Florida Ridge Scent of Orange Blossom & Quilts

United States Geological Survey on.wikimedia.org/

Whilst at the Sewing & Quilt Expo in Lakeland we took a detour to explore the Ridge Scenic Byway (State Route 17) atop the Florida Ridge (aka The Lake Wales Ridge or Mid-Florida Ridge) pictured at left.

The Florida Ridge is formed from the remnants of ancient sand islands, all that stood above the water line when most of Florida was covered by seas millions of years ago. This ridge is approximately 150 miles long running down the center of what is today Florida and rising to 312 feet - the highest point in the state. Bok Tower is a well known landmark on the sandy white ridge as are the orange groves an early 20th century import.

We spotted lots of fun (or funny) sights including the official state highway sign point out 'GPS INCORRECT' and 'HILL BLOCKS VIEW.'

sandy orange groves

The orange groves were just in the last throes of blossom and the smell orange blossom perfume is heavenly - something one cannot describe, but you must experience yourself! The groves were full of bee hives peppered with estates of mobile homes and cattle grazing. Of course we had to stop at the fruit stand and buy local oranges and strawberries - the season here being a bit earlier than in England!

Ridge Orange Groves Stand

Located on the ridge, the city of Frostproof's name is a misnomer and a sales gimmick, as frost arrived soon after its founding in the 1800s.  We stumbled across Southeastern University near Lakeland - a total surprise to me in this otherwise rural landscape.

Here's a bit of local art and old Florida sights -

The $15K EPIC machine
fun in the classroom, but too $$ for me

EPIC 'output'

Back to the quilting expo, I took a few classes -- practiced free motion, tried out a new machine, and did a Quilt First then Construct class (different from strip quilt as you go process) with Helene Weber.

Quilt First then construct teacher's example

few people asked for the instructions, so here goes:  To Quilt First then Construct, make your blocks, quilt (with batting and backing in place) and trim to all are exactly the same size.  My Quirky Quilter friends will recognize some of the fabric . . . 

Cut strips for the connecting pieces between the blocks - 2.5 inches wide for the front and 1 inch for the back.

#1

1. Fold the 2.5 inch strip in half lengthwise (like a binding) and pin the raw edges to the raw edge of the block on the top/front.  Then pin the 1 inch strip (no folding!) to the back, right sides together. Attach both strips at once using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

#3

2. Press the 1 inch backing strip forward/outward and pin to  the 

#2

next/adjoining block you want to connect.  Pin right sides together again and sew a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

#3 finished

 3.  Now lay out the front such that the two blocks are butting up against one another.  Iron the folded 2.5 inch strip over across the join and top stitch down.  

Voila! This picture shows the back of the two joined blocks.

Do this as many times as necessary to join all the blocks, the quilt the connectors if desired and bind the quilt. Easy if you sew an exacting 1/4 seam!

For details watch YouTube video:
How to Connect Quilted Blocks - Beginner Quilt as You Go tutorial with Leah Day.

And here's my favourite quilt of the show . . .