black and white

I messed up on this block more times than I would like to remember...

But I adore it.

It is my solid bee block for July. The task was a black and white block for a sampler quilt. I chose to modernize a traditional block from my book of blocks. With all the sampler and traditional quilting going on in blog-land lately, I'm renewing my task of tackling traditional with a twist blocks, so you may see more coming from me in the future.

And I'm definitely making this one again - potentially in black and white.

reading rainbow

A string block made for Jess at SewCraftyJess for the Solid Bee Block. I actually got it out before June was over!! The colors were great on this one - she's been sending out string blocks to all her bees and should have enough soon. I was interested in a rainbow, but realized too late that I didn't have enough yellow to start out all the quadrants. So I subbed in some light gray (and stopped using it at the points). I wonder if I'll be able to find mine when they are all put together...

This was the first time I've done a string pieced block - I would love to do a whole quilt in a scrappy rainbow theme, but wonder if I could make enough for a whole quilt. As I learn different techniques, I learn more about what I like in quilting and what makes my skin crawl. I don't really like ironing in between sewing. If I can get away without doing it until the end - that is my kind of quilt. (Really who am I kidding - even if I should iron in-between, I often don't).

Oh yah - the theme song for Reading Rainbow was running through my head the whole time...if it's in your head now - you're welcome!!

circle trees

I finally pulled my machine out of the basement and did some sewing on our dining room table last night. I'm a month behind on our solid quilting bee, so that was first on the list. Modern tree blocks for Corley, just in time for spring.



I wish I could remember where I saw this technique first...it popped into my head immediately when I found out we were making trees.



It is actually a reverse applique of sorts.

I just tried to explain the process, but I think I'll have to do a tutorial. It isn't complicated, but I'm a visual person, so I'll get some step by step photos. Or I'll just keep searching for the original inspiration/instructions. We're over the hump - happy Wednesday!

another helping of bee

A few more bee blocks. The month of November and December these have been trickling in and this is the second half (I shared the first bunch and explained the theme here). I literally jumped up and down each time I got a package in the mail. I heart quilting bees. Thanks ladies for your blocks!

4square

block: solid bee - December
size: 12" square
fabric: kona solids 2 1/2 strips

This is Lynne's block for the solid bee that I'm in. She sent out random strips from a jelly roll (I added the dark blue) and we made four colorful squares. I don't know what she will name the quilt - I'm excited to see all the colors together - but I'm calling this block 4square. Brings back memories of 6th grade. We played four-square everyday (not part of gym class or recess) and it was awesome.

bee update

I mentioned that I was in a quilting bee and November was my month - time to share some of the gorgeous blocks I've been receiving!

I asked the ladies to give me tetris-themed blocks. No rules - what-ever size they came up with and any of the traditional tetris shapes (plus a cross). I was hoping the blocks would all come back with different styles connected with a central theme.

And boy have these girls delivered - I've received such a variety of tetris blocks! (I've taken a photo of each one as they came in, so I could document who they were from, get the same light, and square them up - yes I am a bit A, even though you could never convince the one who lives with me...)

I'm still expecting a few more and can't wait - it's like an early xmas present each time they arrive!

a crooked stack

Two wonkee log cabin blocks for Kelly. Yellows and grays - simply lovely!

string theory

The string quilt.

I've been wanting to try it forever - there are numerous versions out there, most notably this one from film in the fridge. So I collected some scrappy strips and got started a bit ago on a present. I have to be vague, since the lovely couple may be reading this on their honeymoon (I hope not...if you are - put down the crack-i-phone-berry!!), but it is not a quilt. I don't think I could do an entire quilt using this method! It's sooo fussy and small and I still can't quite handle random without analyzing fabric choices. Small scale, I may attempt another, but I can't rip off enough foundation paper to make a large project. Just thought you would like to know!

I must say - I really love this project. Once its in the mail, I'll be able to show you more, but I used the most unexpected border from my stash that really sets everything off wonderfully! And it's so great to use little bits from different projects together. Lots going on around here - I'll be sharing more great projects in the next few days! See you then!

spinning

block: double pinwheel
size: 10.5" square
fabric: blue bubbles, brown checked and white swirls

This was my practice pinwheel. I'm in a solid quilting bee and September is our first month. Krista sent out pink, yellow and white solids and requested pinwheels. I needed to do a practice to make sure I got the numbers right - 7/8" is the magic number when you're working with triangles. I like it so much, I may start my own pinwheel sampler quilt!

Here is the real deal:

I didn't have enough solid white by mail or in my stash, so I improvised and did a little variation on the top pinwheel. This one is like a propeller and I love that the white pin in the middle really pops!

Because photo-trickery, the corners wouldn't line up when I cropped, so it looks like they are way off point at the bottom. Don't worry - they're not!

squares & triangles

block: Isabella's Block (Anna Marie Horner's Rainbow Around the Block project)
size: 12.5" square
fabric: purple & turquise

sunflowers

block: broken dishes
size: 12" square
fabric: red sunflower - large & small print

pinwheel

block: revised dutchman's puzzle
size: 10" square
fabric: blue argyle, yellow floral, yellow dragonfly

quilt block challenge

I'm calling this back-to-basics and make-it-modern. Two little challenges wrapped into one. We could also call it basic-modern-throwdown - maybe Bobby Flay will show up.

Basically, I have a book with oodles of quilting blocks that I would like to figure out how to make. They are all really traditional blocks, many with points and tiny triangles and what-not. (Tangent - My boss claims 'what-not' is a Minnesota term - thoughts? Am I using jargon that is foreign to those in the rest of the country?) I'm going to make each of these blocks, to understand each block as a single unit and the patterns of multiple units. Then I'll try to 'modernize' the block, putting a twist on it and creating an entirely different block with the same concept. I'm going to share along the way.

This block - 'roman stripe' is the basis for a zig-zag pattern and super easy. By sewing long strips together, then cutting into squares, you get sets of three rectangles and piece them together. If you turn the rectangles around - depending on your contrast level, you get lots of different patterns - pinwheels, staccato/jagged stripes and color blocks.

I used the pinwheel pattern for my modern block with a bit of a wonk. Playing with the size of strip you start with and the contrast really makes this a versatile block.