One Block Over

Final Blocks Finished!

2012-01-10T10:15:00.001-06:00

This little sweet pea joined our family in November and I promptly exchanged quilting time for loving on her. (Could you resist that smile?)

A big thanks to Carla and Megan for their understanding and patience as it took me a while to get these blocks out!

Here's Megan's cake block sent out a while ago...

And Carla's two bird blocks going out today...

Loved finding fun color details in these bird blocks, like the little red flower above the blue bird that allowed me to put a pop of red in the block and the black and white tree branches giving me an excuse to add my city outline fabric. Guess, like me, the green bird is a big city gal!

These blocks were all so fun. No, the entire year was fun! Thanks for letting me sew with you all and best wishes for the new year.

Kat's Star

2012-01-09T10:46:00.001-06:00

Love it! May add another border of blue to make it pop a little more. Thanks, ladies, for making this for my baby girl. What a special, special piece for both of us! Will post another pic when it's all quilted and bound.

~Andie

Catching Up

2011-12-14T16:03:00.004-06:00

Hello everyone. I want to thank you for your patience with me as I've lagged behind in my blocks in the last half of the year.

Everything has gone into the mail yesterday and this morning, and I believe I'm caught up.

Megan's cake slice:

Carla's blocks:

Linda's blocks (I hope these are OK, they are short and all leaning in the same direction, duh):

Terri's block:

Anything anyone is missing from me? Again, thanks for your patience and I had fun getting back into the sewing groove with these blocks.

Amy

Blocks For Lolly {Carla}

2011-12-13T12:53:00.000-06:00

They look a little crooked and crumpled! I didn't realize these pics were so bad. Anyhoo - great block, great idea. Love the birds in the centers. My MIL would love a quilt like this!

Blocks are on their way to you today!

On The Line

2011-12-04T13:10:00.000-06:00

Sewing this quilt block and watching the slice and dice pattern come to life made me think that everyone can make a gorgeous quilt and not fear getting blocks just perfect. The randomness of this type of block is such a showcase of fabrics. Other than deciding which favorite prints to use, the blocks came together quick and easy.

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Of course, I don't take the easy route and must have trimmed too much here and there, and so I only have two blocks completely made, Linda. The rest of the 3rd block is in the return package which includes several strips of the prints I used so you can finish off the last bit.
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Thank you for the pretty fat quarter. Can't wait to use it.

Bird Brain

2011-11-20T13:33:00.001-06:00

Carla's birdie blocks, as made on a rainy Sunday.

I never would have thought to put Kaffe with plaid, til I saw the green bird and started pulling fabric. Sometimes I surprise myself!

Thinking ahead...

2011-11-17T15:04:00.000-06:00

We are almost at the end of our second year of this Bee, and it's been sew much fun! Getting to "know" quilters a little better by sewing with them is great. I'm glad I started this Bee in the first place, and glad I committed to the second year!

However, as is my nature, I've overcommitted myself for 2012 and need to focus my efforts on the leading Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild, and another project I am working on outside of my "day job".

I'm happy to hand the reigns over to anyone who is willing to head up One Block Over 2012, turn the blog over to you--and I know some of the quilters this year would stick around next year. So, any of our readers/followers, if you're interested leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you. If not, the blog will stay up so we can post finished quilts we make from the blocks we received this year (heck, I still need to finish mine from 2010!!)

Thanks to everyone for sewing with me/us and to all who follow and comment!

Doris

two for Carla

2011-11-09T17:08:00.000-06:00

What a bright fun quilt this will be!

The Misty Love Quilt

2011-11-09T16:35:00.000-06:00

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Doris can now complete her Love in the Mist quilt, if she hasn't already filled in my block spot yet! This one is heading up to Iowa as I write. Trimming out the half-square triangles to perfect 2.5" blocks was the most difficult part for me, but, otherwise, the block moved along pretty easily. Until editing the photo just now, I really couldn't see the center star while so close up to the work. Under the lights and cropped to photo presentation, though, I am always amazed to find I can actually put together such a pretty piece after all the drama I feel getting to the final point! Your quilt will be gorgeous, Doris.

Birds, Flying Away

2011-11-09T14:37:00.000-06:00

Carla's blocks are flying away to her. I enjoyed sewing these, but they did cause a little consternation. I didn't know if I should surround a bird with logs or picture frames.

And I wasn't sure whether the bird should be centered, or offset a little. (Gotta have a little of that Habitat Challenge fabric in a strip as a "happy" reminder of that experience, right?)

My hope is that everyone's blocks will be so different that mine don't stand out as being wrong! Linda

2011-11-09T10:33:00.002-06:00

OK here is the second block. As requested no Civil war reproductions, no batiks or novelties. Which by the way is pretty much my entire fabric stash. The last sides sewn on look funny in the photo because I have the block on a closet door not my design wall.

Luckily I won a give away of scraps from Victoria (Bumble Beans) which came in handy. I had orginally planned to make a liberated wedding ring with them.

I will not be sending anything out for December. That should give everyone time to get caught up and decide if they will be back next year. I will not be coming back next year.

Thank you for including me and all of you who participated this year.

2011-11-09T09:12:00.002-06:00

Blogger is again not cooperating. Here is my 1 block. I do not have all day to try and upload photos.

Two Little Birdies...

2011-11-09T08:31:00.000-06:00

Picked my mail up on the way off to retreat this weekend, and there was Carla's package (GREAT timing!) so the first thing I did once I got set up at retreat was make these two cute blocks... love the quilt idea, adore the birdie print!!!

Hope to post back to you tomorrow, Carla!

C-A-K-E

2011-11-01T19:53:00.000-06:00

I was finally able to get Megan's fun Cake block done!

Too bad that I procrastinated so long, because I took a nasty spill on my stairs 10 days ago that resulted in a broken hand. UGH!
SOOOOOOOOOOOO...........working with one good (right--yea!) hand and one not-so-good-left hand........

plus a perfectly good left elbow to hold down my rulers, I goterdone! Since i was on such a roll and loving it so, I went ahead and made one more for good measure.....

Only after I was finished did I re-read the directions about using the Kona solid that was included! Argh! If the yellow background on the second block doesn't work for you, Megan, maybe you can use it on the back somehow.

Sorry about that...guess the fall affected my brain too! I will include the blocks in the envelope with my November bird fabric, Megan. Can't wait to see your finished quilt!

Birds of A Feather

2011-11-01T17:41:00.003-06:00

SinceI am such a wild bird lover and love Alexander Henry's Bird Songprint, I thought I would ask my quilty friends to flock together incombining the two for my month of November. Hopefully, this will bean easy and low stress project for this busy month.

WhatI have in mind is for you to use the two bird squares that you findin your envelope and combine them with scraps from your personalstash to create two 12.5 inch (12 in. finished) log cabin typeblocks. You will also find two strips of Kona PFD cotton to use inone of the rings on each.

Increating your blocks, you might find these hints helpful:

*I'mlooking for more of an overall “picture frame” effect than I amthe typical shaded log cabin block. See my samples on the OBO Blogto see what I mean. Please, use only 90 degree angles, not 'WONKY'.

