Bow ties have been on my must make list for a couple years yet I've never quite gotten around to making them until now. As much as I'd like to make a large quilt using these blocks, realistically I just can't seem to fit it in with all the other 'wanna makes'! The next best thing for me is baby blocks.
I've been collecting Liberty of London fabric by buying scrap bundles from various places. The pieces range in size and are never large enough to make a substantial sized block. Believe it or not, that was my plan. Small works for me and anything large would be a waste. In fact, many of the pieces are still too big especially when I make small blocks like these. I'll have enough Liberty scraps to last a life time!
Each Bow Tie when finished is 2" square. You can see why I'll have scraps forever making something this size! The center square is 1/2" with 1" squares for the corners. Besides Liberty, I used Kona White for the background. I figured it would be the best way to accentuate the delicate designs in the print and highlight the colors. And it seemed like a good idea to use a complementary solid for the center square.
I'm trying to bring harmony to these little bow ties!
This is an example of how the blocks will come together once I get a batch done. I won't sew these together until I determine the size of whatever it is I'm making.
The plan is to use one print and one print only for each block. How big will it be? Certainly not a full size quilt! More than likely a mini quilt that will indulge my need to stitch and become something that is irresistible!
This is slow sewing, so don't expect a finish anytime soon! I'll share my progress along the way just to satisfy your curiosity...and mine!
I completely gave up on my Lucy of Boston EPP blocks. These blocks use 1/2" honeycomb shapes and I couldn't figure out how to use the prints I have to make them look amazing. My favorite blocks happen to be the solids, which isn't a big surprise to many of you! I like the black, pink and white block, yet not enough to pursue it any longer.
Back burner, back of the closet...that's where these will end up! Maybe one day I'll pull them out and figure out a way to use them. It's okay! My intention was always to have something to keep me busy and these did just as planned! Now that doesn't mean I wouldn't be happy to gift them to someone if they ever wanted them...just saying!
LINKING:
OH SCRAP! ● MAIN CRUSH MONDAY ● MONDAY MAKING ● LINKY TUESDAY
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD
LETS BEE SOCIAL ● MIDWEEK MAKERS ● NEEDLE & THREAD
I like both of those quilts - I don't think I have seen a bowtie quilt EPP before but with as small as the pieces are it makes sense. When I made my Lucy Boston quilt I didn't EPP but strictly hand pieced and I didn't do all fussy cut either but just some of the blocks and really enjoyed it. I think too many think Lucy Boston has to be fussy cut - but really who made that "rule"
ReplyDeleteI don’t know who said fussy cutting was required with the Lucy blocks…and I don’t know why I have such a hard time putting together these blocks with prints! The bow tie blocks are more my style! Simple and clean!
DeleteOh wow, 2" finished is tiny, but a great size for the Liberty prints. Balancing out with white and a solid looks like a great plan.
ReplyDeleteOMG your bow ties are the sweetest ever! Glad you showed the hand perspective photo to make it really real;)
ReplyDeleteOh, Jayne!! Those Liberty Bow Tie blocks are SEW darling!!! The small blocks are a great way to make your scrap collection last (indefinitely.) Definitely the way to go with something so special!
ReplyDeleteYour tiny bowties are wonderful, Jayne! I love the Liberty prints with the solid center. Are you trimming the square paper pieces to have a place for the center to connect with them?
ReplyDeleteI’m a bit smitten with these little blocks! Yes, one corner of each block is trimmed for the center. I was worried it would be difficult sewing the center, but it really wasn’t. It’s small and doesn’t take a lot of stitched!
DeleteThese blocks are so lovely Jayne! I particularly like the picture with your hand for the scale.
ReplyDeleteNow I want to run down and make bow tie blocks, yours are so cute! That bottom left Lucy is giving me all the feels . . . love those blocks too!
ReplyDeleteThese tiny bowties are adorable! I look forward to seeing what you make with them. I am sure it will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!
love your little liberty bow ties! I have a little basket of Liberty pieces and no matter how much I use them, it never seems to go down! a magical basket for sure
ReplyDeleteEPP is one of those things that I truly enjoy from the sidelines. I love seeing the pretty, intricate blocks that other people make. But I can't imagine doing it myself! I'm glad you're getting so much out of your bowties; they are so tiny and cute! The Lucy blocks are really cool and look hard to make! Sounds like they are ready to rest after serving you well :)
ReplyDeleteI love your bow tie blocks, but 2-inches??? Yikes. Your Liberty fabrics will definitely last longer ☺
ReplyDeleteHave you watched The Last Homely House YouTube channel? Kate is also a big fan of Liberty of London and is doing a series of posts on how she's using her stash, of late. How Liberty gets cotton to feel like silk is a magical mystery to me. Your bow ties are just brilliant.
ReplyDeleteI love the little bow ties blocks! They look so crisp and clean. I like the Lucy of Boston EPP blocks, too. The combination of print blocks and solid blocks would make for a lovely piece no matter how large or small. I admire that you can do the hand sewing required of some of the EPP blocks, not in the cards for me to do these days. Nadine W. N. Cali rnwillis@velotech.net
ReplyDeleteLiberty fabrics are so pretty and one day I'll add some to my collection. They look wonderful in your tiny bowtie blocks. It will be fun to see this come together! Thanks for sharing on MCM!
ReplyDeleteLove your bow tie blocks! They look so clean and crisp. That's a project on my bucket list too. Maybe once I work the UFOs down a bit, I can give that a go. It would make a great rainbow scrap project. Your Lucy of Boston blocks look great. Maybe they need to age a bit before you find the right inspiration to finish them off.
ReplyDeleteLove your new little project! It seems I have abandoned my hand stitching project - I need to revive it!
ReplyDeleteThe bowtie blocks are so sweet. I think making a mini with them is a great idea, you could have so much fun with the quilting the white spaces. Lucy of Boston EPP blocks are beautiful. They made me think of wall art mounted on mini canvas.
ReplyDelete-Soma
there's always another project! And Liberty is just perfect for this
ReplyDelete