Friday, October 11, 2013

Jingle BOM Applique Block 5 Complete

Jingle BOM Applique Block 5
I just finished Applique Block 5 for the Jingle Block of the Month (BOM) project designed by Erin Russek of One Piece At a Time.  Please do not scrutinize my handiwork at close range, because it is already annoying me that I used the exact same templates for these two birdies, just mirror-imaged them, yet they look like two totally different birds.  I have no idea what happened -- call it an Applique Mutation if you will.  As of right now, I have completed six applique blocks and four pieced blocks for this quilt.  I have Pieced Blocks 5, 6, and 7, Applique Block 7, and the large center medallion applique remaining in addition to the final pieced and appliqued blocks that haven't yet been released.  It does not look like I'm going to be finished with this before Christmas, but whatever -- it's a learning process, not a race, right?


Pieced Blocks 1-4 and Applique Blocks 1-6
Anyway, I don't know if I like how all of this is coming together.  That one yellow fabric is SO BRIGHT, and when I look at my design wall right now, I just see a lot of ketchup and mustard.  I know these blocks are supposed to be set with red and green prints (see below), which will reduce the impact of the yellows, but still...  Since it won't be done by Christmas no matter what, I may end up redoing a couple of those blocks if I don't like how they look with the setting triangles. 

Erin's Jingle BOM Design with Setting Triangles
With the next three pieced blocks, I'm not sure whether I should incorporate MORE of the bright yellow (so it's not just that one block) or LESS bright yellow.  But I do know that I'm going to piece the blocks on the 1935 Singer Featherweight machine that I've yet to sew with.  I'm looking forward to putting her back to work again!

Meanwhile, it's time to pick up the kids already -- gotta run!

Have a great weekend, everyone!


10 comments:

Lane said...

Beautiful work, Rebecca! This is the kind of quilt that will test your perseverance. But, it will be so worth it when you're done. I don't think the gold is too bold, but I would make one other block that has lots of it to balance the other side of the quilt. Best to you and your family. Lane

SewingZoe said...

Wonderful! You aree an artist.

Lorna McMahon said...

You may see ketchup and mustard... But I relish the look of your beautiful blocks! I would look on it more as gold than yellow. There are 71 days left until Christmas!

Ramona said...

Your work is beautiful! I see the yellow as the light coming through in your blocks. I wouldn't change it at all. It is so festive!

Beth said...

I have been printing these out, but am planning on starting them after Christmas. I have too much on my plate to start this now! (I'm SO easily distracted! lol) I DO like the yellow..maybe a yellow insert in the binding to tie it together? I cannot see the diff in the birds. what kind of thread do you like for app? I'm a silk girl...

Rebecca Grace said...

Hi, Beth! Well, a few years ago, I purchased a complete set of "embroidery thread" on eBay from Turkey, a brand I had never heard of called Oren Bayan. I figured, if the best cotton towels come from Turkey, why not cotton thread? I think it's a 60 weight 2-ply similar to Mettler 60/2 cotton embroidery thread. I've been using this for applique because I already have it in every color and it seems to be working well, but I don't have anything else to compare it with since this is my first hand applique project and I've never tried using any other thread. Does silk thread kink and knot less than a fine cotton thread? I'm using that Thread Heaven stuff and trying not to cut my thread lengths too long, but I must be putting some kind of twist rotation in with each stitch because the Knot Demons keep attacking... ;-)

Jill said...

You are making great progress on this very pretty pattern. I want to do one of Erin's quilts also, but I must stay focused on my quilt in progress.

Carrie P. said...

your blocks are gorgeous! I really like the background fabric you are using on the pieced blocks.

Jackie said...

Beautiful work, your blocks are gorgeous. Could you tell me the name of the fabric you used for your background fabric for the pieced blocks? It sort of looks like christmas lights.

Rebecca Grace said...

Thanks, Jackie. It's Hoffman Winter Magic Cream/Gold Swirls with Holly Leaves and I bought it from Quiltable Fabrics online, here: http://www.quiltablefabrics.com/Hoffman--Winter-Magic--CreamGold-Swirls--Holly-Leaves_p_1115.html