Friday, September 30, 2022

Hive 2 - October Tutorial - Night & Day Block

 Happy October!

For this month, we will be sewing a Night & Day block (deconstructed) from Quilting Daily.


But first, colors! You can basically use any colors except for brown/beige, whites, and black/grey. I prefer saturated colors, and bright ones! The catch is that you need two of the same color, one light and one dark. See photo below for examples. If you don't have a light and a dark, at least pick two fabrics that are easily distinguishable by sight (see the reds in the photo below... I wouldn't call one "light" and one "dark", but they are easily distinguishable). I prefer patterns over solids, but solids are okay if that's what you have. No novelty prints, but anything else goes!


Here is a link to the instructions: https://www.quiltingdaily.com/pattern-night-day/ 

But I also wrote out instructions with pictures below!

First, you need to cut the following:

  • One light 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square
  • One dark 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" square
  • One light 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square
  • One dark 4 1/4" x 4 1/4" square
  • Four light 2 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ rectangles
  • Four dark 2 5/8″ x 5 1/8″ rectangles


Next, you need to cut each if your squares into four triangles


Here's the most complicated part (in my opinion). Each of the rectangles needs to be cut into a half trapezoid. Basically, you're cutting a triangle off the end. There are a few ways to do this. You can measure 2 5/8" along a long edge, and then draw a line between this measurement and the opposite corner.


You could also fold one corner up, matching the short edge to the long edge, and press. Then cut along the fold.



Or, you an use a quilting ruler with a 45 degree line.


The hardest part for me to remember here is that your light and dark fabrics need to be mirror images of each other. So if you cut off the lower right corner of the dark, you need to cut off the lower left corner of the light.


Throw away the corners you cut off. You don't need them!

Now to assemble! This is how the pieces will go together, and you'll have four sets.


The easiest way to assemble is to sew the big triangles together, the half trapezoids together, and the small triangles together. Use a scant 1/4" seam allowance. To make the pieces fit together nicely without any gaps, please press all your seams to the same fabric (I pressed all mine toward the light purple fabric).


Then sew all of these sections together!



As I said, you'll end up with four identical mini-blocks. The last step in the linked tutorial is the sew the four pieces together into one 12" square block, but I'm going to ask you to not do this last step and to send me all the pieces. I'll mix them up when I put the quilt top together!

Please let me know if you have any questions!!!


Thursday, September 29, 2022

Wednesday, September 28, 2022

Hive 1 Letters for Nicole

 A cute letter was mailed to you to today! 

This is one of my favorite fabric lines, Persis, with a little metallic reminds me of the fancy stationery that my mom used.


I can't wait to see your quilt!


~Adrienne


Mail in the mail

 Getting these out late but I hope you like my green field letters. 



- Kelsey

Sunday, September 25, 2022

Hive 1 September block for Nicole

 Hey again,

I made these matching little envelopes and got a bit sad about having to put them in a regular white one to send away to you... Some washy tape helped my sadness slightly but i hope your quilt becomes even better than the envelopes the blocks come in!!!


/Minnie




Monday, September 19, 2022

Hive 1 Block for Nicole

 


I really enjoyed making these cute little envelopes! What a perfect way to commemorate the swap. 

Saturday, September 17, 2022

Hive 1 Block for Nicole


I love this idea for a quilt! What a great way to commemorate the year. 

It was so fun that you let us choose meaningful fabrics to us. I pulled an old favorite bird print from my stash, bought years ago to make a bag for my sister. 

Enjoy!

- Julia H.

Tuesday, September 13, 2022

Finished Quilt Hive 1 November 2021

 Dear Hive 1 Bees,

Thank you for your generous contribution to my November 2021 request for improv blocks. I have added flower panels from @suezipkin and completed two quilts!

While quilting, I could admire every block, made with lovely fabric. Every block was simply perfect. 

Thank you again everyone!

Marie




Happy Mail for Nicole

 These were so fun and fast to make - it took me longer to figure out what fabrics to use. I think they're going to make an adorable bee quilt. These are already on their way to you!

~ Diana @ Red Delicious Life

Tuesday, September 6, 2022

Letters for Nicole

Hi Nicole,
I went for the extra credit, lol.
Thanks for introducing me to this cute little project.
I couldn't resist and prepared the "stationery" with prints.
This will be a fantastic quit!
Happy quilting!
Marie



 

Hive1 September Block for Nicole


 Hi Nicole,

You've got mail! 😄

All the letters are packed in one envelope and on the way to you. 

The most difficult was to choose the fabrics! Hard to narrow the choice down  😉.

I'm curious, which way you'll put them together in the end.

