How many ways can you make a block?

My name is Robin, and I am a procrastinator. But-- I got Adrienne's block done and sent off on time, so I don't feel too bad about it!

I've been enjoying reading how some others went about making their Hop, Skip, Jump-inspired blocks for Adrienne, and thought it would be fun to share yet another way one can go about it. This is how I did it:


First, I drew a 6.5" by 12" rectangle on freezer paper, subdivided it into wonky sections and numbered them.


I cut it all apart.


I ironed the freezer paper pieces to the right side of the fabrics and cut them out with 1/4" seam allowances. (Since she said she wouldn't mind, I also couldn't resist adding a couple of fabrics to the mix she sent).


I used a pin to help hold the pieces together at the top corner (because freezer paper is slippery), and then stitched the seam. I worked left-to-right.


Here it is all stitched together.


And here is the completed block, trimmed and ready to go!

This first month was a lot of fun-- I'm really looking forward to the months ahead! (I just got Chen's fabric for July... oooo...yummy!)

Chocolate Lollipops in July

I happened to have a clean sewing table (I think we all know how rare an occurance that is) and didn't feel like starting another large project so I decided to tackle July's block a little early.

Earlier in the day I started making a giant bento box for a baby playmat or quilt but ran out of white fabric so I had to shelve the project for another day. To make it I doubled the size of the template pieces that came with the pattern and I liked how it showcased the larger prints I was working with in that project.

But I was curious how it would look in the original scale and since July was an anything goes month I decided to make one fourth of a bento box for Chen. I stuck with the original scale of the pattern as well as the original concept of alternating light and dark prints and really like how it came out.

Chocolate Lollipops for July

In my opinion, chocolate is good anytime so why not July. For my month, I have chosen the Chocolate Lollipops line by Anna Maria Horner. I love this line! I have been hoarding this for quite a while and I believe it's time to finally cut into it. I would love for you lovely ladies to help me create a beautiful quilt with it!I am asking each of you to make a block of your choice. The great thing about these quilting bees for me is the creativity that everyone puts in their own blocks. I love looking at a block and seeing someone else's handiwork. I'm constantly amazed at all the talent of others. Some blocks may be simple but their arrangement of the fabric used make the block stand out. And then there are the blocks that are just jaw dropping and I can't imagine ever being talented enough to make a block to equal it. I'm involved in three other quilting bees also ( I know, I have issues with self control!). My months in two of them have passed and I now have two beautiful quilt tops. Since everyone chose and created their own blocks, I can look at a block and know exactly who made it and I love that! Here's a peek of two of the quilt tops:

I'll be sending out my packets in the next couple of days with instructions on the block size. I guess it will be like Christmas in July for me when I start receiving my blocks back :0). I can't wait!!!

***** If you want to take a closer look at the quilts/blocks from my other two bees, they can be found here and here.

For Adrienne From Kris

For snip.sew.send. this month, Adrienne sent vintage sheets she thrifted and some were hand dyed! These were new fabrics for me and it was awesome to work with something different. She requested Denise Schmidt Hop, Skip and Jump style blocks.

Following Zonnah, I figured I would share how I ended up accomplishing the task. If nothing else, it's a reference for me to go back to. This was my first time doing wonky free style blocks, so I followed the suggestion of another member of the bee on how to do it.

I cut all the pieces I was going to be working with a little longer than the height of the finished block (I cut to 7" to allow some leeway for a 6.5" block)

For each piece, I put the new piece on top of the other pieces that were already pieced. Here the orange piece is new and it's already been cut at angle from a previous step.


Then I decided how wonky I wanted the seam to be and cut both pieces at that angle (making sure to leave a little extra for the seam allowance.


Then I lined up the edges (right sides together) and off set them 1/4" so the pieces would still line up more-or-less straight after I sewed the seam.


After I had all my pieces sewn together, I trimmed the height to the appropriate length (here 6.5"), and called it good. Here are the results:


And an extra block that Adrienne said she's going to trim for another part of the quilt.

Method To My Madness

Do you really think wonky is my style? I don't think so :) This block was a big push for me and although I did not follow the path of a true wonkier (is that a word?), I think I did rather well. I like to plan everything in my blocks so I decided I would not do that when choosing which fabrics went where. I literally closed my eyes a just grabbed. The only fabric I kind of planed was the floral because I wanted it in the bigger spots so it would be dominant.

