Wednesday, April 25, 2012

WIP Wednesdays, Block of the Month and Do you think I'm Hexy?

I've been working on the block of the month over at Quilt Story. They are doing a nice simple monthly plan in which this month was HSTs (half square triangles). Last month was 9 patch. I am doing 2 of each BOM so that I have a larger quilt at the end of the series. It started in March. Below is a picture of my March and April blocks.


I really got some good use of my Bloc-Loc. I got this tool at the Quilt Show in New Jersey last month. It was expensive, but I think I already got my monies' worth. It's great the way it grabs the piece making it easy to square off. I also used the draw a line technique that I learned in the Craftsy Block of Month for February 2012. Basically you add 1 inch to the size of the finished block (including the seam allowance) and then draw a diagonal line on the back of one square, put the two squares together and sew 1/4 inch on either side of the line. Then, you cut on the line and voila! You have 2 squares. I then square it off with the Bloc Loc to the finished size (3 1/2 inches in this case). It makes them perfectly every time (not wonky looking) and it gets rid of the tiny dog ears on the corners. It's important also to note, that if you press the seams open before you square them off, the tool will not grab the seam! Learned that the hard way ;)

In the background on my cutting mat you can see strips of fabric. This is for a quilt I am working on for my Aunt L. I will talk more about that on another WIP Wednesday. In the meantime, I've been whipping up some hexagons on the train. There were some German tourists on the train at World Trade Center and they were standing over me when the gentleman said "a stitch in time saves nine." Turns out his English was not very good, but he just wanted to try out some of the English cliches he had learned in Germany. His wife said I was doing "patchverk." :) It's an obsession to some degree. So, "Do you think I'm hexy?"





I'm linking up at Freshly Pieced WIP Wednesdays.

WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

Until next time,

Mike.

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BTW, I am still deciding how to celebrate turning 50 (in blog followers!) I'm thinking giveaway, but I need to ponder what to give away :)

14 comments:

Amanda Mc said...

You are very hexy! We are hitting the road for a road trip on Monday and I am hoping to make the husband do all the driving and maybe I will get some handsewing done (really leaning towards something hexy). He thinks I am dreaming though because I will probably just be dealing with the kids and their various demands

Heather said...

That bloc-loc looks pretty cool, I will have to investigate! I can never make anything come out square.

Mike Pearson said...

I think that last part is probably true, kids and demands. Although, I bet you could squeeze in some hexies :)

Mike Pearson said...

If you ever go to a quilt show, try it. They had a booth. I bought the smaller one (about 6.5 inches I think) and I believe it was $24!!!! But, I was sold!

Mary said...

Really like your blocks. Funny about the German tourists. I am sure they found you very Hexy!

Carla said...

Your blocks are looking great! Very fun fabric choice. I plan to join in the the fun but still can't decide on fabrics.

The Slow Quilter said...

Your blocks are wonderful, and I watch the video on you bloc_loc ruler. I must say, if you looking to give out something for your birthday, then I say give me a bloc loc ruler. Happy birthday.

Nita said...

I love sampler quilts. Yours is going to be fabulous!

Mike Pearson said...

Thank you!

Mike Pearson said...

Thank you!

Mike Pearson said...

You're right. It would be a nice gift :)

Mike Pearson said...

Thanks for stopping by :)

Danih03 said...

First of all, I want a Bloc-loc! Second, my teenager step-daughters would lo-hu-hve that WIP purple, pink, peace quilt. And third, yes, you are extremely hexy! ;)

Mike Pearson said...

I'm blushing :)