Fab Farm Sew Along – Sheep – Block 8

Welcome to Block #8 of the Fab Farm Sew Along and the sheep block. Who doesn’t love sheep? My in-laws lived in Yorkshire, England and sheep were plentiful. One year, we were visiting and driving along the country roads when my mother-on-law yelled “John, stop the car! A sheep is tipped over and we must save it!” My recollection is that she directed my husband on what to do and, being the dutiful son he went off and righted the sheep. All was well with the world.

I believe that very same trip we travelled to Masham, and a sheep fair. There were so many different types of sheep – who knew? We also attended sheep dog trials, and a few years later the film Babe came out. I felt well versed in this world from that experience.

Now, back to Fab Farm and the last of the animal blocks from Elizabeth Hartman’s wonderful pattern. The next two blocks are sunflower blocks, so we are very nearly at the end of this journey. Let’s get sewing!

Cutting The Block

The cutting instructions for the sheep is on page 35 & 36. If you need a reminder, here is how I set up the cutting, using SEPC (scan, enlarge, print, cut).

Making Block 8

The sheep is not quite symmetrical, so don’t be fooled into thinking it is. The Face and Ear Units are symmetrical but the Legs and Floof units are not!

I did want swirly fabric for the sheep and found something that I thought would be perfect.

Next up are the ears and the face of the sheep is now complete.

Here you can see how the floof units are not the same size. I do not know what that triangle section is supposed to represent, but I did it anyway. You could skip it if you like.

HINT #1: Lay out the parts together, so you use the right parts for the similar but different floof pieces.

Now, here comes a mistake I found as I was writing this blog!

HINT #2: Place the feet properly so that the the triangle is totally above one of the legs.

I realized this was wrong as I was writing this.

Here it is pieced incorrectly!

Also wrong! No one else would notice but it makes more sense as a bit of fluff showing the leg differently.

The Finished Block

Finally, after a little surgical seam ripping and sewing, the sheep is ready to join the other farm animals. I decided to name the sheep after a town in Yorkshire, as it only seemed proper. And here they all all are:

Sally the Strawberry,
Harriet the Horse,
Gertrude the Goat,
Celia the Cow,
Charlotte the Chicken,
Bertha the Bee,
Penelope the Pig, and
Shefield the Sheep.

Linky Party

There will be a linky party for the rest of the blocks, 6-10 on the last week, and then a linky party for tops. You can join the other linky party for blocks 1-5 here.

The Schedule

Here’s the schedule including co-hosts. You can begin at any time and find the posts here or on this page.

Patterns and Kits Available

I am listing some links for patterns and kits. They are affiliate links, so a little comes to me (no additional cost to you) to support the costs of running the blog.

• Amazon: Fab Farm pattern*
• Annie’s: Fab Farm Pattern*
• Fat Quarter Shop: Fab Farm Pattern*
• Fat Quarter Shop: Fab Farm Quilt Kit* (currently scheduled for July)

Coming Up on My Blog

Fixing a T-Shirt Quilt
Fab Farm SAL – Block 9 (6/19)
Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd
Fab Farm SAL – Block 10 & Linky Party (6/26)

Linking Up

Monday Musings
Monday Sew and Tell
Foto Fun