Progress

How's everyone doing on their blocks? I have the paper piecing done for all except the last one (block 6) and it's half finished. I still have to applique to the background, but that's the easy part. I hope to have my pictures up in the next week.

Finally...Block 4 finished...and in the nick of time because Block 5 is nearly here. How are the rest of you going?...would love to see any alternate fabric versions. Nearly half-way through...can't wait to see how all the blocks will go together....the colour schemes for each are so different. It's nice having some hand-piecing to do in amongst all the machining. I've never found machine-piecing to be accurate, no matter how anal I get about the 1/4" seams. Have just started learning foundation piecing which is fun but confusing. Anyway, I'm enjoying this BOM - it gets quicker each time and I don't have to think about choosing colours. Not sure how I'm going to position the blocks at the end...whether to have the diamond at the top or the triangle or just mix it up.

Block 3 completed! I was looking forward to a nice long weekend (to commemorate ANZAC Day) but managed to get myself sick with some version of the flu so ended up taking 2 days' sick leave as well. But it wasn't a complete waste of time. Did Block 3 whilst sitting like a zombie in front of the TV. I love the colours...they helped cheer me up. My yellow outer triangles are a different fabric from the picture so will be interested to see what fabrics you other ladies have. I think I cut my triangles with the half flowers a bit differently too. In the pattern, the half flowers aren't so prominent so maybe I overdid it. But still having some problems with those pesky tails. Hardly took any time to put together...maybe that's partly due to the excitement of opening the package, drooling over the fabrics and cutting them up...this fussy cutting is addictive. Or maybe I was just bored witless. I think I will have to disinfect my block.

Block #2 completed, and I must say, I like it even better than Block #1.  It went together much faster as well - I think I'm just becoming more familiar with the technique.  Next month I will try the assembly order suggested below.  I have some visible stitches where the triangular pieces insert, and I think the "make a ring" idea might help.  I love seeing the difference that fussy cutting makes!  Each of the blocks posted looks different and although I obviously recognized the fabric right away, it took me a minute to suss out how people had cut their fabric differently.  Each piece is gorgeous!  Happy piecing in May:)

Block one completed. Block two almost done. I finished the paper piecing and will start appliqueing it to the backing this afternoon. But I thought I would a picture of it in it's almost completed state.

The fabrics I received for Block 1 are the same as Susan's, however I misplaced the strip for the triangle tips so used one that I had in my stash that was a diffent colorway. The fabrics for Block 2 are quite a bit different and give a different look entirely. The color is a little washed out in my photos though.

Block 2 took a lot less time to piece. I stitched the squares to the diamonds first to make a ring. Then stitched two yellow triangles to one striped triangle, then attached to the diamond /square section, finally stitching the whole mess to center hexagon. This process was less awkward and faster for me. Still looking for a way around the thick points.

Block 3 here I come!

This is my very first time posting a blog so apologies for any weirdness in how it looks. Any tips? I spent a lazy day over Easter completing my Block 2. Here it is along with my Block 1 which has slightly different fabrics from Meg's. The pink and orange "flower" seems to float on the "star". Block 2 didn't take me half as long as Block 1 and those tails were still a bit thick but with some careful trimming and cautious folding, I think I've got them beat. Isn't it great how the same block can look so different. Have had a sneak preview of Block 3 which looks yummo! Can't wait.

First block completed!  I've never done English paper piecing before -- one of the appeals to doing this BOM was the chance to learn it.  At first, the going was very slow and I started thinking maybe this technique wasn't for me.  But I really like hand piecing and applique, so I kept at it, hoping that it was just a matter of getting a rhythm going.  And by the end of the block, I felt much more comfortable -- I think I'm really going to like it.

Is there anything to do with the 'tails' of the outer triangles other than to tuck them under as you applique the completed piece?  I felt mine were a bit bulky and you can see in the photo that there are a few ripples in the lower left hand corner.  I'd appreciate any tips!