*Usethe PFD Kona in one of the rings. You can trim it narrower if youwant.

*Thecenter bird print can be trimmed down if you want...there is no magicin the size square that you are sent.

*Useas many fabrics as you want to make the block with as many rings asyou want. Please have the outer ring be a color though, and not thePFD. Be sure the outer ring is wide enough for my 1/4in. seam.

*Itworked well for me to make the blocks a bit larger and then square upto the 12.5in. size.

*Iwould prefer that you not use batiks, children's prints or civil warrepros. in making the blocks. Use any colors that you see in any ofthe birds, flowers etc. Solids are fine, but throw in a print aswell.

*Hereare a couple of tutorials that might be used as jumping off points..

http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/2009/06/how-to-make-scrappy-hedgerow-blocks.html

http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/2008/04/for-dana-wonky-log-cabin-block-tutorial.html

Thanks so much! I will be mailing out the envelopes tomorrow.

Happy quilting,

Carla

www.lollyquiltz.blogspot.com

Celebrating June Warmth in the October Chill

2011-10-30T20:44:00.002-06:00

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It might have been pretty interesting -- or embarrassing -- to hear what the valets of the Lowes Atlanta said after unloading my two sewing machines, box of sewing supplies, and miscellaneous bags and luggage for my stay a week or so ago. My friends and I went to The Country Living Fair in Georgia and were treated to the great accommodations. However, it was pretty funny when one valet told the other to get the next guest, and the guy said, "The Toyota or the Porsche?" Uh, I'm the Toyota. Wonder who he thought might give the best
tip?

While there, I was committed to getting THREE blocks done and be caught up and relieve everyone and myself of my delinquency. I'm crazy to update my own blog, but I'm not allowed (by my own set of rigid rules) til my blocks are complete. Only one was completed on Monday -- I did have social obligations to the treaters! This took me six hours! Ridiculous -- me, not the block. However, part of those six hours was a quick trip across Atlanta to Whipstitch Fabrics. Fun to visit a place I've followed through the blogs since the shop was started. I tried to stay away but was sure I needed a couple of bright Konas to bring out the light area of Andrea's block, so I called the valet, had the car brought around, and ran by right before closing. Ah, the life for a week!

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This block was such a challenge. I got all caught up, as usual, in the teeniest of details -- see my drawing -- impossible. I requested crayons from the front desk. Though they offered to bring the box to the door, I totally went down and picked them up myself! I find only one thing that makes me crazy. My plan was to have some of the dark fabrics on the right side carry over into the light block by having the tree branches/leaves cross over. Instead, there is a distinct line of separation, but there was no going back. It is quite amazing, though, that the light/dark piecing works so beautiful!

Andrea, it will be so interesting to see how your quilt comes together and what you do to combine all the different interpretations and values.

Fruit Tart for Megan

2011-10-28T12:02:00.002-05:00

Megan, I hope your friend will like her fruit tart (with flaming candles) on a cut-glass cake plate...

I know I would love to receive a quilt like this!

Is anyone else getting hungry? I hope there is cake at the Halloween Party tomorrow night.

2011-10-28T08:16:00.003-05:00

OK, Blogger is finally allowing me to post photos. :)

Cake Pops

2011-10-26T23:59:00.001-05:00

I decided to make cake pops for Megan’s quilt. Because sewing them seemed easier than actually making them, haha!

This is going to be a delicious quilt!

A Piece o' Cake!

2011-10-26T16:53:00.001-05:00

Megan, happy birthday - way ahead of time - to your friend. Linda

Progress Report

2011-10-22T09:39:00.003-05:00

I have received 10 of 12 blocks to make my Garden Party quilt. Thank you ladies!

A couple blocks came back smaller than the directions, so I am taking those apart and resewing them together to make sure they are the same size as the rest of the blocks. Since I don't have much fabric from this collection in my stash, I don't have a lot of wiggle room to make additional blocks. I'm hoping to get the other two missing blocks back soon, and I'll be ready to piece this burst of color together.

Thank you again for helping me make this quilt!

Terri

Baby Cakes for Megan

2011-10-21T15:29:00.000-05:00

Fun little blocks! What a great idea for a birthday gift for a dear friend. Now that I'm looking at that cupcake, I might need to go back and embellish it a little so it looks less like a house....

two for you..

2011-10-05T15:57:00.000-05:00

I cake and one cupacke for Megan!

I may make a couple more, fun quick morsels... ;-)

I don't have many LIGHT konas... is it OK to use bold kona solids?

(I just made a carrot cake because these got me hungry for cake...)

Linda's Blocks...

2011-10-03T15:32:00.000-05:00

Linda's blocks have been sitting by my doorway forever, patiently waiting for a clear, dry day for their photo shoot. Today is at least dry, so here's the pics. They went out with today's mail, so you should see them soon. What a fun set of blocks to make!

Megan's October BLOCK

2011-10-01T21:40:00.002-05:00

Hi Ladies!
My name is Megan and this is my month for the block of the month. Everything is in the mail with pictures and fabric. I want/need 6.5" wonky birthday cakes. Practice your free piecing! Absolutely anything works! Thanks for all the help!

Here You Go, Linda!

2011-09-30T00:24:00.000-05:00

Linda, I loved, loved making these blocks! I hope that you like them.......(I plan to deliver them in person.)

HST Love

2011-09-14T16:04:00.001-05:00

Doris reminded me yesterday that I had not posted her blocks or Terri's block. I decided to test out the blogger mobile app, since I have the photos on my phone.

I drew the color blue for Doris.

And I love playing with Garden Party, thanks Terri!

Fun blocks, girls! HSTs might be my fav building block ever, so I always enjoy getting to sew them up!

Linda's blocks

2011-09-13T11:50:00.000-05:00

Here's your blocks Linda!

They really aren't this wrinkly! LOL!

...and there is three of them...

I just laid them together for a shot to see what they looked like.

On their way to you today!

Sliced & Diced

2011-09-08T22:50:00.001-05:00

On Monday, I decided to labor over bee blocks for One Block Over and A Notion or Two..

I started with the blocks for A Notion or Two, and they had me seeing red.

Thankfully, Linda’s block provided a much-needed mental break (and a color break from the 2 red blocks in A Notion or Two). The slice & dice method was quick & easy.

The 3 colors in the FQ that I chose to focus on were yellow, brown, and orange. This quilt is going to be amazingly diverse, everyone’s fabric choices so far have been completely different, and yet, I think it will all come together really well.

Slice and Dice Fun

2011-09-08T08:00:00.001-05:00

Made these three fun and fast blocks for Linda last night... her inspiration FQ is at the top, we were to pick three scraps from our stash to use with the grey solid. I think this took me about 45 minutes, including reading the directions.

Can't wait to see her quilt!

Caught up

2011-09-07T13:21:00.005-05:00

I put in one of my favorite red and white fabrics. You can click on the top photo for it to be larger.

Both blocks were fun to make. :) Everything will be in the mail tomorrow.

Linda's Blocks

2011-09-07T10:32:00.000-05:00

Linda - I love this block so much! Love the color combo, too. This is definitely on my "have to make this" list. And thank you for the FQ - I've already got plans for it!

