2023 Batik Stars TOBE

I participated in the 2023 Batik Stars TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange).  Treadle On is a group devoted to people powered sewing machines (treadles and hand cranks). I got my blocks back this week. This was an international exchange.  Not many participated in this exchange, but they all did a nice job on their blocks.  I'll list each persons blocks and the machines used separately.

These blocks came from Maryland and were made on a 1905 Clemens Muller Veritas hand crank.  The block is called the Quartered Star.

These blocks came from Florida and were made on a 1919 Singer 66.  The block is the Friendship Star.

These blocks came from Florida and were made on a 1902 Singer 28k.  The block is the Sawtooth Star.

These Ohio Star blocks were made on a 1936 Singer 99k, and also came from Florida.

These Autograph Star blocks also came from Florida and were stitched on an 1878 Willcox & Gibbs (the oldest machine used for this block exchange). 

These Starflower blocks came from New Mexico and were stitched on a 1950's Pfaff 30 treadle.  I love how she got all of her stripes lined up correctly.

These blocks came from Michigan and were stitched on a 1955 Singer 201K hand crank.  The block on the left is the Uneven Star and the block on the right is the Entwined Star.

These blocks came all the way from Ireland.  They were made on a 1954 Singer 201k.  They are a variation of the Ohio Star.

I didn't get any of my blocks back.  I did make one extra of each of my blocks (just in case).  I made my blocks on my 1927 Singer 15 hand crank.  

First, I made the Wisconsin Star.

I also made an Ohio Star variation.

And lastly, I made the Eight Pointed Star variation.  All of mine are paper pieced.

I also participated in another Batik Star block exchange back in 2016.  I now have more than enough batik stars to make a couple of quilts.

Chocolate 9 Patch Block Exchange

Treadle On, my people powered sewing machine group, is having a fun block exchange. I am the hostess of this exchange.  This blog post includes all the info about the exchange.

Who likes Chocolate???  Who likes chocolate mixed with other, yummy flavors???  Who likes fabric???  Who has a people powered sewing machine (treadle or hand crank)???  I can answer 'YES' to all of those questions. 

This block exchange makes 9 1/2" unfinished 9 patch blocks (3.5" squares, with the 'chocolate' color on the 4 outside corners and the middle block).

Use colors of chocolate (milk to dark chocolate) and add in other colors that are in different chocolate candies (mint, raspberry, peanut butter, caramel, strawberry, almonds, etc).  (Any other 'flavors' you come up with???)

Number of Blocks in a set: 8
Max. number of sets: 4

Here are the 'flavors' that I chose to use.

Since these blocks are 9 1/2 inches, your squares need to be 3 1/2 inches.  I chose to cut strips and string piece my blocks.  It's more accurate and much quicker. 

From you 'chocolate' fabric, cut 5 strips, 3.5" wide, by width of fabric.

From your 'candy' fabric, cut 5 strips, 3.5" wide, by width of fabric.  Set one of these strips aside for now.

Stitch 2 sets of 'chocolate', 'candy', 'chocolate' fabrics together.
Stitch 1 set of 'candy', 'chocolate', 'candy' fabrics together.

Carefully cut each of these sets into 9.5" x 3.5" sections.  The photo below shows mine cut, and sitting next to each other, in sewing order.

Stitch these units together to make your 9 patch block.  Here is my finished 9 patch block.

finished block

Using this method, you end up with 11 blocks.  8 blocks for the exchange, and 3 bonus blocks for you.

Now, take your extra 'candy' strip of fabric, and cut it into 3.5" squares.  These are your 'signature' squares.  Sign them (with a Pigma or Micron pen) with all the proper info (your name, location, what machine used, 2018 Chocolate TOBE).

one of my signed squares

Attach your signature square to the back of your block. 

signature square attached to back of block

I just basted my signature square to the back of my block, with a 'loop' of thread.

square basted to block

The signature squares can be added to the back of your quilt, so that you will know, by matching the fabrics, who made each block in your quilt. 

Mail by dates: International, May 6, 2018, USA, May 12, 2018

Now that you have all the info, who wants to join this block exchange?  Go to Treadle On, and join the group, and get the rest of the info for block exchanges. 

I have one set made, and 3 more sets cut out.  

A Few More Exchanges

I've been in several different exchanges this year.  These are some of the last exchanges.  I only have one more exchange this year.

Treadle On Pin Cushion Exchange.  ALL of my Treadle On exchanges have to be made on a people powered machine (treadle or hand crank).  This is the pin cushion that I made.

lady bug pin cushion

Yes, I made 2 of these, for different pin cushion exchanges.

Here is the pin cushion I received with this exchange.  The pink one is from the exchange, the tiny finger pin cushion was from the hostess that organized the exchange (thanks Stephanie).  Really cute!

