I had the three younger grandkids with me in North Dakota for a week and then we all went on vacation to the Black HIlls for a week. We had such a great time!

Here we all are at Mount Rushmore. Missing one grandson who couldn’t get out of work.

We are already planning for our next year’s family vaca.

While my time in the sewing studio was limited, I did manage to ALMOST catch up on the Moda Blockheads 6 QAL. Here are the five that I finished in the last few weeks.

I kind of rushed through the first several blocks that I posted a few weeks ago. Really didn’t consider how I was placing the colors. I am using old denim jeans for the background and left over pieces from a Tilda fat quarter I purchased. (These are the fabrics that I am not using for the Riley quilt which I am also working on, kinda sorta.)

I had to rework the center of one of the blocks. Took it apart, actually measured everything, made a new one. Reminded me of why I do these “quilt-a-longs”. It is a learning experience. I usually just do what kind of quilting I like to do. Stuff I’m good at. But these blocks are a bit more of a challenge. Not difficult, but out of my comfort zone.

Besides block seven which I wrote about previously, I have enjoyed making each one. And if I had the correct instructions, which were published after I struggled with this block, it would also have been fun. (I am considering remaking seven since it is really pretty and I think would be lovely with different colors.)

Anyhow, I’m not sure how many of these blocks I will be finishing. I am already running out of the fat quarters that I set aside for it. I will definitely be making block 10 which came out yesterday since I should have just enough to finish that one. I intend to make a small quilt with these first 10 blocks. Then I’ll decide if I will make the rest of the blocks.

And some observations about working with denim. I am using polyester thread from Gutterman rather than cotton thread which is what I typically use for quilts. But the polyester is much stronger and there is a lot of thick fabric to get through. While I have made several denim quilts, gotta say, the smaller the pieces the more difficult it is. The seams do not want to press in the direction I think they should go. Even with a hot iron, tailers clapper, and a wool pressing pad. I pulled my Brother PQ1500SL out after block seven to do these blocks because the seams are SO thick my Babylock which I use for quilting was struggling. I typically use the Brother for totes because it is heavy duty and can go through many layers of denim. I hadn’t used it much since last year but after doing some cleaning and oiling it was back on duty! I will also do the quilting on this piece on the Brother.

After I finish the first 10 blocks I have a bunch of other projects to do–for me and others! Think it is time to step away from quilting for awhile!