Thursday, March 1, 2018

Hive 5 March Tutorial - Polaroid Blocks

Hi Hive Mates!

I can't believe it's March. This year is flying by already. This is my third year in the Stash Bee and I love watching these quilts come together. It's amazing how well all our fabrics work together. I'm a little late to this party, but I've always thought these Polaroid Blocks were so cute. Here's my finished block.


I followed a tutorial posted by the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild for a block lottery available through this link: 4x4 Polaroid Block Tutorial

Please use a solid white (not cream) for the Polaroid frame and a grey fabric for the background. I was originally going to use the same background for all four polaroids, but didn't have enough fabric. Feel free to mix it up. You can use the same background fabric for all four, or use four different grey fabrics.

As for the photos, I don't have a very large collection of novelty fabrics, so I just looked for fabrics that had a image that could be fussy cut. Any focal image would be fine - I've been envisioning this as an I-spy type of project. Here's a photo of some of the fabrics that I thought would work.






You'll need four 3.5" x 3.5" fussy cut squares for the "pictures." You'll also need 2 white WOF (width of fabric x 1" and 1 white WOF x 1.5" for the polaroid frames. You'll need about 1/4 yard of grey fabrics for the background. Here's a photo of the pieces all cut up and ready to go.


The tutorial says to cut the 2" strips for the grey background. I did that and my block came out a little short. I'm not sure what happened. My seam allowance is usually not that far off.


It didn't matter because you'll be squaring up the blocks to 6.5", but if you want to be safe, I'd recommend cutting the strips at 2.5". When I squared up my blocks, I decided to make them slightly wonky and tilt in different directions but you can do whatever feels right for you.

I can't wait to see everyone's pictures!

Thanks,
Stephanie

6 comments:

Amy York said...

This is a super fun block. I can't wait to get started.

Valorie Webster said...

Hi Stephanie!
This will be fun to watch. I have made many of the little poloroids, but never any actual blocks. I gave them all away in the Grant Your Quilty Wish program via Instagram. Your idea has also spurred me on to using them in a project I am starting now. Thanks!
Valorie
@facetfully on IG

Tanya HD said...

Such a fun block! A polaroid swap was the first swap I ever participated in (last year), so I'm excited to make a few more :) Are you okay with geek themed blocks?

Emily said...

I'm planning on crashing your hive but only have one gray that I think will work. Is it okay if all are the same? (I currently have 8 Polaroids made, so 2 blocks worth.)

Kitch Kouture said...

Emily, Stephanie said it would be okay to use just one gray. That's what I did . . .

Jude said...

Hi Stephanie,
This is my first time making these cute little Polaroid blocks! I'm so happy to finally get a change to make them. I look forward to seeing your quilt!