Frolic--Post 6

Partial layout of the blocks

The last time that I posted about this project was in November. Since then, I've puttered with making a block or a half block here and there. This month, I decided it was time to get serious about making progress on this project. The bits required to make a block take up space! I made finishing the blocks my "One Monthly Goal" for February. When I set the goal, I estimated that I had ten full blocks to make as well as some half blocks. 

After I finished, "Little Bits," I again pulled out the Frolic bits and blocks. These blocks are set on point. Figuring out what my plan was took me several hours. I made a few more blocks; but, I was spending more time wondering if my math was correct in my plan than I was sewing! 

Turning a half block into a full block

I finally took the blocks off of the design wall and laid them out on the floor. I'm glad that I laid the blocks on the floor. I saw that I had too many light full blocks and not enough light half blocks. I made notes on what needed to occur in the rows; but, I didn't take detailed photos. In retrospect, it would have been helpful to have taken photos row by row!

In moving this project forward, I realized it would take more than making the blocks. . .I was going to have to assemble the blocks into rows. When I picked up the rows, I stacked them in the order I had planned to sew them. I
also decided to start with the longest row first. The pieced skinny sashing took some time to piece since there were a lot of matching opportunities. The process wasn't difficult; but, time consuming. Once I stitch the rows on either side of the longest row, the remaining shorter rows will go together faster. Since I will be making 16 more full blocks and 4 more half blocks, I will also be cutting more pieces for the sashing. 

I pieced a half dark block into a full block. I had it pieced before I realized that the additional light blue fabrics that I cut weren't the same as the ones already in the block. ARG!!!!! How I didn't notice this until I was ready to piece into a row is beyond me!

Updated block

At first, I decided to leave it. BUT because I knew leaving it would bother me, I frogged stitched and added the same fabric. Since I replaced those fabrics, I'm happier with how the finished block looks.

My plan today is to finish piecing the second row that I started yesterday and to cut more sashing pieces. I also want to make some progress on my Temperature quilt.