Saturday, September 30, 2017

October Block Tutorial for Hive 6

It's my turn to be queen!    Yay!  And I am queen in two different bees for the month of October so there is going to be some major happy mail coming my way.   Fellow hive mates, you will be helping me make my first ever quilt for my own bed!  I am so excited!!   Getting blocks in the mail will be like getting housewarming gifts!

I don't think the block I'm going to have you make has a name.  At least, not that I know of.  It's just a bunch of HST's and squares arranged in a pleasing way.  Here is a sample of multiple blocks  sewn together.  My favorite thing about this block are all the secondary patterns created when you put them together facing different directions.

There are diamonds

There are X's

Plus signs (this one has a diamond in the middle of it)

And stars!

All from one single block!  It is hard to only make one or two of these blocks because you want to see the secondary patterns develop as you put them together.  I timed myself and from cutting out fabric to a finished block took me less than one hour and that was even after having to rip out a row and sew it on right.    If you hate making points match up, don't worry.  I am not super picky about that.  Once all the blocks are put together, it is the overall effect that holds your attention and not whether the points are perfect.  I love the personality of a patchwork quilt, imperfections and all.

OK, let's get down to business!  (click HERE for simplified directions without all the detail)

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS
You will need two  contrasting fabrics for each block.     They don't have to be the same color, as long as one is light and the other one dark.  If you're unsure, just choose one favorite fabric of yours and then a low volume or white on white fabric to go with it.

NOTE:  The fabrics in the shown sample are kind of old fashioned and dated but my preference is for bright and modern.

For you that like to fussy cut, even novelty fabrics are perfectly ok as long as they contrast with the partner color and are on the bright side.  Did you notice the frogs and the bees?


If you don't have any brights, just choose your favorite.  Small scale prints  that read mostly as one color work best; however, if you do use a large scale print as one of the choices, it works best if the other fabric is a solid or a tone on tone.   Let me show you how one fabric can be both the light and the dark in two different blocks.  Here we have the orange as the dark fabric in one block and as the light fabric in another block.  Again, the key is contrast.



CUT:
One 5 3/4" square and four 2 1/2" squares from each of your fabric choices.  That's it!  This will make an 8 1/2" block that finishes at 8 inches.   Since it is so small, please make two blocks and no need to sew them together.

SEW:
Eight 2 1/2" HST's using any method you prefer.  Following is my favorite method:

Take the large square of each color with right sides together.  Draw lines from corner to corner on the lighter color like this:

Sew 1/4" inch away from the line down one side and back up the other on both of the drawn lines.  I forgot to take a picture of this step so I am borrowing this from a tutorial I already have.  Here are the sewn lines:

Next, cut on both of the drawn lines and without moving the block cut from the middle of the left side to the middle of the right side and from middle top to middle bottom like this:

You will have 8 little half square triangles in no time!  Trim these HST's to 2 1/2" and for best results, please press open.    This is the only place I will ask for this.

The way I trim is to first make sure that the diagonal 45 degree line on the ruler is exactly on top of the seam between the two colors and the corner is as far up as you can go (making sure your diagonal line is still exactly on top of your diagonal seam and then trim off the dog ears and top and right side if necessary.

Then turn the half square triangle all the way around so the right top corner you just trimmed now becomes the lower left corner, again placing the 45 degree line exactly on top of the diagonal seam matching up the 2 1/2" marks on the ruler to the bottom and left edges of your square.  Then trim.  My HST's size before trimming turned out large because I accidentally cut my squares 6 3/4 instead of 5 3/4.  It still works!

Now for the arranging.  It works easiest if you start with the four light squares and arrange them like this:


Then add 3 HST's on each side of that row with the darker side toward the four light squares you had in a diagonal line.  You'll end up with three butterflies.

 Then take the four dark squares and add two of them to each side like this:

And then the final two HST's with the light side pointing toward the corners.

Sew together one row at a time and wait until you have all four rows sewn together before you press.  Press the seams on the first row one direction (doesn't matter which way) and the the second row the opposite direction, alternating directions for all  four rows.  I tried doing it with pressing the seams open but it really does work better to be able to nest the seams together.  Your points will come out better.

And now you should have a nice finished block.  I am looking forward to seeing every color of the rainbow appearing in my mailbox!  HAVE FUN!

P.S.  I've already had one person tell me she was a little confused by what colors I want.  I prefer bright and bold colors in either tone on tone or a small print, but really just about anything will work. The main goal is to have high contrast.  If you are having trouble figuring out what to choose, just use a low volume or white for the light color.

Here are some examples of fabric pulls I will probably be making from my own stash.  Hope this helps!  And yes, although I donn't have a purple example here, I like purple too.  Anything goes!


September Hive 6 for Debbie

Ta-da!  That's how I feel after this accomplishment, lol.  A whole big quilt of these will probably look gorgeous.  Anxious to see it!

September Hive 1 Mediterranean Tile Block

Hello Alicia!

I  gasped when I saw your inspiration post since I also love those Mediterranean tiles.  I have some in my bathroom and kitchen.  I love seeing how other hive members have used that inspiration.  Here is mine.


Thanks for this block.

Blocks for Anna, Hive 5

Hugs and Kisses!

