Bear Paw Block and Quilt Studies

Remember that Bear Paw block I was working on? You can read about it HERE and RIGHT HERE.

Well, I finally finished the thing and sent it off to the Block Queen Bee.

I've noticed being a part of this quilting bee, that quilters like their half-square triangles. I, on the other hand, can live happily without them.

Don't get me wrong, I love the look of them. I could just care less about sewing them on a machine. I find it tedious trying to make sure all my points and corners are 'on point'.

I think for now on I will hand sew any blocks that call for HST's. It's just too much work trying to do them by machine.

I initially signed up for the monthly quilting bee in order to help me learn the 'proper' rules of quilting. It was part of my self-imposed year long study of learning how to quilt the 'right' way.

There is this saying that goes, "You have to first learn the rules before you can break them."

I thought that by knowing how quilt blocks are constructed, I will be able to take those standards of construction and turn them on their heel later.

In just a short time I have made several blocks and quilts. During that time I've learned that I really don't much care about the rules or the 'right' way to quilt. Is that wrong of me? Shouldn't I be pushing myself to make perfect corners and piece high-quality quilts? I thought so at first. But the more I do this, the more I find escape and relief in my own way of quilting. I have no desire to 'break the rules'. If that happens in my work, it is by chance, not on purpose. 

What this quilt study has revealed to me is my own confidence in how I work with fabric. I no longer feel the need to explain or justify my work. I have several quilts in the works now. I will continue my quilting studies as I have committed myself for the remainder of this year.

Is there something about learning to quilt that surprised you? Is their a block, pattern or technique that is your least favorite?

Paws, Health and Hexies

This is about as much as I've gotten done on the bear paw block. I know, I should be done with that block by now. I was able to draw on the lines to make my half square triangles before my quilting was put on hold. I had all of Sunday to myself while my hubby took our daughter to spend the day at Magic Mountain with his uncle and his family. The plan was to complete the bear paw block, start on a new quilt for the church group I just joined  and maybe even get the bow tie quilt top basted. Alas, the rainy weather and the stress I put myself under getting the house cleaned before their weekend stay with us, caused my health to go down hill.

My ankles swelled and that along with a slitting headache saw me quickly abandoning my quilting for two aspirins and trip to the couch to keep my feet propped up. Even today, I'm still not back to myself and I have my in-laws coming to visit this weekend.

On a positive note, I did manage to make nine hexie flowers over this past week. All my Instagram #Hexiefreinds will be seeing hexies in the mail from me this week.

Hopefully my health will pick up before the in-laws come knocking at the door.

There's A Bear In My Quilting

I have a few hours of alone time today. So I plan to spend it doing some quilting. I'm part of the  quilting bee called the Newbee Quilters over at Threadbias. This month's queen bee has requested a bear paw block using neutral scrappy fabrics for the background and certain colors for the paws themselves.

Here are the colors I've chosen to use for the block. I think the red will really make the paws pop out against the two neutral fabrics.

I will finish ironing the fabrics and get all the pieces cut out. Then it will be time to break out the sewing machine and put this puppy together.

 The pattern we have been requested to use comes from Delaware Quilts.