August Blocks

Hello one and all!

Hope your summer is keeping you happy, busy and sewing!

This month's block started a long time ago when I began collecting scraps in limes, blues and brown whenever I would visit a quilt store.  Stuffing as much as possible in a baggie for a couple of bucks.  I've managed to gather what I think will be happy, fun fabrics to sew and have together in a quilt.

The tutorial I'm asking you to use is from the Modify Tradition blog.

Simple, clear cut instructions.  I tried to cut close on the fabric, so don't worry about sending anything back. 

Here is a block I just put together that will go in the quilt:

I apologize for not sending printed instructions or notes with the fabric.  Our printer and computer aren't playing together well right now!  LOL

Thank you so much for helping me create this quilt top!  I'm so excited about it and can't wait til the blocks start coming home!

Help!

As I'm sitting down with my envelopes to mail out August's blocks, I realize my list of addresses got dumped!  I have no clue where they went or why!

Could I please have a new list?

Thank you and I'll get my envelopes in the mail johnny of the spot!

At least I followed the rules...

Here's the picture of my block for Lydia. Not a recognisable pattern, straight seams only, and only added solid fabrics. For me, the other limitation was the relatively small pieces of fabric in our packages. 12.5" blocks are larger than I usually work with and I'd have felt more at ease if I'd have had more of any one of the fabrics in the kit.

What do I think of it? I think it looks better on screen than in person and the pattern won't become a classic; although I do like it on some level. I just hope it works in Lydia's quilt.

I'll get this and Joan's block in the mail no later than Tuesday. Looking forward to seeing what the rest of you come up with.

Suzanna

Dear Joan Letter

LOL

Joan dear, when I sat down this last week to make your other block, I realized I didn't have enough of the Kona for the four smaller sides.  I got as far as I could and had to stop.  Do you want to send me more (since we don't have any stores close that sell it) or do you just want me to send what I have (partially constructed second block and scraps to make the strips and finished block) to you?

Just let me know!

Thanks,

Dee

Lydia's Block

Is finished and ready to come home.  This one, though easy peasy in practice, was a stumper is theory!

I had no inspiration for this.  Maybe because I was tired and not feeling well?

I looked through flickr for help.

Nope.

Walking through my house, I looked at my calendar and a block was born!

Instead of making the little, daily squares though, I wanted the fabric to be showcased and left them in long strips.

Then I saw Joan's and was so blown away!

Lydia, can't wait to see this quilt!

July Blocks

So, I totally forgot to post our July blocks instructions, here!

All of the fabric went out at the end of June (the 24th, to be exact).

I had a hard time making a decision on what I want so, I actually didn't make a decision! Here's what we'll be doing. I know how creative you all are, so I'm going to let you do your thing with the blocks with just a few guidelines:

1. 12" finished block (so 12 1/2" when you ship it back to me)
2. consisting of straight line pieces (wonky is fine, just no curves)
3. with no readily visible "traditional" block design
4. fabric will be from Amy Butler's Love line

That's it! You get to make an abstract block that consists of straight line pieces. You're free to add any solid fabrics from your stash, but please don't add any print fabrics (I consider Moda Marbles to be a solid!).

Another quick note - I sent a number of different fabrics for you to play with. Feel free to use as many or as few of the prints as you'd like. Don't feel like you have to use them all!

I can't wait to see what you guys come up with!

1/4" seam foot a little liar!

Hee hee!

Block one for Joan.  This was fun because I got to put a lot of my yummy scraps into it.  And as you know, some vintage made it in there too.  Plus, you get a real slice of Indiana quilt stores because these scraps are from all over the state!

My one difficulty was the seam allowance "seemed" off and I had to finagle to get the corner seams of the Kona and the scrap strips to match.  Sorry about that, but I think it turned out okay anyway.  I have noticed this before with my 1/4" foot before and I think it's more operator error than anything.  I also learned I'm not a red person.  I have very few stunning red pieces like the ones Joan sent us. 

Here's a better shot.  I just loved the scraps you gave us to work with!  Wishing I had yardage of all of them!  I'm such a fabric hog!  LOL

I need to make the other one and send them on their way.  Sorry for the lateness, but Life never seems to slow down long enough for me to catch up on all I need to do.

Hope all of our quilting bee buddies are having a good summer and getting way more done than I seem to be!

One down, one to go.

Although our blocks for Joan will probably all look alike, I thought I'd post mine anyway. This one was a real challenge for a few reasons. 1. I don't collect scraps. 2. when I moved last year I threw away (yes, threw away!) bins of fabric strips that I was sick of after many, many years. Which left me with the task of cutting into good fat quarters or lengths of fabric.

The final problem was that I unknowingly used a presser foot with a different width and my "scant" 1/4 inch seams turned out to be generous instead. So I must apologise to Joan that she is getting a block that's 12.25" square, not 12.5.

Now onto Lydia's block, where I can just tack on a chunk of fabric if the block is too small :-)

Joan's Pretty Grey Block

Such a simple and pretty block, Joan.  

It will go in the mail early in the week.  

Happy Summer!

~ Madeline