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Bryan House Quilts

Four and Twenty Blackbirds

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31 Jan
Hi there. I’m back to share my entry for the Madrona Road Challenge sponsored by Michael Miller.
My inspirations were my new favorite red Toms, which I pair with good ole’ American blue jeans, and a favorite a nursery rhyme, “Sing a Song of Sixpence.” 
Sing a song of sixpence 
a pocket full of rye
four and twenty black birds 
baked in a pie
When the pie was opened
the birds began to sing
wasn’t that a dainty dish
to set before the king?
No hidden meaning there, it’s just a catchy nursery rhyme that’s been in my head. For months. Hopefully it will fly away now. 
IMG_4242
Four and Twenty Blackbirds, 16″ by 22″ 
Using a funky orange red and a deep navy,  I sewed up 40 flying geese and selected 4 red geese and 20 Madrona Road geese to fly on the navy backdrop. 
IMG_4242
See? Red Toms. So comfy. And red! 

I went with a wonky, imperfect look trying to channel a Gee’s Bend Favorite. 
The wonk is way outside my comfort zone. It’s fun and crazy, but I’m pretty type A. Less so with four children but still pretty durn anal. I’d love to work with wonky geese in the future, but I will aim to work the wonk in in places where I do feel comfortable. 

IMG_4240

I chose the quilting to echo the movement of the birds. You’ll notice the birds face each other at the red birds. Hopefully, the quilting draws more emphasis to that movement. 
IMG_4238
I heart quilts in the sun

Thank you for stopping by! 
Previous Post: « WIP Wednesday: Sunshine and Stitches
Next Post: I’m going to QuiltCon: Here’s a bit about me »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Heidi Staples says

    January 31, 2013 at 5:26 am

    Love it!

  2. Nat at Made in Home says

    January 31, 2013 at 8:51 am

    Becca, it is beautiful! Love the orange on the black background!

  3. amy and the bad cats says

    January 31, 2013 at 6:20 pm

    gorgeous!

  4. Taryn says

    January 31, 2013 at 9:18 pm

    Beautiful! Flying geese are my fave and I love the bright geese on the dark background. The quilting is just perfect. It does draw your attention to the movement.

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This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

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I know it’s tempting to skip this step... I cannot tell you how many times I have skipped making a test block and ended up regretting it later. If I had just made the test block, it would have saved me HOURS and HOURS of seam ripping and re-sewing, so take my advice and just always make the test block! 

I have never regretted making a test block, but I have regretted not making one. 😅

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I’m not talking about just the finished quilt. I mean EVERY moment along the journey that feels like a win. Picking your colors and fabrics, sewing that first block, the points that line up, arranging blocks onto the design wall... Celebrate as much as you can along the way. 

I think too many quilters rush past these moments because they’re just focused on the finish line, but quilting isn’t one big “ta-da!” It’s a bunch of little “ta-da” moments stitched together.

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Quilting is meant to be enjoyed and there’s so much to learn along the way. These three things have been HUGE along my quilting journey, and I know they can make an impact on yours too. 

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But quilting? THAT’S my bread and butter. 

It was my mom who got me into quilting many years ago, and I’ve even been teaching quilting for over a decade. 

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Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases Comment ‘ALCHEMY’ if you want to enjoy ALL phases of the quilting journey and make this beautiful quilt alongside a supportive community that is all learning, growing, and sewing together! ✨

We just started the Alchemy this month, but you can join and start your own anytime! 💕

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨ Walk i Does anyone else just love this feeling? ✨

Walk into the sewing room, shut the door behind me, and suddenly all other problems disappear. 

A feeling we all know too well. 🙌

What are you sewing right now? Let me know in the comments! 💕

#quilthumor #quilterslife #quiltteacher #modernquilter
Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep read Comment ‘FREEZER’ to take my free class! Keep reading for tip number four... 👇

Always print your templates at 100% scale.

Before cutting your fabric, measure the 1-inch test box on your template.

Even being slightly off can affect the accuracy of your blocks later on and lead to some BIG oopsies. 😅

This is one of those tiny steps that saves a LOT of frustration later... Speaking from experience, and more re-done blocks than I could ever count! 

Follow along @bryanhousequilts for more freezer paper piecing tips that will make your quilting life easier and more enjoyable along the way. 💕
Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my fr Comment ‘FREE’ and i’ll send you straight to my free class where I’ll teach you the life-changing technique that made me fall in love with quilting. 💕 

You’ll even leave with a free modern triangle block pattern to start sewing on your own! 🪡

Drop ‘FREE’ below and start the new creative hobby you’ve been dreaming about. ✨

#modernquilting #paperpiecing #foundationpaperpiecing #quiltingtechnique #quiltteacher
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