Linda's September Block(s)

2011-09-02T10:45:00.000-05:00

These are the blocks I'm inviting OBOers to make for me during September. OBOers received instructions with their parcels, but if you're following along on our adventures and would like to know how to make this block, please go to my blog post here for specific instructions.

And to be perfectly clear to OBOers... the fat quarter you received is yours and should not be sewn into my September blocks. Use the fat quarter only as a color cue as to what color/print strips - from your own stash - you sew into the Kona grey solid.

Thanks very much, everyone! Linda

Fab Green

2011-08-26T11:11:00.002-05:00

Sorry for the delay. I wanted to take photos of the blocks outside it will not stop raining here!

Love(n') my Love in a Mist Blocks!

2011-08-19T11:25:00.001-05:00

Received many of these while gone to the lake last week:

Eventually the entire spectrum will be represented! Still waiting for Andie's red block, and some orange and green from Michele and Meredith! It's so exciting to open these packages, I love every one of them...

Garden Party for Terri

2011-08-17T10:31:00.000-05:00

Loving all these half-square triangles! Terri - great block. Can't wait to see what you put together!

July and August

2011-08-13T21:49:00.000-05:00

Here's Doris's block that I mailed some time ago.

What a lovely pattern Doris!

And here's Terri's block that I'll be mailing Monday. All that teal left me pleased as punch!!!

Pressing the seams open is fairly new to me, but buy I love how cool it makes the back look!

Fun block, Terri!

Teri's block

2011-08-13T16:07:00.001-05:00

I laid the block down and stepped back into my studio

to get my iphone to snap a pic.....

LOL!

I come back and Jenny Egg decided it was a pillow....

it's on it's way to you Monday, Teri!

Half Square Triangles!

2011-08-09T14:06:00.000-05:00

Hi Ladies, I'm getting caught up on my July and August blocks.....lots of half square triangles were made yesterday!! Here's Doris' Love in a Mist block in yellow....I'm so looking forward to seeing all of the pretty colors together in one quilt, Doris!

Terri's pretty jewel toned fabrics came together in another pretty block. Even though I made what I thought were scant quarter inch seams, my block is just short of your desired 13.5 inches. I hope it will still work.

I'm headed for the post office later today, gals!

Gracious Love

2011-08-04T12:21:00.000-05:00

Since I received Doris's swap fabs late in July, she allowed extra time for me make these blocks. We'll see each other at our August 17 Modern Quilt Guild meeting, so she's been gracious to wait for me to give them to her then. Such pretty prints. I'm a softie for the color aqua, in any shade or value.

Just to show that I'm not a slacker, Terri's fabrics arrived yesterday and her block is in the mailbox as I write this. All three blocks fill me with OBO love 'cause all three blocks have pretty fabrics. And half-square triangles. Lotsa HSTs.

So enough already with those precision blocks! How about a September block that's footloose? I'm getting parcels ready and I promise, no precision cutting or sewing! Linda

Anticipating August

2011-08-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

Well this is afirst, I brought the mail in, opened Terri's envelope and sat down and started sewing her block (Victoria must be rubbing off on me!) ;-)

There was a flurry of chain-piecing... a pile of trimmed corners (I don't know what got into me, Terri, I don't even do this on my own HSTs!)

lots of pressing seams in alternating directions, sewing together squares, then rows...and in the end a lovely Anna Maria Horner Garden Party block:

Also in yesterday's mail was my Love in a Mist block from Megan in Seattle...isn't it lovely?--

Thanks you, Megan!

An August May

2011-08-02T22:13:00.000-05:00

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Amy's May Block

Trust me when I tell you I know how ridiculous I am! Never more so than today when I opened Amy's envelope to sew up this "looks kind of hard" block only to find that she had already cut the pieces out for us and the block was sewn in about 30 minutes start to finish! Geez! I keep thinking I need to put aside an entire day to sew one block and then lose loads of time getting to it because I think I can't stop working!
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This block is so great and very simple. I love it as much as the red cross block we made last year.

Hope it isn't too late for your quilt, Amy. If so, I can send embroidered panels in consolation. I have a set to send out to Victoria because, sadly, I missed the boat in March, too. June in September? Not sure, but I'll try to speed it up. Feel free to kick me in the blog bum, if necessary. -- michele

Tutorial for August Block

2011-08-02T22:00:00.003-05:00

Hello again, quilting bee friends! I posted a tutorial on my blog at this link to share with you instructions on how to make this block for August.That post has photos for each step to give you a visual, but I included a one-page instruction sheet in your fabric kits so you don't have to print a photo-heavy post to follow along.

Thanks again!

~Terri

~Love~ for Doris

2011-08-01T13:40:00.000-05:00

I absolutely adore the retro-liciousness of this block! Love. It. This is the type of block that made me fall in love with quilts - scrappy, linear, symmetrical. Love, love, love it.

Every once in awhile, a project comes along that knocks me down a peg or two. Just when I think that I'm a pretty good quilter - that is to say, a well-rounded sewist - I realize there are aspects of my "game" that need some.... tweaking. My precision cutting and piecing are, shall I say, in need of some continuing education.

Doris, thank you for the opportunity to be reminded that when I'm feeling a tad smug about my skills, perhaps it's time to challenge myself to find out if my ego could use a smack down.

2.5 Times Around the Block for Terri

2011-07-28T16:23:00.012-05:00

Hello everyone, and happy summer!

This is the block I would love to have your help making for the month of August, which I'm calling the 2.5 Times Around the Block. It's made from half-square triangles and fabrics from the Garden Party collection.

I will be sending out kits with either 18 red squares and a mixed pile of 18 print squares, or

18 teal squares and a mixed pile of 18 print squares.

I drew two diagrams to show you how to arrange the half-square triangles once all 36 are sewn together.
I wrote a tutorial for making the block, which I will post as soon as I mail out your kits. I will also include a sheet of instructions in your kit so you don't have to print a photo-heavy tutorial.

If you have any fabrics left over (if I provided you with more than 36 squares), I would greatly appreciate it if you could send them back. I had to scrape the bottom of my stash to come up with enough to make 12 blocks from this one collection. If you're not able to make your block, I am also more than happy to take your kit back, since I don't have any extra fabrics to make up for missing blocks.

Thanks SO much everyone for your help. Hope you have fun with this one.

~Terri

Blocks for Doris

2011-07-28T12:14:00.004-05:00

I made Doris's blocks yesterday. When it was sunny. I took the pics today. When it was not. :-)

Fun blocks to make! Really made me appreciate scrappiness. I'll mail these out by this weekend, Doris.

Happy stitching everyone!

Doris

2011-07-25T13:10:00.000-05:00

Doris, I sent your block off today!

Getting Caught Up

2011-07-19T17:34:00.010-05:00

Nothing feels better than getting caught up! When I have two months of bee blocks sitting on my sewing table, it's time for me to get focused!

I loved piecing Doris' block - just my style. This was such a cool star block to put together, especially with a great selection of cool fabrics.

I'm happy with the block I made for Andrea, so I hope you like it too, Andrea. It was a challenge for me because the piecing and construction were a different style than what I normally do.

