QUARTER SQUARE TRIANGLE TUTORIAL (TRI-COLOR)

This tutorial is the result of working on my DGS#2's baby quilt. You will find it posted here. This tutorial is for my benefit. To help me remember what I did and how I did it and what worked and what didn't. If any of my readers find it helpful then I am excited!! Thanks for reading my blog. My readers are the greatest.~~~

The above tricolored quarter square triangle is the result of the tutorial that follows. The finished size is 4 inches, unfinished size 4 1/2 inches.

You will start with one 6 inch square of fabric for each section. In this case two sections are blue so two squares are blue. This will work with 2, 3, or 4 fabrics. Place side by side fabrics (placement in the block) RST (right sides together). Draw a diagonal line on the lightest fabric . Pressing these two fabrics after placing them RST will marry them and help them stay together as you sew. Each set of 4 6 in squares will make 4 Quarter Square Triangles.

Chain sew the squares 1/4 inch on each side of the drawn line. I will say that 1/4 inch is only needs to be approximate as these blocks will be squared to the exact needed size after construction.

The pairs are now clipped apart and cut on the drawn line. The pairs are pressed with the seam pressed toward the blue fabric.

Place the pairs RST with the seams in the opposite directions and the blues opposite each other. Wiggle match the seams together. The bunny ears on the ends should be as close together as they can be.
The way you sew the next seem will determine how good these points look. See the blues opposite of each other? The seam is not sewn yet, I just folded back the top half square so that you can see how the block will look when the next seam is sewn and cut apart. You can check your block just like this before you sew it to make sure it will be right AFTER it is sewn.

If you are having trouble making this match in the center, one thing that can help is to put pins in to help hold the seams abutt (I love that word). Put them far enough apart so that you can sew the seam without taking them out.

Draw a diagonal line on the Half square pair opposite the abutted seams.

Here is Another tip to help make your center points perfect. #1-Place your pair into the sewing machine with the seam allowance you are sewing toward going into the pressure foot. I hope this is clear. If not, comment and I will try again.

#2-- Ok--now for the seam on the other side of the line. Take your pair out of the machine and put the same end back in. You see, I use my even feed foot to piece and the solid part on each side of the needle is the 1/4 inch mark. So for this seam I will use the other side of the pressure foot to measure for the other 1/4 inch seam. Again, I hope this is clear. The picture is worth a thousand words. If you do this, the seam allowance you are crossing will still be going into the pressure foot which pushes the seams together and makes some perfect points in the middle of your block.

Time to press. I have found that to help to lessen the distortion, if I press toward the center first and then----

Swing the iron to the right-----and then to the left. The seams will naturally spread for you. You will square up the block later, but when you have seams going all directions, the less you press the better.


Here's my center points--not bad, huh? I'm tellenya--my tips work!!

Ready for the squarin up? Take your unfinished size, in this case 4 1/2 inches, and divide in half. For this block that would be 2 1/4. Place that measurement in the center of the block. Then you must make sure that the 4 1/2 measurement is laying on the seamline. (see bottom right corner and top left. When you are sure that you have it right, trim two sides--top and right.

Here is a close-up or the bottom right seam line with the 4 1/2 inch measurement laying on the line.

If the first two sides are done correctly, the other two sides sould take care of themselves. Flip the block and trim the other two sides. You are done!

A BIRTHDAY ON THE RANCH

On this brisk day, my husband and sons were gone for thier last mighty deer hunt. I was left in charge of the ranch and a group of heifers who were "right on hand" for giving birth. For those of you who do not know, heifers who are having their first calves more often than not need a little help from their friends. That would be me on this particular day. This heifer I found in the very back corner of what we call the South field. She was stretched out on her side and two feet and a nose were protruding. Oh no--I am here alone. How am I ever even going to get her home by myself. I knew this would happen. I took out my cell phone and started dialing--who you ask? Everyone I knew that could help (no Wackies are on this list! LOL). Only one person answered and he said he was busy but would be here as soon as possible. I had a talk with the little heifer. This is what I said and I mean literally.
"Darlin--you are in a mess. I am the only one here to help you, so this is what we have to do. You are going to have to get up and walk down this fence. I will go slow so you can take it easy. We have to go now and you have to go to the lot right now--no room for bull (no pun intended).
Usually it takes Sid and I both to pen a cow and most times we could have used several more people. This little heifer seemed to sense or literally understand exactly what I said. She got up and walked right down the fence in front of me and on to the lot about 1/2 a mile. I could not believe it. I started getting supplies together to pull the calf. Although I have never done it completely alone, I have helped a million times. I know exactly what to do, but might not be strong enough to do it. I got hot water, towels, the puller and chains, and gloves together. I was about to pick up the phone to call and see what happened to my help and to see if there is any chance that troops are coming. I look up and see that the cow is laying broad side in the lot. The calf is HALF BORN! The little thing was born after one more big push from Mama. Girls, I have seen it a million times, but it never ceases to amaze me. Heifers who are brand new to parenthood sometimes don't quite know what to make of their new bundle of joy. Sometimes they act surprised at this tiny wet sqirt that just fell out on the ground. Hey I can understand, can't you? This little heifer didn't realize anything alive was anywhere around but me until it started to rub up against her buttocks. She was content to lay and rest after the pain subsided. She finally got up and stood there staring at the little thing trying to wiggle out of it's birth sack. It was really comical. A little licking and cleaning up and he was ready for breakfast. You can tell by the dirt on her face what a hard time she had. She put her all into it. As for me, I was thanking God that he helped her instead of me. He knew he could do a better job. He is much more patient and much stronger than I. But we do make a good team.

