Saturday, June 18, 2011

So...I caved :)

So, last night, I caved and decided to try a few Farmer's Wife blocks, as part of the Farmer's Wife Quilt Along that's been sweeping blogland as of late.  I picked up the book earlier this week at the library when I stumbled upon it, and last night, I felt the urge to try it out.  I printed out some templates and gave it a go, starting with the first two blocks, because I'm an orderly kind of person like that. Cutting out the templates was a minor annoyance (how hard would it have been to just write simple rotary cutting instructions for a 2" square, for instance?), but other than that, I really enjoyed whipping up these blocks.  It took very little time, and I think they're pretty cute.

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Block #1: Attic Windows

I think I'm going to take a totally scrappy approach to these blocks.  The color palette for these two blocks was totally inspired by one of my favorite Anna Maria Horner prints that happened to be in my scrap bin - Small Gathering in Sea.

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Block #2: Autumn Tints
Doing two of these little blocks a week feels totally do-able, so I'm actually happy to have caved in to join this quilt-along.  I haven't done many traditional blocks in my quilting life, so I think it will be good practice for me and I'm sure I will learn a lot in the process of working on these blocks.

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31 comments:

  1. I am laughing because I could have almost written this exact post! I also have caved, and am thinking scrap-scrappy on this, Your blocks look great so far!!!

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  2. Yep. Caved too. I tried SO hard not to. But in the end, I couldn't resist. The slow pace helped. Very cute blocks! I swear, I am the worst quilt-alonger ever!

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  3. I'm resisting so far... love your blocks and I can see why you were tempted!

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  4. I will be writing the same post next weekend, as a little bird tells me I have a copy of the book for my birthday!!

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  5. i got my book last weekend. i haven't started on any blocks yet, church obligations, working and kids puts a kink in my sewing time. ;) hoping to make a couple blocks next week though!

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  6. Cute blocks! I haven't caved...yet.

    I found the CD disappointing. I mean why should I print a page with only one triangle on it when, if it only told me it's dimensions, I could just cut it?! Or, just put enough templates in each file to fill a page and not waster paper. I'd like to have the dimensions to also check that I printed the templates correctly.

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  7. Ha ha! I figured you would after your serendipitous library trip! I'm still holding strong...

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  8. Too funny because I caved in yesterday!!! I even wrote a post about it. I haven't gotten to making any blocks but I do have my templates ready. I'm taking the same approach, all scraps. This is going to be a fun QA.

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  9. They are so fun! I'm pretty happy that you caved! :)

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  15. Ok, apparently so excited I had to repeat it multiple times....dang blogger! :)

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  16. I really love how many people are doing this. Now that I have officially decided on my fabric, I need to get started. I'm already three weeks behind! I have a feeling it might take me longer than a year, but there is no rush.

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  17. Yep, I caved too.
    I've got 4 blocks done, and love it already!
    Your look great!

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  18. Yep, yep, I caved too and ordered the book on Thursday. It was shipped yesterday and I'm NOT going to join the Flickr group until the book comes! I'm not! Hear me? :D

    I love samplers and traditional patchwork is my favourite, so..... I'm thinking stash scrappy.

    Your blocks look great, Elizabeth!

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  19. First time I visit your blog, and I love it! There is a lot to see and read. Thank you for sharing. And of course, I became a follower.

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  20. Ooooh, I so want to join this. Maybe I will swingy joann's today. If they have the book, it must be fate. ;)

    Love your colors!

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  21. Ha ha, I am still holding out but really enjoying seeing the blocks everyone else is making! Yours look lovely :)

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  22. Your blocks are great, I love that bright pink in there. I may have to add a bit of pink to my kaleidoscope bundle of blue, green and grey.

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  23. I'm still holding fast - even 2 blocks a week for this means something else isn't getting done. But I am loving seeing these traditional blocks done up in modern fabrics.

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  24. Yay, I'm doing it too, so much fun. Love the scrappy look but I decided to go shopping for some new fabrics as not enough scraps in my scrap bag at the moment

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  25. I have just ordered the book too. I think I'll be a bit behind, but given the time frame, I'll manage.
    So much to do!

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  26. I'm not going to cave. I want to do your kaleidoscope quilt. Your blocks are cool though.

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  27. Have fun. I've done a few blocks myself.

    Billie in TX

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  28. these fabrics are so sweet! I love the raspberry focal squares xo

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  29. Your blocks are lovely Elizabeth. I'll be following your posts to see more of your FWQAL. Thanks for stopping by my blog! K.I.T. :)

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Thank you for leaving a comment for me! I appreciate each and every one of them and try to respond when time allows. Your comments totally brighten my day :)


Welcome! I'm Elizabeth, mom to a mood teen boy and a chatty six-year-old girl and I sew for my sanity. Let's get to quilting, shall we?
The Epic Sampler BOM Club kicks off Oct 1st
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