Focus, Focus Part 3



Here is the third installment of the progress on my practice in focus, a 9-patch quilt from the latest issue of Quilt Almanac. I spent a couple hours selecting and cutting fabrics for the patches and had a hard time stopping. It's so satisfying to see those piles of squares grow.

Eventually, I did stop cutting little squares to piece them together into 9-patches. Here are 14 of the darlings, I love to see finished blocks pile up as well. Of course, I couldn't resist...

..laying a couple background strips along side one of the finished blocks. Yes, yes I think this will do? Don't you?

I have to confess that I did allow myself to get a bit distracted. A friend and I made a quick trip to one of our favorite quilt shops in Jefferson called Country Creations. My mission was to find the fourth fabric from the left a 2007 Thimbleberries black and gold,  it is the perfect center for my Dresden Plate block. I was so happy to get an extra yard!

Of course after I found the fabric I came looking for I took a stroll around the charming little shop, which takes up one bay of a large 2 car garage at the owner's home. Now don't get the wrong idea, in this tiny space there are more samples, fabric, and knowledge then you can shake a stick at. Yesterday, Lou was on duty and it is always a treat to spend an hour or two swapping quilting ideas with her. All the ladies at Country Creations are like quilting buddies you have had with you for a long time, so welcoming and willing to share their ideas and projects you can't help but be inspired! During my stroll around the shop, at least twice to see it all, I found four Jo Morton fabrics. I was happy to see these older pieces of Jo Morton ephemera since I had didn't have them yet in my collection.

A sixth piece of fabric by Whimsicals came from another shop in Gardiner, Mystic Maine Quilts, I can always count on Roxy to order just the tools, books, and machine parts I need in a hurry, on this particular occasion it was #11 milliners for applique. All I do is send and email with the description and item # and a few days later I get an email back saying it is in! It may not be instant gratification, but it beats running round trying to find an item. I would much rather spend my time shopping looking at fabrics and samples, then to chase around looking for this needle or that. Wouldn't you?

We are very fortunate here in central Maine to have a great variety of quilt shops that provide a full spectrum of quilting needs. I'll save all those others for another day, have a wonderful day and enjoy what ever you decide to do.