Tuesday 13 September 2016

Struggling and enjoying

... that is how it goes when you start a QAL not knowing what the final quilt will be like. I have finished ten new blocks for the Splendid Sampler quilt since the last time I showed my blocks. Here is what I renamed a Dutch kitchen tile and an allotment shed, both appliqued.


Two more appliques, the nice and easy cone flower and the intimidating 17-piece monster.


Two examples of paper-piecing.On the left the straight forward flying geese, and on the right a nerve-wrecking shell. In the middle section I felt really, really stupid when I was unpicking the red fabric for the xth time and had to tape the paper foundation back together because I had just perforated that cursed line too many times. Finally I pinned the red in place from the right side, flipped it open and at that strange angle it finally went on the right way.


For this Dresden plate ring I just happened  to have the Easy Dresden ruler so I didn't need to cut the wedges with a template. I have learned to take liberties to change the blocks if I feel like it. Here I used a striped background fabric instead of piecing the background from 1½" strips.


My favourites are the pieced blocks. They don't take too much time to finish and still they can have something  interesting to offer. With two new blocks every week I prefer the blocks not be too time consuming. Making this quilt with friends and sharing our experiences makes it worth while.


The thornless hawthorn socks are finished. We don't have sea hawthorn bushes here, but the poisonous berries of the lily of the valley are the perfect colour too. I knitted the foot part without the bubbles and with a rib knit on top so the sock has a nice snug fit for shoes and the legs with bubbles to show.


Same yarns, and my grandmother's mitten pattern for the legs.


It is time to change to autumn flowers. We have had some chilly mornings with only 3C after a cloudless night, but some very lovely sunny and fresh days like today.



9 comments:

  1. Well done and congratulations for persevering. Lovely knitting too and you've got a good eye to find berries the same colour as your yarn. Our temperatures are not yet in the single digits.

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  2. Aivan ihastuttavia blokkeja! Kauniit sukat syksyn väreissä:)

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  3. WOW you've sewn sew many beautiful SS blocks.. I am sew far behind...
    Always love your lovely knits..
    Beautiful pot of pretty flowers...

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  4. All the blocks are great. A mystery sampler offers lots of different techniques without comitting to an entire quilt . Lovely photos of super socks.

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  5. I love your blocks and it sure looks like a lot of work :-)
    Beautiful sock matching the season. WE actually still have a bit of summer here in Norway but I guess it will not be long before autumn hits us hard...

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  6. Your blocks are GREAT, I am not so sure I could preserve through it all!! I love your socks. Have a great day my friend! Hugs, Marie

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  7. Love the sock bubbles. That is a gorgeous photo of Autumn. I think this is a great group project. Lots to learn and I admire your willingness to try new techniques. Love how you made the unique Dutch Kitchen Tile something that reflects your part of the world. I am not friends with paper piecing.

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  8. Beautiful, your blocks! I really want to start on the Dresden Plate one! And luckily enough, there are some easier ones now with less work (o:
    The socks have such pretty colors and I love how you put them in the autumn leaves. We don't have them yet here, but I think it will start after this week, as the weather in getting cooler.
    Have a lovely and creative weekend!

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  9. I understnaad your struggling and enjoying! A sampler can be challenging sometimes, but I see you're having a nice time making the blocks, learning, and sharing your new experiences. Every time I see your socks I feel like starting some, too! Now htat the weather has began to cool down I'll look for the yarn and needles.

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