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
Definitely a win :) And thanks for reminding me about Swansons - a visit to their website is always fun, but I have to remind myself that choosing fabric online is a skill I do not possess. By the way, I heard the term "disappearing four patch" for the first time today. And now I've heard it twice! Isn't it funny when that happens?!
ReplyDeleteYou certainly like sewing little. =) A pretty postcard with sweet teeny blocks. The choice of the blue fabric is perfect.
ReplyDeleteVery pretty postcard, You did a great job sewing those little squares.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog
ReplyDeleteLove your conclusion: It's done, it's cute and I learned stuff. You can't ask for more than that.
ReplyDeleteLovely postcard, and I love your block sélection, they look great! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I'd have trouble choosing just three blocks :) Using plain squares to set them off really let them shine though. Thanks for sharing what you learned about postcards. Can you send these through the mail as is or would you slip them in an envelope?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the description of a common block - that is cool
ReplyDeleteand your piece is perfect to meet the challenge!
Hi! What a great little project! It's unfortunate that we usually learn stuff when we have problems, but at least it's learned and we have that in writing on our post! Thanks for linking up to Free Motion Mavericks!
ReplyDeleteDespite the glitches it turned out really cute and I didn’t even notice the wonkiness until you pointed it out! Yay for using scraps from another project!
ReplyDelete