So now for the method:

I decided I would paper piece the block. Here is the telephone book paper.


Then since my paper was not 12 inches long I cut two 6.50 inch squares.


Then I made my pattern on the squares.


Here I am piecing it together.


Right after piecing.


Then I had to sew them together. I know looks crooked but I swear it will come out straight :).


Yeah! It's straight.


And the end result.


My only complaint was the orange fabric did not come up in the pile as much. Oh and don't let the pics deceive you, there was a lot of seams that got ripped out because I am not pro at lining fabric up :P

I had so much fun doing this block and cannot wait till next months block.

Zonnah

June blocks are breakin' the law

OK, maybe not, but I don't know all the in and outs of quilt legality. It won't be totally square.

Friday, I mailed the fabric packages to all you beauties. Included are the fabrics in the photo and a little instruction sheet. In short, I would like the blocks to be 6.5" x 12" (which is different then what's on the sheet, but I think 6.5" is best) and for them to be wonky horizontal lines similar to Denise Schmidt's Hop, Skip and Jump pattern. Examples here, here, and here.

This will be our grab and go quilt. We plan to take it to the beach, kayaking, fishing, on picnics, bike rides and Volkswagen shows.

The tulips, yellow and white are thrifted sheets. The purple, green and orange were original part of a white thrifted duvet cover, but I dyed them. In case you wondered, when Rid's Pearl Gray is mixed with Dark Brown you get this eggplant/amethyst purple not taupe-y gray. I really liked the color and thought it still worked with the other fabrics, so I added it.

I am concerned that there isn't enough fabric. I sent out even amounts of what I had, but if you don't have enough just make it as close to 12" long as you can. If you want to add in other fabrics from your stash I am good with that.

This is the sketch of how I think the final quilt will look:

{Front and back}

Please let me know if you have any questions. I can't wait to see all the blocks!

Welcome! Welcome!

Yea! We are finally ready to get going and I can't be more excited.

I just sent an e-mail to all the members, so if you didn't get it, check the spam folder then let me know if you still don't see it.

Following is the block schedule and a little intro for everyone. I feel like this is a "new to the area" mixer and I should give a little conversation starter during intros:

June ~ Adrienne This is me, hey. I am in the midst of a zigzag play quilt and a whirlygiggle something.

July ~ Chen is working on a mess of 9 patches and whipping up some great pillows using Mendocino fabrics, which I love.

August ~ Zonnah is working on the Dear Jane quilt. Her hand applique blocks look fabulous. I love that she includes pictures of the backs.

September ~ Lisa just submitted a killer dress to the American Sewing Guild competition. So original. She also has great money saving tips while still stocking up on necessary sewing stuff.

October ~ Nichole posts great photo tutorials and other must-have info on her blog. So helpful in so many ways.

November ~ Gretchen just made a new dog bed for Stuart. I think he likes it, too.

January ~ Robin is working on four quilts including a Dear Jane, Playtime, Mod-Quilt Sampler and a coin quilt.

February ~ Kris recently returned from her sister's wedding and has been challenged to cut up but preserve her sister's (and mother's) wedding gown. She's looking for ideas, if you have any. Kris also created the banner and button for this blog. Thanks, Kris!

March ~ Tina has donated super cute owl themed bedding for her daughter's art program fund raiser.

April ~ Heather is finishing three, count them three, graduation quilts for loved ones. Her spring magic quilt has recently been completed and makes me want to take it on a picnic.

May ~ Rebecca has a vintage giveaway in progress right now. She's slimming down her fabrics and notions while increasing a lucky winner's.

June 2010 ~ Anne recently created a laptop cozy for her daughter complete with a funky elephant applique. I'm jealous.

One little request. When posting anything please try to use the labels I've started. They are pretty simple: first name-month. I think they should come up when you type in the first few letters of the first name. If we can keep the labeling concise I think it will be easier later. Thanks!

Please feel free to tell more about yourself in a post. Let me know if you have any questions. I will be sending out fabric and instructions in a few weeks. Yea!

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