I didn't make a block that was a literal interpretation of the picture you sent me, which I hope was okay. I wanted to, but there weren't any green fabrics in my kit, so I wasn't sure how you felt about green. I loved having the photo for inspiration, which I used as a general guide to putting the pieces together.

August is my turn to send out kits, so I'm working on block instructions and cutting fabrics to mail out in the next week or two. I came up with an idea that includes fabrics from my all-time favorite fabric designer so I'm excited to have you all help me make this quilt!

-Terri

Andrea’s Block

2011-07-11T23:02:00.001-05:00

Playing catch up from June… I’m not sure why I waited so long, I wasn’t particularly nervous about this block, even though I don’t really free piece very often.

The Ton Shulten inspiration photo Andrea sent included a house, which I very much wanted to include in my block. I did add in the red fabric that the house is constructed from, it just seemed to make sense. I also tried to add in curved piecing on some of the landscape, which is harder than it looks when one is determined to piece a block without using pins!

Anywho, Andrea, I hope you like your block, which is currently winging its way back across these United States as I type.

Pretty Literal

2011-06-30T18:17:00.000-05:00

I feel like I made a whole quilt today! But, really, it was just one block. For Andrea. I had a ball!

Loved making it! I added some fabrics from my stash as I felt like I needed more lights. Hope that's ok.

I realized after I was finished that I may have been a little too literal in my interpretation. Maybe, too many of those small pieces that Andrea said she didn't want. That's what I get for waiting till the last day of June to dive in...and not read the directions again. I love this so much that I will keep it and make you another one if you think it is too busy, Andrea. I'm just sayin'.

Thanks for the challenge to do something I've never done before. I feel like an artist!!

2011-06-29T09:03:00.001-05:00

The block will be in the mail tomorrow with all of your scraps. New fancy camera and you can tell from the photo I should not be using it.

My July Block

2011-06-27T10:23:00.000-05:00

My scrap bin is overflowing, and despite good intentions of getting to my planned "scrap quilt" projects--I haven't sewed a seam! So, I'm going to have my One Block Over peeps sew some of my scraps for me...into a lovely Love in a Mist block:

How's that for a complete 180-turn from June's block?! Photo and tutorial borrowed from the lovely ladies behind Modify Tradition:

Tutorial here.

Your packages will be mailed by the 1st of July!

I plunged in!

2011-06-25T23:24:00.000-05:00

It's finished! I'm happy and relieved to have made your block, Andrea. As you know, it's given me consternation since I first opened the envelope and pulled out your instructions. But I took the plunge.

Unfinished, it measures 12-3/4" X 15-1/4". An odd size, yes? But hopefully one you can cut down, if needed, to puzzle into place.

This block was completely outside my comfort zone, so I'm feeling a wee bit smug about about having made it. And to think... some people actually - gasp! - like making this sort of thing! (giggle)

Pleased with myself, Linda

x and + blocks

2011-06-22T11:15:00.002-05:00

Hi all! I wanted to show you progress on the blocks you've been making for me for May. This is a combo of bee blocks made by you lovely ladies and ones I've made. I'm very excited about these blocks! Thanks so very much for sewing for me!

Andrea's Block

2011-06-21T11:57:00.002-05:00

Can you tell I have a hard time letting go of straight lines? A little rigid perhaps? Well, I hope this block is OK, Andrea. It was fun to make even though it may look like I had a hard time "coloring outside of the lines." :-)

Art Quilt for Andrea

2011-06-21T11:38:00.001-05:00

Andrea, I had such fun with this last night...the former art student in me was in 7th heaven! .

I wanted to interpret the thumbnail image somewhat literally, (I really enjoyed Victoria's version) so I started free-piecing the left side first, then recreating the right side of the painting...

Then I went back and free-pieced the center section, pulling two additional yellow/gold solids from my solids stash to get a little more variety in my pigment. The bright lemon yellow and the duller maize yellow in this pic came from my stash:

So again here is the inspiration painting, and my finished block....

So what do you think, Bee Block or Art Quilt?

P.S. I'm going to wait a few days to mail this to you, Andrea...July is my month and I've changed my idea about seven times...now I may have to change it again! I'll return your block and leftover fabric with your July package!

Andrea's Block for Andrea

2011-06-15T18:54:00.000-05:00

Andrea - this block gave me a bit of anxiety. Not gonna lie...I was intimidated. But when you wrote in your post that you didn't love the block you made, but rather you liked certain elements - it was exactly what I needed to hear to dive into your block. I added a little bit of pink and navy - hope that's okay.

Separately, I don't love them. But when I put them together - dude - I got so excited about what this thing will look like when you put it together. Love, love, love it! Can't wait.

Thank you for pushing us to explore new techniques!

Maverick Star

2011-06-14T18:59:00.002-05:00

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The maverick star block is a good one! Very easy to do once you get the hang of it, and precision for the points isn't necessary. One could speed right through a load of blocks unless that one is me. I spent way too much time trying to piece interesting pre-blocks and probably lost a couple of hours in the process. I way overthink these things. Andie, your girls' quilts will be fantastic. The blue and black reminds me of a traditional Amish square I love, but, of course, this one is updated, modern, and fresh with all the prints you sent. -- michele

Parisville Revisited

2011-06-14T18:21:00.002-05:00

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So, February. What a mess I made! When I finally finished the block and had the motif sewn on, I started the decorative stitching all around. I ruined it. The sewing foot got caught on one of the seams underneath, and while I thought the stitch was taking a while to work its way out, I didn’t realize it was stuck and sewing over and over and over itself creating a thick web of thread over and under, and …. what a mess! I sent it to Michelle in hopes she could salvage it and/or just create something for herself with it.
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To begin again, I went back to etsy, and I ordered more of the Tula Fabric to go with the fat quarters I bought a month or so ago, a half-yard set and 10 strips of 3-inch wide designs from the etsy shop. When I began to piece the strips, I realized I had nearly NONE of the original shades of fabric Michelle sent originally. Mine is so pink and purple compared to the sprout colorway. The next flaw in my plan: The half yard of the motif fabric was not cut centered on the heads, so NONE of the heads had a complete motif surrounding it!
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Final Decision: STOP. Michelle told me she has more motifs, so I’m hoping she won’t be any more bothered with me than she may be already, and I’m sending the block without the motif to let her sew it in on her end. I don’t think I’ve ever messed up anything so bad that belongs to someone else, and Michelle and I have been blogging friends going on years now. I have a lot of making up to do, somehow ... -- michele

June's Block - Free Piecing

2011-06-08T20:50:00.009-05:00

Guessing by now most of you have received your packages and are either excited to dive in or wondering what in the world I've gotten you into this month! If you fall into the latter group, perhaps sharing a few thoughts on free piecing and my process in making this month's block will be helpful.

One of the things I use when free piecing is the question frequently asked by Jude Hill over at Spirit Cloth...."What if?" (She used to have a collaborative site dedicated exclusively to that question, but it appears it is no longer up.) Asking this helps me be open to possibilities and exploration, rather than set plans and outcomes. Each step becomes a process of discovery...what works and what doesn't, how one piece changes the whole, how I can fit different sections together, etc. etc. Perhaps thinking of your block as an experiment (without worrying about creating a masterpiece!) will help get the ball rolling. Here's what I experimented with on my block and the end result.