We have a birth on the ranch almost every day. We only have to help with some. We lost a calf yesterday. We didn't catch it in time. We did save the mother. Later that afternoon one was born and the mother's uterus came out with the calf. The Vet had to be called and he did a spinal on her a put it back in and stitched her up. Maybe she will live and raise the calf. Time will tell. She is still ok as of today. I just thought I would let you all know what goes on here on Fryer Ranch. It's a trip that some of you would love to take and others not so much! LOL

Judy's Quilt-a-Thon--HELP! update #1 and update #2 late

UPDATE #2 better late than never.

I am way late with this second update, but I figure better late than never. Here is Cullen's quilt with the star block components finished. I still have to put the blocks together. Tomorrow I will get that done and report in again. Another result of todays work is a tutorial for the quarter square triangles. Find it here.

Need so bad to work on my baby's quilt. I am very busy today and tomorrow, but thought joining this Quilt-a Thon might spur me to use every extra minute on Cullen's Quilt. We found out Thursday that Baby Cullen has a hernia. He will visit a pediatric surgeon on Tuesday. Prayers and thoughts are very much appreciated. He is 2 months old and weighs 12 pounds. Go Here to see what I have accomplished so far. I will update later on today when and if I get something more done. THANKS!! WISH ME LUCK!!

UPDATE #1 ~~This is what I got done today. Not much, but I think I did good for no more time that I had today. I had much to do. I will continue tomorrow and try to finish the other five Ohio Star blocks. I will still have some half squares to make unless I decide to put it together like it is. It is big enough I think. Oh well, I will sleep on it (no pun intended).

MOM'S TREASURE BOX

Among my mother's sewing/quilting closet, the above treasure box was found. Nothing but an old cigar box, but inside were items that she and I consider treasures.

On top, a few magazine clippings that she considered worthy to keep. Sayings and poems and information she might need at a later date.

I think that probably these were the original inhabitants of the treasure box. There is one finished project and two more unfinished quilted sachets. The tops are tiny pieced treasures and are quilted. The backs are included in the box. You can see the finished one has an eyelet edge and tucked inside is a sweet smelling sachet. This item is complete with a ribbon hanger.
The next item is a small zippered bag. This is similar to the "Kimmie" bag that I believe is still a pattern that is available. I have no idea where Mom got the idea for this bag. I would guess a magazine. She owned lots more magazines than books. Quilters Newsletter was her favorite.

The last three items are sewing caddies that drape around the sewers neck. The pin-keep, notion holder is made from the Cathedral Window quilt pattern. The small square is a pouch that opens and closes with hook and loop tape. Inside you might keep your threads or buttons. Your pins could be kept on the outside and on the end of the ribbon that goes around your neck a piece of hook and loop goes through the handle of your scissors so that they are kept close to you and never lost.

Below are the copies of magazine clippings found in the treasure box. I have provided the contents below each one to make it easier to read. Mother was all about "Murphy's Law". She knew that was ALWAYS what happened when thinks went wrong.

1. Pinking shears get dull just looking at them.

2. Gathering threads always break in the middle.

3. Facings tend to be sewn to the "wrong side" (opposite sides attract).

4. This mistake will not be discovered until your seams are trimmed, graded, and clipped.

5. Fusible interfacings usually fuse to the iron.

6. If you need "n" buttons, you will find "n minus one" in your button box.

7. The seam you meant to rip out is invariable the other one.

8. Your lost needle will be found by your brother-in-law...while walking around barefoot.

9. The scissor cuts easiest past the buttonhole.

10. The iron never scorches a garment until its final pressing.

If all else fails . . . blame "Murphy"!

