Twenty Star Blocks

 

I have all the RIbbon Star blocks complete for "Star Spangled Summer." Now I have to sew them all together and think about a border--maybe. I'm thinking a pieced border made from Friendship Star blocks, either 4 inch or 3 inch. If I made them 4-inch I would need 60 to go around the quilt. If I made them 6-inch, I would need only 30. But I don't know if the larger blocks would look as good as small ones. I think Also I have to figure out if I have enough of the fabric that I want to use to make all those extra blocks. I could probably pull some prints from my stash that would match. I have lots of blues and reds.

This is a Friendship Star block--very simple. I could probably make 60 of them in a short time, using some quick-piecing techniques. I'll have to figure out the math for 4-inch blocks. I can find 6 inch, 9 inch, and 12 inch online. But so far, I haven't found cutting instructions for a 4 inch block. And I don't like to do math. It makes my brain tremble. I think I'll go through my books and see if I find a 4-inch Friendship Star.

 

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On 07/26/2017, Nancy Morey said ...

I think 1 ½" segments would work. Kind of tiny though!

I have a book saved for you, if we get together for Bee soon.

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On 07/26/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Wonderful quilt!! Methinks a simpler border of HSTs, "Piano keys, or Flying Geese might add a nice finishing touch without making tiny blocks. Your choice, of course. :)

Hugs!!

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On 07/31/2017, Sharrie said ...

Your ribbon stars look lovely.
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Best Little Seam Ripper in My Sewing Room

I've got so little done this week, sewing-wise, that I really don't have anything to show. I did sew one "Star Spangled Summer" block this morning, but it's not so different from the others that I want to post a pic right now.

But I did think of something to post when I opened a new packet of eyebrow trimmers a little while ago when I had to rip out of missewn seam.

A few years ago, a nationally know quilting teacher gave us this tip at a guild program. I don't really recall which nationally known teacher it was. Maybe the other Susan Cleveland (Susan K.), but maybe not. I'm just not sure. But it's an excellent tip. I now use an eyebrow trimmer almost every time I need to rip out a seam. Unless I have run out of sharp ones (they do get dull eventually).

To use this neat little tool, just hold your two pieces of fabric apart with the fingers of one hand, while you gently use the blade of the trimmer to cut through the seam. There isn't much danger of nicking your fabric, but it is possible, so keep the trimmer on the thread, not the fabric.

These little gadgets are not expensive. I got this set at TJ Maxx for $3.99. But they're available at Wal-Mart too, and might be just a little bit cheaper.

It's the fastest way I have found to unsew a seam. Since it's only me in the house right now, I wasn't able to get a good photo of me holding the unit while ripping the seam. But I did find a video on YouTube that shows the process. (See below for link. You'll have to cut and paste since I still can't get my computer to take the html for links. I'm on my old Mac Pro, which I'm told is now a relic.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lay_rDTcLXE

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On 07/22/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Good information! Thanks!

It's too hot to sew or do much here, too. We need rain, pretty please.

Hugs!

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On 07/22/2017, bfbarnes44@gmail.com said ...

Thanks for the information.

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On 07/24/2017, Karen in Michigan said ...

I used to be a professional tailor and in the shop, we used razor blades. They are still my go-to way of taking out a seam.
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Patriotic Progress

I have fourteen blocks completed for my "Star Spangled Summer" quilt. Thanks to Barbara H. for the title suggestion. Six more blocks, and I can put it together. I haven't even thought about how I'm going to do that yet--whether I'm going to sash it or not, and if so, what with. But it will come.

This summer heat and humidity have just about robbed me of all the energy I can muster up daily. I think I'm going to have to be satisfied with plodding along with the quiltmaking until about October, and then maybe I can swing into high gear again.

That said, I can't believe summer is half over already. Actually, 2017 is more than half over. Has anyone ever figured out how and why time speeds up as you get older? How is that possible? Just goes to show that Time isn't a absolute. Could just be a figment of our imaginations, for that matter--although I fail to comprehend how things could possibly work without it. But I do believe they can, even if I don't understand the physics of such a supposition.

Oh heck, it's way to hot to be having such deep thoughts. I think Skipper and I are going downstairs now to read. (It's also time for Skip's chewbone, which he is trying to tell me.

Stay cool, my friends.

 

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On 07/17/2017, Julie said ...

I think that's a great name for your quilt. It's really coming along....you'll be finished in no time. This heat is definitely taking its toll. All I want to do is stay inside and sew!

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On 07/17/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Well done!! You're on a roll, the heat and humidity notwidthstanding!

G glad you like the title that popped into my head!

Hugs!

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On 07/20/2017, Jan Oliver said ...

Love it!! Joanne has their patriotic
Fabric on sale.

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On 07/21/2017, Ada kuoers said ...

Actually, there is a researsh /book about why tiime speads uo when you get older.
It's called "waarom het leven sneller gaat ala je ouder wordt'. van Douwe Draaisma

Sorry, it's dutch, but maybe there is a translation

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On 07/21/2017, Ada kupers said ...

""why life speeds up as you get older ", Douwe Draaisma
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Pretty Quilting and Doofus Driving

Jesse’s quilt is home from the quilter. This is it from the back side. I love the quilting. Now to get the binding done so that Jesse can sleep under it.

 

Sorry I haven’t been doing much blogging lately. Lots of things going on, including my usual pains and fatigue. I picked up Jesse’s quilt from the quilter Monday or Tuesday--one of those days. I have it trimmed and ready to bind. Jesse asked me when he came home from work tonight if it was ready. So I’m going to try really hard to get it bound tomorrow. He’s really anxious to sleep under it.

I did a stupid thing today. It’s not like I have never done a stupid thing before, or often, but this one really bothers me. I came down, got in the car to go to sister Ramey’s, started up and backed right into the garage door. I had forgot to push the button to open the garage door. I have never ever done that in the 21 years I’ve lived in this house. I can’t believe I did that. It didn’t hurt my car that I can tell, but it really buggered up the garage door. I’m pretty sure I’ll have to have it replaced. 

I’ve had a busy week with meetings and doctor appointments and such, and I’m tired. So I’m going get in bed and read. Nighty night, all.

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On 07/13/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Love the quilting on Jesse's new and wonderful quilt! Wishing you well on getting it bound.

So sorry about your collision with the garage door. Am glad you're okay. That is what is important.

Today would have been my Dad's 107th birthday as he was born in Mt Airy, NC in 1910.

Hugs!

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On 07/14/2017, Judy Cloe said ...

Don't feel too badly about the door. I did the same thing once. We use Door Doctors.

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On 07/14/2017, Dolores Tanner said ...

OH!!! I did that once, the door was on the way up but pinged the rear windshield wipe right off!!! Dented in that place where the wiper is, got the wiper fixed, but never did get the dent fixed... no harm to door tho... thank heavens... stupid, I make sure I open that door before I even get in the car now..... the things we do!!!
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July 4, 2017

Happy Birthday, Gordy Ramey (my daddy)

July 4, 2011 - January 14, 1977

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On 07/05/2017, Barbara Anne said ...

Happy birthday to the July 4th baby boy!!

Methinks you might need to change the birth year to 1911. Perhaps?! :)

Hugs!
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