Like you, I began with two groups of fabric, light and dark, in assorted shapes and sizes. No set has all the fabric. Mine had lots of blue and said "sky" to me.

I started with the "dark" or "shadowed" side. First, what if I start with stripes?

Then cut it in half? What if I want stars like these? Just lay that big piece of yellow across one corner and stitch it down. Flip it over, trim and press. Trim again.

Another point amidst the stripes.

Do I want three or four points? Lay them out and see.

What if I just can't make four work? No more of that yellow and these improvised pieces are just cut all wrong to come together in any logical way!

This is how they work...but what if I don't love it like this?

Oh well...move on! It will do.

What about the little scrappies of yellow that are left? Could they go in the lower corner? Get out the rotary cutter and cut that corner away for the new piece to fit in.

And now the "light" side!!! What if I start with stripes again?

And if I don't know exactly where to place a piece, I just put right sides together, sew and trim. (I also keep my seam ripper nearby and use it as needed!)

Piece things together....

Finished! Leaving it raw and wonky (not squared up) gives me more options in piecing it together with all of your blocks.

Along they way, I created a fair little mess of the bits I trimmed away and didn't use. Most of them will go in the trash. The larger ones will be saved to fill in between the blocks. I didn't really use any of the red...they just didn't fit with my image of sky.

Do I love, love, love my block? Nope. I love elements of it and I hope it will contribute something to the whole. That's part of what I am interested in...the process of pulling all these different experiments together into one cohesive whole. So truly...experiment. See what you love. See what happens along the way. Don't worry if things don't turn out how you imagined them. They'll turn out just as they should and find a way into the whole of this quilt.

2011-06-07T16:00:00.002-05:00

Hey Andrea, I came home today and I dove right in...

I could keep going on this all day!

I LOVE things segmented....

I used your piece as inspiration as I cut and added and made

it up as I went along.

I really want ot add one more YELLOW across the top,

and I've used all your orange color...

Would you mind if I added this yellow strip at the top?

FUN STUFF!!!!

- Victoria

P.S. I made two because I had so much fun.... No scraps to send back!

(I want to keep these....) LOL

For Amy....under the wire!

2011-06-01T10:24:00.000-05:00

First off....I'm mailing this today...but finished it yesterday...still May...right!! Anyhow, look for it soon, Amy. Second off....I love, love, love this block. It would be an awesome way to use up scraps. Third off....It sure was easy, especially since you had all the cutting done for me! Fourth off....you have the best ideas. It is fun being in this swap with you after following your blog for so long now! Sorry I am a bit late.
Here you go! Love, Carla

Sun Drenched Blocks for June

2011-05-30T20:13:00.012-05:00

Hello there lovely ladies! I can't wait to tell you about the block for this month!

The Inspiration

The art of Ton Schulten sparked my idea for June's quilt block. I saw his paintings in a calendar and instantly fell in love with his use of big blocks of vibrant color and the way he organizes them giving the impression of shafts of light pouring through the paintings. I thought it would be a fun to play with those same ideas in a quilt and decided LIGHT and COLOR would be an excellent way to kick off the summer!

The Block

A package with two sets of solid fabric (a group of "shadowed" colors and a group of "sun-lit" colors) will be arriving on your doorstep shortly. The June project will be to make a block of your own design that:

is free-pieced. Improvise...experiment...make it your own. Don't worry about mistakes.
has a clear vertical dividing line between these two groups of colors. This line does not have to be one continuous seam or even line up exactly, but it should be obvious that there are two sides to your block...one "in shadow" and one "in the light". This dividing line can be anywhere you like in your block (left, right, middle) and created anyway you'd like.
includes big blocks of color. Feel free to include little details too if you'd like, but June isn't a month for an all teeny pieces crumb block. Be bold!
is primarily abstract. Ton Schulten's painting are often landscapes, however I'm mostly interested in free-form design for this quilt. No houses or trees please. :)
is basically square or rectangle. You don't have to square it up to a specific size or make it perfectly straight...please send it to me raw. It can be about any dimension you'd like (long, short, skinny, fat, very square). As for size, comparable to a 12 x 12 block would be fantastic. Bigger is always welcome.

The Leftovers

I don't know if solids will have the same impact, but when I've received your lovely fabrics, I always find one or two I just love and wish I could keep for my stash. I've often sent in the block and then immediately started hunting down yardage to order for myself! If one or two of the fabrics sings to you, feel free to keep some for yourself. I love a little fabric sharing! However, please return most of your leftover fabric and your scraps as I will be using them to fill in the gaps and piece all the blocks together.

And......The Lack of Images

I wasn't able to find any pictures that were not copyrighted to post, (grrrr!) but there's lots to look at in the link above and on flickr. I will send you cut-outs from the calendar as inspiration with the fabric as well. Everything should be in the mail by Friday. (Slight delay by having to order this fabric twice after trying out a new online site. Grrrr again!) I'll post pics of the fabric and my block once the packages are on their way to you.

Please let me know if you have any questions or need further clarification.

I can't wait to see what your improvisations dream up!!! Happy Sewing! :)

2011-05-30T10:03:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone is having a great Holiday weekend! This was a fun block to make.

May Bee for Amy

2011-05-25T21:08:00.000-05:00

That's an alliteration, isn't it? The May bee for Amy?

Here's the block I made for Amy. Easy to piece. She should have it in her hands by now.

Oops, I forgot to Micron Pigma Pen my name on a seam allowance. Linda

Fun Fabric-Blocky Fun!

2011-05-25T11:52:00.000-05:00

Wishing this was going to be my quilt...

I managed to get a half hour of sewing in this week to make my May bee block for Amy...

Love her fabrics and her choice of block-----yum....

I ~heart~ Amy's Block!

2011-05-18T13:16:00.000-05:00

Lurve it! And Badskirt blog?! Lurve it, too. She's so....cheeky. I dig cheeky. This block goes on my list as a quilt I must make! Thanks for sharing it with us, Amy!

so CUTE!

2011-05-17T08:45:00.000-05:00

YIPPEE! Got home and there was the fabrics! I was missing my sewing machine so

bad being gone for 5 days! Seriously! So I quickly dove into put this block together...

how cute is it? love that scissors fabric!

Japanese + and X Block for Amy

2011-05-15T23:12:00.001-05:00

Amy’s Japanese + and X block. The verdict? This was super easy to make – Amy, I wish you would have sent fabric for 2 blocks, this was so quick to whip up that I feel guilty for not doing more!

The hubby goes “Is that newspaper fabric??” He was definitely intrigued – I think it may be time for some of my Authentic word fabric to make an appearance in our house, lol!

Also, Victoria is putting together a fun signature quilt, so I sewed this up pretty quickly for her, opting for the brighter end of her blue/navy/pink/red/tan color request:

She has more deets on her blog, see the link above if you want to stash bust and contribute to a fun quilt!

Thank You!

2011-05-08T19:47:00.001-05:00

Hi all,

I want to say thanks for voting for me in the Accuquilt barn quilt contest – pop over to my blog for a thank you giveaway!

