First October Finish

I'm really falling behind this month -- the first finish of the month, and it's already October 18! Here is "Dresden Blooms," my UFO for October:

I'm slowly finishing all my projects from "the 1930s reproduction collection." This is a Strip Club project from years ago. Pattern by Susan Ziegler for Cozy Quilts.

The pattern has two borders of print fabrics around the center Dresden Plate block. Because I want this for a baby quilt, I left them out to make the quilt smaller.

That caused me a little trouble with the pink half-circles on the half-Dresdens on the outside blocks. It looks to me like the pattern tester had the same problem, or is that just wishful thinking?

Linking up to "Can I Get a Whoop Whoop" at Confessions of a Fabric Addict:

and Link a Finish Friday at Richard and Tanya Quilts:

This is Quilt #44 for 2013 -- eight to go to make 52 Quilts in 52 Weeks! Guess I need to put down the knitting needles and get back to the sewing machine.

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WIP Wednesday: One Block Wonder

Why, oh why did I wait so long to begin this quilt? I thought it would be difficult! It's not, and wow, how fun it is turning out!

Jen at Quilter in the Closet is sponsoring a "One Block Wonder QAL."  I'm always a sucker for QALs (I think it's the accountability. I like keeping up so I can post my progress to the Flickr group!)

(image from Amazon.com)

One of the quilters at Cindy's quilt retreat last October was making this quilt from this fabric.

It's "Satsuki" from Robert Kaufman. Made in Japan! When I raced down to Boise to pick up My Little Sailor (home on emergency leave from his port call in Manila) I stopped off at Quilt Expressions and bought all they had left.

Fast forward to September, nearly one year later. When Jen announced the One Block wonder QAL, I dug out this fabric and my book. I was surprised how quickly the pieces went together. Thanks, Bonnie Hunter for the tip to store lots of pieces on a cookie sheet!

Here a just a few of my blocks on the design wall. I need to make 30 more before I really start designing the quilt. But who could resist seeing what it will look like?

I discovered Ruth's Stitchery here in the Springs has fabrics from this line, so I can choose a contrast color for the setting half-hexagons and borders. Orange? Blue? Cathy will have to help me decide!  Here is a link to my Flickr photostream, in case you want to see some more photos of this WIP.

I'll link up to WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced as soon as the link opens!

Quilt finish #45 for 2013 will be posted on Friday -- come back and see!

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Design Wall Monday: BOM Catch-up

After three days of sewing nothing but "Farmer's Wife" blocks, I am caught up on all but one of my Blocks of the Month projects!

First up, finally a second colorway for the "Toes in the Sand" BOM from the Quilt Asylum. Yep, that's Tula Pink's Saltwater.

Two different colorways of the same blocks from two different years of Patchwork Party (left two are from 2010, right two are from 2012).  The more I use Marti Michell's clever templates, the more I love them!

This quilt will be the first one I put together for the 2014 UFO Challenge -- because I want to take Ryokan to Japan as a housewarming gift for My Little Sailor!

My Amish With a Twist BOM from Ruth's Stitchery is almost to the point where I can decide on a background color. I decided the black was just too predictable. Ruth's has the entire line of Northcott Premium ColorWorks Solids, so there will be a perfect color just waiting for me, I know!

This isn't one block, it's part of the "piano key" border. I appreciate that the pattern has you make a few of these each month, rather than a whole passle when the blocks are finished. They're boring!

This is my shining accomplishment of the week! That's 18 (count them. I've counted them about 100 times, I can't believe I made that many 6.5"  blocks at once!) Farmer's Wife blocks!

If you're the least bit interested in making a Farmer's Wife quilt (and I love the ones in blogland made with modern fabrics, or just two colors. But never again!), I highly recommend you sign up for Marti Michell's "Farmers Wife" conversion charts. She sends one free set of instructions per week, and the next round of 10 sets begins Friday, October 18. Using her templates, the blocks go together like a hot knife through buttah. 

Here it is, my "BOM Control Central" board. That 3D Sampler quilt from Cindy's Quilt Shop is still kicking my butt. The blocks finish at 6" and the 3D technique requires insane amounts of concentration!

And here is the "October Quilts" list. Since I took this photo, I've crossed off ONE item on the list -- the jewelry roll test sew.

A teaser photo of that project: It turned out great, but we'll have to wait until Laura publishes the pattern to see the finished product! (And BTW, Amy, she says "thanks" for the photoshop tip!)

Since this post is already enormously photo-heavy, I'll leave you with a screen shot of my new desktop wallpaper. That's the USS George Washington, CVN 73 (that means aircraft carrier) departing Busan, South Korea.

Fair winds and following seas, Sailors!

From the desk of your