Happy Days BOM - current status

When I snuck away for a weekend of stitching with Judith, Di and Trudi over the late May bank holiday, one of the projects I worked on was adding borders to my Sarah Fielke 'Happy Days' BOM from 2016.

In an attempt NOT to let this quilt get larger than I can handle,  I diverged from the border options that were part of the BOM and did my own, very simple, thing.  I surrounded the centre of the top with a half inch inner border in green and then finished with a border of low volume rectangles.  It's not rocket science, nor particularly remarkable, but it does what I wanted it to do and that is keep your eyes focussed on all the hard work I stitched into the various techniques of the quilt centre!

And now, this pretty will take a rest until I clear some other WIPs and maybe finally decide if I want to hand quilt her (which I think I do).

Happy Days BOM - quilt top centre

Three months of a gap since my last update on my Sarah Fielke 'Happy Days' BOM quilt wasn't part of the plan, but I am here today to report what feels like significant progress to me.

I finally stitched the last three of those border wreath blocks, enjoying the mix of low volume fabrics I chose.  After that, there was some late night shuffling of blocks last weekend just to get a better balance of colours across the quilt top.  I didn't move too many around, just made sure that the red wasn't allowed to dominate by congregating in that lower left hand corner.

Once I had the layout settled it was time to tackle step down piecing.  This was my first ever attempt at step down piecing and although it took a wee bit of concentration, I did eventually get a rhythm going and the top came together without the frustration I feared it might.  Sarah's video instruction and BOM notes were very helpful as always.

Of course, it took some time to get all of this stitched together so it was MUCH later than expected when I finished and I did suffer quilter's hangover the next morning!  I would not fear step down piecing again and in fact, welcome it for the variety it allows in a quilt construction other than just straight sewn rows.  One day I shall try it again, like when my WIPs list is much smaller ;-)

I know the late night photography and lighting has killed the beautiful colours in the fabrics of the quilt but trust me, it's very pretty and I am REALLY happy to have completed all of the blocks and the piecing, trying all sorts of new-to-me techniques along the way.  I hope anyone joining Sarah's new BOM for 2017 will enjoy it every bit as much as I have this one.

So now this quilt needs some borders and I am musing what to do.  There are three border options provided by Sarah for the BOM but I am considering doing something different from any of those.  There are a number of reasons for that. 1) I don't want this quilt to grow much bigger for the space I hope to hang it in eventually and Sarah's border options are quite substantial, 2) I need something that won't take forever and a day to do given my current dearth of sewing time and 3) the border options provided don't feel really "me".  Hence, the musing.  I don't want to make a choice that doesn't do justice to the work done so far, so I shall ponder a little more before making my fabric calculations and getting on with it.

I hope it won't take too long, though I do suspect that putting this quilt on my Q1 FAL list has been somewhat optimistic!

Happy Days BOM - Month 7

Finally, I have caught up on the blocks from Month 7 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM.  Round of applause please. (Taking a bow, right now.)

The song bird from Block 10 was the very last of the main blocks I stitched.  It was prepped for ages but I think I avoided it because of all the overlapping sections.  It did require a bit of concentration not to stitch the wrong pieces over each other, but eventually I did it.  Probably not one for sewing late at night, but needs must ...

This stunning foundation pieced block is Block 4 and my very favourite of the FPP blocks in the quilt.  Its crisp lines really appeal to me and I was really happy with this fabric combination too.

I also managed one more of the border blocks too, so now there's just the matter of those last 3 border wreath blocks and maybe I can start putting this quilt top together when Sarah's instructions for step down piecing arrive.  Another technique I've not tried before.  Bring it on!

Happy Days BOM - Month 9

Month 9 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM is the last of the quilt block patterns.  Sarah's versions of her finished quilt centre are so inspiring and motivating.  I can't wait to see all of my blocks finished and properly laid out together.

