Michigan Quilts!

Double Irish Chain and Short Yes We Can, Jane Update

2012-02-09T19:37:00.001-05:00

I’ve been meaning to make this for a couple of years now… my bed needs a new every-day quilt. So I started a Double Irish Chain. Here’s the first block…

I’ve had the lighter fabric for YEARS and YEARS… lots of it! So I was determined to use it somehow. Our bedroom is green, and the furniture white and brown. The brown fabric is a textural blender… light and dark areas. The green is a cotton that I bought a bolt of back in the mid-1980’s. I’m trying to use it up! I think I might have enough of these fabrics to also make a pieced backing, which should be fun. Time will tell! The Woodworker just wanted to be sure that the quilt wouldn’t have too much pink in it. I think it will be fine, and I ‘m going to quilt it with a tan thread. So one (15 inch) block down, lots more to go! But they go together fairly easily.

Yes, I know I have a pile of clothes on my chair! This picture is several years old. There are different clothes on the chair today! LOL Anyway, I’m not going to hand quilt this quilt. It will be quilted on my mid-arm machine as a practice piece. It’s going to get daily wear, so machine quilting will be fine.

I’m still working on the Obama quilt. Here are a few more blocks:

I love this little block made by Linda Starkey! I didn’t want to put too much quilting on it, as I wanted the star to stand on its own. Teeny, tiny piecing in the middle! Have I told you that these blocks are only 4.5 inches square?

This block was still in the hoop when I took its picture…It’s called Buckeye Beauty, made by Holly Sweet. Isn’t it… sweet? (Sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

And another red one! This picture makes it look crooked, but I assure you that it is not. It’s also in the hoop.

Adelaine’s Apron Strings, by Kathy Timmons. Love her choice of fabric for this! Very elegant!

That’s it for now!

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 6

2012-02-07T06:17:00.003-05:00

I’ve been busy quilting over the past few weeks, but most of my work doesn’t show because it falls along the lines of the borders and the sashing. But it’s there! I wanted to do the blocks that are on the outside edges of the quilt so that I can trim the excess off and put a stabilizing row of machine stitching around the edge, so I have started working on the blocks themselves. Here are four that have been completed!

This is the corner that I started on with the edge blocks; clicking on the photos should open them up so you can see a larger picture.

Fan, by Linda Starkey

Justin's Comet by Cathi O'Neill

"Old Favorite" block by Liz Ewing

Tinker Toy by Kathy Timmons

Stay tuned for more updates!

Color and Giveaway Results

2012-02-01T05:32:00.001-05:00

I spent the evening last night ironing fabrics for my new quilt: Love them!

It’s amazing how they look when you turn the photo into black and white!

Today is the day to draw a number for the giveaway!!! I used the Random number generator at http://andrew.hedges.name/experiments/random/":

That means Annemart, you’re the winner! Can you please email me your mailing address? I should have it somewhere, but I can’t find it!

Congratulations!

Feathered New York Beauty?

2012-01-31T18:38:00.002-05:00

We all have lots of ideas for quilts that are collecting dust in our brains. Have you ever tried to combine several of those ideas into ONE QUILT? I love Feathered Star quilts, and did a wall hanging for my oldest son a few years ago with one large Feathered Star on it. But I want to do more - on a quilt for me. I also like New York Beauty quilts. If you're a regular reader of Michigan Quilts, you've seen me mention my recent fascination with the color gray lately. Santa brought me some beautiful fabrics, and I added more to the pile when I went shopping on Saturday with a friend in Lansing.

I think I'm going to combine all of those ideas into one quilt and see what happens! Kind of a "Gray and Red Feathered Star Beauty." Yeah, I think I like that idea! I don't have EQ, so I need to get busy with some graph paper and see what develops.
Yes, I know, I need to just invest in EQ and take the plunge. I love working on computers, and I like being able to see the design in front of me, rather than just relying on my (aging) brain for details. But learning a new program takes time, and I'd much rather be fondling fabric that touching the keyboard of my computer. I'm on the computer all day, for goodness sakes!All of the fabric is washed and ready to be pressed. I think that's what I'll do tonight while I watch television!

So after I post this article and picture, the computer is going off and the iron is going on. Wish me luck!

