FW QAL February Blocks...

Welcome to my February Leap Year post that is photo heavy and may take a while to visit.  I am so very excited that I have joined the Farmers Wife (FW) Quilt Along (QAL) with Donna of Brynwood Needleworks and 24 lovely participants.   I got a late start to this and I am a total beginner when it comes to quilting precise blocks of fabric pieces.  I am learning so much and there is such a sharing of tips and techniques from so many wonderful quilters.  Thank you all so very much.  First you must have the proper tools to do the proper job.  Of course I know this from Mr. C who must have special tools all the time for his projects.

 At first I tried to use the paper templates to cut my pieces and then stitch them together.  Not so accurate as the paper would get cut and the size would get distorted along the way.  So I ordered a template set...or two from Marti Michell.  I then labeled them with the corresponding FW numbers to match my book of blocks.  I also used some handy grips on the backside of the templates because my friend who quilts told me about them and I am so grateful as the grips lessen the possibility of the template slipping and ruining my cutting.

 Here is another tool I am so glad I bought one day...a rotating cutting mat.  What a time saver for cutting around these little templates.

This tool I just received today and I am so excited.  It is the 1/4" quilting foot with guide for my Pfaff Expression.  More than several quilters insisted I must have this.  I had tried putting the blue tape for a reference guide and it helped.  I had other suggestions that would have been very helpful too.  

 I haven't sewn any blocks with this foot yet but just doing a couple of sample seams shows me what a huge difference it will make.   Now to show you my FW QAL blocks for February.  There were a total of 10 that Donna suggested and we could make with our Template Set B.  I selected seven of the blocks to make.  The remaining three I may make at some other time when I get more comfortable with the process.

Block #9 - Box   

Block #16 - Calico Puzzle

 Block #21 - Contrary Wife  (Oops...I never saw that when I looked so carefully and matched it to the book and even showed it to Mr. C...the Master Engineer...who pointed out flaw after flaw but not this glaring one). 

Block #21 - Contrary Wife (Now Corrected)  She really must be contrary! 

Block #41 - Friendship Star 

Block #69 - Practical Orchard

 Block #81 - Snowball

Block #84 - Spool 

I must admit I am pretty happy with each of these blocks.  Some I favor over others however I have not decided on my final layout as of yet.  I am embracing their flaws and hopefully will look back some day and be able to see lots of improvement from this beginning project.  This is part of why I am challenging myself to do this so I can learn and grow.  I love to sew and find it to be quite relaxing...well maybe not so while de-stitching a mistake.  I can also see how I like some fabrics together much better than others.  This too shall be a learning experience.
I am enjoying "meeting" the QAL participants and seeing their blocks and fabric choices they are posting on each of their blogs.
Whew!  I made the February deadline.  Thank goodness I had this extra Leap Year day.  :o)
Now I am ready for March and the blocks Donna suggests.
If you are still reading this post...thank you for hanging in here.
Our weather has turned extremely cold and it is supposed to snow for two days and nights.  My elevation is 3400 feet and we are predicted to get up to 18 inches of snow.  Tahoe at 7000 + feet is to get about 5 feet. Tomorrows high temp is to be about 35 degrees F.  We have been in the low 60's and quite pleasant for this time of year.  I think Winter is finally here.  We certainly need the rain and snow.  I always dread fire season here in the forest trees so the more moisture the better.
As long as the power stays on I can sew quilt blocks.  I do hope I have the right templates for March.  LOL
Stay Safe and Joyful Creating...