This foundation pieced block (Block 15) was perhaps the easiest of the FPP blocks in this BOM.  Planning the colour graduation was fun and I love this colour scheme so much, I think I'd like a quilt for our bed in it.  Wouldn't that be fresh and crisp for Spring?  (Must NOT start another quilt - keep repeating - Must NOT start another quilt.)

This rather colour-washed photo is of block 12.  I really does look better in reality.

Scalloped hexie flowers are adorable, don't you think?  Lovely EPP and appliqué choice from Sarah for this "final" block (Block 20) of the BOM.

Of course, it's not my final block as I still have the song bird from Month 7 to stitch and five of the wreath border blocks, but I'm getting closer to being up to date.  Just on time for another month's instructions to land in the inbox and put me behind again - lol!

Just keep sewing. Just keep sewing.

Happy Days BOM - Month 8

I'm not going to lie, Month 8 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM too me a long time to finish.  Two foundation pieced blocks and a humdinger of a Hawaiian appliqué later I have been challenged but not defeated!

Block 18 is a super pointy star block.  This one was quite straightforward piecing and my favourite part was choosing the fabrics.

Block 8 wasn't actually difficult but there did seem to be an awful lot of sections to join which resulted in this mighty convergence of seams (and tricky paper removal).

But, I hope you'll agree that Sarah's pattern was worth persevering with.  I love this one!  There are many fabric placement options for this block and it was hard to decide (and then remember) which to piece where.

I know that Block 16 has had some of us shaking in our boots but I didn't want to let this Hawaiian appliqué go by without at least trying it. There were certainly an awful lot of twists and turns as the needleturning got underway.  I'll admit that I got a certain distance in and then got a wee bit overwhelmed, leaving it aside for a week or two.

However, as is often the case with these things, the fear of the block was worse than the reality and aside from a struggle between my fat fingers and those internal cut out sections, it finished without much incident.  I wish that there was better contrast in this block after all that work.  Funny how sometimes a fabric turns out not to have quite as much as contrast as you thought.

Now I must see if I can fill in the gap and finish Month 7's blocks!

Happy Days BOM - Month 6

Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM is now into Month 9 but I'm not quite there yet, so I'll fill you in on the months as I complete them.

I was full of grand ambitions to stitch Month 6's blocks whilst on my holidays in the Lakes this year, but I had forgotten just how busy a holiday with a baby can be.  So, best laid plans were shelved and I just enjoyed my hols without stitches.

This appliqué is Alain Lapin, so named by Sarah herself for block 11.  My Alain, as you can see, is embracing his feminine side sporting pink fluff, but isn't he cute?

As you know, I love hexies and EPP so I'm delighted they are part of this BOM (Block 5).  I went bold with my colour choices for this block.  Hope they won't dominate too much or stand out like a sore thumb in the overall quilt.

I thought I'd be smart and sew the petals on to block 17 after sewing the block together (not the way the pattern suggested), but I didn't really execute it well at all.  My petals don't line up anywhere near where they should at the corners of the checkerboards, and this pic is even after I fixed a few.  The rest, I have decided to live with.  Feel like I made a mountain out of a molehill trying to get that placement right before turning the edges under to appliqué.  Do you ever do that?  Make something much more difficult than it needed to be?

I have some more blocks to show you, and other projects too (if you're an IG follower you'll have seen them).  I just need to load the photos on to the laptop so I can write the posts.  Hope to be back to share more with you soon.

Happy Days BOM - Finishing Month 4 and Month 5

In May, I left you hanging with my unfinished Hawaiian applique block from Month 4 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM.

I was very slow sewing this block and there are quite a few angles in them there curves but from a distance it's a passable first effort at Hawaiian appliqué.  Not sure I could ever have the patience for one of those large Hawaiian appliqué quilts but I wouldn't be put off the odd block here and there as it wasn't really as scary as I had thought initially.

In Month 5 Sarah introduced a dresden plate block (Block 6) alongside another appliqué block.  It wasn't my first attempt at a whole dresden circle but it has been my most successful-ish.

