Strip Pieced Mariners Compass block

I took a class at Quilted Strait yesterday on how to make a Mariners Compass block via strip piecing. I have avoided this block as I didn't want to mess with those long triangle templates nor do paper piecing.  Robin (Robin Ruth Design) has created a method and ruler that totally rocks! 

She has two rulers, Skinny and Fat. I bought the Fat one.  It makes compasses in 16 sizes: 6 - 36 inches!  So great. 

I  managed to take a few pics in class.  Here you can see how the ruler is used to make the cuts that make the points.

  

This is after all the piecing is done. Still amazes me that I pieced this without templates.  

This is my final compass block.

I've done a fair share of curved piecing in my quilting life but this is only the second time I have sewn a complete circle into a circle.  Is it ok to say you're proud of yourself?   :)

Not sure yet if I'll turn this block into a pillow or make more for a quilt.  

 I am thrilled to add compasses to my block repertoire.  

If you ever have a chance to take a class from Robin, do.  She is an excellent teacher.  Everyone one of us in class was successful in creating gorgeous compasses!

Linking up to Sew Fresh Quilts: Let's Bee Social.  :)

Small Indian Blanket

I finished my small Indian Blanket top the other day.  I love this pattern so much and wanted to see if a smaller version would still look good to me.  And it does!   Happy dance.  

Now to get a back pieced and get it to my long armer.  

Design Wall Monday - Urban Beads

I finally put the rows together on my smaller Indian Blanket quilt (which I'll post tomorrow) so I have been sewing my Urban Beads blocks into rows. I have 9 rows done and 3 more to go. I'm hoping to finish those rows today. We'll see how the day goes! :)

I'm loving the saturated colors of these In The Beginning modern solids.  Yum!

Ok. Back to sewing. 

Check out what others have up on their design walls here. 

Pineapple and Fox

I made a couple of small blocks that I thought I'd share.  One is a block I made for an online friend.  She recently lost her Mom and many of her online friends are making blocks for a comfort quilt. Pink and green with white and 8 inches were our guidelines.

I made this little fox:

The pattern is called "Lil' Fox" by Artisania.  You can find the pattern here.

The other block I made was just for me!  :)

I saw this pineapple mini on the Dear Stella blog (free pattern).  It was a last minute "throw in the box" project for when I was on my Yaya vacation earlier this month.   Its only 8.5x11.5 inches.  I love fast little projects like this.   I think I'm gonna hand quilt it in a diagonal cross hatch.  For now I'm just enjoying looking at it!

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 19 & 20

I just got back from my annual girls get-away. So much fun!  I didn't finish any tops this year because I was piecing curved blocks and that took most of my sewing time.  I did finish these two sampler blocks from the series.

Block 19 - Rahab

Rahab is a 10 inch block.   

Block 20 - Potipher's Wife

Potipher's Wife is a 15 inch block.

I switched fabric placement again in both blocks. I want all my backgrounds to be lights so every time they aren't I change them!  :)