Double Friendship Star, Block #3

Hello, Ties that Bind Quilters!  This week's blog is about our Friendship Star Quilt Block of the Month, called Double Friendship Star.
I'm going to take you through the sewing step by step, but you'll need your instructions from Pam for cutting directions.
Ready?  Here we go!

For me, the first step was the hardest--choosing fabrics that went together, but had enough contrast to stand out.  In the end, I went with the classic 1930s combination of print and solid.

With the fabrics decided, it's on to the cutting. 
Once everything is cut, I always lay it out like a jigsaw puzzle, so I can see where I am.

The block is a 9 patch, and each square in the 9 patch measures 4 in. finished. 

Four of these squares are the corners, and are super easy.

Two more of the squares are large half square triangles, made from a background triangle and a triangle cut from the fabric you chose for the big star.  Just sew those triangles together, and trim to 4.5 in.

That's six squares done already, with only 2 seams.  This isn't hard, is it?

There are only 3 squares left, and these are a bit more complicated, but just half square triangles and squares.  These are pictured at the top of the second page of your directions.

Center Square

This is the center of the block.  You need two squares, one of each star color, and two half square triangles made of the star colors.  They are arranged as above, and stitched.

And here's the finished center.

Next comes the square to the right of the center, still in the center row of the block.

This time, we have a square of the big star fabric, a square of the background fabric, a square made of a background triangle and a big star triangle, and a square made of a background triangle and a small star triangle.  Easy sewing.  (For some unknown reason, I didn't take a photo of it finished.  I'm blaming the cat.)

Now for the last pieced square, the center square in the bottom row.

This one is a tiny bit more complex.  There is one square of background fabric, two squares made from background triangles and big star triangles, and one square made from a big star triangle and a small star triangle.

If you got this far, you're almost done.  It's all down hill from here.

Just sew all your sections into rows, and the rows together to complete the block.

And that's it!  Isn't it cute to see that little star peeking out?

Here's all my blocks together.

I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

If you didn't get the directions, be sure to contact Pam W.
Big thanks to Pam for designing this quilt for us!

It's A Stitch Quilt Show

The It's A Stitch Quilt Show is coming up in early May (that's only a month away!)
Entry forms are due by April 12th.

For information about the show, entry forms, and links to all the Seed Packet Challenges from 2012 to 2018, click HERE.

Keep on quilting!

March Meeting This Week!

This Wednesday, March 20th, is our meeting date.  Hurray!  Let's all cross our fingers and hope for good weather.

Details:
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin


All are welcome.

So, what can you do with a 2.5 in. strip?  Let's find out!
This month starts our birthday strip exchange.  Each month, those of us participating will bring a strip (2.5 in. x width of fabric) for the participants who are having their birthdays that month.  Different people will ask for different colors or kinds of prints, etc.  BTW, don't forget to wish these ladies a Happy Birthday.
Here are the strips to bring on Wednesday.  The list includes February and March because we had to cancel the February meeting.

February
Kelly D. – Red or white (think aged flags)
Mary L. – 1930’s
Ree K. – deep purple or deep black
March
Lynn S. – blue

This should be fun!

Speaking of fun, have you been making the Blocks of the Month?  Pam W. has designed a quilt just for us, with the very appropriate theme of Friendship.  So far, we have received the first two blocks.  Here are mine:

How is this going to work?  We'll find out as we go along.
With only one block per month, it wouldn't be too hard to catch up if you haven't started yet.  Just saying.
Bring your finished blocks to the meeting.  I can't wait to see what colors and fabrics everybody is using.

Here's Homework Puppy to tell us what else to bring to the meeting.

Panel Quilts (if you made one)

Dues (if you haven't paid yet)

 Food Pantry Donations (cash or grocery cards, please)

 YOUR NAME TAG!!!  (Wear it with pride!)

Show and Tell (the very best part!)



And now for some virtual show and tell.  
First, I apologize for all the terrible camera angles.  Photography is not really my thing (can you tell?).  Also, if your quilt isn't pictured, it's probably because I took a blurry photo or otherwise goofed up.  I'm very sorry.

Virtual Show and Tell

 
Wow!  There is so much talent in our group!  Great job, everyone.
See you on Wednesday!



  

Floating Friendship Star Block #2

Here it is, our 2nd block in the new Block of the Month quilt along from Pam W.    This block is called Friendship Squared and is 18.5 in. unfinished.
Above is my block.  I'm using 1930s reproductions mixed with vintage fabrics for an old fashioned look.  (You know me, I love the 30s!)

The center of this block is a 5 in. (cut) square.  So it's the perfect place for a charm square you've been saving.  I'm using this blue with red and pink hearts.  (February=hearts, right?)  I've got kind of a calendar thing going, but I don't know how long I'll stick with it.  The colors/prints are really more important.

