Tethered Threads Block Party

Tethered Threads Rebecca's Quilt

2011-04-03T02:23:00.000-07:00

Hi my quilt finished and hanging in a Quilt Exhibition in Armidale NSW Australia last weekend. The quilt was quilted by Sue Burnett a longarm quilter in Wellington NZ. The quilt looked fabulous thanks everyone.

He's here!

2011-01-03T04:59:00.001-08:00

A new quilt and a new little boy to end a wonderful 2010.

I had finished this quilt just two days before Oliver decided to make his entrance into the world. I quilted it using randomly spaced straight lines.

I did not end up using all the blocks because it was just getting to be too big to call a baby quilt, but don't worry, all the blocks will be put to good use (a.k.a. burp rags, maybe a pillow, other cute baby things, etc.)

Thank you to everyone for your wonderful work, it made putting this quilt together very easy. I hope everyone has a joyful 2011 and we get to see more quilts here soon. Happy sewing!

Baby Whited's Quilt... Part 3

2010-12-09T19:10:00.001-08:00

We are almost there... both with the quilt blocks and with the upcoming due date. I'm going to start to put something together this weekend. This is going to be a wonderful quilt, thanks for all your help! Here is the wonderful work of Jenny, Beth, Rebecca, and Nicole...

Baby Whited's Quilt... Part 2

2010-11-07T20:29:00.000-08:00

More blocks are coming in. Pictured below is the excellent work of Kathy, Wendy, and Marty. Thanks ladies!

Baby Whited's Quilt... Part 1

2010-10-20T20:01:00.000-07:00

It’s been a couple of weeks since I sent out my fabric, and I’ve already got some wonderful blocks to show for it! Check out the wonderful work of Jen, Megan, and Karissa….

I LOVE them!! I can’t wait to see what comes next!

We are nearly done

2010-09-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Seriously, How could it possibly be a year that has gone by? I have been in two block parties this past year, as has my daughter and my daughter in law. I sorta forced them both. However, I am sure they both have enjoyed it almost more than life itself. This month is my daughters month. She hasn't mailed her fabric yet, though she knows what she wants and loves the fabric she has chosen. After a year with all of you I know that she will get back some wonderful squares.

I was August and I haven't received all my squares yet. But before you start feeling guilty if you haven't sent them yet, it's just OK. I don't have time to put it together right now anyway. But If you forget entirely I just may hunt you down. As I said I was in two block parties this past year. So what I decided to do was the same thing for both. I will end with 48 squares to put together. The squares have been so interesting and wonderful. I can't wait to compete it. But it's going to wait for a bit, I have a "Birth quilt" to complete for my grandson, who will be a year in November. I have 10 Dear Jane squares to complete by October 30th. All by hand, no machine for this one. Wouldn't you know it, I was driving down the freeway today after buying 8 fruit trees for my new yard and inspiration hit me like a ton of bricks. I see it in my head, a quilt that I have to make for someone I love. That means another trip the quilt shop, more fabric and on it goes. I have a craft fair to get ready for and Christmas just after that. I wonder which of us will actually put our squares together first? I wonder who will post their photo of a completed quilt. We all have to do that you know. We can't possibly just end our 12 months together and never see the end product. We have all been so connected and grown so close over the year how can we just say good bye? I think we should change the name of this block party though. Maybe, "To busy block party" or maybe, "It's all I can do the make the block, much less blog about it block party". Anyway I love all my squares and I will promise to post it's completion.

Hey, anyone want to go another 12 months? I"m pretty sure Beth wants to. Beth you could get 24 more amazing blocks for your quilt. 24 squares. I'm just saying think about it.

July blocks

2010-08-26T13:52:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

Now that August is nearly over, I guess it's time to show the blocks I made for my Tethered Threads block party for July! These are for Beth, who had requested blocks in the style of Denyse Schmidt's Drunk Love in a Log Cabin quilt. This is a really popular block party request, it seems, but I'd never actually made blocks in this style before. Hope I did it right!

June blocks

2010-07-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

This is a much-delayed post, but the blocks above were not late! These were made in June for Megan in the Tethered Threads block party. The prints are all from Denyse Schmidt's Hope Valley line, and Megan chose them because they reminded her of starfish in tide pools. Lovely, no?