I say -ish because I had a little drama in my making of this block.  When all 20 of my petal were stitched together they didn't quite meet up.  See that gap?  Ahem!  I checked my seam allowances, re-read the pattern, scratched my head and felt my lower lip wobble like Gretel from The Sound of Music.  I had carved out precious time to sew that day and I'd gotten it so horribly wrong!!

But I stiffened my upper lip and, determined not to have to start again from scratch or to bin this pretty partial circle, I puzzled my puzzler, laid a ruler on top of the dresden-so-far and discovered that although it didn't have the require 5 petals per quarter, 6 petals were fitting a quarter perfectly.  Phew!  Bacon saved or what?!

So, I unpicked just enough seams to add in another coloured petal to each quarter (4 in total) and hey presto - one dresden flower, just not as originally intended.

It has 24 petals instead of the regulation 20, they probably result in a bigger flower overall and I had to re-cut my centre circle to fit the new plan.  But hey, I didn't have to waste the afternoon's sewing and my flower petal points will just about survive the quarter inch seam of the block when it's stitched in to the quilt eventually.  Job's a good'un! And, just in case you were wondering, turns out I must not have scaled my templates properly when printing - doh!

Block 9 is some hexagon flowers on a circular wreath.  All nice and straightforward really.  This photograph makes the fabric choices look a bit washed out, but they are better in real life, honest.  Not sure if choosing those two patterned prints for the flowers was the best decision though.  Maybe they're a bit busy?

Well, that allows me to tick off Month 5's blocks. Months 6 and 7 are waiting in the wings for a little attention - hopefully soon. I really don't want to fall any further behind, especially as I have my eye on some new sew-a-longs coming soon - *cheesy grin*


Sarah x

Happy Days BOM - Months 3 & 4

With Month 5 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BOM almost upon us, I thought it was time to show you where I've got to.

I last left you in early April with pics of a few prepped blocks and hopes of sewing them on some car journeys.  Alas, best laid plans and all that ...  Never did quite manage them then, but I've been snatching some late night stitches and block 1 (the bird) and block 19 (the hearts and tulips) are now complete.

Poor birdie may develop a small beak complex due to my not so great positioning (it's pale pink so isn't showing very well on this photo), but look at his gorgeous clipped tail.  Thanks to Sarah for great instructions on turning inside curves and snips.

I think this block design is really pretty.  My photo is a wee bit overexposed and those tulips are not as bleached out looking in real life.  I'm pleased with how this one came together.  I'm learning a lot from this BOM and top of the newly acquired lessons is that there is a LOT of work in these blocks, but I am so enjoying every stitch.

With those two blocks ticking off Month 3, a little behind schedule, but ticked off nonetheless, it was time to get the ruler and sewing machine out again for a bit of piecing.

Block 13 is a pieced star with which I had great fun making fabric combinations.  I really do love my (mostly) Lori Holt fabric pull for the coloured prints in this quilt.  With such a host of pretties to choose from, it would be hard not to end up with a beautiful block.

More fun prints for the teacup posy in Block 3.  I admit I struggled with my fabric positioning for the teacup and the contrasting rim in this block.  I tried so many times to get them just right so they'd match perfectly when the seams were needle turned, but it just wasn't happening. I must have misunderstood something.  So, some fudging ensued and I don't suppose you'd really have noticed if I hadn't mentioned it.

Block 2 is a Hawaiian appliqué block. As you can see, I haven't quite managed to finish it before the month's end.  Hawaiian appliqué is something I have never tried before and with nice tutorial support from Sarah, I'm not finding it to be as difficult as I had feared.  It is time consuming though (or maybe I'm just slow).  Still, I'm quite pleased that I managed to make up so much ground in terms of the other blocks this month and I'm really only a teeny, weeny bit falling behind.