Michelle

Andie’s Block

2011-05-08T19:42:00.001-05:00

Those MoMo butterflies just scream to be the centerpiece in Andie’s maverick star blocks.

Can’t wait to see all these blocks together!

(Andie – you should have received in the mail or will soon)

Andie's Star Block

2011-05-03T12:38:00.005-05:00

Here's the star that is on its way to Andie. (Hope you like it, Andie!)
Fun, fun blues and a fun way to make scrappy, pieced stars!

I hope you post a pic here of the completed quilt.

Can't wait to get my May package in the mail!
Happy sewing all!

One Day Late

2011-05-01T23:34:00.001-05:00

Oops! It's May 1 and I just finished your block today, Andie! I'll drop it off at the post office tomorrow.

I loved working with your black and blue fabrics, Andie. This was my first time to work with linen in a quilt block. Waiting till the last was an advantage, I guess, because I didn't have any problems sewing with the looser weave. I think using a dry iron, rather than steam, was key.

Also, if anyone is interested, I am hosting an I SPY Swap on my blog right now. Click here for details if you are interested in swapping charms to make an I Spy children's quilt.
Thanks,
Carla

For Andie

2011-04-30T08:56:00.001-05:00

My design wall is filled. Sorry for the blocks underneath showing through.

May blocks

2011-04-29T12:48:00.003-05:00

Hi everyone! I've got my May fabric packets ready to go -- they should go out tomorrow morning. I'm referring you to Amy's (badskirt) recent tutorial for the + and x block inspired by a quilt by Japanese quilter Setsuko Inagawa. I've already cut the block pieces you receive to size, so please refer to Amy's tutorial for piecing instructions.

My sample block is above.

To make the block, you will receive:

4 -- 3 1/2" squares for the corners that form the x

8 -- 2" squares of background for the corners that form the x

4 -- 2" squares for the edges of the +

2 -- 2" squares and 1 -- 2" x 5" fabric for the +

This will be a very scrappy quilt in the end, so I'm hoping the fabrics I've sent will work out. It's hard to imagine the "big picture" when you're trying to coordinate but not over-coordinate individual blocks. :-)

The trickiest construction part is matching up the angled seams of the corner blocks with the straight seams that form the +. Give a holler if you'd like a little photo help with that before you begin.

There is a Flickr quilt-along group showing lots of wonderful examples of the + and x block.

Please let me know if you have any questions as you go about making your blocks.

And a big THANK YOU to Amy for putting together this tutorial just in time for May...kismet, I say! And thanks in advance to each of you for stitching these!

Amy

Spring Butterflies & Christmas Hexies

2011-04-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

These have been sewn for over a week, but still not in the mail--I'm a little distracted these days preparing to get married...on Saturday!

Love the Christmas hexies Victoria chose, so easy, and as a gal who loves green, I had plenty of scraps to choose from:

And Andie, this quilt is going to be so awesome (I'm a little jealous of your daughter...) I might even have to do something similar for my block in July:

Love fussy-cuts:

Andie's Star

2011-04-26T07:55:00.000-05:00

Here you go Andie! I had enough black so I am sending you back with

an extra square if you make more...

-Victoria

A star for Andie

2011-04-21T17:04:00.002-05:00

Everyone has had such fun ideas for their blocks! I enjoyed making Andie's block. I hope you don't mind that I didn't steam or starch it -- it could be a little more crisp -- but I didn't want to risk singe-ing that beautiful linen. I'll get it into the mail to you shortly, Andie! I may wait and send it with my May block-makings. Speaking of which, I'd better make some decisions and get to cutting! Happy stitching, everyone!

Hello. My Name is ...

2011-04-12T14:34:00.001-05:00

.
... Michele, and I am a second-year member of the One Block Over Quilt Bee. I haven't really been AWOL, I've just been working very hard mostly away from home and filling a lot of orders in the studio. I tend to get all quiet and worried when I haven't been able to keep up with sewing projects that have deadlines and I don't allow myself to even look at the blog unless I'm up to date, so I have no idea what's been going on here since, let's say, Victoria listed her block tutorial.
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However, the schedule is turning around. I pulled open Michelle's Parisville envelope and strung the night away while watching TV last night. Sadly, though, even though I pieced conservatively, I ran out of long enough strips of fabric to finish the third and fourth panels. To make things easy for Michelle, I just ordered a fat quarter set which hopefully will arrive by the end of the week. Ooohhh, lucky, lucky! I just noticed she closed for the week; I must have just made the cutoff. There are always good prices at Fresh Squeezed Fabrics.

Victoria's package for the Christmas Flower block is waiting next in line on the cutting table ... Andie, your's it right behind hers.

Shameless Begging

2011-04-12T13:30:00.003-05:00

Hello friends,

I'm writing today to enlist your support (aka - votes) for my designs in the Accuquilt Barn Quilt contest. I read the rules carefully when the contest entered, and it didn't say anything about only one entry per person, so I submitted 2 designs, both of which are included in the top 100 finalists! I chose the designs I did based on their relative simplicity, with the thought that you should be able to get the full effect of the design from several hundred feet away. The "ooh!" factors comes in with the rainbow colors.

I'm extremely humbled to be included as a finalist (and excited - this is pretty cool). Anyway, I'm hoping you'll be kind enough to give me a "thumbs up" at the voting site - just search for "Michelle" on the page, and that's me!

I would love to win for a couple of reasons - I grew up in rural Nebraska, and I would love to see barn quilts covering the places I loved as a kid. And, if you aren't entirely aware, the Accuquilt headquarters are located in Fremont, NE (which I've been to and through many a time), and I would love a trip to visit the headquarters! Seriously, how many people do you know that WANT to go to Nebraska?? Well, I will always think of it as home, even though Los Angeles is now my home - I'm always game for a trip back (and I would be able to see my mama in the process, and maybe the in-laws).

Thank you for your support! <3 Michelle :)

Dimwitted Me

2011-04-08T13:52:00.000-05:00

Okay. Please allow me to be the sacrificial lamb; or the guinea pig; or the dimwitted quilter who managed to do everything wrong while making Andie's Pieced Liberated (Ha! Not for me!) Block. I think this was so challenging because I am extremely frugal, by upbringing - I am German, raised in Ohio, Andie! When I saw my pile of leavings growing, I knew this wasn't the block for me. However, I do appreciate the chance to try something new.

Let me give a heads-up. You don't need to piece 9 - 4-1/2" X 4-1/2" blocks, as I did. Andie's tutorial has you make one 4-1/2" X 4-1/2" pieced block for the quilt center. So far, so good.

Then the tutorial photo shows 8 more blocks for star points. If I'd read further, I would have realized that only 4 blocks (for a total of 5 - 41/2" X 4-1/2" blocks) are needed to make 8 star points for one block.

Because I was trying to make four extra, unneeded blocks, I found myself raiding my fabric scraps for bits more. So Andie, you may see a few new fabrics added to your block. However, the bonus is that I'm mailing to you these extra cut star points!

And yes, that white linen fabric is very wonky and a bit difficult to handle. I've never worked with linen in a quilt - only for counted cross-stitch.

