The 411.

How many of you remember 411 or 101.  Like Eng 101, Sci 101.  And then we had 1-411.  Then 1-800-411 and then the Phone Co. started charging for 411. (we stopped dialing 411)  For you young people 411 was telephone information phone numbers.  In songs you still occasionally hear:  I got the 411.  Eng. 101 was how college classes were listed Eng 101, Eng. 102  now you have 99, 888 and even 64132 section.  So here is the 411 one my first 12 1/2 " star block.  Stars ain't for beginners.

The size is 12 1/2.  I cut the squares an extra quarter which is not necessary.  Only the triangles have to be increased in size. Unless you go slow and can make a perfect 1/4" (not me)  The sq are 3 1/2 and rectangle of flying geese is 3 1/2 x 6 1/2.  However the 3 1/2 in  geese become 3 and 7/8.  I made them 4.  Then I had wiggle room to cut the goose straight.  the points actually match and was easy to sq up

Star Blocks 101

My first star block.  Points match.  Dark and Light.  Looks good but is an 1 1/2" short. 

Light:  Cut 8 squares  3 7/8.                                 
Dark:  Cut 8 squares   3 7/8.                                   Make 1/2 square triangles.

Well folks:  I guess I ain't perfect.  I cut my lights and darks 4" and used a very scant quarter inch.

I ended up w/ a perfect 12 1/2 inch block.   Triangles need to be cut larger than directions say.  And then squared-up.

day is

the day is dark , warm and rainy.  We have another pond in our backyard.  Baby is loving her swimming pool.  Me:  lazy.

                                                 amazing same block,  different colors.  Have to fix that top corner

Rats!!!!

Practicing this darn star block. (photos to follow).  A billion pieces.  bias and points.  Using my iron, my stiletto.  G O I N G slow (yuck).  Points match. (fixed two-  he he).  And low and behold the 2nd to last seam I put in backwards.  Yup!  upside down.  Not R I G H T. Inside Out.   Yuck!  Rats! Darn It.  Thank goodness I have a brand new shiny best friend (seam ripper). Rats Rats Rats Rats.

i've got to start shooting better photos.  my points match.  But !! directional fabric should not be put on point.

quilting is............

quilting is instant gratification : or : is it?   You purchase a large piece of fabric and cut it into 10 strips.  Then you sew these strips together to make 5 strips.  Yup.  Great now you take these 5 strips and cut them into 50 pieces.  What the hell.  It will take 3 days to sew those little suckers back together..........

 playing with color.  interesting how one appears to float

learning, growing

I guess when I figure out this block a day thing I will have to follow Bernina's advice and make a "foot book" so i can learn how to use these (expensive +) tools.  i.e. feet.
One of the major problems I'm coming across is 'tapering".   I sew straight and then the last 1/2 inch is never the correct width.  I have learned over the past 3 blocks not to release my left hand and guide the fabric through the foot.  I also have learned to stop watching that darn needle that mesmerizes me and watch the fabric guide.    And, yes I'm using my stiletto and iron more this past month then in 3 years.

check-out the points at the triangles!!!

if you don't want your photos .....

I brought up copyright in photo club tonite.  And, yes everyone is doing it.  The cheaters!!!!  And, it is very hard to trace where an original photograph came from.  The big boys hire these pros to trace:  all online, email, downloading and attempt at copying for about $500 / year.  Many pay for 3 companys  to do their  tracking.  Judges are now saying if you put it online: and they copy it:  it is your loss.  The moral is:  don't put online anything you don't want copied/used by someone else or make it less than: 640 x 480 dpi.  This is going to kill me : going back over all my images and making them under 640 x 480.

A fun block made from a modern quilt pattern