Megan asked for blocks using the fabrics she sent and nothing more. She wasn't very specific in her desires, but did say she likes blocks with lots of pieces and with triangles. For the first block, I decided to continue in the disappearing nine-patch vein I've been in lately, but use the solid for the centers. I really like how this turned out. I typically don't use so many pieces in one block (this one finishes at 12.5") but I do like this effect.

Once Megan mentioned starfish, I couldn't get it out of my head to make some stars, too. I wanted to design something a little different, so I came up with this block, which is just half-square triangles and straight squares. Nothing tricky to piece.

I really liked making these blocks for Megan. I think the color scheme is gorgeous, and I also really like that Megan is going to turn the blocks into a quilt for the bed she shares with her new husband (and probably that adorable new kitten! squee!). I thought about that the whole time I was piecing those blocks, so I hope some of my congratulations and good wishes carry through!

June Blocks for Meagan

2010-07-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

Starfish! These squares were fun to make. Meagan asked for orange and pink starfish set agains the gray/blue. I think it makes for a really pretty contrast. I ran out of the gray fabric so on the second square I set a gray star within the larger colored star. I like them. I hope you do too Meagan.

July with Beth

2010-06-30T21:13:00.000-07:00

Hello ladies! I sent all the fabric today, so Rebecca, you might get it by Christmas! (Not really, I hope!) I wish I was more on top of it, but honestly, June 30th is pretty darn good for me :) I have been busy completely something that I really wanted to get done this year...a quilt for my 5 year old son. I gave it to him on his birthday, last Sunday...

He really seemed to like it. I loved making it.

Okay, so my squares....I put some info into the note I enclosed, but I wanted to put links here to pictures....

http://www.dsquilts.com/quilts.asp?PageID=1

http://www.flickr.com/photos/27953607@N05/3859895296/

Just for some inspiration! I love Film in the Fridge and how she puts together so many of her quilts. I may have sent you five times what you need in terms of fabric, but I don't want you to run out. Also, I would love to have your scraps back so I can put together the remaining eight that I think I will do.

Thanks again!

I can't wait to see what everyone will create.

Beth

More May Blocks

2010-06-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

These next blocks are from Karissa:

The block on the left is an Ohio Star, and on the right is a Mini Bow Tie block. I love how the blocks Karissa chose really showcase the prints of the Nicey Jane. These blocks are gorgeous!

Next, are the blocks from Beth:
I don't have block names for these because... she made them up! Isn't that cool? I really like the sawtooth star variation, and I keep thinking in my head what neat setting arrangements you could do with a bunch of the blocks on the right. I may have to try that one of these days!

I am having such a great time seeing what everyone has made and envisioning how all these blocks will go together. I am itching to assemble my quilt top!

May Tethered Threads Blocks - Marty and Megan

2010-06-13T16:32:00.000-07:00

I have been such a bad blogger. May was my month for Tethered Threads, and I haven't posted anything. To be honest, I've received most of my blocks, but most are still in envelopes on my desk waiting to be opened and squealed over. For some reason, I didn't want to open them if I couldn't blog about them right away. Now that things have settled down, I'll be able to post a few at a time. So, without further excuse-making:

The fabrics I selected were from the Nicey Jane collection by Heather Bailey. I requested that people make blocks inspired by Modify Tradition, my latest obsession. The first two blocks that I received were from Marty:

Both of these blocks are from the Dear Jane book, and I love the way she used multiple prints in each, making them very modern. The block on the left is number H-1, Peek-a-boo, and the block on the right is number L-2, Stephanie's Snowflake. Don't you just love how they came out?

The next blocks I got were from Megan, who somehow managed to get her blocks made and mailed right before her wedding (check out her blog, her wedding dress is gorgeous and she made it herself):

The block on the left is a Quatrefoil, and the one on the right is an Antique Tile (one of my very favorite blocks). These are super-cute and I can't wait to start assembling my quilt top!

Catching up

2010-06-09T14:36:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

Time is still flying by, and I'm so behind in posting! Ack! Here's a quick catch-all of the blocks I've made for my Tethered Threads block party. The blocks above were made in May for Jessica, who requested blocks following tutorials from Modify Tradition. She's making a modern sampler quilt--so cool! I really love this idea, and am still so in love with those Nicey Jane fabrics!

The blocks above were made in April for Wendy, who requested some Ticker Tape–style blocks. I really love the look of these, but they were SO time-consuming to make. Glad I only had to make two!

