It is fun, especially this late in the list of blocks, to have one block that uses pieces from 3 different Perfect Patchwork Template Sets. It is really unusual to have pieces from Sets A and B used in not only the same block, but the same sub-unit of the block!
True confession: There was very little time between the idea for the Farmer’s Wife Sew Along and the date the blocks needed to be sorted and put in order. When I looked at the basic grid of Tirzah, it was obvious the sub-units would finish at 2 inches square, the size of template B-12, but what about the little pieces? That meant, it got pushed to the bottom of the list to give me time to “think” and in the meantime, many other blocks were made.
When I took time to look more carefully, I saw that N-81 was a perfect match for 96E. However, 96F was a bit of a mystery until I thought to extend the edges of the printed pattern and nub off the corners to match our engineered corners. Then I measured the leg of the triangle and discovered it was our triangle template A-6!
For many of the blocks, information in our book More Bang for the Buck provided the clue for which template set to use. For example, if I knew the finished length of the leg of a triangle, I could look in the appropriate chart in the book and find which set, if any, included a triangle that size -- bingo, I had the answer. At the beginning of the sew along last year, I talked about how helpful this book is in learning more ways to use the templates, and that hasn't changed! If you own several of the sets, this book is a great investment for getting "More Bang for the Buck."
As it turned out, making Tirzah was a lot of fun using a great template trick!
So, now that we are closing in on the last blocks in the sew along, we are giving you the opportunity to win a copy of this book! Anyone who has made at least 40 blocks using the templates -- on your honor -- is eligible. Just make a comment below. Tell us which block or blocks were your favorites to make, for example.
My Tirzah Block
Click on the image for a larger view. Click the link below to download the Chart for cutting and making Tirzah:
Visit these other Farmer's Wife Sew Along blogs, too, for sewing tutorials and other info about the Tirzah block:
http://gnomeangel.com
http://shequiltsalot.com/
The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird for Fons & Porter/F+W.
Hi Marti, well I've made all of the published blocks and to save time have put them all together with the setting triangles in strips of odds and evens, ready to make the completed quilt top. However, I only just realised that the book suggests the order in which to place the blocks. oh well, Im definitely NOT unpicking all the setting triangles! I have loved every block some more of a challenge than others and I am more than pleased with the results. My technique has improved and I have learnt so much. Thank you for all your hard work too, Its been a delight and I really look forward to the next block each week :)
ReplyDeleteHi. I just recently discovered these conversion charts for the 1930s Farmer's Wife. I am very interested in the original Farmer's Wife and have been reading on your blog that you have done the charts for that quilt also. Will you be starting that one again? Thank you.
ReplyDeleteHi Marcella, We are currently up to chart #4 in the email program. If you will go to our website or Facebook page, you can use the sign up button there to join the list. Then write to us through the website contact page and we'll catch you up with the charts you've missed. After we send out chart #5 on 12/30, we'll be posting a button for a new list and will begin mailings again with chart #1 for the original quilt after the new year.
DeleteDear Marti, I love your templates and I have made as many as I can with your templates. Happy New Year to you.
ReplyDeleteMarti, you are a genius! Amazing way to make these corner sections! I also used your way to make the center block to "widow" and then appliqued the tiny center square. Could this block be converted to an 8" block, like the others you have provided with some of the previous blocks? After I made this block, I realized how much I REALLY like this block. Thank you for all you have done, I have learned so much from your lessons.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to say "no" to anyone who calls you a genius, LOL! But right now my plate is too full to give this a go. The blocks in the "mystery quilt" conversions are 8-1/2 inches finished; that would be easier to work out than 8 inches finished. The 9 sub-units should finish the same size as the B-10 square (approx. 2-13/16 in. square). You could start there. Hope we see you in the Jen Kingwell sew along, too! :)
DeleteThanks Marti for getting me on the way to hopefully figuring it out and setting me straight on the size of the other blocks, I thought they finished at 8"!!! I am not going to attempt them until I finish with the original blocks, which will be soon. :) Good luck with your Kingwell conversions, that is one busy quilt!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome! 8-1/2 inches isn't a popular block size, but it is a nice size and in addition to the "regular" sizes you can make with our templates, you can cut loads of 8-1/2 inch block designs, too. The templates know a lot of tricks! :-) And I've been having fun working on my Long Time Gone quilt. it is busy, but that's part of the appeal. I love scrappy quilts and if you used our templates for the first time in the Farmer's Wife quilt, you'll learn even more with this quilt!
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