Finished My Pennsylvania Blocks

It seems like it’s been a while since I posted a finish. But I have one this week! Getting back into the sewing room has been so nice though it took me a while to really get going. I decided to make the October blocks for my Classic Stitches row quilt. Being so close to the end of this project, I didn’t want to get too far behind.

The color for October was brown for RSC15. The block that Mari chose for October was the Pennsylvania block. I think this was in honor of her recent move from Wisconsin to Pennsylvania. It worked perfectly for me too.  I have a strong fondness for the state of Pennsylvania.  When my boys were little guys, we lived there for two years. We were in State College and I loved everything about that town. So making a set of Pennsylvania blocks was perfect for me.

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Unfortunately, I got off to a rocky start with these guys. Mari always posts the cutting plan for various size blocks when she writes her tutorials. I thought it would be fun to make a row of 3″ blocks. Turns out it wasn’t fun at all. 😉  The block is very simple to make but when you are going for a 3″ block, it means using little pesky pieces and honestly, we just didn’t get along.  I struggled along and got two blocks made, throwing away all sorts of attempts along the way. After a fair amount of ripping, cutting, and grumbling, I gave up and made six inch blocks. They went together with almost no effort (or at least it felt that way after my tiny block debacle.)

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Isn’t that a cute row? So traditional. Much like I thought State College was. I remember thinking it seemed like everything was more grounded, more down to earth in State College, as compared to living in California.

The row fits right in with the other rows of classic blocks that I have made this year.

IMG_20151105_4079At this point, I have ten rows completed. (For some reason, I didn’t grab the purple or the yellow rows when I went outside to take pictures. So, they aren’t shown here.) My next decision is whether or not to make the November row. With these ten rows, I have 62 inches in length (two of the rows are 7″ blocks and the rest are 6 inches.) I am going to sash the rows because my not-so-precise sewing style means the blocks won’t line up perfectly and that can be disguised with some sashing. This will add a bit more length. How long do I want this to be?  (It will be 60″ wide.) Any ideas???

The week buzzed by and I am happy to have this checked off the list.  My Etsy shop is getting busier and I need to make a few more things for holiday shopping so that jumps to the top of the list now. Along with that is the Michael Miller fabric challenge that I am doing with the Modern Quilt Guild. That project is due on November 30th so I need to get cracking on that. It is well underway and I am sure I will have a post for you with pictures sometime next week.

Enjoy the weekend!

Linking to Amanda Jean over at Finish It Up Friday.

14 thoughts on “Finished My Pennsylvania Blocks

  1. JanineMarie

    These look so neat on the fence. Since you are on the fence about how long to make the quilt, here’s my suggestion: Make the other blocks as Mari gives them, too, and then when you lay them out, you could reserve some for the back if you decide that it’s getting too long to suit you.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Smart minds think alike! Or at least, we do. ? I was thinking of doing that for a couple of reasons. I love green, which is the color for November. Also, there are a couple of rows that aren’t the right width so I will have to play with them to get them to 60″. I could take the worst offender and use it on the back side.

      Thanks Janine! Have a great weekend. Woke up to a chilly 32 degrees this morning. Hurray for fall!

      Reply
  2. Mari

    These look fabulous, Bernie! I love all your rows. They look great on that fence–imagine when they’re all sewn together! You could definitely put a row on the back, but I like a “cuddling” quilt to be at least 60 by 72. I have a lot of tall people in my family, I guess.

    Sorry those 3-inch ones didn’t work out! I totally get the “tiny pieces” problem. The 6-inch ones look great. I love this block.

    Hope the rain is good for you and for California! It’s 70 degrees here, believe it or not, and the up and down weather is wreaking havoc on my sinuses. Who ever heard of a muggy day in November?

    Have a wonderful weekend playing with that Michael Miller fabric. And I’m so glad your Etsy shop is successful! Hope it’s relaxing to make up some things for that too.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      No need to apologize for me having issues with piecing small blocks!! I just couldn’t get things to go right. I was strip piecing and no matter what, I was putting the strips in the wrong order, cutting them to the wrong width. My brain was totally misfiring. But certainly not anything to do with your tutorial or anything like that. The 6″ blocks are great and the project has been really fun.

      So… what will you be doing for RSC16??? 🙂

      Reply
  3. Yvonne @Quilting Jetgirl

    One of the things I will do when working with smaller piecing is sew with a scant quarter inch and trim the block after every seam. Sew, press, trim, repeat. I’m glad that working on the 6 inch blocks went so much smoother for you, though. I would suggest making all the rows / months, and using the rows you like the most to get the length you want on the front and then piecing the remaining into the backing. It just seems like you would have a lot of great options that way.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thanks for the hint Yvonne. I will keep it tucked away for next time. It certainly drove me nuts. I am going to make the green row and then see how it all plays out.

      Hope all is well.

      B.

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Deb. Yes, State College is a gorgeous place and we loved Penn State. Also, there were such great schools for my kids when we were there.

      —Bernie

      Reply
  4. Tina Iaquinto

    I think this is going to be one of my favorite quilts. I love the look of all the rows!! Another great job sis. And it’s nice to see you sewing again!

    Reply
  5. Heather

    I like the row look, too. Having some extra length is a good thing, that way your feet can tuck under the quilt and not peek out.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Hi: This has been a great project and it is the first row quilt I have done. Now that we are so close to 2016, I will need to think of what my “monthly” project will be. This is the second year that I have done a scrappy project that was done in monthly increments. I love having it in progress on this slow, easy cycle. Definitely want a new one come January!

      Take care Heather.

      B.

      Reply
  6. Linda

    Oh I like the brown! Lol on the 3-inch squares, I do love the 6-inch. I like 60X72 myself, makes a nice leg-covering quilt. 😉
    My brother and SIL lived in PA for a couple years and he loved the countryside and the fact that he was within driving distance to so many historic places.
    Hope you are enjoying Fall!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Oh my – the PA countryside is gorgeous. I loved it. And yes, we visited lots of historic places during our time there. It was a great place to be. I am loving fall. Yesterday we had some wonderful rain – I believe everyone in California was doing a happy dance yesterday!

      Hope all is well with you Linda!

      Reply

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