Category Archives: Hand Piecing

Venus on a Monday Afternoon

I was lucky enough to see the full eclipse of the sun in April 2024 in my Niece’s backyard in Panton Vermont. The Eclipse Star block is based on an arrangement my 8 year old Grandniece Iris came up with when we were playing with her wooden blocks that are shaped like quilt pieces. And, to explain the name of the quilt I will tell you that while in the middle of being stunned by what we were seeing, suddenly, we were wondering which planet is that below the eclipsed sun? Just as suddenly the moon continued on its path and the sky was full of light again.

I was able to replicate Iris’s block design in Electric Quilt and then I also found the paper pieces and acrylic templates for sale at Paper Pieces so that I could put the block together using the English Paper Piecing method.

Here is an overview of the process I went through for piecing the block together.

If you are interested I have a put together a FREE pattern for the star block, but please be familiar with the EPP method.

The Back of the Quilt is interesting, too, with the quilting for the sun highlighted.

This quilt was exhibited at Boston City Hall in March 2025 along with my Medallion Quilt. The best part is that it was featured on the advertising graphic.

What’s Going On With Jane

I have been fitting a Jane Block in here and there, so I thought I would post pictures of them.

Jane’s Oak has been done a bit differently. I machine pieced the bottom instead of appliquéing it, so the white on the sides is missing.

I had a dreadful time with the Parcheesi block after trying to hand piece it and came up with a rebellious melon free solution!

The block is really very similar to its neighbor Deanie’s Daisies when approached this way. I may still do it the correct way in a year or two!

I was happy with the rest of the blocks and I found the melons in Dad’s Plaids to be very cooperative. I sprayed the heck out of the fabric with Best Press and then used the needle turn method for both the appliqué and reverse appliqué. I also used Jenny Haskins Template Magic as a guide for turning the fabric. That stuff is great because it sticks to the fabric and can be reused a few times.

I did not cut the back out of Poof because the seems for the piecing were not secured so I am afraid they will rip out. Maybe some fabric glue? Not sure so I am leaving it as is for now.

I now have 59 blocks done, but am way behind in the group I am doing this with. I must be about 8 months behind now. But, I am still getting them done and am pleased with the results, so I am not giving up on this!

Jane I Have Not Given Up on You!

Okay, here they are! More Jane blocks.

My Jane Stickle group is concentrating on the G Row to get one entire row done. I am now about 6 months behind, so I decided to focus on those as well, rather than do them in the order assigned.

I completely hand pieced Block G8 and I am happy with the result. It was a bit frustrating at first and I concluded that I am happy the sewing machine was invented! This is not a Kaffe or a Phillip or even a Westminster fabric, but I think it works well with them. Guess I have decided to branch out and mix some other fabrics in. If I have a fabric that works I am going to use it! No one in my group seemed to notice my Kaffe Fassett/Phillip Jacobs departure, so I got away with it!

I did give hand piecing another try with G1. I thought it would be too difficult to try curved piecing on the machine because the curve seemed a bit too tight. I finished this block with the machine.

For block G7 I decided to go ahead and try machine piecing the curves and it went quite well. I pressed the pieces in half to line up the centers and pinned at the center and each side. I put the convex piece on the bottom when sewing. I only redid one of the curved seems and I actually ended up redoing that one twice!

G9 is just straight forward paper piecing and I used an Amy Butler fabric this time (at least it is a Westminster fabric!). I wanted to use this orange!

Finally, I was looking at my progress chart and double checking to see if I had everything in the right place. I found my chart had a couple of blocks in the wrong row and also discovered a block with the wrong fabric! But, aren’t I lucky because the block is D13, which is just about the easiest block you could find yourself redoing. So, I now have a red and an orange D13.

And to wrap things up I will also show you the second B12 that I made some time ago because I was not happy with my first try at reverse applique. The first is really not so bad, but I think I like the fussy cutting in the redo better.

Is this more than you ever wanted to know about my Jane blocks??

Oh!! …. in case anyone is counting I finally got 50 blocks done! WOOT WOOT!!