Sean’s “311” Quilt (Hard to get a good picture of it, as it hangs over their stairway) with Flying Geese border

So after I post this article and picture, the computer is going off and the iron is going on. Wish me luck!

NOTE TO MY QUILTING FRIENDS:
The beautiful red fabric in my pile is called "Angels Watching Over Me," and it has a very faint pattern with gray swirls on it. The song by that same name keeps going through my brain and won't leave (I think they call that an "ear worm"). But I opted to hand wash the red fabric, and I'm glad I kept it separate from the other fabrics. I threw it into the sink with hot, hot, hot water, and it ran, ran, ran. Four washings with detergent until the water ran clear, the another washing and sitting with Retain, then a dunk in cold water. Please do not EVER use your fabrics without prewashing them! If I had put that into my quilt without washing, it would eventually have run all over my lighter fabrics and ruined the whole thing. I know, use "color catchers." I will still use them, but that much red dye isn't good no matter how many color catchers you have.

Don't say I haven't warned you!

You can see more Feathered Star pictures here,

And more New York Beauties here.

Mom’s Featherweight Singer, circa 1937

2012-01-29T17:13:00.001-05:00

Special thanks to the Woodworker for detailing mom’s old Singer Featherweight sewing machine for me today. This machine (Model 221-1)has been in my basement since 2008 when Dad told me to take it home with me. Mom passed away in the spring of 2007, and for awhile he didn’t want to part with it. Mom always intended me to have the machine, but I honored his need to have it in their house.

My mom received this machine as a gift from her Aunt when she graduated from high school. She sewed all her own clothes, and when I was adopted, she sewed most of mine until I was about 8. She made all my dresses for high school dances (except for one), including my prom dress. Everything was sewn on this machine.

So Mom’s machine has been in my basement for a few years. I couldn’t bring myself to bring it out and put it to use, as it brought back so many memories. Now I want to let the machine continue her work, so dear hubby was kind enough to go over the machine today and clean it up. It was in pretty good shape and fairly clean. Now I need to learn how to use it! It threads differently than my old Bernina and Pfaff machines, and it has only two stitches: forward and backward.

I know I can do this. Mom’s up there watching over me.

HEAVY SIGH OF RELIEF

2012-01-28T16:48:00.001-05:00

Ahhhh, there’s that four letter word I so hoped to see…. p a s s !!!

This is indeed a miracle. Thanks to my friends who lifted me up in prayer and sent good thoughts my way. They worked!

Thank you, readers, with a GIVEAWAY!

2012-01-22T07:42:00.001-05:00

A big thank you to all my readers for reading and supporting this quilting blog. I love writing and sharing about quilts, and appreciate you being there to follow what has been going on in my world.

As a special thank you, I’m hosting a giveaway of my second book “Contemporary Quilts From Traditional Designs. I don’t like blogs that make you jump through hoops to win something, so just leave a comment and say hello, and you’ll be included in the drawing on February 1st. It doesn’t matter where you live, as long as you’re on our planet. Passing the word along to your friends would be appreciated as well, but I’m not going to hire the blog police to make sure you do.

Thanks, also, to Annemart for her great article on me. I’m blushing…

So leave a comment, then go quilt something. By hand, please.

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 6

2012-01-18T17:14:00.001-05:00

I have three pretty UNglamorous and UNexciting pictures for you today to share the quilting progress thus far. Showing the back of the quilt actually makes the progress easier to see than the front, as the quilting that I have done since update number 5 is all straight lines at the seams.

Because these pictures are so boring, here’s one to make you smile (at least it makes ME smile!)

Our little biker baby Fischer…

Sound asleep…

An Adopted Album Quilt

2012-01-15T18:30:00.002-05:00

This is a quilt top that I purchased back in the late 1970’s – early 80’s. I loved the scrappy look of it, so I hand quilted it as it was and kept it for several years until I sold it. You can still find some good buys on quilt tops if you know where to look. Tim Latimer, also a hand quilter from Michigan, has found many beautiful tops and blocks and given them life by hand quilting them and seeing them to completion. It’s kind of like adopting a rescue dog or cat. You take it the way it comes to you, you give it love and attention so that it can be the best it can be.

Go ahead – adopt a quilt!

A Smattering of Fabric

2012-01-15T07:14:00.001-05:00

A pretty applique quilt I sold years ago on Ebay…It looked like a kit to me.

