This six-month online class taught by Tara Faughnan started in October and ended in March. Each month Tara encouraged us to take time to “play” with that month’s block idea.
I thought it might be fun to review my own “play” time and to show you one of my favorite pieces from each month.
“Hourglass” was the first month’s project. I was drawn to the half-rectangle triangle version–and here’s where I learned to diagonally cut a half-rectangle triangle block and recombine it to make a whole new block–which eventually wound up in my half-rectangle triangle series made with Latifah Saafir’s Hurty ruler. But more on that series later as the final and 4th quilt is now getting its binding sewn down.
Here are some small pieces I made with that half-rectangle “hourglass” block. I had fun with playing with hand-stitching and with trying a facing on one.
“Log Cabin” was the second month’s project, and here’s where I started learning how to put a project on stretched canvas. Tara gave us MANY variations of this narrow log cabin form, including triangles and hexagons in all sorts of sizes. I had to make myself STOP.
I hung this one in my quilt room, but all the rest of this month’s work have been gifted.
“Abstractions” was the third month’s project, and again, I made many different blocks with this method, plaing with density and color combinations.
I hung this one downstairs, and I smile whenever I see it.
“Wayward Arcs” was the fourth month project. And predictably, I had a lot of fun with this improv curve method and hand stitching.
“Big Slice” was the fifth month project–a new Tara Faughnan “wedding ring” block. I had made her older version years ago. I loved her fabric palette for this project, so ordered those fabrics and added a few more colors from my stash. This one is waiting in line for the longarm. It is 60 by 60 inches.
“Grid Work” was the sixth and final block idea.
I had made a type of grid work project last year in our Charleston Modern Quilt Group’s Sit and Sew, taught by Cathy Beemer, so after viewing projects shared on our online Community page, I moved to this idea of a city scape installed on stretched canvas. It wound up being 24 by 30.
Here’s the gridwork type of work I did last year and a picture of my recent treasures on stretched canvas hanging alongside.
After a lot of thought, I hung my Grid Work project, now called “City Scape” in my tv sitting room. It really makes the space next to my tv come alive. Here’s the view from my seat. The improv quilt on the chair is made from all the blocks I did in Blocks1.
Blocks3 will sign up in September. I’m thinking of doing it again. These past two years have been rich in experiences and new methods learned or old lessons expanded. Go to Tara’s web page to get her newsletters.
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