There are three blocks this time. Two are foundation paper pieced and one is applique. I’ve been busy making the move to the cottage so here’s a look at Brenda’s blocks -

Just Takes 2 Blocks for May 15 – Click Here

Brenda and I have been dazzled by the wonderful fabric combinations some of you are using. It’s makes us think we could make these blocks over and over again in a myriad of fabrics and never tire of looking at them.

There are four blocks to make this time.

Block 25

Use this hand piecing tutorial to construct Block 25 and you’ll be done in no time at all. Press the center seam allowances in a circular rotation and your center will lay nice and flat.

Block 26

Block 27

Block 28

Block 27 is our most challenging applique block so far. I thought it would be a good time for some extra information on back basting and needle turn applique techniques. I’ve become a big fan of a technique called Back Basting. If you’ve never tried it I encourage you to give it a whirl. There’s a complete photo tutorial listed under Instructions in the sidebar.
I’ll include some photos here of the block we’re working on but the instructions in the tutorial are the ones to use. You can also watch the Skillbuilder video below on needleturn applique if you’d like to learn more about the tools I use and how I do some of my stitching.

The applique pattern comes printed on four pages of paper. You’ll need to tape them together to create a master pattern.

Trace the design on wrong side of background fabric.

You can always use a light table if you can’t see through your fabric.

Using the drawn stitching lines, baste applique fabric in position.

I still feel more comfortable with a line to follow when doing my applique so I mark on top of my basting.

Cut out around your basting adding a generous 1/8″ seam allowance.

Clip the seam allowance on inner curves.

Stitch to where leaf and plume pieces need to be separated.

Using a pair of sharp embroidery scissors cut down between the basting to divide the pieces for applique.

A completed leaf and plume corner.

Reverse applique diamonds. If you don’t like reverse applique you can cut diamond shapes and applique them on top. Your block will be beautiful either way!

I didn’t have my large square ruler with me so I cut a square of freezer paper the size I needed to trim my block to. I marked the quarters on the paper and on my block, matched them up and ironed the freezer paper to the block. I used my rotary cutter and ruler to trim away the excess.

There are instruction in this set of patterns to put together Section A of the quilt. We included lots of pictures instead of numbers so you shouldn’t have any trouble arranging the blocks.

It’s fun to see some of the sections sewn together.

We can’t wait to see how your blocks look! Click on the link below to get your blocks and section assembly instructions.

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for April 1 – Click here

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for March 15 – Click here to visit Dear Jane

Today and tomorrow you can purchase the complete 138 page pattern set for $74.99. That’s a savings of over $50 on the individual prices! There are 25 blocks, four different borders and countless unique quilting designs that were used throughout the quilt in the digital download for the 98″ x 98″ quilt. If you only need a few of the blocks or missed just a single one you’ll find those too.

I hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and I’ll be back tomorrow to share the next installment of Just Takes 2!

As I was looking for hidden quilting stitches in the last border I needed to draft I marveled at the fact that the quilt had surprises for me right to the very end. New designs I hadn’t seen before and quilting stitches that made no sense to me in their use or placement. What a creative, visionary our Beyond The Cherry Trees quilter was. Here’s your look at the final left side border of the quilt -

This is the start of the left side border at the upper left corner of the quilt. I like the three nonsensical little leaves facing in from the outside edge. Check out the “stacked hearts?” design that we haven’t seen before.

Moving down the border, a hand drawn feather swag stitched to match the angle of the vine.

Another feather swag along the outside edge and you can see two of the little leaves stitched on the inside of the border this time.

This is where the outside edge of the left side starts looking pretty rough. There’s a couple more leaves and only a flower this time near the edge. Did our quilter get tired of feathers or was she just having a bad day when she got to this part?

Is the motif with the double circle center a flower or representation of the sun? What do you think?

We’re back to the feather swags on this section and look at that cute, simple heart coming out from the vine.

A big, puffy flower, elegant leaf and another flower/sun motif.

Oh my goodness, this final corner is just filled with little wonders! A couple of small flowers. A double circle center flower. Another double circle center flower/sun motif. Look at those teardrop leaf shapes – what’s that all about? Even stranger, look at the little double row arcs! The only thing thing I could think of — Was this a place our quilter was trying different designs to see what she liked best? — We’ll never know…………..

Set up your ironing station!

Fire up that sewing machine!

It’s January 1st!
We’re off and running – it’s time for the first blocks in the Just Takes 2 quilt!

The response to the Just Takes 2 mystery quilt has been fantastic. Brenda and I are glad you’re as excited about this quilt as we are. You see, we’ll be making the blocks right along with you and sharing our progress on the Just Takes 2 blog.

We are beginning with six blocks. Five of them are 6″ blocks and one is a 12″ block. One is an applique block. One is a combination of piecing and applique and four are pieced blocks. Have you noticed there is redwork embroidery on two of my blocks? If you know me you know I love redwork and embroidered quilts. There were several in the Infinite Variety exhibit and I wanted to include some in my own Just Takes 2 quilt. From time to time throughout the year you’ll see it on different blocks whenever I think it looks nice. If you don’t like embroidery – no problem. It’s not a required part of the quilt. If you do like it you can add your own designs if you want. It you’d like to use the same designs I did you can do that too. We have an instant download in the Online Store you can purchase for (go ahead and laugh) Just $2!

Block 3

Block 4

Block 5

Block 6

I won’t take up any more of your time with details or reminders. I’m sure you’re anxious to download and print the patterns so you can start sewing. There are tutorials for many of the techniques mentioned in the Instructions section and I’ve also put links on the Just Takes 2 page. You can also review techniques in the Dear Jane software. We have fourteen days before you head over to Dear Jane on January 15 to get the next set. I hope you’re as excited as we are and will have a fantastic 2012 with Just Takes 2. Don’t forget to share your blocks on the blog. All you need to do is click on the big red Share Your Quilt button! We’re still working out a few bugs so let us know if you have any problems.
 

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for January 1 – Click here

I like this simple sprig. The leaves are almost like little hearts.

Our quilters got ambitious with this big layered flower and polka dot leaves.

Simple yet perfect!

We’ve seen this circle filled flower before.

More polka dot leaves, flowers and cherry berries.

A closer look………

And the grand finale at the bottom right hand corner of the quilt.

If you haven’t looked at the entire quilt in a while you can see what a stunner it is. I know I’m sorry to see the project begin to wind down. We only have one more block and the two remaining borders. That got me to thinking that Cyber Monday would be the perfect time to put the past block patterns on sale for the first time ever! As my thank you for following along with this quilt you can purchase any of the blocks you missed or get the digital download patterns to start your own Beyond The Cherry Trees quilt for