Posted By FarmerJ on February 25, 2010

You’ve heard mention my new hobby of quilting now a couple of times.  So, I thought I’d give you a peek at my first-ever attempt of a quilt block.  I think I’ve figured out that if anything will provide a means of practicing sewing skills, it’s quilting.

The background is a rich chocolate color, the arrows are a soft brown with green and peach accents, and the checkers are green with peach accents ~ the same green and peach in the soft brown pattern.  It’s too difficult to discern from the photo, but there is a lot of dimension to the square.  There are actually little pockets at each end of the arrows, and the center square has little pockets on each side of it.

I’ve joined a local Quilter’s Guild, and we meet once a month.  My Nebraska Mom is a member and she’s been trying to get me involved for over a year now.  You know me, not one to make rash decisions or anything.  Abigail’s veterinarian is a member, too!  It’s a terrific group of ladies ~ everyone has been so accepting and welcoming.  And, my most wonderful Darling Husbie is extremely supportive of my involvement.

So, to feed my early addiction, I’ve joined a Block-a-Month one of the local fabric store’s is featuring.  The block above is January’s block.  The deal is you buy the first month’s block kit for $5.  You have until the third Thursday of the following month to complete the block, return it to the store and get your next block kit free!  So, if you can keep up with the schedule, you can end up getting all the blocks for your quilt for $5.  Pretty good deal, if you ask me!  Of course, the store makes their money off the additional fabric they taunt you with for the sashings, binding, backing, the thread and all the other cool things they dangle in your face have to offer.

Me being me, it may take over a year to decide to do something, but when I finally do, I do it all the way ~ I jump in with both feet.

The Block-a-Month offers two different color schemes; a dark one and a light one.  I’m doing both.  So, at the end of the year ~ rather, it will be the beginning of next year ~ I will have two quilts completed.

This scheme has a cream color background, the arrows are a vibrant blue and purple print, and, as you can see, the checkers are purple with an orange-tinted polka dot.  Completely not something I would ever dream of putting together, but I am truly amazed with the final outcome!

Now, as with the bedroom curtains, these quilt squares hold many imperfections much country charm and character.  But, I am pleased to see improvements in the cream square ~ my second-ever square ~ over the brown square.  My points are more aligned and my seams are straighter overall.  [I just noticed in the photo, it looks like the cream square is distorted.  It's really not like that in 'real life.']

These squares were due last Thursday evening.  I arrived at the store with 7 minutes to spare before closing!  Knowing I am a newbie, the ladies were quite anxious to see if I would even finish one, let alone both.  They were hesitant to let me participate in the Block-a-Month, since I am a newbie, and apparently the techniques were somewhat difficult.  How would I know any differently being new?  Heehee!  They were very kind and encouraging after inspecting my work.  I accused them of ‘just being nice,’ but they assured me I’d done just fine.

So, I got my kits for February’s blocks and I have until March 18 to complete them.  I can’t wait to get started ~ but it seems like something that needs to be done always comes up and before I know it, it’s bedtime.

I’ll keep you posted on my progress!  ♥

Categories: A Needle Pulling Thread
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