And last but not least, I received all 24 of my March blocks! These above are from Rebecca and came all the way from New Zealand!

And these are from Kathy. Love them all!

March blocks, part 5

2010-05-04T13:39:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

Two more blocks, this time from Jessica! Jessica sent a very sweet note along with the blocks stating that she was terrified to start on them but had a really great time making them. I felt the same way about making my two, which surprised me a little, since I was the one doing the asking. I have really enjoyed getting all these blocks in and seeing how differently everyone interpreted the "assignment." I've got four more to receive, plus at least one more to make, and then I will start working on the layout, which is going to be a lot of work in itself! Still, I'm getting excited to see all of my blocks together; I haven't laid them all out yet!

March blocks, part 4

2010-04-15T16:15:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

More blocks! I've received six more blocks for my Tethered Threads block party this week. Above are the blocks from Megan.

These are the blocks from Jen J.

And these are the blocks from Wendy, whose month is April. She's asking us to make blocks based on the Ticker Tape quilt. Hmm... Seems I've done some of these before.... Looks like I'll be busy this weekend!

March blocks, part 3

2010-04-10T04:36:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

More blocks! I am currently half way there! The top two blocks in the picture above are from Marty, and the bottom two are from Nicole. SO much piecing--thanks, ladies!

And these two blocks came from Beth. I am loving how everyone's are coming out SO different! I'm really getting excited for this quilt, and I have a great idea for layout, once I have all the blocks back. Stay tuned....

March blocks, part 2

2010-04-05T14:39:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

After all that rain we had last week, we finally had a bit of sunshine and I was able to get some pictures taken. These are the blocks that I made for myself for my month of the Tethered Threads block party.

This first one wasn't really planned; I just kept putting together pieces and trying new things. I'm really happy with how the curved piecing worked! Some of the larger pieces don't exactly lay flat together; I think it's because the cuts were long and the fabrics did a little shifting in the process. It's a learning process, but so far I really like the techniques from this book, even though they're a bit time-consuming.

This second block is modeled after one in the book: a courthouse steps block with little wonky inset piecing. I made mine a log cabin with wider strips, but I really like how this one looks. Again, it took a really long time (you don't think 15.5" blocks are going to take that much longer than 12.5" blocks, but they do!) but I'm pleased with the results.

I have blocks in from two more ladies that I need to get posted. Stay tuned!

March blocks, part 1

2010-03-25T09:40:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

So, March! March is my month for the Tethered Threads block party! Exciting stuff! I can't believe I haven't posted about it yet, but now there's plenty to talk about. The photo above is of the fabrics I sent: four solid Kona cottons and two prints from Erin McMorris' Wildwood line. (The Konas were purchased at Fabric Shack and Pink Chalk Fabrics and the Wildwood at Hawthorne Threads--all of which are online fabric stores that I really love. Also, I just saw that Erin McMorris has a new line coming out. Sweet!) I decided that we needed a new queen-sized quilt for our bed (this is the one we've had for years), so I requested 15-1/2" blocks that will finish at 15". I have 22 coming from the group, so I plan to make either 3 or 8 and set them 5 x 5 or 5 x 6, depending on how many I feel like churning out. I also asked the group for blocks that read dark with pops of color and said I was inspired by the intuitive piecing and projects found in Jean Wells' Intuitive Color & Design.

The ladies in my group certainly haven't disappointed! (Check out the Flickr pool here--it's full of great blocks!) The photo above is of the first four blocks I received, all of which came yesterday. The top two are from mommymae and the bottom two are from Amanda. WOW! I am super impressed and can't wait to see this come together!

Though I guess that means I need to do my share, too! The photo above is how far I was on Saturday. Hmm. I've finished that block and started on another, but they are big and taking a long time to complete. So glad I have the help of 11 really talented ladies to make this happen!

New Member

2010-03-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

You all are aware that we lost Heather this past month. Life got busy for her so we agreed to let her off the hook.

I want to introduce Amanda to you. She is going to be joining us the make us 12 again. We have already lost February so I am going to add her to the end. She will be October. I met her at our recent Modern Quilt Guild meeting. I've seen her work and she's very creative. Also eager to tackle anything you throw her way. I will send you her address in an email. You can see some of her work if you go to the Modern Quilt Guild link on this blog. Feel free to send her a welcome.