All the pieces in this block are simple to sew--half square triangles, four patches, and long rectangles and squares to finish it off.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Pam has us do with the rest of the blocks.  The sizes are so different, 12 in. and 18 in.
How is this going to fit together?
Stay tuned!  Our next installment comes at the March meeting.  Bring your completed blocks to show.
We are so lucky to have a quilt designed just for us.
By the way, the pattern for this month's block should have come to you in your email, and is a pdf, which makes it easy to print.  If you didn't receive one, contact Pam W.

Just a heads up:
If you are a quilter who likes the work of Victoria Findley Wolfe, this book is currently at the Germantown library:

Modern Quilt Magic:  5 Parlor Tricks to Expand Your Piecing Skills. 
In this book, Victoria teaches us how to sew set in seams, curves, partial seams, etc.

Here's the back.
I enjoyed reading it, and I turned it in last week, so it might be on the shelf waiting for you.
If you use a different library, you can still request the book, and your library staff will get it for you.

Stay warm, stay safe, and keep quilting!

Meeting CANCELLED!

This just in--the February Meeting has been cancelled due to bad weather!!
We're disappointed, of course, but let's all stay safe at home, and meet again in March.

Meeting Tonight

The February Meeting of the Ties that Bind Quilt Group will be held tonight, Feb. 20th.

Here are the details.
Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Pilgrim Lutheran Church
462 Meadowbrook Drive, West Bend, Wisconsin

All are welcome.

And here's Homework Puppy to tell us what we need to bring.

Birthday Strips
This is a fun project!  Each month, participants bring a 2.5 in. strip, cut selvedge to selvedge, of 100% cotton fabric in the color/style each person has chosen.
If you are participating in the birthday strip exchange, you'll need to bring a strip (or two?) for the following members.
For Kelly D.--red or white (think aged flags)
For Mary L.--1930s
For Ree--deep purple or deep black
Don't forget to wish these ladies Happy Birthday!

Quilt Panel Challenge
Tonight's the night!  Bring your quilt/quilt top, and show us your creativity.

Your Name Tag
Wear 'em!  We want to know who you are! 

Food Pantry Donations
We're still giving cash, as it helps the pantries buy foods they need.

Show and Tell
One of the best parts of the meeting!  Thanks so much for sharing with us!

 

See you tonight!

Charity Sewing Day Cancelled!

Due to the icy weather, the Ties That Bind sewing day at Sew Many Pieces for Feb. 7th is
CANCELLED.
Stay safe, everyone!

February Notes

Welcome to February, Ties that Bind Quilters!  

It may be snowy or foggy, but it's a lot warmer than the last week in January!  I hope we are all staying warm and staying in stitches.

BOTM

Our block of the month (also known as BOTM) for this year is a little different.  We're having a quilt along!  Our fearless leader, Pam W., has created a special quilt just for us.  The blocks are all variations of Friendship Star.  This is a great theme for our friendly group.

I'm going to show you my blocks as I sew along month by month.  Please remember that I quilt to a different drummer and don't always follow the rules exactly.  My quilt will be scrappy, with lots of 1930s reproduction prints, but the pieces will be cut and sewn the same.

Here's my version of the first block:

I chose 4 fabrics for this block:  the red corners, white/blue polka dots, solid blue, and the center print.  Except for the center, all the rest of the sections in this nine-patch block are made from half square triangles.  All nine sections measure 4.5 in. unfinished, 4 in. finished.  This is a 12 in. finished block.

Check out the block center.  I've had this small piece of fabric forever.  It seemed appropriate to the season.  By the way, all the kids playing in the snow in this print are girls.

The printed directions for this block were available at the last meeting and/or emailed to you by Pam W.  If you didn't get the directions, please contact Pam.

Charity Quilt News
Every year, we just make more and more quilts for our neighbors in need.  This year our group gave 85 quilts to charity.  Most of the quilts went to families and individuals in Washington County.  Some of the recipients were Seeds of Hope (baby quilts), nursing homes, Carl's Place, Family Promise, and Threshold.
We can be very proud of all our hard work, and very thankful for the members who work so hard to quilt the tops, bind the quilts, make and hand out kits, purchase batting, organize and store the group's fabric, and pull everything together.  Our efforts are worthwhile, and appreciated.

Big Sale at Sew Many Pieces!!!
Don't forget the big anniversary sale at Sew Many Pieces. 
Friday, Feb. 15th (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) and Saturday, Feb. 16th (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Can you believe the store is 5 years old?  Save your money for this sale, it's going to be a good one.

And now, a little show and tell.

Nancy is on vacation, but sent this stack of quilts with Colleen.  Most (all?) are for charity.

These are only a few highlights from our fabulous show and tell. 

Want more?  Come to the next meeting on February 20th!