Aren't you all grateful for someone like me who will work out the kinks for you ahead of time? Linda

April Star

2011-04-05T07:54:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone!

Packages are in the mail for our April block. I put a little slip in with each package with a few instructions and the link to the tutorial, but I wanted to post a link here for our OBO followers!

Follow this link to make our

April Pieced Liberated or Maverick Star!

February and March...Finally

2011-04-04T12:54:00.004-05:00

Although everyone's blocks got sent in (or hand delivered) at the end of their respective months, other projects (like getting ready for our local guild show, yippeeee!) kept me distracted from posting. Argh! But finally, here's sharing with the rest of you!

First, Michelle's...

These crazy ladies with their unbelievable hairstyles made me laugh. I fell in love with some of the other fabrics though and really like how the block turned out.

I used one of my decorative stitches in the applique, too! (Thanks for the suggestion, Michelle!)

And Victoria's....

I agree with some of the rest of you. First time paper piecing was tricky. It took a round or two to really figure out the tricks. Hope V doesn't mind that one of the petals includes a fair amount of WHITE. Thought since it was Jennifer Paganelli fabric (one of her favorite's), maybe she'd forgive.

Inspired by my newfound paper piecing skills, I decided to try it on a bigger scale with a round robin at the Metro Mod guild. Bigger was a whole new challenge, but I like how it turned out!

(The body of the quilt -- with all the vertical rectangles -- was done by another quilter in the group before it came to me. I added the top part.) Thanks V for another skill added to the quilting repertoire!

Excited to work on those new star blocks! Checking the mail with anticipation. :)

It's in the Mail

2011-03-29T18:04:00.000-06:00

Victoria, I had fun making this block for you! Thanks for asking us to do something a little different!

I put it in the mail today!

Carla

Parisville Trolls–February Update

2011-03-27T21:44:00.001-06:00

Hi all!

Just wanted to give you a quick update on my February quilt blocks. I have almost everyone’s blocks – Michele’s & Toni’s are missing. But here’s what it looks like so far:

There’s one block not in the photo, I need to find more floor space to take a photo.

I’m super excited, this looks so crazy and fun! I think this is definitely a “Michelle” quilt!

Victoria’s Hex Block

2011-03-27T21:29:00.001-06:00

Victoria’s hexagon block hexed my brain a bit – warning, don’t attempt paper piecing at 10pm on a Saturday night (I know, I’m such a wild young chick!).

I was trimming one of the greens, and accidentally trimmed the whole piece off, but left the seam allowance. So had to fix that. Then I sewed a couple in the wrong order…it took me a solid 5 minutes to figure out what I did wrong and how to fix it. Needless to say, I was ready for bed when I was done with this block, lol!

It will be in the mail on Monday.

Victoria's Block and a Star For April!

2011-03-23T15:43:00.000-06:00

Really loved the challenge of this block, Victoria! I love to paper-piece, but I had never done a triangle before. I absolutely love learning new quilting skills. Can't wait to see this festive quilt come together!

{And this is our April block!}

I'm using my month to make a quilt for my daughter. She's 13 and really good at it. She is one of the most creative, intelligent and talented people I know and right now she is full of self-doubt and teenage angst. I love the idea of all of you making her quilt along with me! All of you creating these blocks with your hands, with your hearts, with your creativity - well, it's a sentiment that I hope will translate into a great, big hug for my sweet girl.

I let her pick the fabrics and the block. She picked almost all Jennifer Paganelli fabrics which made me incredibly giddy since Jennifer is one of my favorite fabric designers!

I'm waiting on the white linen I ordered to get here. As soon as it does, I'll get it cut and get your packages to you! I'll post the block tutorial in a week or so.

~Andie~

Lurv V's March block!

2011-03-14T17:43:00.003-06:00

Can't WAIT to see this quilt! Really fun. I even enjoyed reading the NYC phone book listings. I left the papers on. I thought it might make it nice and crispy for mailing. Well, as crispy as phone book pages can be. This will go out in the mail tomorrow.

Two Months Catch-up

2011-03-14T14:10:00.000-06:00

You'll feel sorry for me when I tell you that I wasn't able to make Michelle's February block, nor Victoria's March block because I didn't have a sewing machine for more than a month. I was in a Florida beachside condo for a couple weeks, and then in Tampa spending time with a ten month-old grandson. Poor me, huh?

But as soon as I got home, I got to sewing! Michelle, your block was especially challenging to make because the strips were in short supply! I had to piece three strips to get the lengths needed for string-piecing. Here's a picture of the wee pile of scraps I had left over. The largest piece was the 2" X 4" print on the far left.

This is a big block at 18-1/2" X 18-1/2" unfinished. I hope the seams aren't too noticeable.

Decorative stitches on my 830 Bernina Record are limited, but I think this one looks nice.

I was merrily decorative-stitching away when the sewing machine dramatically slowed speed. I couldn't figure out why until I opened the top of the machine to see that a cone of thread I had set aside got caught in the fly wheel! Lots of snipping and "arghs" later I was able to finish the decorative stitching.

Michelle, this is your block and leftover bits that were mailed to you today.

Victoria, thanks for the fun of picking green print scraps from my stash. You'll notice that I was sure to include a palm tree print (see at top right) that's sort of my trademark. With a blog name of "Flourishing Palms," I take every opportunity to work in palm trees.

Two additional tips when making this block:

If you have a Sara Nephew Clearview 60-degree Triangle, it's great for trimming the six triangle units before sewing them together.
It's helpful to put a piece of lightweight paper beneath the center circle, before appliqueing it down. The paper adds nice stability. My old Bernina doesn't have a blanket stitch, but the number two utility stitch looks nice.

It will be so fun to see these blocks made into quilts! Michele, Michelle or Victoria... whose quilt top will we see first?

Linda in Iowa

Victoria's Block

2011-03-08T17:19:00.004-06:00

I hope you like this addition to your Christmas quilt. This was so easy to make. I was able to get some bright greens. When I auditioned the greens I had they were too dark and did not look right.

Cool Block Victoria

2011-03-04T15:44:00.004-06:00

I don't have a lot of experience making paper-pieced quilt blocks, other than string blocks, so this block through me for a loop. I just couldn't wrap my head around which color fabric to lay down first. But I got the hang of it.

Here's a couple things I learned when making this Christmas Flower:

-trust your first instincts.

-don't tear the paper off until you have cut out the block.

-afternoon coffee helps me focus.

-go outside your comfort zone - you might learn something cool!

I hope you like my contribution to your Christmas quilt, Victoria, cuz this is a cool block!

Terri

February For Michelle

2011-02-27T10:41:00.005-06:00

My contribution to your quilt is complete. The fabrics were fun to work with. I have just caught up today on all the blocks that were made and they all look great.

I used a matching purple 100% cotton Masterpiece Thread that I thought matched the purple in the flowers of the center fabric.

I will be sending the scraps back with the block on Monday. Thanks this was a lot of fun.

Parisville and a favorite tool

2011-02-24T11:07:00.000-06:00

I made Michelle's block last night. I used one of my favorite notions/tools, Fork Pins!

