Candy Clark, who has just published a book of Polaroid photographs of her younger life with the Hollywood stars of her era noted in a recent article that looking backward to this time wasn’t “necessarily a bad thing. I found out who I was putting this book together,” she said. “It’s a life full of a lot of yes.”
And then I saw this. Here.
And I said yes.
And with that, I met a whole other world of quilters, who do hand-sewing, EPP, have repro in their stash, spend a year to make 900+ wee little blocks, and think nothing of it. They say yes on an enormous scale.
Thank you Taryn, for introducing me to another leg of the three-legged quilting stool: traditional, modern, and art. I don’t know quite where I fit into that schematic, and it’s not like I’ve not known about traditional, but really…I haven’t known about this.
Gladi’s blocks drew me in (1); Anna has used EPP for her blocks (2); Susan hand-pieces hers and they travel with her, and writes the location where the block was sewn. I’ve been looking for a travel project, and so this intrigues me. I might say yes to this.
My tiny start (click arrows to advance the slides):
Initially, I’m trying it out with freezer paper, but I might use all methods of construction. I like the idea of carrying it around for a bit, but I also like sitting at the machine and sewing, too. Here’s the little video I put up this week showing my enthusiasm. Whether it be for this new project, or an enthusiasm for avoiding all the tasks I had on my To-Do List that day, I don’t know.
Before the pandemic hit, we had a little beginner’s sewing group going (called First Monday Sew-day — more beginner lessons are found at the link). I did samples of all every size of the Square-in-a-Square blocks in yellow and blue then sewed them up into a table runner ( so this is not my first Thrift/Economy Block rodeo). Here is the free downloadable 2-page handout we gave out to help the group learn to sew these blocks, with lots of sizes:
And below is the free downloadable Economy Blocks handout to go along with this version of Taryn’s wonderful gathering of happy quilters. The first page has some tips and tricks for freezer paper piecing, if you haven’t tried it before:
NOTE: This does not in any way replace Taryn’s handout, nor include you in the group of quilters she has gathered (use the Instagram links above). The pages with all the blocks, however, may also prove useful if you are using paper-piecing, as you can print off more blocks at once. I put it up here in case you might find what I worked up helpful in any way. As always, I include my request: Please do not print off millions for friends, but instead, send them here to download their own copies. Thank you.
I figure if I decided to do EPP, I can print out the page of blocks onto heavier paper, and use that. For the record, I’m making 3″ blocks, as the smaller size is just too much for my tiny brain to process right now.
Lastly, I had fun watching this video of Karen, from Just Get It Done Quilts make these blocks in three different ways. She’s amazing! And please note my tip for keeping the freezer paper on the block in my Economy Blocks handout (above).
I know this is being published a bit earlier than usual, but I’m heading out to see these cuties, now mostly all-grown. See you when I return!
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Enjoy your time with those cuties; I hope the travel is smooth and the conversations fill your cup. I am amazed at the amount of time and details that can go into a quilt and am in awe of those who can travel and, well, do anything (I tend to get carsick, so looking out the windows is the best I can manage). I look forward to seeing where these economy blocks take you.
Aha! I just ran into “yes and…” again, so I’m trying “yes” for a while. Enjoy the grandkids…er…grand-young people?
Yes to grandkids and yes to saying yes. I’m awfully tempted by those cute tiny blocks but then realized I still had my I-spy quilt to finish up that’s made with economy blocks. Better get that done first and before my grandsons are too old to enjoy it’s cuteness. I made duplicates of each block so it can be an I-spy and matching game. Have fun on your trip and enjoy yourself.
Those have tempted me too. Yours are looking fantastic. Have a fun visit.
You are the Queen of Yes Elizabeth!! I’ve never made a quilt with economy blocks but I’m sure I’ve made them for something! I should use some of your enthusiasm to make some of these. I surely have enough scraps! Enjoy your family time!
“Yes.” Of course. Isn’t that also what Sherri Lynn Wood says now and again? You’re so right about yes, especially when it comes to trying new things. I’ve never gotten into making Economy blocks/Square-in-a-Square blocks, but you’ve just reminded me that I have several tablets of pre-printed foundation papers won in an Instagram giveaway from It’s Sew Emma! It’s apparent that this design is great for using scraps. And… another “yes.” Very similar, though in a diamond shape, is the Diamond in the Sky FPP block from Cassandra Beaver. Now you make me want to resurrect that project! Yes, thank you!
What a marvellous read that Candy Clark article was, Elizabeth. I could hardly believe: “She also had a few side hustles in the 1980s and ’90s, briefly running a limousine service and producing a line of custom pillows for ABC Carpet and Home”! I’ve just read Amor Towels Eve in Hollywood so now I feel that I I’ve lived a little of both the beginning and end of an era there in the space of a few days.
I will be interested to see more of your 3″ blocks. One day, I should like to say ‘Yes’ to instagram but not until I can reliably sew a little, write a blog post and visit some fellow bloggers in the same month!
I hope you have a lovely time visiting with your family 🙂