Butter Churn Block - Farm Girl Vintage

Don't you just love the names for vintage quilt blocks?
That's part of the appeal of Lori Holt's

Farm Girl Vintage book.

Today's block has a charming name...Butter Churn.

The design is so clever, with a pinwheel center.

The one from the book had a pretty green palette,

with a navy pinwheel.

For my block I wanted a broader color palette...

I used primary colors, reminding me of a new box of crayons.

My bundle of Fresh Air prints by American Jane

really inspires me.

I love that center pinwheel, framed in butter yellow.

A funny thing happened when I was laying out the pieces

for assembly, on my design board.

Before I added the HST corner pieces,

I snapped this photo, so I could remember the alternate block

that appears if you were to use

just plain background squares in the corners.

{Note to self: try this someday!}

But for today...the butter churn block was completed.

I must say I was thrilled with the way I executed

this block. I made my HST's a bit larger and trimmed them

to the perfect size.

My flying geese units came out perfectly,

using the method described in the book.

Come back soon...I can't stop making these sweet blocks!

Baking Day - Farm Girl Vintage

I've always enjoyed baking,

so I'm really excited that it's Baking Day with my

Farm Girl Vintage book.

I enjoyed using some fabrics from Fresh Air

by American Jane,

along with some favorites from Bake Sale

by Lori Holt herself.

{Those teeny spatulas melt my heart!}

This was a really fun and easy block to assemble.

I decided to try the technique shown on this video

from Fat Quarter Shop,

to use the backing as the binding for my quilted block.

I did some grid quilting and finished it with a green border.

I have to admit that my mitered corners

did not meet my self-imposed personal standards for excellence.

{There will be no closeups of the corners shown. You'll just have to trust me.}

Because this block was so much fun to stitch,

I hope to make some more of these

little Baking Day minis.

I'll probably use my own tutorial for Machine Binding next time.

They would be sweet in any kitchen,

and it would be a great way to commemorate the

100th birthday of Pyrex.

For all of you Pyrex fans out there...

be sure to visit my Pyrex-omania post here and find out

how these bowls ended up in my kitchen.

{Thanks, Mom!}

Stop back soon to see more blocks from Farm Girl Vintage.

Farm Girl Fever!

I've caught Farm Girl fever...

I treated  myself to a copy of Lori Holt's

Farm Girl Vintage book,

and now I've actually started to sew some blocks!

I have owned my book for about a month,

and I've been looking at the beautiful photos,

dreaming of making some of my own blocks soon.

The time has come...and now I'll share my versions with you!

The first block in the book seemed like

a logical place to begin.

I love the name as much as the design...

Apron Strings.

   

I made two blocks...

because I didn't pay close enough attention

to the cutting instructions,

and my first block wasn't very scrappy.

That's okay - I love both of these.

I think I'll make one into a pot holder...

and the other into a mug rug.

Then last night, I spent 2 hours

making the adorable Autumn Star block.

I paid for that all day today...yawn...

because I was up so late sewing.

{I think it's worth it!}

What took me so long?

Well, the little pieces are really...little!

I had to make those 

blasted little yellow HST's twice.

From now on, I am NOT following the directions

in this lovely book, for half-square triangles.

I admit it...mine come out too small.

I'm going to round up the cutting directions

to the nearest inch, stitch them, and trim them

to the perfect size.

Because...when the little pieces are all the right size...

the little blocks are really cute!

For these blocks, I've used Kona "Off White"

for my background,

and an assortment of American Jane

prints from Fresh Air.

They remind me of the 30s quilts that made all of us

first fall in love with quilting.

For my next blocks,

I'll be adding in some other feedsack-inspired fabrics,

plus lots of polka dots and other favorites.

Stop by again soon...

and follow me on Instagram as eamylove.