Crackers and Cheddar

 The half-square triangles I made with the light background just couldn't be worked in with the Jacob's Ladder blocks from the previous post.  So I played with the layout a little and came up with these two designs.  Now what do I do?  I like them both.  I think either would make a nice center for a 'Round Robin' style quilt.

This is going to be so tiny when the seams are added ... and so bulky.  I'm not sure how it will quilt.  I'm not good at quilting over bulk!!!  I may just have to make a bigger one after playing with this trial piece:-)

Head over to Patchwork Times to be inspired by what others are doing this week.

Half-Square Triangles and Charm Squares

I probably should have titled this post Cheddar Blocks since I've decided to try making blocks with a gold/orange background.  Many blogs recently featured cheddar blocks and they began to grow on me.  It's possible to get 8 half-square triangles from 2 charm squares right sides together.  I drew diagonal lines, sewed 1/4 inch away from the lines on both sides, and cut along the lines as well as across, side to side.  Since these are so tiny, I pressed the seams open.  I also made 4 patches using 1 and 1/2 inch strips from the charm squares.

I tried two layouts and took pictures.  Sometimes it's easier to make choices when viewing the blocks on the computer rather than on the table.  I went with the light centers, but I really like both options.  I believe one of the names for this block is Jacob's ladder.

Dark centers.

Light centers.

I decided to go with the light centers.

Pressing with a clockwise swirl in the center.

These will be very tiny blocks.

I wanted the seams of my second block to nest with the first, so I thought carefully about pressing.  If I had just created the second one exactly the same as the first, everything would have worked perfectly because when it gets turned 90 degrees, the seams nest.  I stitched it in its turned orientation.  I had to take the whole block apart.  I left it until the next night and tried again.  I knew what I had to do, but I made the same mistake again.  I had to take it apart a second time.  I wasn't sure the tiny pieces would hold up, but they did and it's finally fixed.  This was supposed to be playtime.  That's what I get for trying to think after 9pm.

Table Toppers at Crawford's Farm

Who doesn't love table toppers.  If I'm ever going to sew all the designs I'd like, then I'm going to need to keep my projects small.  Table toppers are the answer.  You just can't have enough.

Such detailed branches.

These tulips are 3-D.

Love the background colour changes.

Beautiful paper-pieced triangles and diamonds.

Love the curved edges.

This half-square triangle design really appeals to me.

I like landscapes that overlap borders.  (Lower left).

The design edge was appliqued with a satin stitch in variegated thread.

Love the border treatment.

Quilting detail.

Nice sharp points.

This one is definitely on my bucket list to do.

Now I'm off to play with some 4-patches and half-square triangles before it gets too hot to do anything.