Rail Fence, Quiltville Version, and Heat

I saw this scrappy Rail Fence on Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville page a few days ago, and thought I'd use my plaid scraps on this version.  So far, so good!  It's kinda "fiddly" but I AM using up bits.  I had to be careful to keep the strips pressed straight.  The black/white holds the design together, doesn't it?  Blocks are 6 inch.  Those black/white checks had me checking my sanity periodically!  LOL

Different subject - I am in western Nebraska - look at the outdoor temp, far right of the thermostat!  Admittedly, it is on the sunny side, but even under trees it's about 104 degrees.  We've lived here almost 20 years and I've never experienced such heat.  

Owls heard my computer

We've seen the screech owls on and off this spring, even thru July 4th bombs and explosions - nothing seems to faze them!  If we sit outside at dusk and listen to the robins screeching and hollering and dive bombing, we know the Eastern Screech Owls are somewhere nearby.  We live in western Nebraska, in town.

Tonight, I had the bright idea of taking the computer outside on the deck, and playing YouTube sounds of Screech Owls, wondering what might happen -  I kinda hoped one owl might land on my computer - however, we ALL remember "The Birds"! 

I heard the robins making a ruckus, so played an Eastern Screech owl's sounds and calls,  and in a matter of 5 minutes there was one little guy sitting on the deck rail, looking back at us.  DH  and I sat there mesmerized.  Soon the robins found this little owl and did their pestering and dive bombing, so he fluttered to a nearby spruce for safety.  I continued to replay the Youtube video and I could see him listening (I think) and also he replied with his little trill.  Soon a second owl arrived in the area, sitting on a cable.  Eventually both of them took off, without a sound.   

I didn't have my camera so will repost 2 photos from a few years back when they roosted in our backyard spruce.  We feel blessed they shared a few moments with us.

 

Faux Flange

This pretty method to machine sew an attractive binding to the FRONT of a quilt has intrigued me so today, I tried it out.   I learned mine from Jordan Fabrics (link below), and hers was narrower than some of the other methods.  This was the first time I've tried this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EB0rc76kVV4

Here is my little quilt - of little importance, but I wanted to try out some ruler work, and also the Faux Flange in the binding.  Note the ripples due to stress of trying something new!   LOL  Ruler work?  uhhhh, I'm still on the fence with that technique.  However the Faux Flange worked well.  Neat and tidy and precise is the name of this technique!   Border was MQ'ed to the edge then trimmed carefully.  I used my 1/4 in. foot to sew the binding to the back of the quilt.  I then pressed that binding away from the back, to the front, and slowly sewed it down, using an open toe foot (no pins).  The open toe foot still wasn't quite the best -- next time I'll try another foot, but I'm pleased with the end result. 

Here is  binding with the faux flange on the front. 

A busy back helps to hide stitches which end up close to the binding. 

Many of you know how to do this - I kinda liked it, especially for donation quilts, or kids/baby quilts. 

Thousand Pyramids - Almost a Flimsy

I'm preparing something for All Day Sew - looks like this project is ready for some routine sewing.  There are a bunch of little triangle leftovers waiting to be joined.  Even tho they were just leftovers, I think they "make" this quilt.  The reds were not used at all. 

If you've not followed this thread, I'll repeat - the triangles were made from Tri-Recs, as were the side triangles.  A 60 degree ruler would also work but I thought this taller triangle made from the Tri ruler was a bit more attractive.  At first I was wondering how to enlarge my smallish templates, but realized the sides could be easily elongated using a long ruler.  As usual, easy to do once one actually DID it.  

Thousand Pyramids - more fun

I'm finished with the center - might rearrange some values.  Two extras.  This design worked up quickly - many inspirations are all over the internet.   Despite bias edges, I had NO issues with stretching.  Seams were pressed open, gently, and one must remember that one side is on grain, and shorter than the others - sometimes I wasn't thinking and had to unsew.  Adding the little triangles were just plain FUN!  Today, I need to determine values of the outside triangles that merge into a border - something sorta blah (light cream) will probably be best, then a narrow spark of something, then plaid border.  Hah, I THINK that will work - funny, we think things will be one way, but when we get there, something else is needed.  ... sounds like life...

... what happened to my plan of using extras in a border ... ???

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I can't figure how to edit these photos any more - with Windows 10, they are so easy to import from the camera, but now editing has me totally discombobulated!

Thousand Pyramid Triangles - check those degrees!

A miracle occurred and I cleaned my house in preparation for company!  It looked good, and I felt so relaxed, that somehow, another quilt got started! 

My photo inspiration appeared to be a little more graceful than a 60 degree triangle and sure enough, it was NOT 60 degree!  Thank goodness I checked before cutting - it turned out to be the size of our Tri Recs ruler.  (The 60 degree triangle would also work - just a little chunkier. ) The Tri Recs has two sides that are longer than the base.  This is coming along very quickly and easily.  The large triangles are cut from a strip at 4 7/8 in.  The little ones are 2 7/8 in. strip.  One must be careful to keep the base along the straight of grain - won't work otherwise.  The 2 straight of grains are sewn together first.  Also, pressing the seams open works best on this design, and must be done gently.

I used stash, and decided to keep 4 of the same combos together.  Also note that all the darks are on top while the lights are on bottom.  Mixing them up? - I didn't try.  For fun, I included a few little ones, half size - they also went together very well and might be good in a border.    

Such a simple design, yet like all blocks, there are a myriad of combinations.  These colors are  subdued.   I had hoped to have less contrast but this is what I had.  It'll do!