October 350 Blocks Report
Posted on October 31, 2024 by prairiemoonquilts in 350 Blocks ProjectWhew! I sewed like the wind this past month. I know I sure did go through a lot of bobbins — but I had deadlines, and that always spurs me to action.
I ended up with 187 blocks, and that’s not counting one set that I’m waiting to count until I’m done so I don’t lose track.
I made progress on my Blast from the Past, Limerick, Improv Herringbone, and Made & Found quilts. Here’s Block 14 of Made & Found:
Right before we started moving, I joined a group of friends that are all making Dear Jane quilts. I’ve had a Dear Jane quilt on my list for years, but never started. I figured the group would be a good motivator, so I jumped in! I have four blocks done, so it’s gonna take me a while. Here’s my first attempt at Block A-1:
It came out the wrong size, so I remade it in the correct size. But I’m still not happy with it, and the group alerted me to the fact that there are foundation piecing patterns for the blocks online, so I am gonna re-make this one a third time and hopefully, then, I will like it.
So if I can ever get off of Block A-1, maybe I can get rolling along with it! Haha!
I also finished three quilts that my guild will be giving to veterans this coming Veteran’s Day. This first one is called “Stars & Scraps Forever”. It’s by Jo Kramer and her daughter, Kelly, from the June 2015 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting. It was so easy to make! I saw it and knew I wanted to use up lots of my red and blue scraps in it. I may make another one in different colors, simply because it was so easy and fun to make. (And it really didn’t make a dent in my red and blue scraps, either!)
UPDATE!: In case you missed Deanna’s comment below. She has alerted us to the fact that this pattern is available for free on their website, which I didn’t realize, since I’ve been hanging on to my magazine for almost 10 years! She sent us the link: Stars & Scraps Forever. Thank you so much, Deanna!
This next one was made from leftovers that the guild had from various other projects they’ve made over the years. I took all the smallest scraps and cut them up to make this quilt. They just happened to have this leftover panel as well, so I framed that with large triangles and put it in the center. That kept me from having to make as many blocks, and also kept the quilt from being too boring. I hope to get that binding whipped down while sitting in my chair tonight — I was too tired to do it last night!
I have one other veteran quilt I will show you very soon, so keep your eyes peeled (it will have a pattern).
So that’s it for me — whew! I’m still working on a wedding gift quilt and a commission quilt, both of which I hope to have done within the next couple weeks, so that might boost my November total. Other than that, I need to keep at the longarm. My goal is to get my backlog whittled down before the new year starts!
How did you do? It’s time to report in! There are only 2 more months left in this year to make blocks — can you believe it?
I have the Project page updated with our current totals (check and correct me if I have yours wrong).
Our November block-making goal is 25, for a year-to-date total of 332. That way, with the holidays coming on, we don’t have to worry about making so many.
The prize winner for September is Suelynn! She’s been steadily chipping away, and is up to 179 blocks so far!
Oh, and Happy Halloween!
I’ll leave you with this little freebie that you can use for either appliqué or embroidery:
It’s called Hide ‘n’ Seek, and you can download it here: Hide-n-Seek
One last note, then I promise I’ll go . . .
Today is our Tucker’s Gotcha Day, and it’s also so close to his estimated birthday, that we just celebrate it all together. He’s FIVE years old today, and he’s been with us for FOUR years now! We love him so much. Before we adopted him, he had a shelter buddy at the shelter, and it turns out she’s a quilter! Her name is Patti, and she’s in on our 350 Blocks Project — the world is an interesting place!
I actually started and finished a quilt along this month
That was 21 blocks for me. Odd number. I counted the 4 pieced border cornerstones as 1. Earlier in the month I made 62 dog bandanas. Split them between our friend for her doggy salon in CA and for my SIL ‘s church bazaar. They kept me busy. You had a great month. Good luck with the Dear Jane blocks. That one has been on my list but never moves up! Paper piecing. maybe I should look into that. Love the quilts for Veterans.
