Come Stitch With Me

Flying Geese blocks give me fits. Single FG blocks come out perfect almost every time if I I sew just to the right of the diagonal line (see single FG in upper left corner of photo). The folded corner ruler also works – it’s just that I’m more consistent with the drawn line method. Regardless, there’s a lot of extra fabric wasted – especially with large FG blocks.

I was on a mission to try the no-waste 4 at a time “heart” method FG with/without a specialty ruler and the strip cutting method used with the specialty triangle ruler from Bonnie Hunter.

4 at a time “heart” method FG definitely works! My best advice is to start with the “modern” (larger) cut square sizes and sew using a full 1/4″ seam. You don’t *need* a FG trim ruler, but it helps. I tried a Wing Clipper I ruler from Deb Tucker/Studio 180 designs. Easy-Peasy. The individual geese all had a true 1/4″ seam left above the point once trimmed. All I had to do was sew the units together with a scant 1/4″ seam. (See trio of FG in upper right of photo.)

The ability to use strips to cut my FG blocks and minimize waste really, really appealed to me. However, I could not for the life of me get the hang of how to sew the blocks together so that they consistently came out (1) the correct size and (2) had a true 1/4″ seam left above the point. I watched several different videos and spent way too much time trying to figure out this method. The yellow/navy batik FG block is the result of this experiment. I had to sew the FG together using a 1/8″ seam allowance across the points. Not my preference. Several of my quilting friends swear by the Bonnie Hunter ruler for making FG, so perhaps I’ll try it again someday.

My recommendation: if you have to make a ton of FG, do the 4 at a time “heart” method starting with oversize squares and invest in a specialty ruler to trim them. Companies such as Creative Grids, Studio 180 Designs and Bloc Loc offer specialty FG rulers. A single, multiple size FG trim ruler is usually about $30.00 while the product from Bloc Loc has a different pricing structure. Check with your local quilt shop (or quilting friends) to see if you can try out the various rulers.

As an alternative, use FG papers available from Fat Quarter Shop.

Don’t you just love it when you get so wrapped up in what you’re doing that you lose all track of time? I sure do!

My sewing room, kitchen and home office certainly reflect that my creative genie is out of the bottle! Gotta get it all cleaned up before hubs returns home tomorrow afternoon.

Today, I taught grown-ups for a change at the SQTM. Students conquered their fears of curved piecing. They learned how to make Drunkard’s Path and Orange Peel blocks. We used Memi’s Lemons pattern by Fran Gulick @ Cotton and Joy. Didn’t they do a great job! I was also asked by students to teach more classes – which is a great feeling!

This evening, I’ve spent time figuring out how to incorporate a bit of hand-sewing into a DIY Jolly Roger pirate activity for Monday’s enrichment classes. Pinterest is a such great resource for this! I cut the scull and crossbones from felt I had in my stash. The kids will sew on 2 buttons for eyes and make a few straight stitches for the mouth. Our flag backgrounds are a 12″ x 18″ piece of black construction paper cut into 4 rectangles (6″ x 9″) that will be hole punched on one end with ribbon ties added to connect the flag to 14″ long sticks we find outside. The bonus? This activity will allow me to gauge if my students can handle the felt stuffies I want to make with them before Christmas. Hopefully so, because I have a bin of materials and picture books I assembled back in the summer ready to go! If not, I have festive back-up activities planned and the older kids can make them spring semester.

A friend asked if I planned to continue teaching Monday enrichment classes after this school year. I don’t know. It’s been exactly what I’ve needed right now. The tradeoff has been having to plan travel and other activities around someone else’s schedule again. (Hubby was right when he said committing to 28 Mondays in retirement is a big deal.) It didn’t really bother me until the bee group I’ve been invited to join scheduled its organizational meeting for this coming Monday morning. Dang it! The group’s organizer expects the actual bee group meeting day to fall on Wednesdays, like the majority of other bee groups, but the official day won’t be determined until Monday’s meeting. Keeping my fingers crossed!

Now to clean up the creative clutter!

A cup of your favorite English breakfast tea with local honey.

A walk with your dog on a crisp fall morning.

The book you had on hold at the public library finally arrived.

Enjoying said book on the screen porch with the dog at your feet.

Shopping the weekly farmer’s market.

Fresh flowers on the kitchen counter.

Baking a batch of banana bread using a favorite recipe.

Homegrown tomatoes straight from your own backyard.

Friday date nights with hubby.

Invitation from a friend to go out to lunch after quilting class on Saturday.

Running into a former neighbor at the grocery store.

The little girl’s excitement at seeing me back at school after missing 2 sessions due to a planned vacation.

My Friday sew days with friends.

Doing handwork (embroidery or EPP) while listening to a favorite podcast.

Trying out craft projects for Monday classes and CraftLAB sessions with the neighborhood kiddos.

Therapy dog visits with Sadie.

Making quilts and other projects for charitable organizations my quilt guild supports.

Journaling, meditation, devotionals, prayer, self-reflection, solitude or similar practice that brings you a sense of peace and calm.

I could go on. There’s a hospice nurse on IG who shares wisdom from her patients in short reels. The most common advice given is that true happiness is found in simple everyday activities with your loved ones and local community. It’s not working excessive hours at your job to pay for a big house, expensive stuff and luxury vacations. As one patient said, “Find joy in the every day.”

Our world continues to be a crazy place that has become even crazier over the past couple of weeks. No one knows what will happen in the coming weeks and months. Turn off the constant news stream. Be present in the here and now with your family, friends and local community. Make your home a refuge from the outside world. Find your joy in the every day – running errands with my furkid here.