Happy sewing,

Rita

Saturday, September 3, 2022

Hive 3 September Tutorial - Pumpkin Block for Meghan

 Happy September Hive 3!!! 

Our house is getting into the Halloween spirit and I am all about it! I have three wall hangings in the making and one of them is 15 years old, talk about an UFO! My goal is to complete them this weekend so we can hang them up. Stay tuned on Instagram if that happens :) 

During the pandemic, I bought a lot of Halloween fabric. I am working on using my stash to make a Halloween quilt to use for this fall. This is where you all come in! You are going to help me make some great little pumpkins for this quilt. 

Colors for this quilt- think bright orange, blacks, whites, purples, greens, browns. Stay away from teal given the color palette I am working with for this quilt. I have a charm pack of Ghouls and Goodies that I will be used for my main blocks. 

This photo is to help you pick colors from your stash. The fabric does not need to be Halloween themed. You can also add in greens and browns too! 

Quilt pattern- free one from Craftsy

https://www.craftsy.com/post/pumpkin-quilt-block/

Please use 1/4 inch seam allowances. 



I have adjusted the pattern size a bit at the end. Please use my measurements for your fabric cutting. 


Fabric requirements: 

Pumpkin- you can either strip piece it or do a small crumb quilt block. I have recently gotten into crumb quilting and it is so much fun! Great way to use up small scraps and it is pretty mindless sewing too. 

Pumpkin- chose one of these options: 

5 1/2 by 6 1/2 inches crumb block 

-OR-

6 orange strips, measuring at 1 1/2 by 5 1/2 inches

Leaf and stem- 

Brown fabric- 1 1/2 inch square

Stem fabric- 1 1/2 by 3 inch strip 

Background- 

6- 1 1/2 inch squares

1 strip- 1 1/2 by 3 inches 

2 strips- 2 by 9 1/2 inches

2 strips 2 by 6 1/2 inches 

Block measures 9 1/2 by 9 1/2 inches square 



Step one: sew your crumb block or 6 strips together 






Step two: if a crumb block, cut the block down to a 5 1/2 by 6 1/2 inch block. 

Add the four 1 1/2 inch blocks to each corner of the orange block. You can draw a line down the middle of the 1 1/2 inch block and sew on the line. Then, cut off the corners to make the block, leave a 1/4 quarter inch seam allowance. Press out the corners for your 5 1/2 by 6 1/2 pumpkin block


Step three: Making the leaf and stem 

Take the last two 1 1/2 inch square background fabric blocks and draw a line down the middle of them. Cut excess for the seam allowance. You will sew these onto the green strip. You will cut off the outer sides to make the leaf. 



Step Four: connecting the leaf, stem and background fabric. 
You will sew the 1 1/2 brown block to the 1 1/2 by 3 inch strip of background fabric. Press. Then, sew the leaf block to this section. 


Step Five: Sew the stem and leaf to the pumpkin block. Press. 

Step Six: add the borders to the block. First, sew the top and bottom borders to the block. Press. Then add the side borders to the blocks. Press. Block measures 9 1/2 by 9 1/2. 

Please let me know if you have any questions! It is pretty straightforward! Enjoy! 

@megsverde


Thursday, September 1, 2022

Hive 4 September Tutorial - Paw-in-a-Paw Block

 Hello Hive!

 

Grab all your green scraps for this one. 

 

I’m making a quilt for my son who loves Minecraft and the color green. To keep the look of it evergreen (sort of a pun intended there) I’m looking for other green / low volume blocks to augment the ones I’m making with Minecraft fabric (photo included below). And I’m using a classic block style. It’s an update on a classic bear paw block featuring a mini cub paw in the mama bear paw pad area. 

 

Block 

I’ve asked Katy Cameron of the Littlest Thistle if we can use her block pattern for the Stashbee and she said, Yes!  She created a very easy to follow, step-by-step block that she called Walk in My Footsteps. Adorbs. 

 

Image from The Littlest Thistle for reference (ours will be green and white or low volume)


 

Fabric 

I made this sample block below with scraps of green Moda Grunge and some low-ish volume fabric from Ruby Star Society, and some black and green fabric for the baby bear claws. Please use whatever fabric you have on hand. The green does not have to be a specific shade or anything. The low volume or white fabric gives it a nice contrast to make out the two paws (not achieved so well in my Minecraft version. Sigh.) 

 

Sewing

Luckily, the bear paw block is a classic configuration of HST, strips, and squares. And for this you sort of make it twice. The blog post does an outstanding job of showing each step

 

Fun 

I found these quick and fun to sew together. Hope you do as well. 



Cutting Instructions

This is a 12″ finished block, and to make it you will need to cut the following – note that the colors on the parts refer to the image above.

