Hi Leah,
Great Block for using up scraps!
Easy-peasy Block, they came together quickly and will go on their merry way to you today.
Happy quilting,
Rita
Hi Leah,
Great Block for using up scraps!
Easy-peasy Block, they came together quickly and will go on their merry way to you today.
Happy quilting,
Rita
For my July block, I wanted to remake an antique block called Old Missouri. I originally found this pattern in my box of saved patterns from the Kansas City Star. I grew up in Missouri, and I still live here. I have a great love for my state. I want to make a red white and blue quilt.
The Fabrics: You can use solids, patterns, or blenders for any of these fabrics as long as they read red, white, or blue. Kitschy or patriotic fabrics are welcomed.
Finished practice block This is the 1932 newspaper template that inspired this block |
I went back and forth on a few ideas for blocks this month but decided to stick with another choose your own adventure block. A while back I came across Wombat Quilts’ Wonky Tree Forest quilt, and really liked the style and color choices. I’ve since seen other quilts with a similar style and I think it’ll be a great Bee quilt.
Here is the original inspiration:
I am looking for blocks that are 12.5” tall by either 6.5”
or 12.5” wide that contain at least one tree. Trees do not need to take up the
whole height or width of the block but can be surrounded by low volume to make
up the remaining dimensions. For the trees, I am looking for a variety in realistic
shades of green, with brown for the trunks. I would prefer ‘forest’ type trees
– not palms or potted. Press as desired.
Fabric Selection:
Trees: I would prefer solid, blender, or low/medium contrast prints greens or browns to be used. Greens should be used for tree canopies, and brown for tree trunks. In the photo below, the greens to the left work well, while the prints in the greens to the right are too busy to come across as realistic.
Low Volume: Whites, creams, and low value tans are preferred, with light/medium contrast. In the photo below, the fabrics to the left were ones that I used. The ones to the right would be ok in moderation but had darker contrast in the prints so I omitted them.
Since this is a choose your own adventure, I’ve got a couple
tutorial options written but have also linked to several other resources. There
are so many ways to approach this block.
If you need to see larger pictures, either click on them or drag the image to the search bar. If that fails, please let me know!
Tutorial 1: Classic Pine
Cutting Directions
Piecing Directions
Fabrics
Piecing Directions
Other Options
There are so many fantastic tree blocks out there! I’ve got
a few different styles linked blow as reference, but this certainly is not a
complete list.
This is a little different than a traditional Log Cabin. The “traditional” one would have you start with a light square next to the center. This one has you start with a dark square next to the center. It gives it a slightly different look.
For this block you will need 2 1/2" strips or scraps in varying lengths.
Fabric requirements:
Note: Please no holiday*, word fabrics or glitter
* Holiday exception would be Halloween. Use whatever bat, skulls, rats, spiders, and witches you like but please no words (Happy Halloween, boo, scary, etc…)
** If your low volume is light in your stash, please feel free to only use 3 fabrics as in my block example. Otherwise it can be as scrappy as you like.
Bright red
It can be solid or it should read as a solid. Here are a few I pulled from what I have.
Low Volume
These can be solid white, low volume, or white on white.
Here are a few samples from my stash.
Darks
These can be almost any darks you have in your stash.
Please compare your fabric choices to your red center square to make sure it has a high contrast.
Cutting Directions:
Red
Cut 1 - 2 ½” square (Center)
Dark
1 - 2½” Square (1)
1 - 2½” x 4½” rectangle (2)
1 - 2½” x 6½” rectangle (5)
1 - 2½” x 8½” rectangle (6)
1 - 2½” x 10½” rectangle (9)
1 - 2½” x 12½” rectangle (10)
Low Volume
1 - 2½” x 4½” rectangle (3)
1 - 2½” x 6½” rectangle (4)
1 - 2½” x 8½” rectangle (7)
1 - 2½” x 10½” rectangle (8)
1 - 2½” x 12½” rectangle (11)
1 - 2½” x 14½” rectangle (12)
Assembly
Start with the red 2½” square and the dark 2½” square and sew together.
Turn the block and add the dark 2½” x 4½” rectangle counter clockwise.
Continue adding strips in cutting order as shown in the picture below.
Press seams away from the center.
Block will measure 14½” square.
Hello Bee-mates!
I am so excited to return to Stash Bee in 2024! I believe I participated in Stash Bee for 7 years….first as a hive mate, then as a Hive Mama, then assisted Alana when Diana stepped down in 2019.
I needed a break as well and have been gone for a few years. But it’s so good to be back and creating again!
My color inspiration- rich pinks, oranges and yellows - also white or low volume: