Daily intense sessions mean I am almost done, but it has been very quiet sewing time. I miss the whirr of my sewing machine. A little bit of machine piecing would provide the perfect antidote to satisfy my need for diversity, so I started Bonnie Hunter's Orca Bay Mystery quilt. Last year I almost joined the Roll, Roll Cotton Boll mystery. I wish I had. So when this came along I dived in to the Bay.
The first step was OK. Just 224 QSTs. Week 2 required only 72 string pieced 3 1/2" squares.
Surprising to me was just how long this part took. I have never constructed a quilt in this manner before. I tend to make a block (stare at/admire it for a while) and then make another block. It is a slow old process. Making a massive number of units in one go is new to me. Perhaps that is why I am usually so slow to finish.
A quilt started way back when, is almost finished.
I put the binding on and am just about to label it. The story behind it is here.
13 comments:
You have been so busy! I love the fabrics in your 3.5" squares and am looking forward to seeing how this one goes together.
I kind of thought of doing the quilt but by hand it would have taken way too long. I love your finish.
Hi Liz, I am enjoying the look of your blocks. I'm interested to see how you colour choices work out. What fun! I have 22 blocks left to do. It is a slow process for me because I am working with skinny strips.
I just read the story of your recently finished UFO. I just love the way you described the "untouchable" fabrics. I have a significant stash of such fabrics, and need to use your thought process to get them out of the drawers and bins. Nice blog!
Jayne
jaynesquiltingroom.blogspot.com
Hi Liz, I love the green blocks you have made for Orca Bay. I make so many green quilts I am not using green this time. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
I'm like you an generally do a quilt a block at a time...not bits of blocks! I did the roll, roll, cotton boll...at least most of it. I still need to put the border on...this time I am trying to stay on schedule!
Bonnie's method of making a quilt is more of a 'production' method. That's how she gets so many things done. I've incorporated her leaders and enders into my sewing room and once I got organized, I couldn't believe how many pieces get sewn by default. I always have a project for this sitting by my machine.
I love the colors on your string blocks....beautiful. And your quilt with the 'untouchable' border is gorgeous! Well done!
You have been busy! Great to have some finishes and starts for the coming new year.
I'm curious--what other colors you are using for Bonnie's mystery? I like your greens.
Love the greens, and with Bonnie's mysteries your machine will whirr plenty. They are so fun and so rewarding though. Great blocks and your quilt is lovely.
I think strings take a long time to make too. It's not too late, you could still make RRCB.
For some reason I can't quite trust myself to do a mystery quilt! More controlling than I thought I guess! Love what you have done so far!
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