I call them fork pins, but I think the commercial name for them is U-pins. They come in this little blue box, and are used to pin seams, to keep your seam lines or points lined up as you sew your seam. You can safely sew over them, because they are even finer than glass head straight pins.

You place the pin through the seam allowances on both ides of your seam....

Sew your seam without removing the pin (you can remove it just before you sew over that area, if you really can't make yourself sew over a pin), and voila! Perfectly matched seams:

Loving Tula Pink's Parisville line, gorgeous colors and prints (even though the center medallion fabric kind of freaks me out--it appears to be a woman's head being devoured by a lion...), and what fun to incorporate some of our fancy stitches!

MARCH BLOCK for VICTORIA

2011-02-19T15:48:00.005-06:00

CHRISTMAS FLOWERS!

Hi ladies! I nearly forgot I had March!!

I am putting this up early so I don't forget , and will get

the fabrics in the mail next week. I've already started making a

2011 Xmas quilt for myself,

and figured it would be a fun block for you to try as well...

BLOCK TEMPLATE SIZE
6" x 5" rectangle
6"is the base, 5" is the height
Mark off from 6" to 3" from both sides to make your template triangle.
then with a pen draw your sewing lines 2" to point from both sides

It's EASY, there is a trick.
You DO NOT HAVE TO MATCH YOUR POINTS! You will be trimming of a 1/2" off the point and leaving a circle OPENING under the darker red applique circle. again, there are NO POINTS
to match, and is pretty much the same block as Michelle's.

Here's the what to do.

I am sending you the triangle papers for piecing...

I will send you the SOLID RED pieces,

if you could please dig through your stash or scraps to cut

ALL different greens if possible -

9- 2.5" X 6" GREEN rectangles....

Bright greens, no novelty prints unless they are Christmas-y

USING a SMALL stitch length, and a 1/4" seam allowance,

(about a 2 stitch length is good, so the paper tears off easily later)

paper piece,

3 - red green red

and

3- green red green

trim up your triangles of excess fabrics...

then trim the point off the triangle,
so that your block is 4.25" high

We won't be needing that bulk,

and you don't have to worry

about your points matching! woohoo!

(FYI: this will leave you with a whole in the middle...

I will need that later...)

Sew them together using a 1/4 seam, alternating colors....

so it goes red green red green all the way around....
There will be an OPENING in the center... because you cut off that 1/2"...
that's what we want here...
you will then,

Machine applique enclosed circle,

with either a blanket stitch or zigzag,

in red if possible.

PLEASE Don't trim out the extra fabric behind the circle... I will stuff it...later.

;-)

Thanks Ladies!

Send me any questions you have...

I will get the red in the mail this week...

Michelle, Your block is in the mail Tuesday... fun!

Here You Go!

2011-02-17T18:14:00.000-06:00

Michelle, I had loads of fun making this block using these Parisville fabrics. It was my first real live time to eyeball the fabrics which I have admired many times online. I may have to add a few of them to my stash now....you've tempted me so much.

I dusted off the fancy stitch button on my dear sewing machine to applique the center of the block.

I hope that you like the sweet little leaves that I chose to make using violet thread.

The postman will be delivering your lovely soon!

Piecefully,

Carla

Michelle's Parisville block

2011-02-16T13:08:00.003-06:00

Here is Michelle's February block. Very fun to do! She has inspired me to actually cut into my Parisville fat quarters. :-)

I added a featherstitch on the edge which I thought was fancy enough for the occasion.

Michelle's February block

2011-02-11T12:06:00.000-06:00

Love it. Like, really love it. I was fairly annoyed at all the hype that surrounded the release of this fabric, but I kinda get it now. Really great block, Michelle! I just had to make this today....

I made this into a tutorial on my blog with pics. Michelle, you get all the glory with this lovely lady!

Cheerful Blocks

2011-02-05T20:12:00.006-06:00

It's hard to believe how little time I have for sewing these days, with my homework load from three classes.

It was wonderful to get some time on Saturday night to work on Michele's blocks. I managed to make one block big enough for the 14.5-inch request and a second almost-big-enough block.

It was so refreshing to work with these cheerful prints when the winter doldrums have started to creep in.

These soft fabrics and charming designs made me long for garden season. Hope you like what I made to contribute to your quilt, Michele!

Terri

Strawberry Fields

2011-01-31T10:34:00.005-06:00

Phheeeww! I got my January block posted just under the wire. Michele, you are a smart gal to always take the first month, everyone wants desperately not to fall behind right off the bat! Here is your block (I only made one so you could use the fabric I'm sending back to finish off some of the others that need a little more): I did have this fabric in my stash. Even made a store sample quilt from it, but not all of these colorways. I LOVE the strawberries...
One thing I always do with block exchange or Bee blocks, is sign them, on the back, on a seam allowance. It's a good way for the recipient to keep track of who made which block as they come back in the mail (and who knows, maybe someday, after I'm long gone, someone will come across this and wonder about the life of a quilter from Iowa who made that block in 2011)...Hey, it could happen.

Our blog has a new look, I finally got the block made I was wanting to use as a header, and added a button at the left for you to grab for your blog. Sorry it took me so long to get it accomplished!

February’s Block for Michelle

2011-01-30T23:43:00.001-06:00

For my blocks this month, I’m basing the pattern off the Nigella quilt by Amy Butler. Basically, I’m having you make a string block on a muslin foundation (times 4), and then centering a fussy cut piece on the string background.

I will have your fabrics in the mail this week, but wanted to write up the directions so that you have them available. You can click each picture to make it bigger.

The fabrics I’m sending out are from Tula Pink’s Parisville line. I’m a big Tula fan – her Flutterby line was the first “designer” fabric I ever purchased, and I’ve been smitten with her bold use of color and her innovative (and sometimes hidden) patterns in her fabrics ever since! For this block, I’m using the Cameo print as my focus/center fabric.

Anywho, I’m including four 9.5” squares of muslin and a bunch of pieces of various widths – please feel free to cut each string to an unfinished size of 3/4” or wider. Most of my strings in the sample above where around the 2” mark. For the steps below, I recommend chain piecing the 4 blocks to make things go a bit faster.

On each muslin piece, I’ve drawn a line 2.5” from the center. This is where you place your first “string” right side up, which should be at least 2” wide.

Place a 2nd strip right side down on the 1st strip, lining up the edge. Make sure the string is long enough to cover the entire muslin piece when it gets ironed open.

Continue until the entire muslin piece is covered. Try to get a variety of prints and colors on each block.

Trim the blocks up using the muslin as your guide.

Sew the four blocks together with the plain muslin part toward the middle (of course, yours won’t look so symmetrical with the color placement – please mix it up a bit!):

Fold your focus/centerpiece fabric evenly in both directions to determine the center point (feel free to iron in a crease if that helps you get it lined up.

Center the fold lines on the seam lines of the four block pieces and pin in place. Using a coordinating thread (I used a hot pink on mine that matched the color in the print perfectly, so feel free to use color if you have it), sew a 1/8” raw edge around the edge of the centerpiece. If your machine has any fun stitches, please feel free to jazz up the edge stitching!

If you have any questions or concerns, just shoot me an email!