Oma's Blues: Fussy Cutting the Corner Plates

I've been savoring this moment: it's time for some serious fussy cutting!

I love these corner plates. When I first designed Oma's Blues, I wanted to introduce ornate plates somewhere but after the charm plates, nothing felt right until I drew up these corner pieces. Then it all just fell into place for me and I knew right then at the design stage that these plates were the ideal spot for some fussy cutting!

 I like to cut out 'audition templates' and just 'browse' my way through the fabric options...

charming

so much potential

I just knew this range of fabic was 'it' when I set my eyes on it, the 'Dutch Cottage' range couldn't have come at a better time for me, it's custom made for Oma's Blues!

 There's really so many options and stylistic elements to draw from

I'm spoilt for choice

I'm really excited to show you what I created from these fabrics, but first I'll show you what I left behind! Pop back to see my completed block tomorrow..

I'm working on the corner plates which join in to create Border 7, which according to the Free BOM Release schedule, is Part 10 (and will be released Oct 15th). As I started this quilt late, I'm making my own Oma's Blues out of 'schedule'. This BOM is still available for Free over in my Yahoo BOM Group, so if you've been thinking of joining in - do!

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

Oma's Blues: Preparing Blocks for Border 4

This post relates to Part 9 of Oma's Blues

Released Sept 15th 

Before joining up your blocks to create Border 4, you will need to accurately trim them down to size. This is doubly important for Oma's Blues because connecting 72x blocks means accuracy must be key. Even just a few mms will make a problematic difference that will have to be corrected. It all adds up and with blocks like this, you need to know and have your eye on the measure.

 Each border 4 block must measure 6.5 x 6.5 inches precisely (6 inches is the finished block size)

 I've stacked my ironed blocks, ready for trimming

I'm using a turning cutting matt - it's like a lazy susan, it simply turns as I cut. In fact, it's so easy to use I have to take care that I don't cut myself with the rotary cutter! It takes pressure off my wrists and it speeds up the process, I love it.

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.

WOW: Trimming Oma

WOW=WIPs On Wednesday

I'm trimming my blocks to connect them to create my border for Oma's Blues. I'm finally a bit ahead of the BOM Schedule ( I need a drum roll I think), so this will be happening in Part 9 which is released Sept 15th.

What's Your WOW?

An InLinkz Link-up

Oma's Blues: Bird & Bouquet

With the vase done, it's time to think about my flower arrangement.

As always, I've prepped the many hundreds of pieces in different envelopes for use later. This really works for me as I find that when I'm in the mood to trace and cut fusible, it's better for me to do a lot of it in one sitting, pack it away by stage of quilt and then return to it later when needed. 

The bird fabric was an instant choice

 and I love the fussy cut eye detail

With the rest of the flowers, its a case of trial and error. Some fabrics that I loved in blues just didn't work when grouped together

Here I'm playing with several different flower heads. When I cut my fusible, I usually cut multiples when it comes to flowers as I know I will always umm and ahhh over these. I have a whole box of LE and LE2 flowers that are beautiful but didn't fit the quilt for whatever reason and I pop these left over pieces in a box. One day, I will simply iron them all down and create a wall hanging of wild flowers from my many quilt applique leftovers. So you see, I don't mind making extra. It's all part of the fun.

 and I'm still working on the finishing details...

The next time you see this centre, it will be completed and the charm plates will be stitched into position all the way around.

Oma's Blues is my current FREE BOM. 

You can still join this free BOM right now - all parts are available over in my Group.