like using a solid square in the middle. But this would involve set in seams, not sure I want to go there. Although I have decided to keep this quilt.

After 25 years of quilting, the only two quilts I have are the ones I got back after my mother passed away. As a quilter I am ashamed to admit that I have a blanket on my bed. . . LOL . . . however that is about to change. I have made a vow that before the end of the year, I will have made ME at least 3 quilts. I want all 3 to use black for a background and an assortment of batiks for the prints. My plan is to make a 54/40 stars, Flying Geese, and most likely the disappearing 9-patch (using up all those 5" squares). All subject to change without notice. . . must keep my options open . . . never know when I will fall in love with a new pattern.