Hi friends!
Today is the day for Block 8! And Block 8 is great!
Link for the block is at the end of the post. There is a giveaway there too!
A Road Less Traveled
Many of us plan trips knowing exactly where we are going, what we are planning to do and when. We research the area, look up what activities there are and make sure we know are the best places to stay and to eat.
What if we planned a trip where the only things we knew were our mode of transportation and the direction we head first?
Could you do that? Just go with no destination in mind?
Or, have you done that?
I haven’t. I am a planner. I want to know where I am going, when I will be there and what happens next! Yes I know there is a word for that, but let’s just say I like to be in control.
Block 8
In our quilt, the arrow blocks represent the options we have as we travel on our adventure – go here, go there… pick a direction and see where it leads you. To make our arrows, we are using Flying Geese units and strip sets.
The Flying Geese are made 4 at a time which is often called the No Waste Method. I love this method and I often use it even if I am left with a few extra geese!
We gave you all the steps in the pattern, but here are a few of the steps so we can chat about tips.
You start with 1 large square and 4 small squares. The large square is the “geese” fabric and the small squares are the smaller triangles in the block.
If you want to know how to determine the size of the squares, the math for this is in a FG handout on my tutorials page that you can download.
Draw diagonal lines on the wrong side of the small triangles. You can either draw the center diagonal line and sew ¼” away on both sides OR draw the sewing lines.
Line up 2 small squares on the large square so they overlap in the center. Sew ¼” away from the diagonal line on both sides and cut the unit apart along the center diagonal.
Tip: Draw a scant ¼” line and when sewing, sew just inside the line (towards the center) so that your unit is not too small. You can always trim down but you can’t add fabric!
If you have not done this method before, you might want to make a test unit out of scraps just to make sure you have the lines in the right place!
Note: some people will cut their squares a little oversize; I usually just use a scant ¼” seam so I have little bits to trim and that works fine for me.
Press the small triangles away from the geese fabric and line up the next small square on your unit.
Sew ¼” away from the diagonal line on both sides and cut the unit apart along the center diagonal.
Press to the small triangle and ta-da! You have 2 FG units. Now make the other 2 from the other section. Trim to size as needed.
Trim: I love to trim using Wing Clipper. It has these great lines that make it so easy.
Easy peasy right? You will have those FG units ready to sew together with your strip sets into arrow blocks in no time!
For some reason, this whole thing reminds me of The Wizard of Oz and I have been singing, Follow the Yellow Brick Road, follow the yellow brick road …. as I type.
I think it is because, while they knew where they had to end up, they had no idea where the road would take on their journey to their destination. Kind of like life. What is the saying? Life is what happens while we are busy making plans…
Link
Click here or on the image below to go to the page to get Block 8!
And click here to check out Tammy’s Block 8 post!
Giveaway
This week, I am giving away a Braid Template!
In a couple of weeks we will be making our Treeline blocks and this tool is helpful for cutting out the shapes (not required, just helpful!).
I thought I would give one away now, so the winner has it by the time we get to the trees!
To enter, leave a comment on this post telling me where you want to go on your next trip. Doesn’t have to be someplace you are going, just a place you would like to go! Contest ends Tuesday March 27th at 6pm MT.
Have fun with Block 8!
happy quilting,
Kate
Facebook Live
I will be doing a FB live this Saturday going over the Flying Geese method we used. If you want to see it done in person, then head over to my FB page, seamslikeadreamquilts, at 2pm Mountain Time on Saturday. I know I usually do it earlier but I have a guild meeting to go to in the morning.
Block 9
Next week and the following week, Blocks 9 and 10 will be on Tammy’s blog. I am heading out of town for a little business, and then some family time. I will get to see my older son on his 35th birthday, see my daughter for lunch and then head to FL to see my other son and celebrate MY birthday. It’s a big one so I might as well spend it at Disney World! See you back here for Block 11 in a few weeks!
The bucket list trip I have been dreaming about lately is driving around the perimeter of Australia. I’ve been thinking about how to ensure I have enough gas to get to the next town (they are spread really far apart), learning how to drive on the right side of the car (I’ve done it once) and what I would use for protection (old ladies have to consider that). I do know that the vehicle I would need to use would have to be 4WD and have a place for me to sleep and cook. It’s fun planning a trip like this in my head, especially with all the unknowns!!
I am looking forward to going “home”, which for me is Southern California. We moved to NW Oregon 15 years ago, but when I return to my hometown it always feels like going home–just something about that warm, honey-gold light and the scent of the ocean. My best friend’s husband had a stroke recently and I want to head down there and hang out with them; it might not be as much fun as previous trips, but friendship is about sharing more than just the sunny times.
I would enjoy taking another driving trip to see parts of the US that I have not seen yet. I was fortunate to be able to take a five week driving trip across the country and back about seventeen years ago. I did put a lot of miles on the van but I was able to visit many National Parks. I hope you are having wonderful birthday celebration visiting with your children.
I would like to go to South Carolina to see my Momma. Not a far trip, but hard to coordinate everyone’s schedules. And I’d also like to go to South Korea, my Army son just got stationed there, it is going to be a very long two years…
I would love a trip to Ireland to see where my ancestors came from. Have a great trip and birthday celebration!
I would love to go to my sewing room! Work and life events are creating time issues!
I would love to be a tourist on the east coast and visit all of the historical places I have read about for years.
I would love to go to back to CO to visit my best friend! Miss her terribly since we moved two years ago to be by the grandkids. This ruler caught my eye the other day and I am not so good at braids so I find it interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
There are SO many places I want to visit – how do I choose just one! Hmmmm, I’ll say Iceland. I’ve seen photos of some friends who have been there and it looks like amazing country.
Hawaii!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would love to visit Scotland, home of my ancestors.
It is more than just one place! But first, Costa Rica! Lots of friends there!
I want to go visit my best friend, who imhaven’t seen in person in a few years. In 2021 I’m planning for a trip to Orlando for the next chainmailler gathering.
I would love to travel to the international space station or to the moon.
The one place in the world that I would love to go to is Scotland. I love the rugged country and all of the history. Thanks!
I would love to go to the Smoky Mountains!! Thanks for the opportunity to win!
I want to visit some book stores.
If I have my way, the next trip I take will be to go see Missouri Star Quilt Company shop and retreat centre. I’ve read about it, but never have travelled to that part of America. Of course that means I would get to do some fibre acquisition at the numerous LQS’s between here and there!
Every quilt shop in Southern California to take a one day quilting class.
I would like to travel to the British Isles; especially Ireland. I would love to see their quilts and techniques.
I’d love to go to Austria to visit my son.
We’re going to Chincoteague VA in several weeks.
I would like to go to Texas to see my daughter and grandchildren and great granddaughter!
I would love to travel to Michigan’s upper peninsula after snow is gone.
I want to travel to Chile! Would love to win this template!
Nest trip is this weekend – off to a mountain bike race with the boys!
I would love to go to Key West, Fl. It is my favorite vacation spot. I am enjoying this project sew much. Thank you.
I would like to travel to the west coast.