Friday, January 27, 2012

Farmer's Wife Friday: The Brightest and Happiest Place on Earth (Take 2) and Partners

Last week, my sewing room was not the brightest and happiest place on earth, at least not once I attempted #43, Garden Path. Whew. Some of you made very kind comments. Apparently you failed to enlarge the photo, otherwise you would not have been so nice.

In case you forgot what it looked like, here is Take 1. See all the puckers? None of the burgundy strips match. Ugh. Y-seams galore.
The problem was that I wasn't sure how to correct the problems. I downloaded the paper piecing template, and saw that the construction was completely different than the exploded diagram in the book. I didn't paper piece this block, but I did follow a different "path" through this garden. Ultimately, it didn't lessen the number of Y seams, but I was able to make a block that is "good enough." And much better than last week's attempt.

#43, Garden Path. Take 2. The seams don't come together properly at the points on each side, but I figure they will be so close to the seam allowance when the blocks are sewn together that it won't be so obvious. Like I said--"good enough."
The other block from last week was #37, Flower Pot.

Oh, and before I forget. The farmer's wife from last week was from Oklahoma. She started by mentioning that "home economics have been put within the reach of every farm girl, so that even though a mother may be a poor cook or an indifferent housekeeper, her daughter need not be...courses include cooking, baking, canning, preserving and general household management." I think schools have made a big mistake by taking home economics classes out of the curriculum.
This week's letter writer is also from Oklahoma. And this farmer's wife was an independent and forward-thinking woman. "Born on a farm, I hated everything pertaining to farm life as I knew it as a child." And then she met a young farmer...and they came to an understanding, the first thing, that "she needs new modern implements as well as he. Also the 'chore' question should be settled early in the action. I have never milked a cow. Why? Because I told my husband I wouldn't and he doesn't expect it."

And he probably didn't want to argue with her! In any case, this farming couple worked together as partners, and planned their work schedule so they could spend time together as a family.

#11, Broken Dishes
#19, Checkerboard
I was really happy with the beach glass colors in this block

The blocks together from last week and this week:

And just a peak at all the blocks together:
Don't forget to see what Carla thinks about this week's letter and see her interpretation of these blocks.





12 comments:

05 08
Archie The Wonder Dog said... #

More lovely blocks and well done on tackling garden path again, it looks great!

Carla said... #

All four blocks look perfect, Cindy. Sorry that you had to redo the garden path one....wasn't it a pain! I especially like your green's in the checkerboard block this week. Next week, I think we may have another Y-seam...oh, goody! LOL

Katy Cameron said... #

Heh, I'm sure he definitely didn't want to argue with her over the cow milking if it was a genuine incident that inspired 'broken dishes' ;o) WTG for getting that garden path out of the way, it looks much better

Needled Mom said... #

That Garden Path looks like a challenging block!!!

The new ones look beautiful.

Mama Pea said... #

Your perseverance is honorable! Well done! Your quilt is going to be so absolutely beautiful!

aksherry said... #

I feel your pain. I made Garden Paths and it was not my best moment ever!!! Mine doesn't match up perfectly either but I am not making it over again!

Brighton Breezy Sarah said... #

Totally utterly beautiful.

I think your quilt really really shows the beauty of these blocks. I've been a bit meh about the whole FMQ ting until now ...

I can't wait to see this finished. The colour tones are just wonderful.

Mrs Flying Blind... said... #

I hate having 'niggling' blocks that you have to do again - but 2nd time lovely xxx

Mary said... #

EEEEKKKKK! These blocks are simply amazing! Good goin' Cindy!

felicity said... #

I love the beach glass block. And Farmer's Wife #2 who sounds like someone her husband wisely decided not to mess with! :)

modernamishplain said... #

Oh gosh that block looks tricky. I too dislike y seams. Yours turned out great thought!

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