June 30, 2015

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


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!
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June 28, 2015

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
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.

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June 23, 2015

Farm Girl Fever!

I've caught Farm Girl fever...
I treated  myself to a copy of Lori Holt's
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.

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