This quilt was fairly heavy with a thick cotton batting. I no longer have this one, either.

I found this photo on the Internet years ago… the person who owned it lived in Greenwich, Connecticut. I love the layout, but my! What a lot of work!

I love a good Snail’s Trail quilt! This one caught my eye…

Isn’t this a cute border?!?!

These pictures came from random folders on my computer. Now, I am keeping photos like these on Pinterest so I can capture more information about the photo. If you want to be on Pinterest and need an invitation, let me know.

Random Thoughts on a Saturday

2012-01-14T18:02:00.001-05:00

I miss George Carlin. Really! Click on his name to watch one of his clips.

My old Bernina needs a trip to the doctor. Going to call him Monday.

This quilt on my bed needs to be replaced. It’s getting all frayed, and has a few places where the seams have come apart. SIGH. I have a new one in mind, but I just need to create it.

I like this leaf. I have a quilt in mind that uses this leaf. Stay tuned… for a few years. It will happen.

It finally snowed in Michigan. It took a long time, but there’s snow out there. In my mind, I went walking along the river in the snow. It was so serene. In my mind. Outside of my mind, I cuddled with the cat on the couch all day and studied.

Please say a prayer for the Nickell family from my town. They are preparing to bury their Eagle Scout on Monday. God, please wrap your arms around them all.

Studying

2012-01-14T13:25:00.001-05:00

We're studying. I'm watching to make sure mom is doing it right.
Stormie Cat

The Applique Stitch

2012-01-13T18:10:00.001-05:00

Let's take a quick look at the hand-sewn applique stitch used on quilts.

What should it look like?

First, it might be good to look at what it should NOT look like.

Note: Brass pin is 7/8 inch long. This is a 'photo slice" of a section of applique' that someone sewed. The applique' is very loose and stiches are between 3/16th to 1/4 inch apart. If this applique were on a quilt on your bed, it could very easily get caught by something - your toe, a cat or dog's claws, a clothes hanger... and pull it right off. Seriously, I can put my little fingernail between the applique and the background fabric. Applique should be sewn with very tiny stitches, very close together and in such a way so that the thread is barely visible.

When I first looked at this sample, I thought the maker had used pearl cotton instead of regular sewing thread. The thread looks thicker than regular thread. But after close inspection at the front and back, I can see that it is quilting weight thread, DOUBLED. Applique thread should be of regular sewing weight or lighter. The goal is to not SEE the thread at all. The thread should also match the fabric color of the piece being stitched, or as close to it as possible. For a multi-color fabric, use a neutral color such as grey for your applique.

The thread has been matched to the fabric color, and stitches are barely visible. You have to really look hard to see them. Stitches are approximately 1/16th inch apart.

Thread matches fabric color. Stitches cannot be seen and are approximately 1/16th inch apart. Amazing and perfect!

And yes, I know, there is a grey cat hair on both photos above. Bad Stormie, Bad kitty!

Go pull out some of your applique and take a close look. How does your work compare?

Published by Caron Mosey at Michigan Quilts! 2012.

I have the fabric…

2012-01-11T05:33:00.001-05:00

Did you ever buy fabric because you just adore it and want a quilt in it, but are too afraid to cut into it? Santa got me four fabrics from the Etchings line, and I’m SO in love with it. I can imagine it in so many different quilts and can see it in my mind’s eye… and yet, when I think about starting to cut it to prepare one of those quilts, I shudder with fear. I don’t want to destroy the fabric.

Am I weird?

(don’t answer that…)

Crazy busy–Stab stitching

2012-01-08T11:57:00.001-05:00

The last week has been a very busy one for me, and the rest of January will be as well. I’m preparing for a Certified Pharmacy Technician Exam to be taken on January 28th, which means I have quite a bit of studying to do. YIKES! It’s not a certification I NEED to have for my job, but it will look good.

Do you know what “stab stitching” is in quilting? Do you quilt with a stab stitch? If so, please drop by the Celebrate Hand Quilting blog and chime in on the subject, now currently under discussion. If you stab stitch, can you post a video on your blog and let us know where it is? More information is needed on this topic.

Until next time, I’m off to study measurement conversions, legend and generic drugs, and how to compute IV drips.

Say a prayer for me, please!

Happy New Year from Michigan Quilts!