Lovely and easy to make! Hope you will like these, Anna :)






Shipped today, sorry for late posting :(

Hive 2 September

Just under the wire with this Bear Paw for Jacqueline.  You asked for raspberry and I hope you like this Moda Grunge, it reminds me of raspberries and I love my jam with seeds.


The pic is a bit dull, autumn has arrived with it's mists and mellow fruitfulness, Hope you like it, I love the concept.

Smiles from Kate

Friday, September 29, 2017

Hive 1 Block for Alicia

Hello Alicia - Diane G. here with your September block.  I was determined not to be late.  I will get this in the mail tomorrow.   Love the original design.  Hope you like the colors.  I found everything in my scrap bin since the pieces for each color were small.


August Block for Hive 3

Michelle...I made it!!! Thank you for kindly allowing me to be late...your blocks will be in the mail tomorrow! I did have quite a few orange and blue strips to choose from...once I found the box that I'd packed them in!!!


Meredith

September Block for Hive 3

Here you go, Pam!

Nice, bright and colorful...it was great fun going through my scrap bins choosing fabrics that would look good together.

This will go out tomorrow, I enjoyed making it!

 Meredith

September Hive 3







Here we are just under the wire. I had a hard time starting this block, I don't usually mix the colors this much. Picking fabrics to go together was a challenge . Then I saw this little fat eighth bundle I received in my Sew Sampler box.  Robert Kaufman's blueberry Park and they are printed on nice bright Kona cottons .  I knew this was made for this block. I hope you like it Pam.  I now really like this .  I will have it in the mail tomorrow. Can't wait to see it come together. Enjoy.






Hive 3 September

The best part of this block was the freedom to choose whatever colors I liked best. My low volume has teeny tiny green polka dots.  After I choose this I added matching and contrasting fabrics as I went along. I am pleased with the result and I hope this month's queen is too.  I know she said no novelty fabrics, but you can't ask me to add a single 2.5" square without me having fun with it.  The little bee is sideways in the picture, oops. 
I will drop this off at the post office tonight. 


Thursday, September 28, 2017

Hugs & Kisses for Anna - Hive 5

Before posting, I browsed Hive 5's posts for this month, and WOW!  I can't wait to see how Anna organizes all these beautiful blocks.

It was difficult to choose a favorite fabric so I chose two; one that I find calming and one that makes me happy.  Since I was making hugs, I figured I could also make kisses.






These blocks are already traveling!

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Tulip Block for Debbie, Hive 6

Fun little block. It will be in the mail tomorrow.
Lori

These are being posted today and headed to Anna, Hive 5's September Queen. 


Tuesday, September 26, 2017

September Hive 1 block

September was another busy month in my house, and I was worried about finding time this week to get my block done.  Then my daughter had to stay home from school sick today, and I suddenly had plenty of time!  I'd rather have a day off for better reasons, but this one works too.  I let her pick the fabrics after I narrowed down the options.  I hope this works well in the final quilt.

-- Jennifer


September Hive 7

This month's block is going to be a great use of resources for Cathleen in being able to make a memory quilt with these fun filmstrip blocks. I made 3 in total because I misread the instructions and cut to many strips but I know that they are going to a good use so it's a happy accident. 

Sept Finished Block for Jacqueline

My first time with the bear paw block. I can see all different possibilities with this very versatile block. Love your color choices. I am sending these little beauties off to you today.
 
Hope you love them.
All the best,
Heather


Monday, September 25, 2017

Hive 5 September Block for Anna

Hello all
     Boy how this month has just flown by.  I love making these "hug" and "kisses"
They will be off to Anna tomorrow.  Til next month
Kristi

Tulips for Debbie

Queen Debbie requested a tulip block.  It was easier to make the block than to post it here (I am computer challenged).   Your block will be in the mail this week Debbie.  I'm thinking your quilt will be beautiful.

Sunday, September 24, 2017

September Block for Pam

Here's my block for Pam.

 
This block was a lot of fun to make.  I was especially happy Pam let us choose our colors.  I'm a green-blue-purple person and my stash shows it.  I've discovered most quilters prefer warmer colors, so I hope my block will fit in Pam's quilt.  

In yesterday's mail.


JudyB
houseaboveheckcreek.blogspot.com

Pam's September Block!

Pam -
This was a lot of fun to pull together in the end.  Let's just say that my seam ripper and I became reacquainted during the construction of this block....  the colors in this block are a little softer than they appear in the picture. I really do like the block, and have some fabric that would be perfect for making more of these!
Thanks!  This one will be in the mail on Monday!
Lisa


Saturday, September 23, 2017

A very late Hive 4 August block

This was a challenging but fun block to make. Not sure I hit the colour brief, and the picture certainly doesn't do it any justice, but I hope it fits the bill, Kathrin.


Friday, September 22, 2017

Hive 6 Tulips for Debbie

This was a cute little block to sew.  I will be mailing it tomorrow along with all the cut offs.  Enjoy Debbie.

Hive 6 Block for Debbie

Hi Debbie,

Thank you for picking such a fun block!  It was fun watching it grow.  I cut everything out last night and spent a very pleasant evening sewing it tonight.  It looks so good up on my design wall with my other blocks I don't want to send it to you!  But of course, I will.  (grin)



Thursday, September 21, 2017

Hive 5 - September

My apologies, I finished these earlier in month. I will mail them on Saturday.