This is a question posted and the editor's answer to ---Karen Smith, or Cedar Grove, N. J.

IF RED, YELLOW AND BLUE ARE PRIMARY COLORS AND CAN'T BE MADE BY ANY OTHER COLORS, THEN HOW ARE THEY OBTAINED?

(answer)--Let me briefly straighten out the subject, because your question contains some common errors. There are two kinds of primaries: "additives" and "subtractives." The additive primaries are blue, green and red. Adding lights of these colors can produce nearly every color in the visual spectrum, and the three mixed together produce white light. The subtractive primaries are cyan (blue-green), magenta (purplish-red) and yellow. Subtracting part of the spectrum from white light produces a range of colors; the three together make black.

If that weren't enough to ruin your day, both blue and red can be made with subtractive primaries, and yellow can be made with additive primaries.

I don't know why this was Kept by Mother. I guess the scientist in her came out!!

OK you all know the poet in me and now you know where I got it. Mother loved poetry. I have some poems she wrote and will post them at some point in time, but today this one she liked enough to save. It is cute and applies to us all, I am sure. I know it does to me.

MANY STARTS, MINI FINISHES

by Bee Neeley Kuckelman

There once was quilter named Min.

Whatever she'd see, she'd begin.

A large quilt, a small quilt,

A doll quilt, a wall quilt.

"I'll finish these later, " said Min.

"Now what shall I start on today?

I guess it will be applique.

Some birds in a group,

I'll frame with a hoop.

Today, though, I'll put them away.

"I think I will make a new vest,

In Silk, or would cotton be best--

Trapunto I'll do, Then Sunbonnet Sue!

But now I will give them a rest.

"A tote bag I've wanted to sew,

And then I'll try quilt-as-you-go.

A Radiant Star

For next year's bazaar--

Just when they'll be done, I don't know.

"For Christmas I've projects galore-

A tree skirt, a wreath for the door.

I'll make a soft box,

And red quilted socks,

And what's not completed, I'll store."

"Is anything finished?" asked Son.

Her answer could only be "None."
So Min made a vow:

She would not allow

More new projects--well, maybe just one.

SUNBONNET SUNDAY WILL NOW BE LIMITED TO THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH (UNLESS MANY PROTEST)

Another 2009 finish!

Another finish for 2009. This was started years ago and when my love for embroidery was revived, I went back to it. This is a pattern by The Basket Case in Southlake, Texas. I don't know if they are still in business. This was one of 12 Angels of the month. I was born in May so a longtime friend gave it to me as a gift. This friendship is disolved, much to my regret, but I think it is safe to say that true friendship does not die. When true friends disagree, they voice their opinions and respect one anothers opinions agreeing to disagree. I'm sorry is said and all is forgotton. Am I right? If this cannot happen because of one side or the other there was no friendship in the first place.
Your opinion in a comment, please.
I am glad this project and so called friendship is finished. I have moved on and found some true friends. I plan to add some patchwork to it and quilt it or frame it as a remembrance of a life lesson learned. I hope I will never relive another incident like this.

HAND EMBROIDERY + TIME AND SUPPLIES = FUN FUN FUN

A shopping trip to an antique store in a nearby town yeilded the antique embroidery patterns below. I have been enjoying hand embroidery the last few weeks. After purchasing a new book and this Valdani Embroidery thread, I have been stitiching each and every night. THEN I found the sites in my last post for all the free vintange embroidery patterns. My next stop was---yes ma'am--nearby antique store to see what I could find.

This is the oldest one I found. I don't when it was published, but the price tag says J. C. Pennys and the price is .1?.

I believe these two are discontinued Aunt Martha patterns.

I want to provide these patterns for free to everyone, but have to find out if it is legal or not. I know many sites do this, so I know it is possible, but I have to know the conditions as to when it is OK. Maybe FREE is the key. As long as you don't sell them, you're OK. If you have any info on this subject, please comment for me. Thanks in advance.

Vintage buttons are always on my list. The white vintage rick rack will be tea dyed to use on Bunny Hill BOM blocks.

My second Bunny Hill BOM was finished tonight. I am having so much fun with these. Seems the more you embelish the better they look. I love digging in my button jar for just the right button and I have a bucket of vinage rick rack, lace, ribbons, and tatting. So, along with my new embroidery threads, I am having a ball--more fun than food or sex in my book.


Along that subject--- Spud (Red Heeler Cow dog) decided he wanted to sleep with LULU so he snuck in and bedded up with her in the living room. He was so quiet, no one would have heard him. He found a corner of her big bed and was out in a flash. LULU is not impressed. MEN-- I am with you LULU.