A new block, a new week and just a word....

These blocks are coming around very quickly.  It may seem fast because we are all geared to BOMs and not BOTWs.  Or could it be that I am old and slow?  Nah, surely not that!  I eliminated some seams again.  I tried it as drawn by Barbara Brackman, but it looked way too busy in a 4" size, so I made the background plain.
Now about the "just a word" in the title of this entry:  Some of my thoughts about hand piecing.  Since the invention of the rotary cutters, hand piecing has sort of taken a beating.  People have forgotten how relaxing it can be to put your feet up, have a cup of their favorite beverage and have a needle in their hand.  No huge amount of supplies to tote around, no power cords to hassle with (although you do need good lighting) and no bobbins to wind.  Don't get me wrong - I love my sewing machines, but there is a place in this world for hand piecing.  Today's quilters seem to think it is too slow, but consider this:  it is extremely portable.  While you are sitting at the doctor's office or waiting for something else, just a small ziplock can hold a lot of quilt pieces and needle and thread and small scissors.  You can get some blocks pieced then when otherwise you would just be reading a magazine.  That is just one example.  Also, hand piecing makes for a wonderful group activity - you don't need much individual space and it is very easy to carry on conversations - no noise from machines to talk over.  Well, you get the idea.  Let me know what you think.......
Sheila