2012-01-02T09:30:00.001-05:00

The last time we partied on New Year’s Eve was when my son Sean and his wife were married. It was the best party we ever had on that festive night, and we really enjoyed ourselves. My parents were also married on New Year’s Eve, though I was not there. My son Loren’s wife was born on December 31st, so for our family, we have many reasons to celebrate.

So in honor of the occasion, my husband and I were asleep in bed by 10 PM Michigan time. I figure the new year will get here whether I stay up late or not, so I opted for then not. And the Woodworker can snore on the couch or bed, so he was good with it. Happy New Year!

Santa was very good to me this year, as always. Santa knew about my list, of course, which I posted on Celebrate Hand Quilting. He supplied me with my favorite fabrics from the Moda Etchings line…

I love my new iPhone and downloaded the Robert Kaufman quilting app.

Santa slipped me some mad money, and I bought the book Reasons for Quilts by Edyta Sitar. Love, love love this book!

As long as I’m mentioning quilt books, to go along with the Occupy movements and the BUY AMERICAN philosophy (for those of you reading this who are from U.S.A.), please, whenever possible, purchase quilt books directly from the author. Quilt writers put SO much time and effort into their books, and their royalty payments really don’t compensate for their hard work (writing, designing, making patterns, creating directions, etc.). When you buy directly from the author, you’re compensating them more for their work which will keep them writing more. It’s like the philosophy behind supporting your local quilt shop (LQS). So if you want Edyta’s book (which I think you will), please go here to get it: http://www.laundrybasketquilts.com/Shop/shopindex.htm .

Santa remembered how much I love owls and brought me this adorable coffee mug that I just love! If you click on the mug it will take you to a place where you can get one for yourself from the artist Jennifer Falter.

Loren and Margaret also remembered that I love owls and gave me these shakers:

Today is my last day off work with The Woodworker. We have nothing planned… it’s a “relax and do what you want” kind of day. I think I’ll try a little sewing. I have a mug rug to make!

Happy New Year!

My “Blogger’s Choice” Entry

2012-01-02T07:13:00.002-05:00

Dream a little dream…
Here’s my Blogger’s Choice entry for the contest
you can read about HERE <=== click here to get information!

I’d love to make a quilt out of these fabrics:

Caron’s Collection

VIEW SLIDE SHOW

DOWNLOAD ALL

It’s always nice to begin the year with a dream, isn’t it?
What’s yours?

“Family Threads” has a new home

2011-12-26T07:33:00.001-05:00

I made the quilt below for my brother Michael and his wife Karen. It was made in the Spools quilt pattern and includes pieces of fabrics from quilts I have made through the years, some dating back to the 1970’s. It also includes some fabric from my mother and my aunt (my father’s sister) that date back to the 1930’s and 1940’s. The quilt was made as a surprise for them for Christmas, and I’m excited to share that they have received the quilt and love it. It will hang on the wall in their home.

The back was pieced using fabrics left over from the front and includes a hanging sleeve to make life easier.

Stormie the Quilt Inspector gave approval for shipping, even though she knew it was going to a home with a dog (Nutmeg). Way to rock the Christmas spirit, Stormie! Hopefully I can share a photo of the quilt – called “Family Threads” - in its new home in the future.

If you’re a quilter, you know the love that goes into every stich of every quilt you make.

May 2012 be filled with lots of loving stitches!

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 5

2011-12-25T20:45:00.002-05:00

I squeezed in some Christmas Day sewing this afternoon and evening. It was a relaxing way to unwind after all the excitement. Good music on the stereo, good conversation with my dear hubby, a good glass of white wine… very peaceful and perfect.
The photo below shows the progress on the quilt to date.

This portion of the quilt (inside the red line) has been hand quilted enough to remove all brass pins holding the three layers together. The innermost 9 blocks have quilting on either side of all sashing strips, however these 9 blocks still need quilting inside the block. My goals now are to:
1) Quilt on both sides of ALL sashing on the complete quilt, removing brass pins as I go.
2) Quilt the outermost border and outermost band of blocks around the entire quilt.
3) Trim outside edges and put a row of machine stitching one-quarter inch inside the edges to hold in place
4) Quilt all of the rest of the blocks
Here is what the back looks like now:

Quilting in this phase included the following blocks:
Gathering Basket by Nancee Marchinowski of Michigan

Economy by Caron Mosey of Michigan (me)

Dove by Betty Grant of Texas

The quilting within each blocks depends on the individual block's design. Some blocks are getting simple quilting, some are more elaborate. The applique’ blocks tend to get outline quilting around the shapes (one or two rounds, usually), while the pieced blocks are being enhanced with quilting that will not detract from the design, yet supply enough design and stitching to hold in place. I hope that makes sense!
Quilting on either side of the sashing will be a ~~tedious~~ very boring job, but getting rid of the brass pins will make it easier to stitch. The thread tends to find any pin it can find to wind itself around!

