Slow Stitching Sunday and lots of projects

I do most of my slow stitching on weekdays, not on the weekends.  Today I did some slow stitching on my Vintage Miniature Sewing Machine block.  This is block #10 of 12 blocks.  I've moved the  hoop since this photo was taken.

block #10

I finished block #9 earlier in July, but haven't shown it before now.

block #9

I've been working hard on the Hobbit/Lord of the Rings blocks.  I've finished 4 different block sets since the end of June.  These are all paper pieced.  The first block is Sting, Bilbo's (then Frodo's) sword.  I'm making 2 of each of these blocks.

Sting

both blocks together

Next I worked on Smaug the dragon.

Smaug

both blocks together

After Smaug, I stitched up Arwen's jewel.

Arwen's jewel

both blocks together

I finished Gimli's Axe on Saturday.  If this block was my first experience paper piecing, I'd never paper piece again.  The pattern doesn't work properly.   Some of the pieces are too small to fit with the other pieces.  If you look closely at the parts next to the red Clover clips, you can see that they just won't fit properly with the rows of pieces between. 

top and bottom pieces are  supposed to finish at the same size as the 3 pieces in the middle

same problem on both sides of the axe

I didn't notice the problem until I was finished with all of the paper piecing and started to try to put all the pieces together.  Thank goodness that I could just add more of the background fabric to make everything fit.  You can see where I had to add fabric on these photos, since there is fabric and no paper.

fabric added along the seam to make it all fit together

fabric added along the seam to make it all fit together

When all the pieces were finally stitched together, it is supposed to be a 12.5" square block.  You can see below that it was much larger than 12.5" square (the ruler on the block is 12.5" square).

block finished the wrong size

Thank goodness I could save the blocks.  I've done lots of difficult paper piecing in the past, but this pattern receives an 'F' from me.

Gimli's Axe

both blocks together

I have four more of these Hobbit/LOTR blocks to make for these quilts.  Thank goodness none of the other blocks were designed by the person who designed Gimli's Axe. 

I've been doing lots of Leaders & Enders while I've been working on these Hobbit/LOTR blocks.  First I stitched the pink HST's for July's RSC19 blocks.  I use Triangulations papers to make my HST's. 

stitching HST's using Trianglulations paper

I have the Purple and Light Blue colors waiting to be stitched up. 

I have my HST's cut and the papers pulled, but I haven't finished making the finished blocks since I'm not using a 1/4" foot while I'm paper piecing.  I also have my stitches set on 30 stitches per inch, while paper piecing, so, I don't really need my stitches that close together on the finished blocks.   I now have a bucket of HST's waiting to be turned in to finished blocks.

pink & white HST's for RSC19 blocks

I've also been doing other Leaders & Enders while I've been paper piecing.  Last December, I was given the striped charm squares from my little quilt guilds Left-Right-Center game at our Holiday party.  The lady who won them didn't want to have to make something with them.  That means that I have to have a completed quilt top by this December.  I have an idea for a cool modern quilt, using circles, so these charm squares are being stitched to interfacing and turned into circles.

striped charm squares

23 finished striped circles (the puffy ones on the right haven't been pressed yet)

I have lots more circles to prep and stitch.

My last Leaders & Enders project is for something that is due August 1st.  Of course, I can't make just one of anything, so I'm making 4 blocks.  The center squares are fussy cut vintage sewing machines.  I'm using strings left over from other projects, that I've collected since the end of May (baby quilts and RSC blocks). 

pineapple blocks (started)

Now to head back to my sewing room and start on the next Hobbit/LOTR blocks and some more Leaders & Enders.  I'm supposed to be basting and quilting those 3 baby quilts, but I just haven't felt like working on them.  Thank goodness none of those babies are here yet.