Oma's Blues: My Corner Plates

I am in love with this block!

Here are 4 of the blocks, I've put them together here to show my fussy cutting pattern as a visual, however in the quilt they are not put together in this way. Even so, I'm very keen on this layout idea on its own - so much so that if I had enough left over fabric, I would make 4x extra blocks to create an Oma's Blues cushion. I think cushions are currently out of trend at the moment, but I always have space for them, especially when they match my quilts (which I hang up at home). I hadn't thought of that when I created Oma, but now I wish I had, it would go so well!

Here's what each block looks like

you will make 12 x in Part 10 (which is released October 15th)

And here I am, toiling away at my fussy cut corner block production line. It's funny to look back at my working images like this one and think that at some stage, all my quilts live in pieces, in envelopes! I am just so happy with the fusible method at the moment, it's really allowing me to work as quickly as possible and it's allowed me to really speed up my process. I don't think I could be without it now!

 Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

Oma's Blues: Fussy Cutting the Corner Plates

I've been savoring this moment: it's time for some serious fussy cutting!

I love these corner plates. When I first designed Oma's Blues, I wanted to introduce ornate plates somewhere but after the charm plates, nothing felt right until I drew up these corner pieces. Then it all just fell into place for me and I knew right then at the design stage that these plates were the ideal spot for some fussy cutting!

 I like to cut out 'audition templates' and just 'browse' my way through the fabric options...

charming

so much potential

I just knew this range of fabic was 'it' when I set my eyes on it, the 'Dutch Cottage' range couldn't have come at a better time for me, it's custom made for Oma's Blues!

 There's really so many options and stylistic elements to draw from

I'm spoilt for choice

I'm really excited to show you what I created from these fabrics, but first I'll show you what I left behind! Pop back to see my completed block tomorrow..

I'm working on the corner plates which join in to create Border 7, which according to the Free BOM Release schedule, is Part 10 (and will be released Oct 15th). As I started this quilt late, I'm making my own Oma's Blues out of 'schedule'. This BOM is still available for Free over in my Yahoo BOM Group, so if you've been thinking of joining in - do!

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

Oma's Blues: Preparing Blocks for Border 4

This post relates to Part 9 of Oma's Blues

Released Sept 15th 

Before joining up your blocks to create Border 4, you will need to accurately trim them down to size. This is doubly important for Oma's Blues because connecting 72x blocks means accuracy must be key. Even just a few mms will make a problematic difference that will have to be corrected. It all adds up and with blocks like this, you need to know and have your eye on the measure.

 Each border 4 block must measure 6.5 x 6.5 inches precisely (6 inches is the finished block size)

 I've stacked my ironed blocks, ready for trimming

I'm using a turning cutting matt - it's like a lazy susan, it simply turns as I cut. In fact, it's so easy to use I have to take care that I don't cut myself with the rotary cutter! It takes pressure off my wrists and it speeds up the process, I love it.

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

WOW: Trimming Oma

WOW=WIPs On Wednesday

I'm trimming my blocks to connect them to create my border for Oma's Blues. I'm finally a bit ahead of the BOM Schedule ( I need a drum roll I think), so this will be happening in Part 9 which is released Sept 15th.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Oma's Blues: Bird & Bouquet

With the vase done, it's time to think about my flower arrangement.

As always, I've prepped the many hundreds of pieces in different envelopes for use later. This really works for me as I find that when I'm in the mood to trace and cut fusible, it's better for me to do a lot of it in one sitting, pack it away by stage of quilt and then return to it later when needed. 

The bird fabric was an instant choice

 and I love the fussy cut eye detail

With the rest of the flowers, its a case of trial and error. Some fabrics that I loved in blues just didn't work when grouped together

Here I'm playing with several different flower heads. When I cut my fusible, I usually cut multiples when it comes to flowers as I know I will always umm and ahhh over these. I have a whole box of LE and LE2 flowers that are beautiful but didn't fit the quilt for whatever reason and I pop these left over pieces in a box. One day, I will simply iron them all down and create a wall hanging of wild flowers from my many quilt applique leftovers. So you see, I don't mind making extra. It's all part of the fun.

 and I'm still working on the finishing details...

The next time you see this centre, it will be completed and the charm plates will be stitched into position all the way around.

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

Oma's Roses

 Lucky I have a daylight lamp, otherwise I wouldn't be able to work in the current wintery gloom!

I make my Oma's Roses exactly as I recommend in the pattern, in numbered pieces and once again using wash away fusible that makes the whole process quicker and easier than ever before.

 Just another creative mess. This is actually my kitchen table!

 My finished lovely Delfty rose

 Remember that two face right and two face left!

 And you'll see these again once I join my Oma's Blues border

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

Oma's Blues: Part 8 is Launched

I normally launch of the 15th of each month, but as it's Friday and I have housework to do before the weekend, I've decided to post early! Here I am working on a block before it's actually released- I do think that's a first for me! In Part 8 we are making 30x BB2 blocks. 

Having completed my BB1 blocks, I had another tough afternoon opting for the fabrics. I finally settled on this beautiful Leesa Chandler fabric because I felt it blended with almost every other blue in the quilt.

 First I stitch the base blocks

Once all 30x bases of the blocks are done, they look like this. And just like in BB1, I press the seams towards the dark area of the block, I don't want any show through.

 These are the applique pieces I prepared earlier. I'll be appliqueing these on top. This is just the way I have chosen to create these blocks. I prefer to applique the opposing shapes on top of the block. You could of course piece the whole thing. This method just works best for me but is in no way the only way to create BB2. Do what works for you. 

 This is what my block will look like when the applique is in position

I've decided that I'm going to stitch the base block (without the applique) into position first and then applique the shapes down afterwards, when the created border is in place.

I'll double count my pieces to make sure I don't make too many or few and then I'll put them back into my prep box until I'm ready to stitch them down later. For my applique pieces, I have once again used Polyfuse, it's a wash way fusible and I'm using it throughout this quilt as I find that it speeds up my working method. I have no papers to remove, I just used the pattern, and carry on.

I'm looking forward to see this quilt really start taking shape. I'm working out of turn so I'm not as far along as most of you who have been creating Oma step by step each month. Today I have some extra prepping to do (if I get some spare time later on in the evening).

You've seen how I've opted to create BB2 this month. Of course, you could opt for a different colourway, depending on what effect you want this block to create in your border.This is the image from the pattern. Make 30x and set aside.

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

WOW: More Oma Prepping

WOW = WIPs On Wednesdays

It looks like August is going to be Oma's month! I'm working non stop to get this quilt top done. I love making progress as fast as this because I have quilts waiting in the wings. My family keep asking me why I'm complaining about being 'hard at work' when 'all I'm really doing is hobbying' - but they don't understand. Quilting at this pace IS a job, and a full time one at that!

Here's my Oma's Blues Prep Box. I have an individual prep box for every quilt I'm working on. It means I always have something to be getting on with, especially when I get tired of seeing the same quilt over and over.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up