Posted for April 15th, 2016
As I have mentioned before I began my quilting adventure in 2011 by crafting a quilt for a new friend I met when visiting Jayme from Tales of the Coop Keeper. At that time I had the desire to quilt, but no knowledge of the plotting skills or the math involved to pull it off…
Ergo, after making a “watermelon” quilt
I had tons of red and white squares and triangles to spare and they have been stored in a Ziploc bag, at the bottom of my scrap drawer, till now…
I have joined up with Kate Chiconi at Tall Tales From Chiconia in ScrapHappy. This is a creative group of like-minded people who want to use it all up and have fun making their scraps disappear. Then we all share on the 15th of the month. Links to all participants will be listed on Kate’s blog site! Please follow the link above to see what the other more experienced quilters have come up with.
After much experimentation, and cutting down I am left with a pair of ten inch blocks. A bit of blue border has given them a decidedly patriotic flair.
Windmill block to the left and Hourglass blocks to the right.
I haven’t finished them yet, because I can’t decide if I want a table runner or pillows! If a table runner is in their future I will have to come up with a third block to tie them all together.
This process of laying out and working with my scraps has reminded me of the Inuit carver who studies a bone or wood specimen to see what is living inside, then begins carving to release the spirit and image within. No spirits in my work, but this time around my *points are coming along nicely. 🙂
Practice, practice, practice!
NOTE: Points refers to the area in the quilt block where all the corners meet up. Getting them to get along is very exciting for a budding quilter. Well, actually, I think it may be an exciting moment for any quilter! Those little corners can be rather pesky.
Life on the Farmlet 
Very nice blocks, and perfect points!
Thank you, Patti!
I reckon you need a third, with progressively smaller triangles, to make a series! But if you make them into pillows, it doesn’t matter if the blue borders are different sizes…
Kate, still debating! 😀
Or maybe a much simpler one. Just one giant HST 🙂
Did I ever send you the link to Melanie McNeil’s Catbird Quilts site? If not, you’ll love it, and find lots of good tips. If I did — well, I just did it again!
I really the red, white and blue blocks!
You did, and I have been following her ever since. Thank you, Linda!
They’ll be great as either pillows or a table runner. Really nice blocks
Norma, thank you. I had fun making them. BTW, I went visiting with you on your blog and loved what you’ve been making to wear. You have inspired me to finish a design I started almost 20 years ago that features large buttons and applique… Doing it!!!
Oh that’s good. I’ll look forward to seeing it.
Very crisp work.
Thank you! I was trying very hard to make it all meet at the points, Tom. However, the Hourglass blocks were contrary at the meeting of the border on the left. I tried picking them apart and restitching and it was still off.
Oh well, next time.
I always see the best in quilts being married to an occasional quilter. It is not in my interest to spot any defects.
Oh goody! Don’t look then! 😀
How wonderful that you have found a group of folks to share your interest, and passion, and talent with.
I don’t know much about points, but I do know colors and what catches my eye, and your work surely does.
Thank you, Laurie! The thing about points it getting them all to meet exactly in the middle. It is harder than it seams. (Yes, that was a pun and also the heart of the task. 😉 )
Your puns make me smile, Lynda
Those are lovely! I wish my points met up that well. I love love love that watermelon quilt. I’ve an aunt that is sick that loves all things watermelon, and I might have to make one like that
for her.
Thank you, and I hope you do! 🙂
Beautiful! I especially like the red, white, and blue, which I would personally like as a table runner for a patriotic summer. I can’t wait to see what you decide to turn them into.
Yes, Roo, a table runner will be fun. HA, and I can’t wait to see what I turn them into… I better get shakin!
I SPOTTED the Spirit of Watermelon on a hot summer’s day in that one block 🙂
It was a fun project, Deb. I even made the seed-like buttons! 🙂
love that watermelon!!!
I really had fun with that first project, Claire, and I’m glad I thought to take a picture of it. It’s fun to look back and see how I have progressed over time. 🙂