Keep checking back for more progress as we go along! If you haven’t yet added this blog to your Google Reader (or another blog reader), now is a great time to do so! That way you won’t miss any of the progress on this quilt. Click on the blue “Join this site” button on the upper right side of your screen to sign up. Or, if you haven’t yet joined Google Reader, go here: http://www.google.com

Merry Christmas

2011-12-24T09:16:00.001-05:00

Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect back on happy times with your family and friends…

The good times eating holiday treats…

Baking and decorating…

Pets of Christmas past…

The wonder of it all…

Christmas with your siblings…

Piles of presents…

Laughter and love…May it all be yours this Christmas day.

Merry Christmas

from the Mosey family!

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 4

2011-12-20T19:53:00.001-05:00

I am really enjoying the hand quilting on President Obama's quilt. As I sit and stitch on it, certain thoughts keep popping into my mind. I'm quilting a quilt for the President of the United States! Our group started this quilt when President Obama was elected. We didn't know if he would be in office for 4 or 8 years, but he was OUR PRESIDENT, and we wanted to make him a quilt. As a child, I remember studying about the U.S. presidents with awe and wonder. Regardless of whether you like his political decisions, he's our President, and as I was taught when I was little, he deserves our respect. This quilt will be given to him whenever he steps out of office and another President steps in. My husband is even reminding me of the importance of what I'm doing, as he tells me to "put the quilt up" (when I'm done stitching on it for the night) "so you don't get cat hair on our President's quilt!”

Over the past few days, here is what has been accomplished:

Sweet Tater Pie by Jean Amundsen of California. This is one of Jean's favorite blocks from the Jane Stickle quilt, and Jean wanted to include it on the quilt in red, white and blue patriotic colors.

#3 by Linda Boyle from Colorado.

Ashley's Aura by Andrea Kozoil of Ohio. Andrea found this block to remind her of a compass; "May our President stay true to his direction and convictions."

Portland Rose by Theresa Wells. Made with roses to represent Portland, Oregon, based on the Jane Stickle pattern Kaye's Courtyard.

A sad note: Linda Boyle, who made the block in the second picture above, passed away and never got to see the blocks sewn together into the finished quilt top. From friend Linda Starkey, also a contributor to this quilt:

Linda (Boyle) was married to the same man for over 30 years, had 3 children, 2 boys and a little girl who was still born. She did lovely hand piecing and hand quilting, and I just wish I could look over her shoulder and watch once again.

Linda was diagnosed with breast cancer. She was considered to be high risk because breast cancer ran in her family, and following chemo, developed a blood clot in her brain from which she did not recover.

"We belonged to a small group quilting bee of about 15 women. We called her "Linda B" because she was one of 4 Linda’s in our group. We meet at a local library 2 or 3 times a month and generally support one another through illnesses, deaths, and life's ups and downs. As a group we made a quilt for Linda before she started her chemo treatments and she was very proud and thrilled with that quilt."

As the blocks for this quilt were collected over a a period of a couple of years, the quilters who participated kept in contact via Yahoo Groups. We got to know each other as much as you can over the Internet. We each had our flaws, weaknesses, strengths, likes and dislikes, but we worked together for a common good. This quilt is not only a celebration of a President, but a celebration of many hands working together from around the world. It is thrilling to see our project in the last stage of its creation!

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 3

2011-12-15T20:51:00.001-05:00

I thought with it being the Christmas season, I wouldn’t be able to do as much quilting in the evening. Fortunately, quilting is how I relax, so I’ve been able to get quite a bit accomplished so far this week and loved every minute of it!

I spent some time over the last week making a chart of all the blocks in the quilt and listing the maker’s names and names of the blocks. Kathy Timmons, the wonderful quilter who designed the layout and sewed the top together, also sent me some information that helped. But I still have many blocks to look up, and quite a few blocks have never been named.

