Grandmother's Choice - Block 4 - Kansas Sunflower
Well, I've hit another quilting milestone. I've hand pieced a block now! Actually I've hand pieced 2 blocks and it took the entire weekend. At first it was torture but eventually I got the hang of it and it wasn't so bad but you can bet that I will not be hand piecing on a regular basis. I wouldn't call it "fun".
Both medallions are appliqued to backgrounds instead of being set in as the pattern indicated. I'm not happy with the background on the symmetry block and I may switch it out later. I didn't want a solid black because I'm afraid it will make a dark hole on the finished quilt. I'll see how this looks in the setting later and adjust it if needed.
I did try to make the block with machine piecing and I wound up with something would would best be used as a Barbie doll skirt. It had enough poof to the center that it would han beautifully as a skirt! I also wasn't happy with the design flow so I was OK with starting all over.
Here are the templates.
Here are the 4 fabrics I used.
You can get directions for making this block on Barbara Brackman's blog and you can see the other blocks in the Flickr group.
Gorgeous! Funny, yesterday I posted my first hand piecing project too! Though mine is much less complex than yours.
Posted by: Deb Levy | September 29, 2012 at 03:25 PM
Both blocks are really quite handsome.
Posted by: Debra S | September 29, 2012 at 03:53 PM
I love the top block. Yellow is my fav color, so that may be part of it! :O)
Posted by: Cindy Is Crafty | September 29, 2012 at 07:16 PM
Well, Barbie is known for her fashion sense. She'll be the best-dressed doll around with that skirt!
Posted by: Tina in NJ | September 29, 2012 at 07:55 PM
Two stunning circles, and Barbie should be proud of her new skirt.
Posted by: Vitual Quilter | September 29, 2012 at 08:40 PM
WOW....those are gorgeous. i especially like the first one. i have hand appliqued but not hand pieced anything. not sure i want to attempt that. you did good.
Posted by: shirley bruner | September 30, 2012 at 09:45 AM
Maybe paper piecing? The blocks for this project sure aren't for the faint-of-heart!
Posted by: Laceflower | September 30, 2012 at 12:42 PM
Those symmetry blocks are stunning. Looking forward to seeing them all finished and together in one quilt.
Posted by: Lora | September 30, 2012 at 06:12 PM
Vicki,
If you go to Jinny Beyer's site, she has tips on hand piecing to make it go better. Hope this helps, in case Barbara comes up with another one you have to do by hand. :)
Posted by: Eileen Keane | October 01, 2012 at 07:50 AM