Jamestown Landing- The Beginning

"Jamestown Landing" is a large bed quilt that requires 840 half square triangles(HST). Now, that's a lot of triangles! I began cutting them two weeks before the workshop. Wanting to be as scrappy as my supply would allow, I dug through every bin, box, bag, and drawer of fabric I own. Unfortunately, the variety of purples I desired were not in great supply. So, off to Pins & Needles to buy some more. These zip top bags nicely hold 100 HSTs. I was all set to sew, both at the workshop and when I would travel with DH on a work assignment to Ohio this week. 

At workshops, I rarely produce a finished product. My purpose is to learn new techniques, visit with old and new friends, and maybe, just maybe, complete one of each type of block. Well, two out of three isn't bad. Sewing together enough HSTs to make one star block, I managed to sew them together wrong! I figured out the problem, made a note, and un-sewed the block. At least I would have plenty to do in Ohio.

These are some of the 688 HSTs I sewed on Monday. It would have taken me a week to do at home, but in a hotel while hubby was working, I was in a zone. There are 60 different purple fabrics. Good variety. 

With dog ears trimmed and seams pressed open, I grouped according to purple fabric, and into snack bags the HSTs went. Pulling one of each different fabric. My fear is to get to the last block only to discover I am left with several of the same fabric. This way I can assure variety as I go. It is a slow process, but I have 31 broken dishes blocks completed, 179 more to go.
Til next time,
Mary

A Bonnie filled Weekend

 Anyone who knows me knows I am a fan of Bonnie Hunter from Quiltville. I love scrap quilts, especially ones made from my scrap bins. I ran into her at MQX last year in Rhode Island. Highlight of my trip! Well, she came to Maine for two workshops and a lecture. Yippee! I signed up for all three.

I drove to Bangor for Friday's "Jamestown Landing" workshop from her book String Fling,  the same book in which "Orca Bay" can be found. My quilt will be purples instead of blues, for a very special young lady. More later on my progress.



Towards the end of the class, Bonnie brought out her current hexie project to show us how she does it. Absolutely beautiful. I have made two hexie projects, but they were table topper size. I think I would be overwhelmed doing a bed sized quilt. I do know my limits :)
Saturday found Wes and I on our way to Waterville(45 min each way) for our state guild meeting and Bonnie's lecture. 
She brought two duffle bags full of quilts to share with us; each with a story to be told of how it came to be. I took notes on my smart phone so as not to forget the new things I learned. It was a perfect day topped off by lunch on the lawn under sunny skies and 65 degree weather.

I had one more workshop, "Smith Mountain Morning" from Scraps & Shirttails II", in Augusta(40 min each way) on Sunday. I love the blues, browns, and neutrals of this pattern. I hope to have it finished by September to give as a housewarming gift for a family member.

There were 40 quilters present and each one received the guidance necessary to successfully complete the blocks. It was inspiring to watch the skill with which Bonnie taught the workshop. 

This was a terrific weekend. Almost 6 hours of travel time when all was done, but so very much worth it. 

Til next time,
Mary