Hey everyone, happy hump day! You know that Wednesday means it’s Blockheads time again, so let’s get to it! This week Betsy Chutchian of Betsy’s Best Quilts and More adds her style to the mix with block #18, “Crowning Glory.” Betsy has been sewing since childhood and taught herself to quilt in the 80’s after receiving an inspirational antique quilt top as a gift from her elders. Soon after she began teaching in 1990, and has since gone on to share her passion for quilt making by reproducing 19th Century quilts through classes, presentations, and bed-turnings. In addition, she is the author of several books and is also a fabric designer for Moda. Busy lady!
What a beautiful block! “Crowning Glory” is basically a nine-patch, but could be considered a bit trickier than other nine-patches you may have done in the past. I highly recommend starching your fabric for this one, because it will make working with the smaller pieces much easier. Starching your fabric ahead of time not only helps to maintain control of smaller elements, but also helps to keep bias edges from stretching. Though it seems like this block might take some extra skill, don’t worry! My best advice is to take your time. It really doesn’t have to be difficult. As my fellow stitcher and colleague Brenda put it, “It’s like eating an elephant – take it one bite at a time!” LOL!
For my version of this block, I decided to keep the same basic color scheme going as I have been using in pervious weeks. I stuck with “Ochre” as my background color (sorry, we are currently out of stock of Ochre, but should be getting more soon), and used a mid-gray floral on black Urban Farmhouse Gatherings II print for the outer most pieces. For the center square I pulled a 180º, and did the opposite – black floral print on mid-gray. I think it looks great!
As you saw, for the inner pieces and center of last week’s block I went a little crazy and stepped outside the box by adding some Zen Chic fabric choices to the mix. I really liked how it turned out, so I decided to keep it going this week as well. I used a white Zen Chic again for the “crown” shapes that seem to form around the middle portion of the block. The white against the black really helps those shapes to pop, making “Crowning Glory“ the perfect name for this design. Ready to start your own version of “Crowning Glory?” For the pattern and a full set of instructions, visit Betsy’s blog by hitting the button below!
As usual if you’re just joining MBH4 and need to catch, up you can find all of the previously released MBH4 blocks in the Moda Blockheads 4 Archive listed in the main menu of links at the top of my blog page. They can also be found on Moda’s Inspiration+Resources Center Page, along with all bonus blocks by clicking HERE! If you’re having trouble keeping all the details straight, you can also sign-up to receive Moda’s weekly Blockheads blog posts via e-mail at the Inspiration+Resources Center as well.
Well folks, it being Wednesday also means that I am working in my home studio today. It’s the one day a week that I try to hide away where nobody can interrupt me (that’s the idea anyway). My goal is to take some time to myself and get caught up on any loose end projects I have, so that I don’t fall behind. With having so much going on at once, getting off track on any one thing could certainly mean bad news in the grand scheme of things – especially if I’m trying to make a deadline! Multi-tasking like we do around here definitely requires a level of self discipline…I do my best. 😉 What matters most is that no matter how busy I get, I still love what I do – and because I love it so much, it never gets old! Do you have a designated sewing day on your schedule? How about a special room in your home specifically for stitching? Tell me about it in the comments! It’s important to make time in life for the people and things that we love. Otherwise, what’t the point?! Life is short, enjoy yourself!
That’s all for today, but I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow on my “Stitch with Lisa Bongean“ YouTube channel. I’ll be going LIVE from our Primitive Gatherings Longarm Department at 1:00 PM CST. The boys and I will be proudly showing off their progress on quilting the Mystery Mission Hogs for Heroes quilts, which we’ll be donating to a group of deserving veterans later this summer. I have to say that I am super proud of how this project is turning out. I mean, I knew it would be great but THIS great? I’ll take it! Of course I couldn’t have done it without all of you – THANK YOU – THANK YOU – THANK YOU!!! I really hope you join us LIVE tomorrow to see how all your effort and hard work is coming along! You can tune in by clicking the “STITCH” button below. Hope to see you there! ~Lisa
I have always had a designated sewing area. A corner, a wall, a whole room. We recently moved and for the first time in 34 years we had ann actual basement that was not a walk out. So we added a sewing area complete with flooring and dry wall. My husband then thought as long as we are going thru the mess might as well add a music room. Then a family room . Then a bedroom. Can’t have a bedroom without a full bath!. Then we needed a work area for stained glass and basket weaving. So here we are. All for the want of a sewing room. Everybody is happy.