The quilt is a combination of blocks that were custom designed to reflect President Obama’s presidency, and quilt blocks that were taken from the Jane Stickle quilt in Vermont. One of these days I will post photos of the random blocks that seem to have no name or ownership in hopes that I can complete the chart, but for now I will keep plugging away at this.

The block below is a Hawaiian applique by quilter Elizabeth Brandt of Michigan. I LOVE this little block, and it was fun to quilt around.

The pretty dove is by Judy Lindsay of Washington…

and below is Independence Square by Susan Mina of Arizona.

Clicking on each photo should enlarge the image.

Aren’t these blocks great?

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 2

2011-12-11T19:13:00.002-05:00

Left to right: Chieko’s Calla Lily by Sue Mohr, Double Nine Patch by Sue Mina, Chicago White Socks by Patti Baymiller, and above the sock is Sea to Shining Sea by Ruth Davis.

Close-ups:

Quilting is also taking place in two straight lines in the narrow striped borders.
This week I hope to do the right side from Ruth’s block to the top right corner of this inner border, however with preparations for Christmas going on, that plan might be pushing it. But quilting keeps me sane and calm, so who knows?
Stay tuned!

Pushing the delete button

2011-12-09T10:24:00.001-05:00

When you leave a comment... it makes me smile. Most of the time. Let me explain.

I have my blog set up to automatically email me whenever I get a comment from somebody on my blog. Since I have a smart phone that is always with me, I am notified of your comment the moment you send it to me (unless I'm in a meeting at work, that is...). So all through the day, I get your delightful responses to articles on the blog. I love to read what you are doing / thinking / stitching, etc. And if I'm having "one of THOSE days," your comments often provide the lift that I need just when I need it most. (Example: @Annemart for being such a supportive new friend!)

I also receive email comments that are not so uplifting, such as when a spammer (@Keith!) tries to promote his junk on my blog, or when a reader goes off on a rant about something that is not in any way related to the blog article they claim to have just read. OR when several comments are left by quilters who are simply expressing their own opinion or process (which is fine), and then someone comes along and starts an argument about the previous opinions. It's an OPINION. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Just don't try and start a fight or condemn somebody on my blog! My readers are my friends! I don't need them assaulted verbally! These kinds of comments also arrive on my smart phone, and immediately send me to the blog article to delete the comment.

I use my delete button strategically and carefully. I think about it before it is pushed.

I deleted four comments this morning for various reasons that I felt were justified. It is, after all, MY blog. I love it when you come by, pour yourself a warm beverage and read, look around, and leave a comment. Sometimes it feels like you've walked into my living room and we're sitting down having a chat.

Imagine how you'd feel if someone walked into your living room and started arguing with you or throwing nasty comments around?

DELETE.

Yes We Can, Jane quilt update number 1

2011-12-06T19:08:00.001-05:00

I began the hand quilting on the Yes We Can, Jane quilt on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at the center of the quilt in the bottom left corner of the inner border area. I hope that makes sense. I chose the Mountain Mist Quilt-Light polyester batting for the quilt for two reasons:

1) I used to use this regularly on my quilts, and was able to achieve a very good stitch to inch ratio. Lately I have been using an 80/20 cotton/poly blend, as I like the warmth it provides, but using this blend means a smaller stitch ratio.

2) This quilt will mostly be a display quilt rather than a “sleep and cuddle under” quilt, thus it will get less use and the choice of batting is appropriate.

While I like how the quilting is going so far, there is one thing that I am struggling with. The cream colored solid fabric that is in the sashing and forms the base for all of the blocks has a very high thread count. It is a cotton fabric, but not at all easy to needle. Because of the high thread count, even with following a straight line, the stitches appear in many areas to be wobbling, which I assure you they are not.

Quilting lines are 1/4 and 1/2 inch apart in the solid cream colored areas. Each block will (obviously) be quilted as appropriate to the block. I am using a water soluble marker that I have used for over 30 years with total success. The blue lines will easily come out with a soak in cold water.

The brown block on the left is M-9 (from the Jane Stickle quilt), made by Holly Sweet of North Carolina. Next to that is Buckeye Beauty made by Ruth Garrett of Ohio.

Stay tuned for another update this weekend!