Block Nine -- The Rambler

This is an easy block with easy applique - the kind of block that is a lot of fun to make and a great opportunity to play with colors.  It is a good idea to read through all the directions first before starting -- which is really great advice with most things in life, not just quilting.  The flying geese are a little funky, but they are a lot of fun.  Flying geese are one of my favorite quilt blocks.  And that's saying a lot considering I've made Judy Neimyer's Glacier Star with the extensions and that has a gazillion flying geese in it. 

Accurate cutting is always a plus with any quilt block.  Measure twice and cut once.  And even though I've quilted almost 30 years, I still mark my diagonals on my squares...

There aren't too many bias edges in this block, and since you're making multiples sections for the block, this is a perfect block for chain stitching.  Just be sure to sew all the blocks on one side of the rectangles first and press.  Then sew on the other side.

When you're joining the flying geese together, be sure to use that "Magic X" we've talked about in the past to keep all the beaks on your geese.

This block goes together quick and easy

The stripes on the diagonal was a deliberate choice.  To me, stripes set on the diagonal represent movement -- whether it's to draw the viewer's attention to another part of the quilt or to indicate movement within the block.

And this block, the Rambler, is all about movement and change.  One thing's for sure, life brings change.  Sometimes that change is from heartbeat to heartbeat and at other times it's slower than molasses in January.  Sometimes it comes with breath-claiming swiftness and at other times it can't come quickly enough.  Sometimes it seems as straight forward as those flying geese and at other times it can take you down at the knees and swerve you off in another direction - like the diagonal stripes. 

One thing about life -- it brings changes.  That's a reality check you can take to the bank.  It's how you react to it that can either make you or break you.  Learn to bend...learn to swerve.  Learn to duck and cover, if nothing else!

In other news, I've finished two more rows of Dear Jane!

Sam approves...

Love and Stitches,

Sherri