I managed 22 blocks. I’m working away on my qals. Finished the calendar blocks, catching up on my orange scrap blocks and did a few of an old qal from I can’t remember when. Happy Halloween 🎃
Again a little slow this month, but I completed one block. I hope to be a little more productive in 2025.
No blocks this month, but I quilted and bound 3 quilts. I also basted and started hand quilting another one.
Alas, I only did 7 blocks this month, but then care giving takes a lot of my time. You did great!!
28
Only made23 blocks this month, but 6 of them were complicated needle turn appliqué blocks so I am pleased with my progress. I will really need to work hard the next two months to catch up with the number of blocks I need to make.
85 blocks for me for October.
151 for October = 1271 for the year. Some of those were things like coasters that count as one block.
I hope to do better next year.
12 blocks
I made quite a few block units, but not so many blocks – just 12 for me. I also made over a dozen doll hospital quilts (still in process), so that’s my excuse! Those Quilts of Valor quilts are so nice!
And Happy Gotcha and Birthday Day, Tucker!!
Zero again. Ended up working 4 days a week, instead of 2 days. Also had to clean up trailer and house after being gone 2 1/2 months. Rearranged sewing room to be able to sew more, I hope.
Oooh!!!! So much progress, Shelly! WOW!!! All those blocks! Love those quilts you have completed, so stunning. Thanks for the pattern freebie, it’s so cute. 🥰 Happy Birthday to Tucker!
I made 88 quilt blocks during October. I finished up two quilts tops and was steadily working away at another…but it will just have to get finished in November (I hope!). I have been busy binding quilts, too. Four completed…and four to go. Progress, at any rate. It’s always nice to have some handwork to do while watching some TV in the evening…
My October total is 46.
I went out to Bennington VT at the beginning of the month to actually see Mrs Stickle’s quilt. It is pretty amazing and well worth the long drive. Good luck with your project. That’s a lot of blocks!
Another month, another quilt show — 2 shows in 2 months makes for lots of work but they were both well attended. The Sue Pelland BOM that I custom quilted was in this show. It looked rather good, if I do say so myself. Phew! Not sure I’ll do custom for anyone else again, too nerve wracking.
I quilted and bound the Great Lakes mystery you published recently and were kind enough to anonymized for one of my guilds — just stitching down the binding on the back. So I’m in the home stretch there. Photo soon.
Regarding blocks: I made 20 wagon wheel blocks for Denys Schmidt’s QAL of the same name. I used recycled shirting that was thrust into my hands at the September quilt show. I’m making wonky log cabin blocks with the remaining fabric to use it up. I’ve made 2 of those so far. I’ve also been busy with Bonnie Hunter’s County Clare leaders and enders challenge and made another 24 this month so I’ve got 40 of a planned 120 done. This is going to take a while…
1152 blocks for October
sorry, BIG typo
152 for October
I made 91 blocks in October for a YTD total of 761.
135 blocks for me this month.
You did good this month, Shelly. I only made 20 this month giving me 390 for the year.
I started Dear Jane a few years ago and actually made a few blocks. Had I known about paper-piecing them, I might have continued. There are some teeny-tiny pieces in those blocks. lol Have fun with them. I think I’ll be working mostly on pillowcases in Nov.
Here’s a link to the pattern: https://www.allpeoplequilt.com/quilt-patterns/bed-quilts/stars-scraps-forever
My count for October is 44. Moving along…
I made 11 this month. Mostly appliqué!
You have been very busy this month. I’ve been working my way through UFOs, swaps and some new BOM. I have managed to complete 45 blocks this month.
I actually made 65 blocks in October thanks in part for my goal of making at least 1 Leaves block a day for the month. I can’t believe it has been 3 years since you had the free pattern for the Leaves on the blog. My previous production was embarrassing.