Treadle On pin cushion's

The next exchange was also with Treadle On.  This time it was a bag exchange.  No rules, just make a bag.  I had to cheat in the end, since I couldn't get the binding on the one I made while using a hand crank, and, since I stopped every few stitches, a treadle wasn't an option, either.  I did include a note in the bag, to let the new owner know that I used an electric (1939 Singer Featherweight) for the binding ONLY.  This is the bag I made.  I thought the fabric was perfect for a Treadle On exchange.

Treadle On bag exchange

Here is the bag that I received.  There is lots of detail in this bag, and pockets inside, too.  Look at all those ruffles.

bag I received

Stephanie was the hostess of this exchange, too.  She made all of us a bag herself.  Here is the bag that Stephanie made.

triangle zipper bag

The last exchange was with the Yahoo Harry Potter group.  This exchange was for Wizard trading cards, shaped like Chocolate Frog cards.  They had a template that we were supposed to use, but, no more information.  We could use whatever 'medium' we wanted to use.

I was late on finishing this exchange.  It is in the mail now.  Since she doesn't read my blog (not a quilter) I think it's safe to show these pictures.  Here is what she sent me...

card with the Wizard cards

She made these cards special, so that I can insert a photo of someone inside the lace, at the bottom of the card, and add important information to the back of each card

Wizard Cards I received

Here are the cards I made.  Mine are all fabric. A Firebolt (broomstick) a Golden Snitch and the Hogwarts Crest.  I got the patterns off of Fandom in Stitches.  They were all 5" patterns, but, I reduced them down to 3" and added strips of fabric on each side, so that I could make them the shape of the Chocolate Frog cards. 

Wizard Trading Cards that I made

Since I didn't want to go 'muggle' on her, I used a people powered machine (no ekltricity was used in making these cards).

Batik Star Block Exchange

I participated in another TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange).  This time we made Batik Stars.  We have to make our blocks on either a treadle or hand crank.  I made 2 different sets, using 2 different hand cranks.

my first block

1914 Singer 66 hand crank (Lotus Decals)

my 2nd blocks

1927 Singer 15 hand crank (Gingerbread Decals)

I was so busy making these, that I forgot to make blocks for myself, like I usually do.  Thank goodness I got one of each of my blocks back (I did mention that I'd be happy to get one of my blocks back).

Here are the blocks I got back, from the 2 sets.

As you can see, I only got a couple of duplicate blocks.  Some used the same fabrics, but, made different star patterns, and, some used the same pattern, but, different fabrics, so, only 3 blocks are the same. 

I don't know how I'll put these together.  It should be a fun quilt (or two) when I'm done.  These blocks are all 12.5".

I have one more exchange that I participated in, that will be coming.  It's a pin cushion exchange.  I can't wait to see what exchanges there will be in the year to come.  I've participated in exchanges for several years now, with Treadle On, but, I haven't made a quilt with any of my blocks so far.  One of these days, I'll have to pull them out and start putting them together. 

Teapot Tuesday!

Giraffe teapot

 I found this giraffe teapot in Tulsa, OK at a garage sale.  It was a whopping $1, and that included a box of tea.  Isn't he cute!

I've been sewing on one of my treadles.  These blocks were made on the 1896 Singer treadle for a block exchange that is due in September.  I have more fabric cut out to sew into these blocks.  

Disappearing 4 patch block

D4P set up

 I signed up for 2 sets of the Disappearing 4 Patch (D4P) blocks for this exchange.  Sewing the first 4 patches together was fine.  My feed dogs weren't working as well when I started to sew the cut pieces together.  I don't think the feed dogs like more than 2 pieces of fabric.  I had to 'help it along' when it came to sewing over seams.  This was difficult for me.  I'm not that coordinated.  I did fine with the treadling, but, I have to start by turning the handwheel with my hand to start treadling in the proper direction. 

another D4P set up idea

D4P before cutting

 I want to turn at least one set of these blocks into a quilt top for me to keep.  I may get to show off my 'people powered' sewing machines at my guilds quilt show next March.  I'd like to have some things that I made on these machines to show off.  I'll also have the blocks from the exchange, too.  The blocks from the exchange will have the makers name, location and what machine they were made on written in the muslin area.

If I could machine quilt (no, I can't, I've tried and tried), I'd machine quilt something on one of my treadles as an example.  Free motion quilting and I just don't get along.  Stitch in the ditch is the best I can do. 

L&L TOGA block exchange

I am going to the Loosen & Lube TOGA (Treadle On Gathering and Academy) in Wisconsin this weekend.  I will (hopefully) learn lots about how to clean my machines and get them all working.  I'm also hoping that I will be able to convert a few machines and treadle heads into hand cranks.  We'll see.  The blocks on the bottom (Rail Fence) were made on the 1896 treadle for the TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange) at the TOGA.  I still have to sign them and list what machine they were made on.  I'm getting sew excited!  I'll take pictures and blog about it when I get back.

Have a great weekend!