Welcome back! This week's book is #8 of the Little House series - These Happy Golden Years... the story of Laura and Almonzo's courtship and marriage. Laura was not yet 16 years old when she took a teaching job 12 miles from home.
Pa was driving her to the small, drafty shanty she was to be staying in when she asked, "Do you think I can, Pa?" Pa replied with encouragement... "Of course you can. You've never failed yet at anything you tried to do, have you? You've tackled every job that ever came your way. You never shirked, and you always stuck to it 'til you did what you set out to do. Success gets to be a habit, like anything else a fellow keeps on doing."
Most of the pupils were taller than her and she was residing with hateful, crazed lady. Laura was miserable but she did not give up.
Perhaps the words of encouragement from Pa kept her going... that and knowing that she would be able to return home on Friday afternoon. At first, Almonzo picked her up as a "favor" to Laura's Pa... It didn't take long before their love began to blossom for each other and a formal courtship began.
It was only natural for me to choose Pieces of My Heart as the center of this log cabin block for the book that tells of their love for each other. I struggled with this block in trying to make it reflect my original block which was 12" finished.
Reducing the pieces by 50% meant that tiny, narrow strips/pieces would be required. I tried changing the number of strips, but that made for an odd look... I tried using only two colors in three different ways...
I even considered paper piecing it... not a good option for this block.
Tiny pieces ended up being the chosen block. The scant 1/4" seam is very important in this block. If you struggle with that... NO FEAR! Any shortage you may end up with in the dimension of the heart block can be made up in the log cabin frame. OR you can add a coping strip the same color as the background fabric on two sides of the block... they won't even be noticeable. ;)
Let's jump into the math lesson. There are lots of pieces and the process is the same for each piece... determine the finished size of the unit, divide in 2 (since the block is to be 1/2 the size of the original), add your 1/2" for seam allowances.
Original cutting size - 2" x 8" rectangle
Remove seam allowance of 1/2 " = 1-1/2" x 7-1/2"
Divide each dimension by 2 = 3/4" x 3-3/4"
Add 1/2" seam allowance = 1-1/4" x 4-1/4" rectangle
Rest assured that I have done the math on all 18 pieces of this block... multiple times. I know that tiny pieces can be intimidating. I do hope that you are not running screaming from this block. Or sitting there with your ears covered going "la, la, la, la! I encourage you to try!
Remember the words of Pa to Laura... "Of course you can. You've never failed yet at anything you tried to do, have you? You've tackled every job that ever came your way. You never shirked, and you always stuck to it 'til you did what you set out to do. Success gets to be a habit."
You managed tiny pieces in the Snowflake block fabulously... YOU CAN DO IT! Grab the Heart pattern, collect your fabrics and courage and get going.
But before you go... How about some trivia questions.
What three gems are in Laura's engagement ring?
What word does Laura not want to include as part of her wedding vows?
Keep Piecing,
Melva
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