I'm trying to improve my sewing, quilting and appliqué skills this year so have signed on to Craftsy BOM, a twice a week block challenge and a couple of self assigned challenges. I tend to piece large projects so I want to work on piecing skills and expand my appliqué skills.
The Craftsy BOM is only about 6 or 7 months long and I've completed the first 2 months. January's was the center part with the hourglass blocks and February's was the flying geese along with making the star blocks for a future round.
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| January and February BOM from Craftsy |
I also ordered the optional pillow sham kit and have those completed, too.
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| Pillow sham kit from Craftsy BOM 2016 |
Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson have teamed up present what they are calling The Splendid Sampler and I decided to join in with at least 10,000 others around the world. I have chosen 2 sets of fabrics plus have anothe set for samples. There was a sample block they put up so here is that one in reversed color ways.
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| Practice block |
The first real block (there are 100 blocks, 2 a week coming) was put out today so here are all three color ways:
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| February 14 block |
The heart on the blue one was done as hand appliqué using freezer paper. I had never done this technique before (I've only done a little bit of hand appliqué...see below) and grabbed a Craftsy class noon hand appliqué by Mimi Dietrich. Very informative as I didn't know there were so many methods. Lots to learn! The other 2 were done with machine appliqué.
Speaking of hand appliqué, I dug out the Classic Santa kit that was designed by Susan Garman in 2004. I was able to get one of the last kits with the fabrics, though the patterns are still available. I have one block done but it was done before I watch the class...just a bit of what I read online about hand-turned appliqué. Doesn't look to bad for the first one...hopefully by the time I finish the 12th one they will look better!
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| Classic Santa block 1 - design by Susan Garman. Needle turn appliqué |
I've also set up a personal challenge for myself to complete the Patric Lose Mini Quilts, one for each month that are about 12 inches square and fit on my tabletop stand. Here are January's
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| January block - Patrick Lose |
And February's
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| February Block - Patrick Lose |
Oh, and I still have lots of other projects! Almost finished with a baby quilt for next Sunday, has another one that is needed by spring. Also going to Sewing Expo Ina couple of weeks and have a gazillion UFOs to finish and many more to start! Stay tuned!
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