Finally finished block 9. Getting closer to the finish line, but it feels like it is taking forever to get through with this quilt. I have so many more in the pipeline that I want to get started on, but I told myself I would only work on one at a time as to not get overwhelmed. I feel like the sashing and borders will overwhelm me much more than each of the blocks. This block wasn't that hard to put together but I did screw up and have to get Jack out a couple times. Me and Jack have become really close friends during the making of this quilt.

Block 9, Stitchery Sampler

I've been on a roll lately and have completed another block. This is only the second time I have done flying geese, but I think they turned out pretty good. There is always room for improvement in everything, but I am happy with the outcome. Only have 4 more to go before I can complete this quilt and move on to one of the many others I have in my stash.

Block 8 is called The Flying Geese. For this block I was supposed to choose (2) red (2) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (1) cream with blue, (2) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green. For the most part I went with the color choices of the sample quilt on the box.

Block 9, The Flying Geese

I thought I had done some hard blocks on my first project, but that was before I done this quilt. Block 7 just about kicked my ass. I know this block is far from perfect, but finished is better than perfect. Besides I'm not perfect either so what does it matter if there are mistakes. Most of the time I'm the only one that will see them and for those of you reading this who see the mistakes below, don't bother pointing them out as I already know what they are, but I refuse to do this block again. Me and Jack already spent too much time together on this one.

Block 7 is called The Cross Stitch. For this block I was supposed to choose (1) red (2) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (1) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green.  I picked the same prints as in the sampler for this block, but didn't realize until after I had finished it and started doing this post that I mixed up the two greys and the red on the bottom in regards to placement. Oh well, like I said mistakes happened and I'm sure I will have a few more flops before I am done.

For the last two days I have contemplated giving up all together on this one and just going on to something else and coming back at a later date, but I'm not a quitter, so I will finish this or die trying. 

Block 7, The Cross Stitch

This quilt is taking much longer than I expected, but I guess that happens when you loose interest in something before you get finished. I have learned from doing different projects that I prefer using pre-cut fabrics as to avoid having to cut out so many pieces for 1 block.

Block 6 is called The Stem and appeared like it would be easy to complete, but I found out real quick like that it was much more difficult than expected. After ripping it apart three times I give up and said enough is enough. I might redo it before I quilt it, but for now I am leaving it as is. The petals are supposed to match up on the stem on each side of the block, but as you can see mine do not.

For this block I was supposed to choose (3) red (1) orange, (2) blue, (1) cream with green, (2) yellow, (2) grey and (1) green. Plus another green for the stems. I pretty much stuck with the prints in the sampler quilt on the cover of the pattern.

Maybe the next block will a little easier.

Block 6, The Stem

 I am so excited to be completed with my quilt for the 2021 Riley Blake Design Block Challenge. It has definitely been a challenge, but one that I have enjoyed very much. Although I have been sewing for over 40 years, this is the first quilt top that I have completed and the skills that I have learned will go a long way in helping me with additional quilts in the future.

After finishing up the 16 blocks in the challenge I then had to make the sashing and cornerstones. The cornerstones were made using the Le Creme, Curry and Chive Confetti Cotton and then the sashing was made using the Le Creme and Curry. Being that this is my first quilt I, after seeing the picture of how this was to look I was afraid I had to sew a bunch of little things together in order to complete this, but I was very happy to learn that I had to cut strips of each color in a certain size and then sew the strips together that were then cut to the size I needed to finish off the quilt.

The sashing and cornerstones

Close up of one of the cornerstones. Look at that matchup!

The sashings were cut to 10 1/2 inch length to match the unfinished blocks and were added to each side. The cornerstones were alternated with a sashing to make up a row that was then sewed in between each row of the blocks.

Now I have to decide who I will use to quilt it together once my backing fabric comes in. I chose a navy solid to put on the back and the binding will be the Curry color using in the sashing and some of the blocks.

MY FINISHED QUILT TOP!!!!

A few close up pics!!!