1st Trimester

The pattern-a-day from the Kansas City Star collection is going strong, we're up to Day 84 The Old Fashioned Goblet. You can see the patterns on my Facebook page.

I have been asked by a few followers if I am making every block.  Wish I could but as I think, I'd like to make this one, I go ahead and do it.

Here are my blocks from January, February and March.

From top to bottom, left to right:

Silver and Gold   January 7, 1931

Spider Web   January 23, 1929

The Rambler   January 2, 1929

Squares and Triangles   January 5, 1955

Amethyst   February 11, 1931  

Coffee Cups   January 6, 1935

Water Glass   March 14, 1934

The Spool Quilt   March 17, 1937 

The "T" Quilt Pattern   February 1, 1939

The Cat's Cradle   February 28, 1934

Rising Sun   February 6, 1929

I haven't actually made all of these in the last months, some blocks I already had in my Sample Block box.  For example, I made Rising Sun on my holidays twelve months ago.  I was at Narooma, New South Wales and looking at the block reminds of that time.  I am supposed to be back in Narooma right now for holidays, but since the world turned upside down that didn't happen.

These are not all the blocks I have made in the last months.  I have more that are going into a different setting but they are not quite ready for release yet.  I'll get on to them next.

Stay safe everyone.

Rising Sun for a Brand New Day

This is my recently finished Rising Sun block.

The Kansas City Star reminds the reader that "it is rather an intricate pattern, but will not daunt the quilter who aspires to a design that is both lovely and unusual."  It certainly was a challenge.  This block is pieced by hand using the English Paper Piecing method (over cut out papers).

I have made it before as an applique block.  Also a challenge, I'm not sure which method was easier.

That is all the quilty bits for this post.  You don't have to read any more but if you are one of my invisible friends you may want to continue.


I prepped the Rising Sun block so I could take it with me on holidays.  Our favourite holidays always involve beaches.

Moruya Heads, New South Wales

This was a special holiday because it celebrated the sale of our family business. I am now retired - more or less. I will still be looking for part time or casual work but I will no longer be in a shop six days a week - what a relief! 

It also means more time for quilts, both sewing and researching.  I have quite a few projects planned.  The only question now is - what do I do first?!

Rising Sun Rises

I purchased a sampler quilt last year which has a late 1800s / Ohio look about it.  My favourite block on it is this Rising Sun.

Rising Sun

The Rising Sun block can be pieced or appliqued.  Ruby McKim says the pieced block "is an intricate pattern, but not enough so to daunt the quilt maker who aspires to a design that is both lovely and unusual."  Fortunately mine is an applique block, all the white space is the background fabric.

I started to make my own Rising Sun last week.  I printed the pattern from EQ7 - BlockBase 3390.  I made plastic templates and traced the pieces, then used my light box to get the positions right.  Everything started quite well.

My original block has the yellow centre circle and the yellow triangles on top of the red segments so I did the same.  Not so good now.

The red peeks out between the two triangles.  I can see that I need to turn under the outside edge of the red segments before I add the triangles. And I need a lighter thread colour - which I have to buy online and the postage is more than the thread. I have put the whole block aside for the moment ...


My granddaughter spent a few days with us this week, a treat for all of us.  We made a quilt for Emma's teddy.  Emma choose some orphan blocks and matching half triangle blocks and arranged them.  She did the pinning and handed them to me to sew and press.  We are both pleased with the result.

If you look at the blogs listed on the left side of this post you will see some Chester Criswell quilt finishes.  Hoorah!  I know that not everyone got through to the finish; some people made The First Year blocks but would now like to make some more. Some folk have just recently bought the patterns and have missed out on the blog posts and photos each month.

I have been considering running another quilt-along for the Chester Criswell quilt.  I'm thinking one block every two weeks, starting with Block 1, then the first block of The Second Year, the first block of The Third Year, then back to Block 2 and so on.  There would be no commitment, just a chance to share your progress and see what others are making.

What do you think?  Love to see your comments here.