A few weeks ago I wandered into a new blog. The author posted a pic of a very cute table runner with a rooster block. It was much cuter than the rather elementary chicken block I made last spring. Most of you know that I have an affinity for roosters.
I left a comment for Nanette at Displaced Yoooper asking her where she found the pattern. Without hesitation she emailed me back and offered to send me the pattern! I was amazed at her generosity. She had no idea of who I was. It was my first visit to her blog.
True to her word, I received the pattern a few days later.
Today I finally had time to work on the block. I made my share of errors, and did a lot of ripping out and restarting. There were no labels on the pattern telling me what parts were body, tail, background, etc. It can be tough to figure that out with a black and white pattern that's printed in reverse of the finished block (as all foundation piecing is).
Anyway I finally finished one block. It finished a lot smaller than I thought it would be (I am sure the directions probably told me it would be only 6", but I didn't really read the directions).
I decided to turn it into the center of a star symbolizing the sun...you know, rooster waking up as the sun rises...
My original thought was to turn the rooster into a window valance for a set of new summer window coverings. That was when I thought the rooster was taller. But still I pinned it up to the window to see what it would look like.
It seems like a lot work to add fabric to the sides, the top and the bottom and make it all work....I do like that it matches the rooster above the window.
Maybe I will just add batting and backing and let it drape over the kitchen china cabinet.
It goes pretty well with the chickens and flowers that are already on top of the cabinet.
Another thought I have is to make it the front of a Farmer's Market tote bag. Wouldn't that be cute? It would also be very useful when we go the Farmer's market on Saturday during the summer months. Since I have never made a tote bag, I am not sure just how to do it. Perhaps I can take a pattern I already have and rework it somehow....
Anyway it was fun to make. Nanette, thank you again for sending it to me. I am always amazed at how friendly people are in blogville.
Zoey, Glad you figured out the black and white pattern - it looks good. I read the instructions and was still surprised to see the size of the square - I quess you could always enlarge the pattern pieces on a copier by printing it at 150% or more - just a thought. I gave the table runner to a friend that has roosters in her kitchen for her 62nd birthday - she loved it. Hope all is well in your world, thanks for the kind comment on valentines day - Nannette
ReplyDeleteI love roosters too...
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet gesture from a new blogging friend.
xo
The best quilts come when you have to work out an error. It truly makes your block an original. Nice job!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe you were able to do that from bits of fabric. amazing!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of using it for a tote for the Farmer's Market.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice gift from a blogging friend!
Any of your ideas work well with that quilt square which is just sweet! I didn't know you loved roosters that much-they are fun to decorate with! I like rooster weather vanes too!
ReplyDeleteI put that pattern away to use for future use many years ago. Your rooster looks great.
ReplyDelete