Project Quilting 16.3 - Common Block Postcard

This week's Project Quilting challenge was common blocks - block designs that have been around for so long no one knows who "invented" them.  We had to have a finished project with at least three common blocks.

The challenge didn't fit with any of my backlogged projects, so I settled on another postcard.  To keep from getting bogged down with too many blocks I looked at only 4-patch block patterns.  Then I pilfered the pile of black-and-white scrap from my current Midnight Garden project and got to work. 

My original plan was six two-inch blocks in the black and grey.  I fiddled with it and got most of them stitched together... and that's when things went off the rails. 

First, I made the blocks for a finished size of 4x6 inches.  I had not accounted for the quarter inch binding.  With blocks this small, that's made some of my blocks very wonky.  I also decided it was too much detail in too small of a space as well as needing a bit of color.

Thankfully the challenge required a minimum of three common blocks.  I ended up picking a pale blue to offset them because bright colors dominated the little quilt.  I picked my three favorite blocks to keep:  a split rail, a disappearing four patch and flying geese.  The disappearing four patch is the only one centered and true - but I liked all these best despite their wonkiness.

The back didn't behave, either.  I'm hoping the glue will keep it all tacked down, because very little of the stitching caught from front to back. 

There were so many little mistakes (and a couple of new discoveries) on this postcard that I wrote down a set of instructions for my next one.  I used a heavier card stock, which I liked, but it required a size 18 needle to stitch on the binding.  I made note of the true finished size of the front of the card, so maybe I won't make the block size mistake again.  Need to make that binding a little wider, too, so I don't have to wrestle with the back.  White glue left smudges on the card stock, so I need to stick with the gluestick.  But the new fusable web I picked up at Swansons a few months ago?  That worked wonderfully to glue quilt to card stock. 

It's done!  And it's cute.  And I learned stuff.  Win-win all around.

Sharing with:
Persimon Dreams - Project Quilting 16.3
A Quiltery - Put Your Foot Down Thursday
Alycia Quilts - Finished or Not Friday
Nina-Marie - Off the Wall Friday
Quilting & Learning - What a Combo! - Free Motion Mavericks
Quilting Patchwork Applique - Patchwork & Quilts