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

Click on the link below to get your blocks.

Just Takes 2™ Blocks for May 1 – Click here

We set it on point and I filled my triangles with more of the vintage embroidery designs from the my Dad’s kit quilt company. Many of these were used as corners on tablecloths and dresser scarves. We’ve given you several choices if you want to add embroidery to your block. The Optional Redwork Embroidery Pattern can be purchased as a digital download HERE. There are 9 designs to choose from and they’re sized perfectly for triangles in this block.

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

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

If you’re already working on this quilt you have something special to look forward to with the next installment. If you’re not making this quilt…….you’re going to miss out on a really wonderful project. Click here catch up on past blocks and optional embroidery designs.

“In honor of International Quilt Day (March 17, 2012), The Quilt Show will unlock all of the shows from the first nine series. You’ll be able to watch shows from 100 through 913 for the entire weekend (March 16 -18). Everyone will be able to see 117 shows for FREE. Be sure to share this information with all your friends. It’s a fantastic opportunity to enjoy three days of wonderful teachers, beautiful quilts and great fun. While I’m sewing today I know I’m going to take advantage of the opportunity to watch some of the episodes I’ve missed.

It’s been unseasonably warm in Michigan and today is no exception. It’s had me thinking of springtime flowers and I’ve always loved the sentiment on my little Sue’s Blossom quilt. I decided today was the perfect day to share it with you. For the rest of the weekend (until March 19) you can get a free copy of the pattern to celebrate quilting day!

If you didn’t get the newsletter that went out this week (sign up is under the Facebook box in the right sidebar and at the end of this post) and love embroidery, please take a look at the new Embroider Me™ Pattern. It’s the first in a series of vintage design collections for applique and embroidery. There are 108 designs in a variety of sizes from 3″ to 11″ including flowers, fruit, animals, household items, people, children’s designs and more in Collection 1. If you use the coupon code QUILTDAY during checkout you can get the pattern at the introductory price of $18.26 so check it out. Click here to see Embroidery Me™ in the Online Store

More on this new series later – today is a day for quilting!

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

Okay, I heard that gasp all the way over here in Michigan! We don’t want you to be nervous or intimidated. We have step by step instructions for you.

 Block 19

I changed the red center on this block to white and added redwork embroidery. If you’ve never made a Feathered Star block this will be a great learning experience. It’s a 15″ block so the pieces are small enough to be delicate but large enough so you don’t feel too overwhelmed. If you’re in love with some of the embroidery on my block (which we hope you are) there’s an Optional Redwork Embroidery Pattern you can purchase as a digital download HERE. There are 14 designs to choose from and they’re sized perfectly for the squares and triangles in this block.

• Take your time! I can’t stress this one enough. Work slowly and you won’t have any trouble putting this together.
• If your fabrics have a soft feel to them I suggest using Magic Sizing or some spray starch on them before cutting your pieces. I like Mary Ellen’s Best Press Clear Starch Alternative 16 Ounces-Lavender Fields. It’ll make a big difference in the stability of your fabric pieces when working on this block.
• Make sure you’re sewing an exact or slightly scant 1/4″ seam.
• Press seams open where suggested in the instructions. I know this goes against almost everything we’ve ever learned but trust me it helps.

There are some additional tips on the pattern sheets and here are a few pictures I took while sewing my block.

 Block 20

 Block 21

 Block 22

If you fall in love with Feathered Stars you might want to check out the pattern for the Feathered Star Redwork Wall Quilt in the Online Store.

*** We have found an error on the foundation patterns for the Flying Geese on Blocks 20 & 22. The beak of the last goose has fallen 1/4″ so the angle is incorrect on pieces A14 and A15!

The pattern file has been corrected…….

Just Takes 2 Blocks for March 1 – Retired Click here to purchase

Remember…….this time you need to visit the Dear Jane web site to get your blocks. It’s also the last day to take advantage of the Sweetheart Sale on Beyond The Cherry Trees.

Just Takes 2 Blocks for February 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…………..