Your production always is amazing. I have long admired the Dear Jane quilt but have been so intimidated by it. I can’t wait to see your progress!
65 blocks for October!
Love your stars and scraps forever quilt! I am working on that one as well, but am a long way from finishing it. I made 45 blocks in October.
So glad to see that you are setting into your new space! I had another slow month with 23. But I have a quilt retreat in November, so I know it will be a good month!
Your Stars and Scraps quilt is beautiful. That one is on my list. I have plans to make one for my nephew. I had 66 blocks in October. Much better than last month.
Love your Made & Found block and both veterans quilts. I was able to make 83 blocks in October. 77 for charity quilts and 6 leader/ender blocks. I also bordered, tied & bound a baby quilt, bound 2 twin size quilts, long arm quilted 1 twin quilt, made butterfly & honeybee costumes, and prepped several EPP blocks. Overall, not a bad sewing month.
November will be a heavy sewing month between making Christmas gifts and costuming a play, but hopefully there will be a lot of quilt blocks mixed in.
Seeing what you’ve accomplished is a boost! Yesterday I pieced batting scraps and sandwiched a Halloween wall hanging that I’ve gotten out to work on every October for years. A couple times a week I work on binding. At the moment, the cat is sleeping on top of that quilt where the needle and clips are carefully tucked inside. No blocks made in October.
No blocks to report this month. But I did give away 2 table runners I made last spring before the broken hip. I gave them to 2 therapists who have worked with me and graduated me from therapy! But there is even more and more exercise to do to get back to normal !! Wow! No blocks.
October was kinda rough for me…..was sick with the flu and just didn’t feel like sewing anything. I’m starting to feel better so hopefully November will be better. I did manage to make 29 blocks the first week of October.
6 blocks completed as well as one wall hanging. I am inspired to make a Quilt of Valor after seeing the ones you have completed and beautifully quilted.
75 for me this time. 3 row quilts (I counted each row as a “block”) plus blocks for two other quilts.
36 blocks for October. Not much; but a month filled with doing all kinds of other things. At least I got one more QOV top pieced.
Thank you for the ADORABLE Halloween block. It is my favorite holiday to sew things for!! I know this block is headed to becoming, at least, a pieced pillow and some embroidered mug rugs. Yes, I follow Jo’s blog. She reminds of everything I love about growing up on an Iowa farm. As for Dear Jane? Just like the Farmer’s Wife quilt, those are two I sit back and admire; but, nothing could move me to even want to make them and even less so a PP’d version!
October was a good month with a total of 57 blocks made. I also made 20 placemats for our guild to donate to Meals on Wheels. Good luck with Dear Jane. I have considered making one, but haven’t jumped in yet.
Wow, you got lots done in October!! I love seeing everything you are creating in you studio. (hint, hint – would love to see pictures of your new studio since you moved.)
I got 169 blocks done in October. I’m making Bonnie Hunter’s ‘Twirl Around’ pattern from her Addicted to Scraps book. The main block has 24 pieces (need 85 blocks) and the alternate block has 13 pieces (need 84 blocks). I’m putting the center of the quilt together, then I’ll need to make some more parts of blocks for the borders. I’m gifting this quilt to a friend.
Beautiful quilts for the Veterans. I follow Jo Kramer, but don’t remember seeing the pattern you used. I will have to look that up on the link you provided. What a wonderful use of a panel with scrappy squares. I’ll remember that idea for a quilt.
There is a small group from our local guild that are working on Dear Jane quilts. That pattern isn’t on my radar; however, I did start working on ‘Little Blocks 365’ by Sentimental Stitches several years ago. There are 365 blocks and each block is 3″ finished. They are paper pieced. I’ve got about 147 blocks done. You are encouraging me to get that project back out and work on it.
