Cassie’s 1930’s farm has begun

So, if you are playing along, last week was the official start of the 1930’s Farmer’s Wife Sampler Quilt sew along, with the release of 3 blocks and their tutorials. If you have missed any of the links, they were:

Number 12 – Becky

Number 16 – Bonnie

Number 8 – Aunt

I’m not sure why, but these three simple blocks gave me a lot of false starts and a bit of drama. I initially started off by English Paper Piecing number 12, Becky.

However after English Paper Piecing the next two blocks, I wasn’t at all happy with how the edges and corners lined up. I carefully unstitched them, peeled the templates off the fabric, pressed it all and started again by machine. I am so much happier with the end results, despite their somewhat rough edges due to their traumatic birth.

Like all the other bloggers, I certainly have enjoyed reading along with the letters to match these three blocks. They speak of a time where priorities could be a little crowded, despite the tough times they were facing. Just like today in fact. Very few people have any spare time, most of us are over-committed, over-stressed and under-joyful. Aunt Maria’s letter, block 8, puts it so beautifully.

“… all we can do is to fill the day with work well done.”

In fact, that’s a recipe for happiness right there. The sort of satisfaction that allows you to sleep well each night, knowing that whatever the day brought, you did your best. Whether that is a simple job like weeding the garden, or running a billion dollar empire. I am so glad that I joined in this sew along, I love reading these letters and connecting to all these women. Although we are separated by women’s liberation, and possibly the iPhone, we have a lot more in common that I ever imagined.