Monday, June 25, 2012

Rachael's House

Rachael's house























Quite some time ago, the lovely Rachael from Blue Mountain Daisy asked if anyone would like to make a house block for her. I jumped at the chance and said yes I'd love to. A few months later, I still hadn't made anything for her. Not for the want of trying, every couple of weeks I'd play with my stash and look at fabrics I might like to use. I searched the internet and my books for a paper pieced house block that I would like to make and that I had the skill needed to get it right, but I couldn't make up my mind. Then I saw this, Leila from Where The Orchid's Grow had designed a paper pieced, very cute, house block.
Image from Leila's blog

I purchased it, it's available as a PDF download.

Roll on another couple of weeks of rummaging in my stash to find just the right fabrics to use, in between getting my house ready.

Finally. Yesterday was a horrible cold wet and grey day, just perfect for staying in my pyjamas, something I haven't done for a very long time. I decreed that yesterday was a "ME" day and I was going to sew. No housework. No doing anything else at all, just sew or blob. I finished quilting a quilt that I started a month or two ago and sewed on the binding to the front of the quilt, leaving the hand sewing to do in the evenings. (Photos in a future post.)  Then I decided it was about time to make this house block.  I have done very little paper piecing. A couple of stars in the Mystery Quilt with Sheila, that's still in my WIP pile, and I had a great time making a couple of blocks with Katy at The Littlest Thistle who ran Foundation Piecing For The Terrified, perfect for me, as I was terrified of PP. I haven't touched paper piecing since, and now I'm attempting to make a cute paper pieced house, crazy.  I took a look at the pattern and thought, hmm, it doesn't look too hard.  I started on the roof, and the first couple of pieces were great, that gave me confidence until the third piece. First time I put it on upside down, took it off and then sewed it on wonky.  I made the executive decision to keep going as I thought if I fiddled around with it too much now, I would give up and go and cry. It wasn't too bad, just not perfect for little old Miss Perfectionist, me.
The rest wasn't a breeze but I didn't make too many mistakes nor get the seam ripper out more than a couple of times. I was very pleased with how it was all coming together, until I had to piece the pointy bits of the picket fence.  I cut out all the bits for it, then after sewing the first seam, I made another executive decision to make the fence railings flat topped.   I know when to stop!

So here's my house block for Rachael, courtesy of the very cute pattern from Leila. Hearts on the chimneys.
Hearts on the chimneys.

Some Jennifer Paganelli for the facia
A little bit of Jennifer Paganelli

The yellow brick path, right to the front door.
Yellow brick path!

A peek inside, I think she may have had a wild party on the weekend.
A peek inside

And there's Rachel, she's been using the GHD and straightened her hair!
Rachael dancing

I really enjoyed making this, but one thing I noticed, going through my stash, I have very few small print fabrics. I either have lots of solids or large prints. Must. rectify. that.
Rachael's house


15 comments:

  1. Such a beautiful block; Rachael will love it!

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  2. I love this house. It is beautiful and sunshiny, and the fussy cuts in the windows are perfect.

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  3. It is such a gorgeous little house!... I wanna live there!

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  4. Your block is fabulous! Rachael is going to love it! I think I have some small print fabrics, so when you're up for a swap, let me know!

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  5. Marg, That house is so awesome I think I'm going to cry!! Truly!

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  6. So cute! The fussy cut bits in the windows are perfect :)

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  7. This is one of the cutest little house blocks Ive seen. I love the fussy cutting in the windows and that chimney is so sweet!

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  8. That is a lovely house! I hope you enjoyed your day of relaxing too.

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  9. The house is gorgeous but still not as lovely as the one in your last post.

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  10. very cute Marg, you should be very happy with the house. I don't know if I would make one, but I do know it would not be a cute as yours. Maybe we need another shopping day to help your small scale print dilemma, maybe next time in Brissie. I'm sure I could help you find some, lol
    Keep stitching

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  11. I love your house block! The girl in the window is my favorite aspect of it. I love that you can look at the block as a whole, and see a house; or you can pick out a detail to study. Very nice!

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  12. The house block is adorable. I would have loved to be at that party! I sure the receiver will be happy with it. I am so glad that you are taking time for yourself. Selling a house can be so hectic!

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  13. Wow! Very, very cute. Love all your executive decisions, it came out just right.

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  14. Wonderful house block! Thanks for the peek in the window at the party leftovers :) Executive decision making was all good!

    Hmm, my stash has exactly the opposite--all small prints, no large prints and no collections of fabric.

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