Sunday, March 22, 2015

Progress

It took a lot of courage but I finally made the first cuts into my luscious Kim Diehl fabrics on Thursday.
There'll be no stopping me now!!!
Four of the blocks in my version of Leanne Beasley's 'Down in the Garden' quilt call for these mini Dresden plate flowers so that's where I started. They measure 5 1/2" in diameter and I made them using the English paper piecing method. Each little blade or petal measures 2 1/2" x 1 1/2". I would like to get all of the add-ons, appliques and embellishments made before actually starting to cut and piece the nine blocks.

While having breakfast on Friday morning, I got this 'epiphany' that I wanted to change up the quilt design even more by adding sashing and cornerstones between the blocks. Of course I now needed more yardage of one of the fabrics so off we went to our not-so-local quilt shop where I picked up two yards of this gorgeous cheddar.
I finished assembling my little Dresden flowers last night...
so you know what I'll be doing for the next couple of hours because we had another 6" of snow fall overnight.  *sigh* 
If you guessed stitching them to a background block then you're right!
Mindless stitching at the kitchen table close to the fire with easy listening music playing softly in the background...can it get much better than this?
My goal is to have the flimsy finished by the end of next week.
A lofty ambition but do-able I think, provided I can stay on track without too many distractions!

Happy stitching!

on

24 comments:

  1. Jacqueline MorrisMarch 22, 2015 at 11:35 AM

    Oooh I love what your doing.... Love all the colours of the wonderful fabric your using too.
    I have a question if I may?... Well I have made the Dresden pattern previously and it's always the centre circle that puts me off doing them again. I notice that your circle is larger than the hole too... What do you do with your circle? I mean how do you then attach it? I am very curious as yours looks really good!!
    Cannot wait to see your progress...I am sure you will get heaps done, due to all that snow outside!
    Happy Sunday
    Smiles :)

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  2. MonicaMarch 22, 2015 at 12:18 PM

    Funny how those epiphanies always seem to require more new fabric! I think sashing will add a really nice touch to the quilt. I have been revising the pattern more too, but I am way behind. I am excited to see yours start to come together -- it's all beautiful so far!

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  3. Kathy ... aka NanaMarch 22, 2015 at 12:26 PM

    I love those little Dresden flowers! Gorgeous ... and an added bonus that they're EPP'd (I love EPPing). I love them so much that I'm tempted to steal I mean borrow your idea! ;-) Did you make your own paper pieces or did you buy them?

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  4. BrendaMarch 22, 2015 at 12:40 PM

    I think you are creating beautiful blocks and my heart just goes out to you with the snow..... when is it going to stop???? But, saying that, I love the visual I got with the fire and the soft music and I know you are handling the never ending winter in one of the best ways - making magic with your fabrics and that needle that I swear is really a wand in hiding!!!

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  5. UnknownMarch 22, 2015 at 12:45 PM

    Dear Kaaren,
    I love this Kim Diehl pattern too. It's on my To-Do-List since...I don't know.
    And it's good to read, that you feeling good and your recovery is on a very good way.
    Greetings
    Karina

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  6. JacquelineMarch 22, 2015 at 12:50 PM

    This is going to be a stunning quilt. Love it so far.

    Sorry to hear you got more snow. Thankfully you do not have to get out in it daily.

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  7. Salty Pumpkin StudioMarch 22, 2015 at 2:12 PM

    Beautiful work. I love the chedder fabric!

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  8. SandiMarch 22, 2015 at 2:51 PM

    Looking forward to seeing your redesign, your ideas are sounding great!

    Hope you start seeing better signs of Spring soon.

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  9. WoolenSailsMarch 22, 2015 at 3:28 PM

    I really love the dresdens with that fabrics, and those are something I plan on making in the future.

    Debbie

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  10. KimMarch 22, 2015 at 5:47 PM

    Your dresdens are perfect. I can't seem to assemble hexagons without stitches showing on the front. How do you manage to keep them hidden in your dresdens? The Kim Diehl fabric is lovely. Is it a nice quality fabric?

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  11. Grandma MMarch 22, 2015 at 7:38 PM

    You're doing a great job. I look forward to the additional changes you are making. Now if only your snow would stop!

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  12. cityquilter graceMarch 22, 2015 at 11:10 PM

    adorable blocks...love kim diehl fabrics...you have done them justice!

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  13. UnknownMarch 23, 2015 at 6:28 AM

    So lovely ♥
    But where do you live ? In France, spring is coming ♥

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  14. FlickenstichlerinMarch 23, 2015 at 7:08 AM

    Beautiful Dresden Fans, such nice fabric and color combinations, perfect.
    Greetings,
    Sylvia

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  15. Wendy Caton ReedMarch 23, 2015 at 8:49 AM

    Love your Dresden's. Colors are wonderful. And yes, stitching in the snow is fun!

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  16. gracieMarch 23, 2015 at 11:36 AM

    Another beautiful creation by you. Hope this means you are really feeling better.

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  17. NancyMarch 23, 2015 at 12:42 PM

    Love the Dresdens! So happy you are doing well and able to get back into your sewing room. Sewing is the essence of life!

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  18. Nancy PageMarch 23, 2015 at 12:56 PM

    Love your dresden flowers!! So pretty! Love English Paper Piecing! Were your paper pieces made from card stock or from freezer paper? Did you applique the center in place? Lovely! Great fabrics!

    Have a super great sewing and stitching day!

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  19. Janet O.March 23, 2015 at 1:04 PM

    The stitcheries that you have done for this quilt are so pretty. Now throw in the gorgeous Kim Diehl fabrics for those sweet little Dresden Plates and my heart starts beating very fast!!
    Can't wait to see this flimsy come together. You paint such a cozy scenario for doing the stitching--just don't look out the window! : )

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  20. JeannaMarch 23, 2015 at 2:07 PM

    I love the look of dresdens but have never learned the craft of hand sewing them.

    So sorry the weather is still ugly but at least you have a beautiful project to work on.

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  21. FrancesMarch 23, 2015 at 3:10 PM

    I love all your work! And I love Kim Diehl's patterns and fabrics. I look forward to seeing the flimsy soon. So glad that you are doing so well!

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  22. annieMarch 23, 2015 at 9:51 PM

    Love the flowers!
    That 4 letter word, beginning with "S", I have had enough of it for awhile. Thankfully, the worst is over here, and I do hope for you too! We have been told some probably this weekend, but I hope only a minor dusting. Sitting quietly within is the best remedy of all!

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  23. RileneMarch 24, 2015 at 3:24 PM

    Beautiful little dresdens! And I love the cheddar you`ve added. I hope you`ll be posting your progress on this quilt.

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  24. BarbMarch 24, 2015 at 9:51 PM

    great fabrics make great quilts.
    wonderful blocks and sewing by the fire sounds like heaven.

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