{"id":12141,"date":"2012-02-07T06:44:21","date_gmt":"2012-02-07T13:44:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artquiltmaker.com\/blog\/?p=12141"},"modified":"2016-05-23T20:30:15","modified_gmt":"2016-05-24T03:30:15","slug":"swooning-along","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/artquiltmaker.com\/blog\/2012\/02\/swooning-along\/","title":{"rendered":"Swooning Along"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Swoon<\/a>
Swoon Block #1<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I couldn’t resist Camille Roskelley<\/a>‘s Swoon block. I tried, I really did. There is a Swoon-a-long going on Flickr<\/a>, organized by Imagingermonkey<\/a>. I kept hearing about it and finally gave in.<\/p>\n

The original blocks are 24″. I didn’t want to make blocks that large. I resized the pattern down to 16″. Thank you, EQ7. The size is actually good for me. The patches are reasonably sized. I can make 2 blocks from the half yard fabrics I have selected.<\/p>\n

This block is similar to Rolling Star and Star of Bethlehem, according to EQ7.<\/p>\n

I didn’t have a lot of time to work on the block, but it was on my design wall so I kept thinking about it. I decided to make more than one block and just see what evolved.<\/p>\n

I think these blocks have 90 pieces if made the way I cut it the first time. It was easier, because I used the Triangle Technique for all of the triangle squares (half square triangles). The sewing is probably the same with that technique, but I don’t have to handle as many pieces.<\/p>\n

\"Swoon<\/a>
Swoon Block #2<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Friday, I had some time. Good thing, because I was about to lose my mind. I just sewed on and off while I listened to an audiobook in between errands and other obligations. I finished the first block and, then, finished a second! One thing I realized was how hard it is to match up the pieces of actual fabric with my block picture.<\/p>\n

I printed out a life size version of the block so I could use it to measure the half square triangles. I wanted to use my triangle technique and various speed cutting rulers.\u00a0 EQ does not calculate for specialized cutting techniques. I thought the life sized version would help. It does, actually.<\/p>\n

\"Swoon<\/a>
Swoon Block #1 - finished<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

My two finished blocks look similar, because I cut some of the half square triangles wrong. See above on the life sized version.<\/p>\n

They weren’t failures, but I couldn’t use them in the first block, thus the second. I am going to try some of the other fabrics next time. You probably knew that. \ud83d\ude09 I do plan to use other fabrics. I think I may have enough to mix these 3 in with other fabrics, so there is some continuity.<\/p>\n

\"Swoon<\/a>
Swoon Fabrics<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

I have a group of fabrics that will be sherbety and fun. I bought them during the summer. This will be a good project for them.<\/p>\n

I also think I will try different ways of putting the blocks together. In Block #1, I made all half square triangles (using my Triangle Technique<\/a>). On the next one, I will make Flying Geese instead of half square triangles. That will give me the opportunity to try out Deb Tucker’s Flying Geese ruler, which has been sitting on my desk for months!<\/p>\n

I decided I would try cutting a big square for the top center portion (see the pink polka dots on Block #1). On Block #2, I used the technique where you sew a square diagonally across the corner to another square on Block 2. This cut down on a few pieces. With 90-93 pieces, the fewer seams the better. It will be a good exercise to try and figure out the best way to make these blocks.<\/p>\n

Fun Swoon blocks<\/strong><\/span>:<\/p>\n