These pretty fabrics are “Rosie”, the latest Fig Tree collection by Joanna Figueroa for Moda. I’ve got them all starched and pressed and ready for a new sew-along, which starts in February. The sew-along is called “Celebrating America”, in honor of America’s 250th birthday this summer. The sew-along is hosted by Lissa Alexander, using her book with Susan Ache, “Celebrate With Quilts”.
We have been told that the sew-along will follow the instructions in the book, which are for a quilt called Peppermint Rose. That quilt features blocks in several sizes, starting with a number of 3 1/2″ blocks, moving on to 6 1/2″ blocks, and some larger ones as well. I am not sure at this point how many blocks we will be making each week, but the first one is a 3 1/2″ Cat’s Cradle block.
Now, in my opinion, the Cat’s Cradle block is tricky enough to make in a larger size, but 3 1/2″ is going to test my skills. What? The block is composed of FOUR 2″ Cat’s Cradle units? What?
Yes. It’s true. I made one of the two blocks called for, and I thought it went surprisingly well until I realized I’ll lose the blue point at the top of the block when I sew it into the quilt. Maybe I will try again. Or not. Those units are ridiculously small.
I have a special tool from Creative Grids called Cat’s Cradle, which helps a lot. That said, I have never tried to make such microscopic units. The ruler served me well, and I made the smallest version offered, which is for 1 1/2″ finished Cat’s Cradle blocks. Each block in the quilt pattern calls for four units, and you need to make two blocks. So eight of these tiny units total.
The point of a sew-along is to challenge one’s quilting skills (and hopefully improve them), so I need to be grateful for the opportunity. If you think you would enjoy this sew-along, the introduction and fabric requirements can be found here.
Hope you all have a splendid weekend! I know I will spend a good amount of time in the sewing room for sure. There are several sew-alongs starting up soon, and I want to be sure my fabrics are all prepped and I am ready to go.
16 Responses
Wow – that is really small! I don’t think I will participate in this sew-along, but I will enjoy watching your progress. I love the fabrics you are using!
I’m fine with the challenge I think. I plan to try that block again, using my special ruler and see if I do any better.
I really can’t see myself making blocks that small. But you did a good job, and I imagine the point will be surrounded by so many other blocks that it won’t show. Your choice! I will watch from the sidelines as I already have 2 other RWB quilts to finish!
This will be the year for red white and blue quilts I think. This Celebrate America quilt has a touch of pink and lighter blue thrown in, which I think will make it still patriotic, but a bit unique.
So beautiful! Both the pattern and the fabrics. Will you focus on exclusively making this quilt or adding in piecing it in between making other quilts?? Those are small pieces!! But you’re Nicole and you’ll nail them!! Have a great weekend.
Oh, I’ve got five or six projects I will be working on. I can never stick to just one thing.
Oooh that is pretty fabric. Looks like a lovely quilt book too. Cats cradles in a cat’s cradle. Maybe the little ones are kitten cradles! The speciality rulers are good for these, I have Deb Tucker’s version.
I think I would make a real hash of it without the ruler!
lol @ kitten cradles….
The 3″ size for that block is daunting, indeed, but the fabrics are a delight! Hope you manage to make the blocks to your satisfaction and enjoy the process.
Still frozen in here without hope of any thawing until Monday. It’s annoying now.
Hugs!
Before we got our solar panels, we had frequent power outages, especially in the summer when everyone was using their air conditioners. If it lasted a whole day, it was super irritating. I can imagine being stuck inside for a week would be a real bore. We all keep extra food in the freezer, but what happens when you run out of milk or something essential that you get fresh from the store?
Those fabrics are pretty. I’m not a sew-along person, but I’ll enjoy watching your progress! Have a relaxing weekend in your sewing room!
Thanks Jan. Hope you stay cozy this weekend yourself!
I bought the book. I think I’m going to do it. I don’t have enough of any single background fabric. I’m surrounded by fabric and I lack enough yardage of a white or off-white? seriously? have a great weekend.
Oh fun! It will be nice to see your progress and what you choose.
I looked at the instructions in the book. all of those bias edges look like a disaster waiting to happen. time to order the ruler….