So, I wonder what Sarah will challenge us with for June?  I think I saw a cute bunny hopping its way on to a block on her IG feed.  Bring it on - Happy Days!!

Happy Days BOM - April Progress

Check out these pretty block designs that Sarah Fielke has set for April's Happy Days BOM.  Aren't they pretty?  Mine are only prepped at this stage (i.e. fabric glued in place) but I've got some long car journeys shortly and, as I'm not the driver, maybe I can work on them en route.

I have been enjoying the needleturn appliqué on this BOM so far.  Even a few blocks in I can see a bit of improvement in my turning and I'm getting slightly smoother curves as I go, too.  Still plenty of room for improvement of course, but so far so good.

I decided to gather all the blocks I've made so far and was a bit surprised to see just how much there is already.  Three and a half of the eight and a half wreath blocks are stitched, 17 of 24 sawtooth stars are completed and I'm up to date with the two pieced blocks.  I really like these fabrics on the low volume backgrounds though I don't think this photo does them justice (perhaps a little over-exposed as they are right beside the window here).

Sometimes it's good to take stock and see just how far you've come!  Right, I'm off to stick those two blocks in a wee pack with my needle, thread and scissors all ready for my travel.

Happy Days BoM - Month 2

Just about before month 3 of Sarah Fielke's Happy Days BoM lands in my inbox I have some of month 2's progress to show you.  First up this month is the second of the larger pieced blocks that Sarah has issued so far, though for BoM purposes it is known as Block 7.

My first attempt wasn't great to be honest.  Perhaps doesn't look to bad at first glance, but on close inspection there were a lot of gaps on those star points.  To begin with, I thought I would just live with it, but I began to feel a little slack when I saw more perfect versions popping up on IG and thought I really should try again. OCD strikes again!

It was quite a time consuming block to make first time around and second time too, though I did find it interesting.  My hopes of it being a better second effort didn't quite materialise.  There are fewer large gaps between the stars in version 2 but there are a few more lost points, and I'm not entirely sure which one looks better in the end.  I'll keep them both and see how it goes when all the others are made and gathered together.

After the pieced block was our introduction to needle turn appliqué in this BoM.  I have been really looking forward to this bit since I saw Sarah's Craftsy class and her techniques for this appliqué.  It was the main reason I signed up to the BoM, a motivator to actually do some!!

Lots and lots of cutting and prep was easy in front of the telly late one night,

resulting in 8 and a half wreath blocks all stuck in place for stitching as the months progress.  (Love all those lv backgrounds.)

I even managed to squeeze in a finish on one of the appliqué blocks.  I'm hoping that I will improve as I get more experience, but I'm quite happy with this one so far and I really, really enjoyed doing it.  So peaceful and stress free.

You might recall from my first month's post that there are 24 little sawtooth stars to make for this quilt.  We don't need to have them completed until much later on in the year, but I have been stitching them as leaders and enders and they are coming together nicely.  

I think I have fourteen made so far and I am enjoying rediscovering my pretty fabric pairings as I reach for each little pre-cut star.  Prepping everything in advance is a real winner when your sewing time is restricted.

For my first month's post I also showed you these two blocks which were destined to become the bonus Block Book project that Sarah has offered her BoM subscribers.

I added pretty orange borders and these became the outer cover of the book which will hold all the gathered block pieces in progress, a little bit like a fuzzy felt album.

Here's my block book all neatly finished. 

Inside, I added a little pocket for pattern papers and a felt needle landing just to make the book a little more of a portable project folder.   

Gratuitous shot of the back, just because I love these fabrics and their crisp, clean lines in these block patterns.

Overall, I am a wee bit surprised that I'm keeping up with the BoM because I really never expected to.  It is early days mind you, so I'm not counting too many chickens, and I think the pace might speed up next month too. But so far, thumbs up!  I'm having fun and it's nice to have a friend or two on this BoM journey too.  Given the mystery element to this quilt, I am also curious what next month's blocks will actually look like.  Not long to wait now!