JT2 Section 1

With the April 1 blocks (4 of them), there were also instructions on how to put the blocks together. This picture shows blocks 1 28 stitched together awaiting more blocks to come. Currently this quilt top is a 45 inch square. New block instructions come out twice a month but the next assembly instructions will be in late June or July 1 (my guess since the assembly directions are to come out 4 times during the year).

Blocks 27 and 28

Blocks 27 and 28 are finished! The first section of the Just Takes 2 quilt is ready for final assembly. The applique block did, as I thought it would, take awhile to complete. I learned a lot on this block as well as getting applique practice. I'd never done back basting before but the more I did it the more I liked it.

Blocks 25 and 26

JT2 (Just Takes 2) - 2 more blocks are completed and added to others already made. The new blocks this month are in the lower left hand corner - an 8 pointed star and a palm leaf. I have 2 more blocks to do between now and April 15, when the next clues come out. One, a checkerboard strip, will be easy and take little time. The other is a large applique block and that's going to take awhile.

I found the hand piecing of the star blocks relatively easy. The 'y' seams didn't bother me or cause any difficulty. I realized while working on this block that manipulating the new piece of fabric and stitching it into place with ease was due to the large amount of practice I'd had doing this, even though it was ages ago. You see, I learned to hand piece on small hexagons, making grandmother's flower garden blocks. My grandmother taught me when I was about 10 years old. Lesson learned? Teach children and grandchildren to make something. Even if they don't stick with it but for a short time, they may come back to it later in life and they won't have forgotten how to do it.

I treasure the time Grandma and I spent quilting and crocheting. I loved it when I'd visit her and she'd bring out her quilts to show. I'm glad I'm carrying on the family tradition of quiltmaking.

April 1 blocks

There were 4 new blocks posted for April 1 on the Just Takes 2 quilt project. In addition, there were directions for how to lay out all the blocks posted so far. Today I assembled a good number of the blocks. I need to make the new blocks before I can do anymore.

I'm learning a lot as I make this quilt as there are techniques used that either are new to me or that I've tried but am still not very comfortable with. This will be a beautiful quilt when finished!I'm beginning to think about how to quilt it. I don't even know what color would be best much less how to quilt it. I'll have to start looking closely at 2 color quilts to see what others have done.

April 1st is coming!

No picture today but there will be soon. April 1 is the day for the next "Just takes 2" clues. I understand that there will be more blocks but also directions for putting together the blocks we've already done. Yeah! Just a few more hours to wait.

Just Takes 2 March 15 blocks

Only 2 blocks for the 2nd part of March: 1 12" (finished) and 1 3"x 12" (finished). I did the geese with the quick method, making 4 at a time. It really is quick and easy. After completing the strip of flying geese, it was on to the 12" block - this time a hand pieced block. The directions were clear and easy to follow and I followed them until the last step. The center was to be appliqued with 6 tiny melon shapes. Instead of all the little pieces, I turned under the edges of the large triangles and appliqued them to a piece of light background fabric I'd pinned behind the center. I then cut out 1 piece for the center and appliqued it onto the center background circle. The hand piecing of the pieces was a bit tedious but the applique went very quickly for me. I'm pleased with the result as I don't think I would have attempted this block on my own.

Now - I'm caught up on my block making for the Just Takes 2 quilt so I'll be anxious to see what comes next (the next clues come out April 1).

block 4 with tatting

This is the fan block I made for the Just Takes 2 mystery quilt. This week I added a tatted trim to it. It's all stitched down and the block is ready to be sewn into a quilt. I allowed enough space for the seam allowance.

This month we're working on a hand pieced compass star. I have part of it done. I'm also going to try to get embellishment added to the feathered star I made earlier this month. I'm thinking about combining redwork embroidery with tatting on it. We'll see.