Tethered Threads: January

2010-02-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

(reposted from my blog)

These are the blocks I made for Rebecca for the January edition of my Tethered Threads quilting block party. All of her fabrics are the new Heather Bailey Nicey Jane, and they sure are nice! Rebecca just gave us freedom to do whatever, so I did some more improv piecing and pretty much like what I came up with.

I think I was thinking "garden" with this first block. I wanted to let some of the larger prints do their thing, like that green one and the pink and orange one on the far right. My original plan was to not use the pink in the border on the left and bottom and have the corners of the squares touch, but I went a little too big on that bottom left square and didn't want to chop anything off, so did a little more improv to make this work.

This block just kinda came together organically as well. I just wanted to continue using up all the small pieces I had, so once I pieced the log cabin blocks, I just went to town. I really liked using these fabrics and the freshness that results from all of them together. I didn't add anything of my own to these blocks and used up every last thread that Rebecca sent, too! There are more seams here than I typically work with, but I still think the overall effect is nice.

Catching Up

2010-01-25T16:36:00.000-08:00

December was an incredibly stressful time for me this year. My husband got sick and was hospitalized for a couple of weeks around the holidays. Getting my Tethered Threads blocks in the mail throughout that time was so uplifting and comforting. I love them all. They're just the look I was going for, and I can't wait to put them together into a quilt.

Things are much better now, but since I was so intent on enjoying the blocks I neglected to note which ones I had received so that I could properly thank each of you. I have figured out 6 people who have sent me blocks but I have 14 blocks, so I apparently have left someone out. I think I received blocks from Heather, Karissa, Jessica, Megan, Beth, and Marty. Do correct me if I'm wrong.

I just finished Heather's blocks today, and I plan to dig up some more of my fabrics to send to Wendy tomorrow (Welcome, Wendy).

This is such fun. Getting to play with beautiful fabrics - what could be better?

Tethered Threads: December

2010-01-22T13:52:00.000-08:00

(Reposted from my blog)

I'm a bit behind in my non-Christmas posting, so this is a little catch-up. In my Tethered Threads quilting bee, Kathy had requested light, bright, scrappy, zakka-style blocks. It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do; I started making hexagons on Christmas night. But I'm happy with what I came up with.

This block came first. The hexes are pieced into the block because I didn't want to appliqué them. Of course, I probably could've appliquéd them more quickly; I think I spent 13 hours making these hexagons! Still, I like the way that this turned out. I actually added all of the green fabric on the right because nothing that Kathy sent had enough to piece on the side and make all of those half-hexagons.

For this block I wanted to mix the fabrics up a bit more, really let that red pop, and let that flower Heather Bailey fabric sing. Not sure if I fully achieved the zakka style, but I think these blocks are fairly close.

Rebecca Blocks

2010-01-16T19:56:00.000-08:00

These are the blocks I did for Rebecca. It's kinda stressful sewing for others. Hoping you like them. Looking forward to seeing everyone elses.

December Blocks

2010-01-08T21:18:00.001-08:00

Hi ladies! Thought I would share the blocks I sent to Kathy for December. I'd love to see what else Kathy got!

And thanks to Rebecca for sending such fun fabrics. I'm having fun planning out your blocks and playing with the fabric.

Happy weekend!

New Member

2010-01-02T09:57:00.000-08:00

Everyone should take note that we have replaced one of our members.

Her name is Wendy and she has April.

Getting Behind

2009-12-14T10:26:00.000-08:00

I need to post the 4 additional blocks I have received (I love them all!), but I am running behind and have, once again, misplaced the cord to my camera. Thank you so much Kathy and Jennie J! I really do love the blocks and will give them proper accolades soon! :)

Nicole :)

Two more blocks!

2009-12-02T00:27:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I got yet another fabulous package in the mail and I had to show it off. Last month, I went on a quilting retreat with my BFF, Janelle, and her family. I brought along fabric for my quilt blocks incase inspiration hit....it never did. I had more than enough to work on, but when I was showing Janelle the fabrics for this month she asked if she could make my blocks for me. Knowing I have a lot on my plate with the holidays approaching readily agreed. I am so glad! She did some really fantastic blocks!

