Well, this is a mess. My sewing room has so many projects going on, it doesn't know what hit it. I have three block of the week projects in process, and enjoy seeing my completed blocks on display, so there you are.
A big mess.
Thank you all so much for your kind comments and wonderful response to my post yesterday. Hartman was, as one reader said, "an angel who passed through my life". I truly believe that and am so grateful to those of you who related to my story. I was absolutely thrilled to hear from one reader who had taken a university course from Hartman's wife! I am so happy he found a kindred spirit with whom he could share his life.
I finished two of the three Piecing the Past "Comfort and Joy" blocks for this week. And they were doozies. (Does anyone say "doozies" anymore?). They were the most difficult so far in this sew-along, particularly the blue block on the right. It is called "Sparkler". The block instructions are for a 9" block, which I thought was too big. I am reducing my block size down to 6", and for the life of me could not find instructions for this block in any of my books. All the others I have been able to reference in other quilting block reference books, but not this one. Lord help me, I had to do the math.
It came out pretty accurate. Don't look too close or you might see a tiny pucker I am doing my best to ignore. It took me all afternoon Monday to get that block finished. The block on the left, "Windmill", had a lot of little pieces and it was tricky to get all the intersections to line up, but in the end, it was a success.
The remaining block is a simple Ohio Star, so I will whip that together at some point this week.
If you are interested, here are my tried and true quilt block reference books. They contain a plethora of blocks with instructions to make them in various sizes from 3" up to 12".
This is my go-to, tried and true reference book for quilt blocks. And I am so so sorry to tell you that you cannot get this book anywhere unless you pay over $100 for a used copy. If you see one at a garage sale or thrift shop, do not hesitate, snap it up.
This one is readily available and is quite good, but not nearly as comprehensive as the one above.
Please, do share–if you have a favorite quilt block reference tool, can you tell us about it?
30 responses to “Hodge Podge”
I think your new quilt blocks look wonderful, particularly “Sparkler”! It is stunning! I don’t think I’ve seen that block before but I love it (particularly in that 6” size!). Give yourself a pat on the back for that one!
I think your new quilt blocks look wonderful, particularly “Sparkler”! It is stunning! I don’t think I’ve seen that block before but I love it (particularly in that 6” size!). Give yourself a pat on the back for that one!
I think your new quilt blocks look wonderful, particularly “Sparkler”! It is stunning! I don’t think I’ve seen that block before but I love it (particularly in that 6” size!). Give yourself a pat on the back for that one!
It looks similar to a Carpenter’s Wheel also known as Dutch Rose, Double Star, Star of Bethlehem.
It looks similar to a Carpenter’s Wheel also known as Dutch Rose, Double Star, Star of Bethlehem.
It looks similar to a Carpenter’s Wheel also known as Dutch Rose, Double Star, Star of Bethlehem.
Sparkler sure sparkles, I love that block and can imagine a whole quilt of sparkle blocks. Alas, my to-make list is so long.
Sparkler sure sparkles, I love that block and can imagine a whole quilt of sparkle blocks. Alas, my to-make list is so long.
Sparkler sure sparkles, I love that block and can imagine a whole quilt of sparkle blocks. Alas, my to-make list is so long.
Oh but Sparkler was worth your effort…she’s gorgeous!
Oh but Sparkler was worth your effort…she’s gorgeous!
Oh but Sparkler was worth your effort…she’s gorgeous!
Your blocks look great to me! Lots of work!
Your blocks look great to me! Lots of work!
Your blocks look great to me! Lots of work!
My “go to” place for blocks is Quilters Cache.
My “go to” place for blocks is Quilters Cache.
My “go to” place for blocks is Quilters Cache.
