Tile Quilt Block 3 Finished

While traveling last week I managed to finish the third tile quilt that I started during my work trip to Vegas a few weeks ago.

These blocks take a LONG time to finish.  They will be cut down to finish at 10" when all said and done, but with 20+ pieces that need to be needle turned, they sure can take a while.  Basically, it took me four 4-hour flights to almost finish it and another hour or so at home.  I find needle turn applique on a plane to be more difficult than at home because of the vibration of the plane, so it certainly took longer than if I were at home.

Here are the first three blocks. 1/3 of the way done!  At this pace, maybe I'll finish in a few years! ::wink wink::

What to do When Traveling

As I noted a few days ago, I was traveling last week for work.  While on the plane to and from, I spent some time reading a book, watching a movie on my iPad, and working on another tile block. This is block three of the tile quilt blocks that I'm working on occasionally.

I'm almost half done with this block.  To me, this is a great block to take and work on while traveling because all you need is some thread, a needle and something to cut the thread with (dental floss cutter, nail clippers, etc.) and you can work on a block!  I prepared the block in advance and basted it at home before leaving, so I didn't even have to deal with pins.

I have another trip coming up, so I'll hopefully finish this at that point.

Labor Day Quilting

I hope everyone had a fantastic labor day weekend.  I spent some time with my family up at the beach and relaxing a bit back at home.  While I was relaxing, in both places, I managed to finish the second block of the tile quilt. 

I'm really linking how these are coming out. Here are both together.

I like having these to do when I'm not around my sewing machine.  Now to get the next one prepped.

Tile Quilt Class

On Saturday KK and I took a class at Emma's Quilt Cupboard in Franklin, MA to make a tile quilt using needle turn applique.  I've been learning more needle turn applique this year and I thought this would be a fun class to take. 

This is the class sample.  I thought the quilt was cute, although not quite my style.  After looking at it, I decided to make mine in Asian fabrics. 

Here is the beginning of my block, pre any applique.  It looks busy and not that wonderful, but once I started to needle turn, things really started to come to life and I really liked the block more and more.

Here's the block as of this morning, almost finished.  I just have to turn the three end pieces on the right and the one on the bottom left.  I really like it now that the grout has been formed. 

Here are blocks from other students.  (sorry for the blurryness, all of the photos were taken with my phone.)  I love the idea of using different background fabrics.  I think it would be cool to have multiple blocks with a rainbow of fabrics for the background, red for one, orange for another, etc. 

I might prep a few blocks to take with me on my upcoming trip to Paris.  I think this would make a good project to do on a plane. 

Reverse Applique

Last Saturday we had our monthly BMQG meeting where Pippa taught us her reverse applique technique. Below is what I was able to make during the lesson.

I liked this hand sewing technique and could see myself taking this along with me on trips to have some handwork to do.

I used some of my hand dyed fabrics for this and I think I'll probably make a small wall hanging out of this.  I'll do a bunch of different types of circles in many sizes and colors.  

NEMQG November Meeting

Yesterday was the November meeting of the NEMQG and the first one I was able to attend in person.  It was great to be able to meet everyone that I've been talking to online and those that have been participating in the bee.

In this meeting we learned needle turn applique.  I was excited to learn this because I've always wanted to make an Aunt Millie's Garden quilt.  Joanna, the applique queen, taught this lesson using her tree tutorial.  Here's my tree in progress.

I also received my blocks back from my month in the bee.  Here are the blocks (one is missing).

I had asked for a star block and these are everyone's interpretation.  Now to think of how I'm going to put it together.  Hmm...