Design Wall Monday--Memory Lane Top Assembled

 Design Wall Monday--see more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

The large Memory Lane blocks are all together now! This unique pattern gives the illusion of 4 patches but there is not a single one. I really enjoyed playing with the block's five fabric combos.  I have a nice chunk of one of the Oh My Darling prints to use as a binding.  Backing hopefully I can assemble from stash.

I had sewn a couple of rows together before we went to the grandsons' baseball games on Saturday. It was a family affair, as our other daughter, her boyfriend, and our son, DIL and third grandson came to watch the games.  Cove got a good hit, Hunter did too. Youngest grandson Dane was being very clingy to Mama amid all the baseball field hubbub, but did allow a fist bump. 

Not sure what Hunter was doing here, but from first base he did get to score when the next batter had a good hit.  Later he played catcher but was a bit timid about the ball coming at him! Cove also got a great hit in his game.

There was a bubble-blowing contest in the stands with the daughters.  Grant won!  We were missing our son-in-law, who was still quarantining with COVID.  Grant had been sitting near him at one game early in the week, but tested negative multiple days. 

It was a beautiful day way back in the canyon where the ball fields are.  A herd of cattle made an appearance late in the afternoon.  I also saw a hawk land on the furthest power pole on the hill. Only a few more games left in the season.  Happy May!

Stitching Things Up

Lots going on in the sewing room.  I started with the pile of Memory Lane blocks hogging the end of the cutting table. Pattern by Ellen Replogle from her book Laps From Fats for Family and Friend, 2006.

They went together easily as there are no seams to match at this point. I plan to finish all the rows today, but did not feel like working on them last night.  Instead I played in the leftover blocks and pieces drawer.

That was fun!  Another Plaidish2 block was partially assembled as well.  None of these are pressed as I was too lazy to get the ironing board out for this late night play. 

My leader-ender blocks also didn't get pressed.  I'm  down to just a few more of these Adam's Ribs block pieces; maybe they will last through completing the Memory Lane top. 

After my manicure appointment yesterday, I took a turn through my local fabric store.  These remnants jumped into my hands!  Some good chunks there for less than the cost of a fat quarter. The black and white yardage was also discounted 30% so I got a yard and a half.  I liked that is non-directional.  Ok, off to get some sewing done before grandsons' ball games. 

Design Wall Monday--Memory Lane Blocks Finished

 Design Wall Monday-- See more Design Walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

I pushed to get all the Memory Lane blocks finished over the weekend.  

This one turned out really pretty.   There was a proud moment that turned comical with another block. 

How I didn't notice all the mistakes until the block was completely finished was pretty ridiculous!  I had to disassemble nearly the entire block to put it right.  

My leader-ender project also had an oops. 

That was fast to fix, just one seam.  There were lots of these Adam's Rib blocks finished over the weekend. 

I have another nice pile of cut pieces to work on when I assemble the Memory Lane rows. I played thread chicken with the last Memory Lane block.

Layout and switcheroo of these blocks was hard, since there are 5 fabrics in each block in different positions. 

There was another session after this layout. Finally I called it quits

I look forward to getting this top together--the Oh My Darling fabric collection has waited years to get this far! 

Memory Lane Figuring for the Finish Line

The Memory Lane Quilt blocks are getting closer to the finish line.  I completed two more blocks and need only 7 more to get to 20. The pattern calls for 5 fabrics in each block and I needed to make some notes to avoid repeat combinations of colors. 

I have started each block layout by choosing colors for the chain squares, then adding the strips in their position either as the center or corners. I jotted down the combos done so far, then paired up the remaining chain square pieces, avoiding repeats. 

The red and cream print still had two squares to use up, but looking at my photo, I did a double with the blue floral/stripe--that won't do!  There will be a short round of switcheroo again.  Glad I caught that. 

I caught the moonrise last week lighting up the palm tree and some clouds.  We are getting some much needed rain as I type this post, hope it soaks in deep!

Design Wall Monday--April 18

 Design Wall Monday--see more Design Walls at Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

I did not spent much time at my machine the past week, so only a few new blocks to show. 

Memory Lane block laid out.  The folds in the cream print were ironed before assembly.  I have not gotten any faster at sewing these large blocks--I have to check the placement and sewing order in the book every time! This pattern is in a Laps from Fats book, by Ellen Replogle.  

I really liked how this one turned out--and at the 11th block finished, it signaled the home turn for the 20 blocks needed for the quilt top.  This is a no borders quilt so once switcheroo and sewing all the blocks together is complete, it will be a finished top. 

Another Plaidish2 block done as a leader ender. I might need to change the row 2 end rectangle on the far right, it is really too dark to be a medium.  I can probably just use the backside!  Lots more piecing in my future.  I need to prep another quilt top for quilting at home, and really want to send out another to the long-armer.  

Design Wall Monday--4/4/2022 Memory Lane progress

 Design Wall Monday--see more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

I've made a few more large blocks for the Memory Lane quilt.  Each block has five fabrics making up the center, corners and square chains. 

These 16" finished blocks are a bit of a puzzle to put together.  I have to double check the directions for layout and pressing each time.  I made myself a cheat sheet to keep track of the layouts,  as some pieces are used twice for the various positions in the blocks. I am concentrating on using the large squares one time apiece before duplicating!  Having a great time with this puzzle. 

Design Wall Monday--Memory Lane Quilt Update

 Design Wall Monday--see more design walls on Judy's Small Quilts and Doll Quilts blog. 

There has been a lot of time with needle and thread the last few days.  I did a lot of cutting before getting to some sewing.  Trying to empty baggies and bins of projects is a neverending challenge in my sewing room.  I started with a baggie of leftover black and white pieces from the baby quilt I made for middle grandson Hunter, who is now 6 years old!  I wanted to use them as leader-enders. 

The first pink solid I pulled from stash had to be augmented by a darker shade, and just for fun I threw in the print for the last two blocks. 

The block is from the quilt Adam's Rib by Fons and Porter.

The first Memory Lane block laid out.  I love this clever design! 

And first block finished under Mini's watchful eye. These are big blocks, 16 inches finished, so will make a big quilt fast.  I had fun picking and choosing fabrics for each from the 20 fat quarters required; I used the Oh My Darling fat quarter collection I bought some years back from Connecting Threads. 

Playing with color and print is my favorite pastime.  Each block has 5 fabrics in different arrangements so I am doing my best to mix color, scale and prints. 

The quilt is in this book which was published in 2006--I picked it up several years ago at a guild sale. Lots more piecing for me to do, my favorite part of quilting :)