Your Sparkler block looks like one I recall from Bonnie and Camille. offered as a free whole quilt of those blocks. Alas, after moving, it’s among things I can’t lay my hands on just now. I have another Judy Hopkins book, Around the Block, which has 200 rotary cut blocks in 6 sizes. This was the book for my first quilt class, teacher required, and we made 6 blocks from it. So many patterns I buy, I cannot follow all the steps, and sometimes the fabric cutting details are on some other page and I flip around till I’m too distracted. Despite that, I’m easily on to 200 quilts. Not sure someone should stop me, especially during stay-at-home time.
Your Sparkler block looks like one I recall from Bonnie and Camille. offered as a free whole quilt of those blocks. Alas, after moving, it’s among things I can’t lay my hands on just now. I have another Judy Hopkins book, Around the Block, which has 200 rotary cut blocks in 6 sizes. This was the book for my first quilt class, teacher required, and we made 6 blocks from it. So many patterns I buy, I cannot follow all the steps, and sometimes the fabric cutting details are on some other page and I flip around till I’m too distracted. Despite that, I’m easily on to 200 quilts. Not sure someone should stop me, especially during stay-at-home time.
Your Sparkler block looks like one I recall from Bonnie and Camille. offered as a free whole quilt of those blocks. Alas, after moving, it’s among things I can’t lay my hands on just now. I have another Judy Hopkins book, Around the Block, which has 200 rotary cut blocks in 6 sizes. This was the book for my first quilt class, teacher required, and we made 6 blocks from it. So many patterns I buy, I cannot follow all the steps, and sometimes the fabric cutting details are on some other page and I flip around till I’m too distracted. Despite that, I’m easily on to 200 quilts. Not sure someone should stop me, especially during stay-at-home time.
‘Doozie’ is still in my vocabulary! I also use ‘just peachy’ & ‘dandy’, but those are usually in response to ‘how are you doing?’ which right now is questionable! I didn’t look for your pucker but I’m pretty sure your long arm quilter will disappear that when she works her magic on the quilt! Your windmills look perfect! Stay well!
‘Doozie’ is still in my vocabulary! I also use ‘just peachy’ & ‘dandy’, but those are usually in response to ‘how are you doing?’ which right now is questionable! I didn’t look for your pucker but I’m pretty sure your long arm quilter will disappear that when she works her magic on the quilt! Your windmills look perfect! Stay well!
‘Doozie’ is still in my vocabulary! I also use ‘just peachy’ & ‘dandy’, but those are usually in response to ‘how are you doing?’ which right now is questionable! I didn’t look for your pucker but I’m pretty sure your long arm quilter will disappear that when she works her magic on the quilt! Your windmills look perfect! Stay well!
I love 501 Rotary Quilt Blocks! It helped teach me how to piece! It is excellent and now that I know it isn’t available, I will guard it with my life.
I love 501 Rotary Quilt Blocks! It helped teach me how to piece! It is excellent and now that I know it isn’t available, I will guard it with my life.
I love 501 Rotary Quilt Blocks! It helped teach me how to piece! It is excellent and now that I know it isn’t available, I will guard it with my life.
Lo and behold, I found what I was thinking of, a Thimble Blossom – Camille pattern. The name of it is Fireworks, and sadly it was not free, and it’s not small. It makes a 16-inch block, but it is a whole quilt of these blocks. Maybe you can find it on her blog or Instagram. Apparently I bought this and printed it off in 2013. Still love it, but alas, I have not stitched it yet.
Lo and behold, I found what I was thinking of, a Thimble Blossom – Camille pattern. The name of it is Fireworks, and sadly it was not free, and it’s not small. It makes a 16-inch block, but it is a whole quilt of these blocks. Maybe you can find it on her blog or Instagram. Apparently I bought this and printed it off in 2013. Still love it, but alas, I have not stitched it yet.
Lo and behold, I found what I was thinking of, a Thimble Blossom – Camille pattern. The name of it is Fireworks, and sadly it was not free, and it’s not small. It makes a 16-inch block, but it is a whole quilt of these blocks. Maybe you can find it on her blog or Instagram. Apparently I bought this and printed it off in 2013. Still love it, but alas, I have not stitched it yet.