Sajou Redo ~ TQC 1880 Sampler

Good evening! I was so excited to finish my Sajou little quilt from Lori's recent sewalong. All set to show it off to you guys and get it sent to the quilter on Monday.
But no.

Sajou

The purple borders, ugh. I was so proud of them, the seams were so sharp and straight, but this afternoon during final press, I had to face the fact that the borders are not only ruffling and rippling, they are getting worse each time I press the darn thing. I had oh so carefully measured, too. I think those big purple central triangles are stretching.

I also found a strange and nasty spot, like a bleach mark on one edge. So off the borders came just now.

I had added a second pieced border.

Most of that border was quarter square triangles, in what I call Broken Dishes border pattern. [not really the right name, maybe]. I ran short of the blocks and when it came time to make some more for the fourth edge, I was bored, so I made Four Patch blocks instead [on the right]. Not sure anyone but me will take notice. Sometimes mixed borders like this turn up in the early to mid 1800s medallion quilts that inspired my Sajou quilt.

The center turkey red flower seems to get the most compliments:

And  in retrospect, here is some color inspiration. Fall tulips at the market, very special. I love color and believe that, like all creativity in a more general way, one's color inspiration is everywhere. You just must be aware, you must SEE the world around you, to constantly fuel your creative abilities. Take the time too look; it will become second nature and your brain will have lots of fuel/ideas to work with..

Then since I had intended to get Sajou off to the quilter ASAP, I was choosing backing fabrics. You know I make a huge deal over the backings, they're one of my fave things. I wanted to use this tablecloth from my mother's collection; she loved French Provençal  fabrics that look hand printed. This small tablecloth came from a shop in NYC called Pierre Deux, here She'd usually treat herself to something---napkins, scarf, small tablecloth, each time she visted the city.

It has all of Sajou's colors! But it is too big, I don't want to lose the beauty of the border print.

I then considered a sweet aqua calico, just because I have yardage, but instead I'll use my black and white vegetable toile.

Hard to use it up, but this way I will always have a bit of it to enjoy. It was my original choice for the quilt's center square, probably would have been the radishes, so fun!

Since I have had today's border setback, I may decide not to send it out yet. Maybe it will get a last border of Flying Geese? I like making Geese, they are fast and rewarding and easy.

....

1880 Sampler

I'm also piecing my 1880 Sampler. I'm using these instructions from a FB friend who shared them with me and kindly gave me permission post here. Thanks so much!

Setting instructions for 1880 Sampler/ TQC

''I used 7.25 inch ( or as large as 8")  squares cut twice diagonally for my setting triangles, but next time I would go bigger than that (maybe 8 inch squares) to be sure I always had a little extra to trim down once the triangles were sewn to the blocks. Not all my blocks were exactly 4.5 inches unfinished, so wiggle room in the setting triangles is a good thing. 

A few rectangles (at two corners) and smaller triangles (5 inch square cut twice diagonally) are also needed around the outer edges.

Once each block had its setting pieces sewn to it, I sewed these units together in diagonal rows, then finished it off like any on-point quilt goes together.

On the inspiration quilt the pink border appeared the same width as the dashing, so I used a 2.5 inch unfinished border. I’m working on quilting it now, and hope to have it finished this week.

Btw, we made more blocks than needed for this setting. I cut a couple to use as half blocks on the edges rather than making more crazy blocks, and totally left out a couple of my least favorite blocks.''
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The method works perfectly! See how, once sewed, the triangles come together and form the eye-boggling hard to figure rectangles of the sashing!? Magic!

Here is my diagram, using an enlargement of the original photo.

Note that while 7 1/4'' is correct for the squares that are quartered for the triangles, for some reason that measurement does not give enough extra for the points to have a good seam allowance crossover. My friend revised her info to say cut the squares 8". You will then have to trim!! Experiment before cutting the entire set of triangles. I ended up using a generous 7.5" measurement.

Other notes:

Match the square corner to the little pieced blocks, the trimming will be on the other edge.

And, to me, the seams need to all be pressed towards the setting triangles, the black calico in my case. Therefore seams at the junctions will need to be carefully clipped and twirled, see photos.

The edges, especially where there are half blocks are confusing. I can see why Sheryl at TQC didn't want to tackle this part on her blog. Isolate each one and sew on ground triangles generously; plan to correct and trim.

Be patient. I am using my printed out photo of the antique inspiration quilt a lot.

I haven't had a lot of time to work on this step of 1880, but  once I get started , it goes quickly. I'm very excited to get it done.

Sneak peek: Fall Festival! Almost done! My friend L is doing the binding, sh e sews so beautifully and I am very grateful f or her help.

Mo says Hi! He silently supervises. He is confused by the time change and has been making me take him out so early. I hate the time change too, don't you?

PS The ''easy'' enchilada casserole was, yes, easy--but awful. Like school glue and cardboard, what a waste of good taco makings! here I suggest you do NOT make this, but if you do---note it has NO seasoning. It needs seasoning! A lot. [It was also very oily, I am guessing from the cheeses, as I drained the meat thoroughly. eeew.].

love

lizzy

gone to the beach.....

Searching for November

Hi everyone! Welcome,  November ~

I love November---the dark quiet rainy days, the windy stormy days, the glory and bluster of the brilliant sunny days that follow. The season has finally arrived, it is indeed Autumn, now during the first weeks of November.

Mo is not so fond of rain as I am:

Each morning as I sip my hot tea I look out at the dunes, now beginning their color change from green to gold and ochre.

Often there are flocks of birds, especially on quiet foggy days .

These are migratory geese, passing through, resting in the flooded swales.

Or after a windy storm, I see geese, ducks,  and many flocks of tiny birds who fly much too fast for me to capture them on my camera.  One morning there was a large hawk, soaring low, round and round over the dune and swales. Would he capture something as large as a goose? Or a tiny migrant bird? A big beach repair truck scared him away and all was safe again. I looked him up: a Northern Harrier, with a distinctive white patch just above his tail. Hawks are generally  only seen on quiet fall or winter days. My bird book says northern harriers nest in marshy wetlands, so he may live nearby. Northern Harrier Audubon Guide pics,

As the dunes become more accessible, I get out my little "Weed Finder" to identify the seeds and dried stalks.

This pod caught my eye on FB, a post by Fine Farmhouse.

FB ~ A Fine Farmhouse

I knew her pods looked so familiar, but had never seen them harvested and dried. What could they be?

FB ~ A Fine Farmhouse

Aha. Something called Velvet Leaf. I 've seen it with its big velvet leaves many times. I'd love to \find some dried to bring home. The pods are oddly pleated and fluted, like miniature industrial  filters of some kind. [on the right] here

Mo and I are walking a lot, as helpers become less, um, helpful. I am up to about 6000 steps most days, wow. The new phone app is fun and encouraging. Mo and I inspect all our usual haunts and routes.

Often I fill my pockets with tiny finds, a habit from childhood nature walks.

And I have set out on my desk this favorite Victorian glass vignette, a miniature cabinet of curiosities.

It holds at least 6 types of moss, and fungus; a miniature oak leaf, long dried and brittle tiny twigs, and an acorn cap ''robin's nest'' with tiny blue grey bayberry eggs.

It was a gift from my mother, years ago. I get it out every fall and remember our walks and ''studies'', our love of nature books and journals, our special times together. The gift my mother gave me---so much more than a paperweight, a lifelong love of seeing and studying the natural world around me.

November--one of my favorite months! And it ends with the special holiday of Thanksgiving, something to look forward to. Friends and family, happy times. Turkey and traditions.

enjoy your November too!

love

lizzy 

gone to the beach........