Last year I started a new tradition for myself on Black Friday. I’ve never been a person to go out to Black Friday sales, but totally got into everything offered online. In an effort to use the stash, I use the Black Friday weekend to go through the studio and look at projects, cleanup piles, etc. I decide if I still want to work on a project or pass it on, I decided if some fabric should be passed on, etc. But, most importantly, I make goals for the next year and decide what’s the most important for me to get done. I’m amazed how much my priorities change and then my list of things to make changes. It is exciting and refreshing to give away something that no longer is of interest.
What a long reply. I’m so glad that I found you and your blog through the Great Lakes Modern Quilt Guild. You are so inspiring!!!
A whopping 201 blocks this month! Surprised myself.
I have Zero blocks but 3 pillowcases. Had cataract surgery last week so not seeing well. Maybe Nov will be better. One can hope.
Wow, super productive this month in your new studio. Hoping you will share pictures when you get settled.
This month yielded 169 blocks. I’m making Bonnie Hunter’s ‘Twirl Around’ pattern from her book “Addicted to Scraps”. The blocks are 6” finished. The main block has 24 pieces (need 85 blocks) and the alternate block has 13 pieces (need 84 blocks). I’m at the point of sewing the blocks together for the center of the quilt. I’ll need to make some partial blocks to finish off the center of the quilt. This quilt is a gift for a friend.
There is a small group in our local guild making Dear Jane quilts. This quilt was never on my radar. I did start a ‘Little Blocks 365’ quilt a few years back. The pattern is from Sentimental Stitches. There are 365 paper-pieced blocks that finish at 3”. I’ve completed 147 blocks so far. You are an encouragement to get that project back out and work on it.
Your Veteran quilts are great!! I follow Jo Kramer and don’t remember seeing that pattern. The other one is a great idea for a panel and scrappy squares. I’m going to add that to the idea book.
Halloween is my favorite holiday. Thanks for the pattern. I’ve downloaded it and will plan to make it for next year.
Your blog posts are great. Thanks for sharing.
Love your Stars and Scrap quilt! That one has been on my list for quite some time. Can’t believe it’s 10 years…I too have saved the magazine.
Had a fun time at retreat but didn’t get as many blocks done as hope. I did manage 48 this month and a pile of leader Enders that need another step to complete. Maybe for next month count? I did bind my tree skirt from last year, finished another Christmas quilt and made a set of pillow covers for my sister.
zero blocks for me in October!
48 blocks which is a good month for me
Only 20 in all – 6 x 9 patches and 14 big blocks. Only 4 blocks to complete the last border!
I’m finding my note pad is working well for counting them as I write how far each border block ends so I don’t count them twice or forget where I started on the next session. 9 patches ready for the next step – whoohoo!
I made 42 blocks and bound 1 quilt. I also made a mile a minute quilt top which turned out to be 82×89 and that was using only my 2 1/4 inch strips.
84 blocks for me this month! Pretty good for me😉
I had 75 blocks for October – 25 for an Aunt Bea flannel charity quilt; 23 for a Floral Bouquet flannel charity quilt; and 27 for 2 Jelly Roll Race flannel charity quilts – all for my guild’s community charities. I just finished quilting the last one today, so that’s a big relief.
I’m a little slow reporting, but got 145 blocks completed. So happy Tucker is with you and living the life, your little million dollar baby.
so late in reporting. Hopefully better late than never. i started a dear Jane quilt many moons ago. still on the “one day I will get back to it” list
In October , i made 42 blocks from a layer cake that I was gifted for my birthday last year, 18 framed hst blocks to go with the 102 I made last month, 12 Best Bloom blocks and 12 Kaffe Fasset blocks to go with tje others I started several months ago. brings me to 84 for October!
I just found this Challenge and am looking forward to playing along! Hoping you’ll continue next year!
inspite of mostly Christmas gifts I have made 25 Blocks for October. Nov looks like more Gift making. Dec who knows
Lovely quilts and blocks
I finished 27 blocks. November should be better
Only 2 blocks for October.
Oops. I meant for September.
Sorry again. For October was correct.