July's Block!

I can't believe that it's July, wow! Time is sure flying by! We are all done with the Dresden Plate blocks and we are now working on the blocks that are set in between the Dresden blocks. I had thought about leaving them plain, but I have more of Grandma and Grandpa's farm to share! These applique designs are fun to do and the hand stitching on the sewing machine design is relaxing to do, I love doing embroidery in the evening in front of the TV.

My love of sewing and quilting was a direct result of my mom and great grandma. I also think it's safe to say my mother's sewing ability was also influence by great grandma too, (her grandmother). Both are incredible seamstresses. I have the baptismal gown by great grandmother made for me and it's beautiful. All of my nieces and nephews along with my own boys have all worn it. It is so beautifully made and such a family treasure. When we would visit grandma and grandpa's farm, my great grandparents were always there too! They lived in in summer on the farm in the little house. The little house was a sweet little guest cottage on the farm. My sisters and I would love to run from the main house across the farm drive to visit great grandma and grandpa!

Great Grandma and Grandpa

Not only was great grandma an wonderful seamstress, but she was also an awesome cook! She made the best raised donuts. She used to make these in her little house on the farm. She would make 6-7 dozen at a time! What I find amazing is that she did all of her cooking on her wood burning stove. I can see her now walking over to grandma's carrying a huge platter of glazed donuts, they never last long. In fact I remember one summer where she made a platter every day while we were visiting the farm. Great grandma's glazed donuts were the best! I have made them a few times for my boys and they do disappear pretty quick!

Great Grandma's Raised Doughnuts

Sweet Roll Dough

Measure into a mixing bowl 1/2 cup warm water. Add two packages active dry yeast. Stir in 1 1/2 cups lukewarm milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 2 tsp salt, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup soft shortening, half of 7 to 7 1/2 cups sifted flour. Mix with a spoon until smooth. Add enough of the remaining flour to handle easily. Turn onto lightly floured board; knead until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes) Round up in greased bowl, greased side up. Cover with damp cloth. Let rise in warm place until double (1 1/2 hours) Punch down and let rise again  until double (30 minutes) After dough rises, roll out dough to 1/2 inch think, cut with floured 3 inch doughnut cutter. Let rise on board until very light (30-45 minutes) leave uncovered so a crust will form on the dough... drop into deep hot fat, temperature of hot grease should be 375. Drain on absorbent paper. Either frost with powdered sugar glaze or place in bag with granulated sugar and shake. Makes 1 1/2 to 2 dozen doughnuts.

Now onto this months designs! I have two blocks for you to complete, my mom's green sewing machine and my Great grandparent's little house. Both of these designs will be put on the background white/cream fabric on point.

Find the center of your 12 1/2" square...

On the pattern placement sheet I have marked the center with a little dot...

Center your design onto the fabric on point and iron in place...

Then machine applique in place...

Embroider the sewing machine details. I am using #12 pearl cotton.

My sewing machine has red thread... my favorite color.

Center the Little House design onto your 12 1/2" block on point.

Machine applique the design in place...

I know the fence is really putzie to do... but it'll be worth every little stitch when it's done.

Mom's Sewing Machine

The Little House

Patterns can be found on the Quilt Doodle website and on Craftsy (Not until the 1st of the month). Did you miss a pattern along the way? The past monthly patterns can be found in my Etsy and Craftsy shops for a small fee.

Fat Quarter bundles of 16 fat quarters are available in my Etsy store to get you started.

Tag me on Instagram with your photos #quiltdoodledesignsBOM2017 #quiltdoodledesigns @quiltdoodles
I'm looking forward to seeing everyone's houses and sewing machines.

My favorite picture of grandma and I, taken in front of her flower garden.

Happy 4th of July weekend! I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

          Let’s have some quilty fun!
Cindy