This swap has been so much fun! I bought this fabric wanting to make a quilt, knowing it would have to wait.....so, this has been all of the fun, none of the work. I almost feel guilty! Every time I lay the quilt blocks out together I get a bit more excited. Now to settle on a layout, borders, sashing, backing. Decisions!

fall colors

2009-11-29T21:00:00.001-08:00

I totally thought "fall" the moment I saw the fabric for November's Tethered Threads Bee from Nicole. Orange, brown, yellow, green and it's November?! This is totally going to be a fall quilt.

My biggest effort went into making this fall colored tree. By far, this was my most challenging piecing yet. All those little squares were tricky to work with, but I learned a few new techniques.

On the second block I lost a bit of steam. So, for that one I went with a color frame with a cute little owl in the center. Quick and simple, but I was happy with how it turned out.

Can't wait to see how these all come together!

Six new blocks!!

2009-11-27T19:21:00.000-08:00

Happy Black Friday! I tend to avoid shopping in huge crowds, but I still think I made out like a bandit. We stayed at my mom's house on Wednesday, so I was excited when I returned home late last night and found these blocks from Jessica in my mail box:

I love the little appliqued apple and pear!!

Then today I got two more packages! First these blocks from Megan:

And these from Marty:

Gorgeous!!! Then, of course, I had to see them all together.

I am so excited to see all 24 together! I am lucky to be part of such a great group of quilters.

apples and owls

2009-11-26T10:47:00.000-08:00

i loved this fabric when it first came out thinking it was perfect for a fall quilt. imagine how excited i was when i opened my package and saw the owls and apples looking back at me. if given the option to do what i do (which nicole gave us) i like to piece improvisationally. it seems to suit my fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants style of sewing.

the first block i did was the improv block on the right. i fussy cut the 'a' and the apple and then did whatever seemed to fit with those 2 and the white piece. my plan worked out and i then embroidered from the 'a' to the white block. then, i added fabric around the edges to fit within the 12.5" paramaters.

i was at a loss for the other one until i remembered seeing amber from one shabby chick do this on a larger scale. not sure what you call this, but i'm going with "uneven stacks on white." i really like the look of that one, but it was a bit of work to get all of the strips to line up in such a random pattern without wasting too much fabric.

(pardon me if the pictures don't work. i'm going to publish first and then go back and fix if they aren't there. i use wordpress, so this is all brand new to me. HELP ME! how do i fix the pictures! problem solved, but i did not have fun doing it.)

Blocks so far

2009-11-24T16:45:00.000-08:00

Today I got my second set of blocks and thought I'd give you guys a peek of what I have so far.

Aren't they adorable?? I am so excited to see all 24 together. :) Thanks ladies!!

November blocks

2009-11-20T16:15:00.000-08:00

(reposted from my blog)

My blocks for the Tethered Threads November block party swap are done and have been received! I was on a roll last Saturday and got them both done. These are for Nicole, who is making the quilt for herself and just requested blocks that reflect our style.

The thing is, I'm not really sure what my "style" is for patchwork, but I like doing more improvisational piecing for these block party things, so I went with that. For this first block, I really wanted to show off that awesome apple print! I also fussy cut the cat in the (off-) center of the block. It was too tempting!

As much as I like that first block, I loooove this second one! That brown is just too fabulous here! I used it all up in this one, though. At the end I had a few more apple scraps, which I added to the bottom left side. LOVE! Again, Flickr group page is HERE to see the rest of what's being made. My month is March and I'm really getting excited!

October blocks

2009-10-23T12:30:00.000-07:00

(reposted from my blog)

Not sure if I've really talked about this here yet, but I joined a block party called Tethered Threads. Our first month was October, and we had to make two 12.5" blocks for mommymae. She is making a quilt for her daughter and had requested modern piecing, along with a little bit of something different, like appliqué or embroidery.

I like the first block better, but I guess I'm pleased with how both of these turned out. The recipient is, so that's great! For both blocks I did some improvisational piecing (stitch, press, trim, stitch, press, trim...) and I added a bit of fabrics from my stash to fill them out. I was happy to see those Anna Maria Horner prints, as I still have bits of those Garden Party fabrics in my scrap pile. For the block above, I didn't want to chop up that lovely print in the middle, so I appliquéd those Good Folks circle flowers to add a little more interest to the block.

You can see the group's Flickr page HERE. I'm excited to see what everyone in the group can do! My month is March and I'm spending a LOT of time thinking about what to request... And what fabrics to buy!