I’ve been finishing up the week with lots of fun sewing. I am not actually sewing on my new 570QE, but rather sewing next to it. lol. It is plugged in and I have played with it, but I am waiting for the table insert to arrive before I start using it regularly.
I have no idea why I kept referring to it as a 575 QE yesterday; I had that wrong. It is a 570 QE by Bernina.
I continue to try to keep up with the sew-alongs I am doing. The block above is Block 15 in the Riley Blake Challenge 2026. It is “Center of Attention” by Heather Peterson. A great block.
Here are all 15 blocks together. Hope you aren’t sick of seeing them! Only one more to go and then I will get them into a setting.
These are two blocks from Week 4 of the 4th of July at Granny’s sew-along Heather Briggs is hosting. Why are they so far away? Well, because that is the only way they look good. Between the plaid fabric and the tricky points to match up, this block made my hair curly. It was frustrating from start to finish.
Here they are close up. Ugh. Not my favorites. Those center sections are a hot mess, but so be it. I have more to make in this same pattern, but they will be red stars, and definitely NOT a plaid.
Wishing you all a fantastic weekend. May tends to be a busy month, with graduations and end of the year events. If you have a full calendar, I hope it is all fun.
18 Responses
Not fed up at all. I enjoy seeing your blocks, the piecings are so accurate and the fabrics are pretty (helps stop me running to a quilt shop as I get a fix from seeing yours). I kind of like the plaid stars – I love tartan anything!
Plaids are fun in general, but when all those lines come together in those 4 1 1/4″ centers, it gave me a headache. No way to make that come out nicely. The designer of the sew along used that same fabric and her centers look as bad as mine…
You are so talented and you are such a hard critic of your work. Everything you sew is beautiful. I like the plaid blocks, but I like plaid.
Thanks Ginny!
I don’t get tired of seeing your blocks, I feel inspired. I have many unfinished blocks and you inspire me to keep chipping away at them. 😊 I like the blue stars! I love plaids but they definitely are a challenge. I hope your table insert arrives soon!
Oh I hope the insert comes quickly too. They all have to be custom-cut for your table opening and the machine model, so it could take a bit.
Nicole, I like those blue plaid stars! The calm background allows the somewhat wonky plaid in the stars to shine. Don’t get rid of them please!
Oh no. I don’t want to remake them, so they will stay. Today I made four of that same block with a small red dot fabric and they look great. The weird convergence of plaid centers in the blue blocks probably won’t show up that much in the whole quilt. They bug me though!
Could it be that you don’t dislike the stars themselves, but the process of orienting the plaids correctly? Those lines can be tricky! As many have stated, I like them & don’t be hard on yourself! Have a fun weekend & congratulations on the new machine!
Oh I love plaids generally and don’t have that much trouble with them. Those little block centers are made with 1.25″ squares, so it was impossible to get the plaids to line up in any way, shape, or form.
Aw, I love your wee blue plaid stars and after 30+ years of quilting know that you just have to let plaid be plaid and go its own way. It’s quilting’s way of saying “Lighten up and have fun!”
Hope your Steady Betty arrives soon and am praying for the return of your quilt.
Hugs!
I like the way you think Barbara!
Your newest blocks are also very pretty! I love the one from Heather Mulder Peterson…… she usually has designs that really speak to me. Your blue plaids in the star blocks I also really like. Even if they are not your favorite they will combine well with all the others in the quilt.
I agree, Heather has so many patterns and fabrics that I have loved over the years. I think she is a very nice person as well.
I love them! That plaid is gorgeous but that must have been tedious to line everything up. You did it! Have a glass of wine tonight and put your feet up. You’ve earned it.
That pretty much sums up every evening at my house.
can I come live with you…….?
have a great weekend.
Any time!