I pray this finds everyone staying healthy. Last month I said I'd see you all on April 1st but a great majority of the United States is under stay at home orders because of the Covid-19 virus. A little while ago our governor said it's unlikely the children in Michigan will be going back to school this year. I not only think of the children's loss of education but feel great sadness for the preschool, kindergarten and high school graduations that will be missed. No prom? No cap and gown? This is truly a challenging time.
It was suggested by one of the talented quilters in our Cheddarback Facebook group that it would be nice to have the rest of our quilt's blocks early so you could focus on finishing up your quilt. A couple of days ago I posted them all in the online store. Here's a wrap up of our final blocks -
Block 59
This is an easy and classic block. It can be rotary cut and machine pieced. I'm not sure I'm a fan of the black background but in looking at the entire quilt, it looks like an anchor block for that lower corner of the quilt. Depending on the layout you've selected you may want to lighten the background a little to a gray perhaps?
Block 60
Wow! There's a lot going on in this block. It's almost like our quilter was trying to use up everything she had left in this one. I sure would have made different fabric selections but I'm usually too anal about my choices so I applaud her free spirit. If I could find yards and yards of those black and pink prints I'd be a happy quilter! It's a nine patch block so you'll have to foundation paper piece it.
Block 61
We've seen these fabrics before in blocks and there's our cornerstone fabric again. This block has a couple of templates and rotary cutting directions. You shouldn't have any problems with this one.
Block 62
Isn't this an amazing block? I have to admit, I worked on this one a long time before I figured out what our quilter did. She was pretty smart! To get this wonderful look, you're going to make the block larger than you need it to be and then trim some off around the outside edge leaving just your 1/4" seam allowance. Trust me, it's not as hard as it sounds. Be sure to take a look at the wonderful job she did matching the red and white stripes so you can hardly tell she did it.
Block 63
This block is a substitute for one of the alphabet blocks. It's rotary cut and machine pieced. It's a great star block!
Block 64
The layout I provided when we started the quilt was more symmetrical than the antique quilt so this block would be used as the large block at the bottom right corner of the quilt. It's rotary cut and machine pieced.
Block 65
This block is actually the background for the letter D block in the bottom row - I just left the letter out. With the right fabrics, it's still a pretty block and one you'll have together in no time at all.
Block 66
What a sweet little block. I'll take a few yards of these fabrics too. It makes me crazy that we have foundation paper piece a block this easy but the math just doesn't work out.
Block 67
Here's an Ohio Star block with so many different fabrics in it you almost lose the look of a star. It's another nine patch block so we have more foundation paper piecing. The accuracy is worth the extra time and trouble even if you're not a fan of the technique.
Block 68
This crazy little block will make up for all the foundation paper piecing you've been doing. Eight flying geese units with the colors in the right places and you're done. This is actually the last of the vintage blocks from the quilt. Once again, look at how our quilter took the time to have the small plaid triangles on the straight of grain and the larger ones on the bias.
Filler Blocks
These four blocks are what I'm calling Filler Blocks. If you're making the quilt following the layout I gave you when we started the quilt (rather than the antique quilt) you'll need these block patterns to have enough blocks to complete your quilt.
I can't close without expressing a truly heartfelt thank you to everyone who has participated in making this quilt. As of today, there are almost 900 members in the Cheddarback Facebook Group, and I continue to add people every day. A total of 11,456 patterns have been downloaded so far and that just blows my mind. I am honored and humbled beyond words. Thank you, thank you, thank you for being part of the Sentimental Stitches family of quilters.
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