Shipshe Retreat

Well, I have many works in progress, but when it came time to decide what to take with me on the Shipshewana retreat, none of my "starts" were in a good state to take along. So, I decided to start a couple of quilts that have been on my very lengthy to do list for some time. First up is a Miss Rosie pattern called Just Ask, and here is a sample of the partial block. I actually got a pretty good start on this one, so it now qualifies as a UFO.

There was quite a pile of half-square triangle trimmings stacking up, so it just had to become a little doll quilt. It's really pretty tiny (1-1/4" hst), so I'm thinking of a few borders, maybe courthouse steps style.
The other project I brought along was my shoebox full of 5" squares to make the Paducah Nine Patch from Pat Speth's first Nickel Quilts book. It is the quilt on the cover. I completed these four blocks to get an idea of where it was headed. If you ever decide to make this, don't follow the pressing directions, or you'll have lumpy seams. I plan to press them open. And, frankly, this would have been much easier to sew with strips, but I've already cut scads of 5" squares! The book has lots of great quilts to look at, and think about making, though.

I rarely make quilts from patterns even though I buy plenty of them! I do think that Miss Rosie patterns are great - clear instructions and illustrations. Plus, they are gorgeous!