New leader and ender project was announced by the Scrap Queen, a la Bonnie Hunter. She based it on an antique quilt she discovered . It is called Jewel Box Stars. Link is to her PDF.I have made a couple of jewel box quilts, and like the block a lot, so I have begun setting up a basket for my leader and enders. A small basket that can sit by my machine for the pieces, and a larger basket for finished units.
Guess you can see....my fabric selections are not just anything, but floral scraps. I saw a version someone shared on FB on the forum that was done in florals. I was hooked from that point on.
The whole point of a leader/ender project is to work on it between other things. By breaking down the block into units---like HSTs and 4 patches---- you can stitch one or two up at the end of a row of blocks that you are joining for a top. The aim to keep a unit under the needle at all times rather than cut thread and move on to the next row, etc.
Example would be between my string blocks I would join 2 strips that will be cut into 2 patches for my 4 patch units. Do another string block, stitch a pair of HSTs to make a unit, then another string block, and so on. It does require some planning and matching of fabrics for pairs.....go busy work while watching TV. Or just as a change of pace when you have a few minutes before dinner.
This is one of my favorite leader and ender projects. Charming Bricks, the larger wall hanging, was done as a leader and ender in 2015. It is based on a pattern published in 2007 in McCall's Quilting. Here's the post with details. I also did a full size gifted quilt, and a door banner using the same technique/idea of the bricks.
So periodically, you can expect me to rave on about the L/E units as they begin to accumulate. I won't be over-achieving on this one but rather electing to enjoy the progress.
Happy stitching.
I can already tell you are going to have a lot of fun with this one.
ReplyDeleteYour pretty florals are perfect for this block.
ReplyDeleteI know this will be a real beauty or maybe a real jewel. Enjoy!!! ~Jeanne
ReplyDeleteI printed out the new leader/ended, but so far have resisted starting it. I loved looking up your linked posts. It will be terrific in florals.
ReplyDeleteL/E's are amazingly efficient, both in saving thread and in accumulating parts with seemingly no effort! I have to stick with squares and rectangles for mine, though, since I use a different foot for HSTs. I did Double Four Patch last year and loved it. Now I'm just doing crumb pieces :)
ReplyDeleteThis will be so pretty in your florals!
ReplyDeleteI am so hooked on L/Es, that on rare occasions when I run out of them, I sit at my machine, paralyzed, because I can't bring myself to lift the needle and cut the threads to get whatever I just stitched out from under the needle. :)
I like your brick quilts. I have enough HST's and 4 patch blocks from block exchanges to make a super sized quilt (mine are 6.5" square).
ReplyDeleteAs you say this is a great pattern to break down into small units for leaders and enders. I probably waste a lot of thread by not trying this method.
ReplyDelete