11/4/16

Half Baked

When I left off yesterday, I still had two blocks to finish up the next row for Mulligan Stew. I'm calling this a row, but actually when the quilt is finished, each row will have seven blocks. I've been doing them five at a time. There were two more to finish. Here's the first one:


Here's the quilt block. This one is applique, but I used a closely spaced zigzag stitch for the neck and bird legs. Because of that, this block is backed with an iron-on fusible interfacing. The background fabric was a little flimsy, and so it also gives the fabric a little more heft.


Here's the second one:



This is the little quotation that accompanied the "Gentleman" block.


Here are the five blocks completed for this go-round.

The completed quilt contains 60 blocks, and I've made 30 so far. 


As I've mentioned before, this quilt comes from a this very interesting book by Debra Henninger. She did a wonderful job documenting stories of the era and recreating the signs into quilt blocks. 


When I finished the fifth block this time around, I turned the page and read this story, which warmed my heart.  


It's nice to think we still would be willing to help one another out during hard times.

With those finished, I took some time to peruse the book that goes along with the next of my monthly goals.


After reading the steps involved, it seems pretty easy, but I have a feeling it's going to be more difficult that it looks. Either way, I'm kind of excited to get started on it. The first thing I needed to do was to choose ten fabrics ranging from dark purple below there on the left to the medium green on the right.


I have everything I need to get started, but I won't be able to finish until I've received a product I ordered from Amazon. She highly recommends Roxanne's Glue-Baste-It because the glue dries quickly, and because of the long thin applicator that allows you to put a tiny drop of glue right where you want it.


After reading the positive reviews of the product, I decided to go ahead and purchase it. It seems as if it will have other uses beyond this project. I won't need it right away, and so I can go ahead and get started while I wait for the glue to arrive.

That's where I'll pick up next time I'm in the sewing room. This morning, Sue and I are walking the Fanno Creek Trail. During the rainy season Fanno Creek regularly overflows its banks and floods the trail. The weather has been so nice this week, that we're going to walk the trail while we can. It's always a pleasure.

12 comments:

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I love to work a quilt that has a story with it. I have the Dear Jane and the Farmer's Wife books, but haven't made them yet. This looks like something I should add to my library.

Debbie said...

I love the Hobo stories. We all need that touch from a fellow human being.

Brown Family said...

You are making good progress on the HOBO quilt. Several of my local friends are trying to get me to do Dear Jane with them. I have not decided on it yet!

I love the bright colors for the Happy villages.

I spent two weeks in El Paso with my son and his family. My DIL wanted me to teach her how to use her embroidery machine and give her a refresher on her Bernina. She and I have made several posts on Yellow Mound Quilts


http://yellowmoundquilt.blogspot.com/2016/10/day-one-of-sewing-camp.html


Linda Schiffer said...

I am enjoying getting to watch your Hobo quilt grow. One project I've always had in the back of my mind. 🙂 I have also had the Happy Villages book on my 'to do' list ever since it was published. Some day! Until then, I can enjoy watching your progress.

I do enjoy reading your blog every day!


🙂 Linda

quiltzyx said...

Good progress on the hobo quilt. My dad hitched a ride on a train once. I can't recall if it was before or after the war (WWII), but he was trying to get back to SoCal. A young brother & sister showed him what to do. You could take a bottle of milk from a porch, but ONLY if there were several bottles, NEVER if there was only 1 bottle. Also showed him where there were fruit trees close to the train, etc. I think Dad said the kids were around 9 & 10. Dad was in his 20s.

heartsease54 said...

You will love the glue! It is the best and the applicator makes it so nice to get just enough where you want it. I love mine and will never use anything else now.

SJSM said...

The Hobo quilt stories is what makes the quilt interesting. Do continue to give us the "behind the scenes" stories as you make the blocks. The Happy Villages quilt appears to be a fun and lively quilt. Whoever ends up with that one will have happy thoughts as they look upon it.

What a happy and uplifting post this is! It started my day out with a very positive outlook.

Dana Gaffney said...

Happy Villages looks like it would have me tearing my hair out, but let me know what you think of the glue.

Susan said...

I am really enjoying the hobo stories--makes the quilt come to life. I am looking forward to seeing your Village quilt come into existence. I have been looking at this book and debating whether to get it. The glue sounds interesting. Let us know if it lives up to its recommendations. We had beautiful weather yesterday and went for a walk. Looks like today is going to be another one so will get out there and get my Vitamin D.

juliehallfeldhaus said...

The glue works! I recently learned you can use Elmers school glue as well. Has to be school glue then you just press in place.

Dixie said...

Glue Baste It, what a great tool! I use it to keep flippy corners in place, putting it in the part that will be trimmed off. Glue up a bunch then no worries while sewing. Also perfect for keeping appliques positioned, Look Ma, no pins!

Kate said...

Beautiful collection of blocks and the stories are fun. That's a very fun project.