Bow Tie Leader/Ender

Bonnie Hunter introduced the term Leader/Ender many years ago.  It is a method of continuous piecing and she describes it well in her blog post here.

Each July, Bonnie announces a new Leader/Ender challenge, so she will be making that announcement very soon.

However, there is a challenge that she announced wayyyy back in 2011…the Bow Tie Leader/Ender.  This one has been on my ‘someday’ list since Bonnie announced it.

You know what?  ‘Someday’ never comes!  So I am making this one happen.

Except for the cheddar, I am cutting parts from scraps.  The cheddar is yardage that I just had to have.

Bow Tie Leader/Enders

No stress, no deadline…just for fun.

Bow Tie Leader/Enders

I like it.

June OMG 2018 Update

Time to report how I managed my June goals!

Goal 1 was to piece two backing fabrics for two sweet (and very large) quilts; Sugar Town and The Butterfly Garden.

Check.

I took the photos on a very, very bright sunny day, so the color is washed out, but you can still see that this is one large quilt backing!

Alyssa's Quilt Backing

Alyssa's Quilt BackingHere are both backings; finished and ready to be sandwiched:

Alyssa's Quilt Backing

Goal 2 was to piece strips together to make binding for the Friendship Row by Row quilt. (Click here, here, here, here,and here)

Check.

Mom gave me an old small floral fabric from her stash and it is perfect for this quilt!

Friendship Row by Row

I not only prepared the binding, but I finished sewing it to the quilt!

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Thank you so much, Patty, and OMG, for the motivation to finish this project!

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Friendship Row by Row

Goal 3 was to piece three blocks for the Squared Away Sampler project. 

Check.

You can see those 5 inch blocks in this blog post.

Goal 4 was to take time to walk in the garden (and pull a weed or two while I am at it.

Check.

Flower Garden

Peony

Foxglove

Rose

Snapdragon

I am linking up with OMG (One Monthly Goal) at Elm Street Quilts. Click on the link and check out the other June accomplishments. I find it inspiring and motivating; perhaps you will too!

Train Quilt Block

Some time ago, I thought it would be great practice for me to work my way through drawing the blocks found in Nancy Martin’s Perpetual Calendar 365 Blocks A Year.  The calendar was published in 1999.  I don’t know that I have had it that long, but I’ve certainly had it a very long time.

Obviously, I don’t work a block a day, but I’ve worked (I should say played) my way through quite a few blocks.  You can find them by clicking on the Quilt Blocks tab in my header.

And I have learned, and gained confidence, in using grids to draw blocks, as well as experimenting in quilt design.

The following block is simply named Train in Nancy’s calendar.

Train Quilt Block

Train is easily drawn using an 8 x 8 grid.

I think this block is a great little block for children’s quilts!

Train

Or perhaps use just one block and a track border for a fun little pillow for a child.