Puzzles

 I like puzzles! Sometimes I look at a quilt pattern as a puzzle to solve.  

This is the case for this Missouri Star pattern since it will be in one of this year's Block magazine. I watched their YouTube video of the Block Party. They showed this quilt and stated that it will only be found in the Block magazine. Well, I fell in love with this block!

I was planning on working with the pink and orange fabric that I had recently gotten to create a quilt for February.  Since I couldn't wait and I love puzzles, I decided to figure out how to assemble a block. Missouri Star likes to work with 2.5 inch strips and layer cakes. That was helpful information in figuring out measurements. They also mentioned in the video that a small drunkard path template is used. Easy, I ordered from them their small drunkard template. 

It's fun playing with the different shades of pink and orange to create this cute block. 

Arcs!

 

Last year when visiting Missouri Star quilt Co, I purchased the medium drunkard's path template along with the layer cake and easy clamshell pattern in plans to make a clamshell quilt. After reading the pattern and watching the Youtube video, I realized the motifs on the layer cake were too large to work well in the easy clamshell pattern since the pattern calls for two half shells to make a whole one. A small print or solid color is best for this pattern. 

I still wanted to use the templates and the layer cake. So, I googled around to find something that I liked. I wasn't that in love with the fabrics after I looked through the entire layer cake. I thought oh well, let me just practice with these. Sewing the arcs was easier than I thought!

I felt it needed something additional; so, I added a few smaller circles that I machine appliqued with variegated thread onto the top. I added the flange to the binding for additional pop and to use up the remainder of the fabrics. There is no batting in the quilt since the flannel backing is thicker than I thought it would be. I just did a simple quilting since the top seems to adhere to the flannel. Yes, I'm pleased with the look of the quilt! And the fabric grew on me as I assembled the quilt!

New Holiday Apron

 

I have numerous aprons that I use often. My one favorite was the one I made for my husband. 

I realized that I didn't have a holiday apron. So, I decided to get one finished before the next holiday season. Santa on one side and snowflakes on the other. 

Luckily, I had all the materials for this quick and fun project!