  • 1 x 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ – baby bear paw pad (darker green)
  • 2 x 3″ x 3″ – baby bear claws (dark grey)
  • 2 x 3″ x 3″ – mummy bear paw pad (light green or low volume)
  • 1 x 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ – mummy bear paw pad (light green or low volume)
  • 1 x 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ – mummy bear paw pad (light green or low volume)
  • 1 x 2 1/2″ x 8 1/2″ – mummy bear paw pad (light green or low volume)
  • 2 x 5″ x 5″ – mummy bear claws (apple green)
  • 2 x 5″ x 5″ – background (white or  low volume)
  • 1 x 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ – background (while or  low volume)

 

Photos

Please NOTE: these photos are not lit very well. I do believe I captured each step. I’m also including the Minecraft version I made for fun and as a reference. I do not intend for anyone to have or purchase Minecraft fabric. 


Cut squares



Cut strips



Cut more squares



Make HSTs from the squares


Assemble the baby bear paw (lower left) 


Add the strips


Sew the remaining two HST claws to square to make strip (upper)

Add the two outer HSTs claws (lower right)


Sew the HST claws to main and then the top strip to that


Here is the Minecraft version for visual example only


Here are both of them together



Thank you!
Kristin 
@KristinMBeck

Hive 1 September Tutorial - Envelope Block

 Hello Hive 1 Bees!

I am so happy I found this community. It's been lovely quilting with y'all so far. For this month, I wanted to pick a quilt block that would help me commemorate my first year in this stash bee. Therefore, I am requesting envelope blocks that will help represent the individuality of our hive.


Fabric

This part is easy! Choose whichever fabric speaks to you. Ideally, I would like you to choose two of your favorite fabrics for the envelope main fabric and the envelope liner fabric. For the background, please choose a complimentary solid color fabric.


Tutorial: Open Envelope Block

The tutorial can be found on SpoonFlower's Blog and was originally created by Andrea Tsang Jackson of 3rd Story Workshop.

I've summarized the tutorial here using pictures from when I practiced it at home. For the quilt block, please use a 1/4" seam allowance. I have no preference for how you choose to press your seams.

Materials

Main envelope:

  • 1x      3.5″ square, cut corner-to-corner to make (2) triangles
  • 1x      1.5″ x 5.5″  rectangle

Envelope “liner” fabric:

  • 1x      4″ square

Background fabric:

  • 2x      2.5″ x 6.5″  rectangles
  • 2x      2″ x 9.5″  rectangles
  • 1x      3.5″ square, cut corner-to-corner to make (2) triangles

Assembling the Envelope Block

Mark the center of the long side of the triangles. Similarly, fold the envelope “liner” square in half in both directions to find the center of each edge. 



Take one triangle of each fabric and center the long sides on opposite edges of the square. Join together. Trim overhang. Repeat with the other two triangles. Square up the block to 5.5″ x 5.5″.

Join the 1.5″ x 5.5″ (4 x 14 cm) rectangle of main envelope fabric to the bottom of the envelope. There’s your open envelope! 

Adding the Background

Add the side borders: Join the 2.5″ x 6.5″ background rectangles to the right and left of the envelopes. Add the top and bottom borders: Join the 2″ x 9.5″ (5 x 24 cm) background rectangles to the top and bottom of the envelope block.


Extra Credit (OPTIONAL)

Hi there! You know what goes great with open envelopes? Tiny letters! Haha! If you have some extra time/fabric, I would love to receive a closed envelope block (they almost look like tiny letters to me). They are basically just a flying geese block with an extra strip of fabric. The closed envelope tutorial is a part of the same Spoonflower series (just to be clear I'm only looking for envelopes not the whole block from the link).

Materials

Main envelope fabric:

  • 2x      3″ squares
  • 1x      1.5″ x 5.5″ rectangle

Envelope “flap” fabric:

  • 1x      3″ x 5.5″ rectangle

Assembling the block

Mark a diagonal line on the back of both 3″ (8 cm) squares of main envelope fabric. With the wrong sides together, place one of the 3″ (8 cm) squares on top of the “flap” fabric, aligning the edges. Sew along the marked line.

Trim off the corners 1/4″ away from the stitch line and press the seam toward the main envelope fabric. Repeat with the other 3″ (8 cm) square of main envelope fabric at the other end of the triangle. Note the orientation of the diagonal line.



Join the 1.5″ x 5.5″ rectangle of main envelope fabric to the flying geese block along the edge with the triangle point. There’s your envelope! It should measure 5.5″ x 4″. Repeat to create as many as you'd like.


Thank you all in advance for helping me! If you have any questions or concerns, just shoot me an email. Hope you have a fun time sewing :) 

 -Nik