Glorified Nine Patch?

FB..in my quilting journey I'm at the point now where I'm doing some of the more challenging ones. I want to have nice ones to set aside as heirloom quilts. I throw in a quick and easy one every once in a while..but I want to do the tricky piecing, and applique while my eyesight is good enough and I have the time and patience.

I watch several Flickr quilt groups post things and it seems like most people are doing the quick and easy. I see so many Bento boxes, coins, and disappearing nine patch. Those are all nice, but I worry that people won't take the time or learn to do some of the classics?

I think I am so in love with this block because when my Mammie passed away, there were enough kids that they had to auction everything to each other... Even though I wasnt a very good quilter at the time, My mom had enough faith in me to keep bidding againsed my aunt for Mammies scraps and she ultimately got them for me.... There were several finished and unfinished improved nine patch blocks in the scraps. Although hers were hand pieced, I still want to try to make some of the blocks that she did so beautifully... She has made soooooo many quilts.. She had 11 children and Many many grandchildren and many many may great grandchildren. Even afew great great before her passing. Each and every one had a quilt, hand pieced and hand quilted. I just wish that I had realized what a true artist she was while she was still here. Although I loved my grandmother while she was alive, sadly I feel even more connected to her after her passing... Funny how that happens.. I know it happens alot. I just witsh that I could sit with her and listen to stories while she teaches me some of the things that she learned over the years of quilting... I guess for me, this is my way of keeping her around, using her scraps and making those blocks that(at the time) I never thought I could...

Leejay..wouldn't it be nice if you could have some time back with your Grandma? I envy those that have/had family members to teach them to quilt. We do a lot of it different than GM did..with our rotary cutters and all, but wouldn't it be nice to share that time with them..and learn the old basics? I think it's wonderful that your Mom got the scraps for you! It's like you still have a bit of her with you.

I actually got to quilt a top for my Grannie... She is still around.. Not as skilled as my mammie at quilting, But we do share a love for hand embroidery... She is so proud of me.. She loves that I can my own food, quilt, embroider, and live for my family... She makes me proud of myself.. I am very grateful to still have her around.. She is 91 and one of the coolest people I know!

Calico_Chris wrote:

Have not heard of the Peter Paul & Mary block...the answer must be blowin in the wind :)

Nah, I was just lazy. I was referring to 'Rob Peter to Pay Paul'. That's another of the curved piecing blocks, isn't it? Or is it the same as Orange Peel?

AnnieOakLeaf wrote:

I watch several Flickr quilt groups post things and it seems like most people are doing the quick and easy. I see so many Bento boxes, coins, and disappearing nine patch. Those are all nice, but I worry that people won't take the time or learn to do some of the classics?

I agree, Ann. While I do really like the look of Bento Boxes and D9P (coins? not so much), they really don't give me much of a stretch except for maybe the part between borders and binding!

I have so many patterns saved on my puter (I know we've talked about that before!); I'm thinking of separating them into easy-intermediate-advanced with maybe an additional category of "time-consuming" :mockery-017:

Maybe I'll finally buckle down and get the Bella Bella quilts book/patterns. THAT oughta keep me off the streets for awhile!

Hmmm. Sorry for the hijack. Maybe this should go into a "How Do You Want to Grow?" thread.

I think I might need the men with the white jacket to come get me if I attempted bella bella...I'm off to find out what a bento box pattern is..not familar with the term/.

Bento boxes, simple and PRETTY.....
Bella Bella........ (drool)
Here is my next attempt!



At least I have enough for a bag!

YAY, Leejay! Looking good!

Thanks FB! now if I can get time to sew the bags up I will be doing good!

Looks really nice! great job!

Very nice....perfect points

FB, that might put you in a straight jacket instead!!! I'll stay on the pourch and let the big dogs take care of that one Norma

Leejay..I'd say you've got that block figured out just right! They both look perfect!

FB..I got as far as buying the Bella Bella book..and the paper foundations. I just can't seem to decide on what colors I want to use? I'm sure when the time is right..it will fall into place and I'll wonder why I stewed over the fabric selection so much? It's paper pieced girls..so not as scary as it looks. ;)

Bento box..
http://www.traceybrookshier.com/patterns/BentoBlueGreen362.jpg

Looks good! I'd have to work really hard to get that one! Great job!

Norma, what a hoot - I just happen to be wearing my Big Dog t-shirt today!!

Quote :

FB..I got as far as buying the Bella Bella book..and the paper foundations. I just can't seem to decide on what colors I want to use? I'm sure when the time is right..it will fall into place and I'll wonder why I stewed over the fabric selection so much? It's paper pieced girls..so not as scary as it looks.

I think that I'd probably stay within my color comfort zone and do cranberry and camel (or tan). Maybe precision piecing AND color exploration are a bit much all at once. :angelic:

Heyyyy.... where's my signature???

love your block, Leejay... I think you should do a quilt...

I want to, It is just I have so many in process at the time, And too many kids to take care of, that I think I should hold off on the entire quilt at this time....

Leejay wrote:

I want to, It is just I have so many in process at the time, And too many kids to take care of, that I think I should hold off on the entire quilt at this time....

It's just like eating an elephant, yanno - one block at a time. Maybe squeeze in a block between other projects?

I agree with Tracy. One block at a time Leejay? You're so good at doing them!

THanks Annie... Tracy is right anything is possible with one step at a time! BUT< My mother really wants me to make one for her and It has been in process for about a year now.. I have to get back on it or I will never get it finished. It is purple dresden plates. I need to get this particular BIG quilt finished before I piece another quilt! It is just so hard to stay disciplined!

Here is that bag I made out of the Blocks. I posted them in BAGS! also...

Wow, those are really pretty Leejay. They look like they would be fun to make! Great project.

I think I changed my miind....I want the red glorified nine.....no wait...just send them both