I have made my sewing area at a desk in the kitchen, table in my bedroom, area in the kids playroom and the smallest bedroom in the house. All have worked, some more than others
I have tried to start a timeline if you will for my projects, whether quilting, which I am sort of new to, to clothing
I sew in my basement every morning for about an hour and a half. Get lots done that way.
Unfortunately I do not have a designated sewing room but always enjoy seeing others in person or in pictures. I use to have a designated sewing time by joining a group at the Sr Ctr but they wanted everyone to work on the same project. Those projects did not always work for me even as gifts. Then Covid happened. So I sew on my kitchen table on my desired projects when I have time. Maybe 1 day I’ll have that special spot. BtW I like your block this week. I think it shows better in plain or small print fabrics.
I have a lovely sewing room. I try to get in there every day even if its just for a few minutes. I’m having really hard time waiting for the next clue for your sew-a-long! I’m all caught up and can’t wait to get to the next step :0)
I am impressed Lisa with how much you keep up with at one time. I have way too many unfinished projects around here. I have a lovely family room with lots of space for fabric that I have filled up to overflowing! I also do other crafts like paint pouring and resin there too. I like to stitch in multiple rooms in the house and outside too. I hope you had a productive day today in your studio since I am reading this in the evening California time. 🙂 Have a great day tomorrow. K-
I sew on the weekend afternoons with my friends (we meet online so we can chat). And I am lucky enough to have a room dedicated to sewing.
Lisa, your positivity seems endless. Thank you for that! I don’t get much time to sew these days because I started working in my local quilt shop! It is such a creative place and it fills my soul just as much as the actual sewing. Until I decide I want to give up being in the retail biz, I’ll continue to hoard fabric and be content looking at all my pretties stashed in my sewing basement and living vicariously through my you tube friends!
We have a small sunroom off of the dining area and that is my sewing room. I have great light and a comfy chair to do my wool stitching. My husband and I are retired so I try to go to my sewing room every day for a few hours. I like to have several things going so I can work on what I feel like. Right now I’m catching up on Dragonfly Dreams. In less than 3 weeks I’m having a prophylactic double mastectomy due to years of multiple biopsies. I’m quite anxious and stressed. Sewing is so therapeutic and I love being in my sewing room.
Good luck Linda, thinking of you!
Linda, please take it easy after surgery, sitting, resting, tv watching. I have had a single on the right side & am right handed. If not suggested yet ask for physical therapy as it’ll help with movement. You’ll do well. Prayers.
I have always had a sewing area, desk in the kitchen, an area in the kids playroom and the smallest bedroom in the house, lol, but it works for me, at least for the time being. My fabric stash is in a couple of areas through out the house.
About 3 years ago I gave up my sewing room when my grandson came to live with me. He has recently moved out so although I really miss him it is nice to have my sewing room back!!! I don’t have a designated sewing day I just try and get some sewing in every day. Even if it’s picking out fabric for a charity quilt, starting on a PG project and/or cutting fabric. Love, Love every minute of it. God gave us this talent and wants us to be happy. And I’m happy sewing!! Betsy Chutchian’s BH is so darn cute and she has beautiful fabric.
I have my own sewing area. When my boys moved out I took over their bedrooms. I need to become better organized with my space. I love your block!
Mondays are usually a day for sewing for me. My washer & dryer are in the basement along with my sewing machine. I tell DH that I’m going downstairs to do laundry and I get to sew in between loads! Your BH blocks are so pretty!
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