Stash Bee: June 2026

Monday, June 1, 2026

Hive 2 Tutorial for June 2026 - Blooming Squares

Hello all!

June might be a month for bright colours, but this month's hive tutorial will simply be a blue and white quilt block, 14.5" unfinished.

The inspiration for this month's block comes from The Quilters Cache.

Fabric Pull:

Background: white or white tone-on-tone

Blues: 6 different colours of blue: blenders, solids, batiks, or subtle pattern. Turquoise and teals ok to use as well.

Cutting:

White:

- 2.5"x2.5" - 17 required

- 3"x3" - 1 required

Blues: *Your LONG length blues should be dark; SHORT length blues should be lighter blue.

For the 4.5"-10.5" lengths, it's ok to have some variation of colours. You can set the strips from darkest to lightest or dark-medium-dark-medium-medium-medium/light-light. Only 'rule' is the 12.5" length is dark & 2.5" HST is light.

- 2.5"x12.5" - 2 required (dark blue)

-2.5"x10.5" - 2 required (medium/dark blue)

-2.5"x8.5" - 2 required (medium blue)

-2.5"x6.5" - 2 required (medium blue)

-2.5"x4.5" - 2 required (light/medium blue)

-3"x3" - 1 required (light blue)

Sewing Instructions:

Draw a line diagonally on the back of the white 3"x3". Place over light blue 3"x3" square, right sides together. Sew 1/4" on either side of marked line then cut on line. Press seams. Trim each unit to 2.5"x2.5".

Sew your 2 light blue HST (half square triangles) and 2 white 2.5"x2.5" squares together as shown.

(I'll call this the base unit.)

Draw a line diagonally on the backside of ten 2.5"x2.5" squares.

(Photo above taken prior to base unit sewn together).

Separate each size of blue fabric strips into 2 piles.

Using photo above for reference, place marked white 2.5x2.5" squares at outside end of blue strips, Each set of marked white squares is sewn in a different direction than the other set!

For each set, add a marked white square to the end of each strip and sew on the line. Trim and press seams toward white end.

Watch the direction of your marked squares: they should mirror-image each other. The white triangles of each set should point toward the base unit.

Using the photo above again as reference, sew an unmarked white 2.5"x2.5" square to the right side of the blue strips below the base unit. Press seam away from the white square.

Sew a 2.5x4.5" strip to the right side of the base unit as shown below.

Sew the matching 2.5x4.5"-with-sewn square to the bottom of the base unit, making sure to align edges & seams.

Repeat sewing the strips to right then bottom of base unit, ensuring the left & top edges remain straight.

When block is complete, trim to 14.5".

Happy Sewing & have fun! I look forward to seeing the blocks you all will sew for me.

~ Wilma

Hive 3: June Tutorial - StashBee 2026 - Hive 3's Favorite Things! for Beth

Because this is a quick and small block that works great for using fabric scraps or orphan quilt blocks, please make two separate Polaroid-style blocks that I can combine together into a finished quilt later. Each block should use different fabric(s) for the “picture” portion of the Polaroid block.

The center of each block should feature a fussy-cut image of something you enjoy. Ideas could include:

Your favorite item or hobby

A fabric print you love

A bold graphic or fun pattern

An orphan quilt block that you would like to repurpose as the “photo” area of the Polaroid block

Color Palette:

For the color palette, my ideal quilt block would use modern-style fabric(s) in the center “photo” area that feature:

Bright colors
Bold shapes and designs
Fun, graphic, or eye-catching prints

Please use a solid white fabric for the outside “Polaroid frame” if possible based on your fabric stash. If you do not have a solid white available, a subtle white-on-white print (with no added color) is perfectly fine as a substitute.

While writing this post, I learned that white-on-white fabrics may also be called:

Tone-on-tone prints
Blender fabrics
Low-volume fabrics
Or other similar terms

As explained by Stashbee, tone-on-tone prints are “patterned prints that often look like a solid at a distance or if you squint,” and are often referred to as blender fabrics.

My ideal block would avoid batiks, holiday fabrics (unless that holiday is one of your favorite things), reproduction fabrics, or anything that does not really “pop.” That said, I truly believe I can make almost any block option work!

My Fabric Pull

Here are some examples of fabrics that I pulled and auditioned for my blocks. You will notice a combination of orphan quilt blocks and a few fabric prints.

For the orphan blocks that I selected, some were slightly too small, so I would have added fabric around the edges to make them the correct size. Others were too large, so I simply cut out a section in the correct size to use as the “photo” portion of the block.

Block instructions:

1. Locate your fabrics for the blocks. You will need 3 different fabrics for your blocks this month.

You will need:

Fabric 1: Solid white fabric
Fabric 2: A bright or bold fabric featuring something you love (favorite print, graphic, object, orphan block, etc.)
Fabric 3: Another bright or bold fabric featuring something you love

Please note: Fabric 2 and Fabric 3 should be different fabrics.

2. Cut the White Fabric (Fabric 1)

Cut:

(1) strip measuring 1” x WOF (width of fabric)

From this strip, subcut:

(4) pieces measuring 1” x 6.75”
(2) pieces measuring 1” x 7.5”

Then cut:

(1) strip measuring 2.25” x WOF

From this strip, subcut:

(2) pieces measuring 2.25” x 7.5”

You may place the remaining fabric into your scrap pile for future projects.

3. Fussy cut Fabrics 2 & 3

From Fabric 2, cut:

(1) rectangle measuring 6.5” wide × 6.75” tall

From Fabric 3, cut:

(1) rectangle measuring 6.5” wide × 6.75” tall

I’ve included a few examples of fussy cuts that I made. One example was cut from an orphan block that I especially loved because it felt like a distinct, scrappy pattern and included several favorite fabrics, like the spooky eyes and The Ghastlies prints.

I also included an example using one of my favorite fabrics — a very graphic print with a cute raccoon! I didn’t end up using it in the finished tutorial blocks, but it was still a fun option to audition for the project.

A favorite fabric (love the frog, bright vibrant color and overall pattern!)

4. Sew the Side Borders

Sew (2) 1” × 6.75” white strips to the long vertical sides of the fussy-cut rectangle.

Press seams after sewing. I’m not picky about whether seams are pressed open or to one side. However, I would prefer that you choose one seam pressing method and keep it consistent throughout each block rather than mixing methods within the same block.

Repeat for both Fabric 2 and Fabric 3 blocks.

5. Sew the Top Border

For each block:

Sew (1) 1” x 7.5” white strip to the top edge.
Press seams.

Repeat for both Fabric 2 and Fabric 3 blocks.

6. Sew the Bottom Border

For each block:

Sew (1) 2.25” x 7.5” white strip to the bottom edge.
Press seams.

Repeat for both Fabric 2 and Fabric 3 blocks.

7. Check Block Size

Your blocks should measure:

7.5” wide x 9” tall

The finished block should resemble a Polaroid-style photo frame with your chosen fabric

featured in the center.

Inspiration Links

This block idea was inspired by the following tutorials I found for free online:

I’m not completely sure what the final quilt will look like yet, but I found several great
examples showing different ways these blocks can be arranged and combined. I may also
add a Polaroid camera block or other fun design element(s) to help tie the quilt together.

A few inspiration sources that I really like are:

Hive 5 - June Tutorial - Holiday Economy Block for Bonnie

The Inspiration:

Last year, our hive made some adorable “I Spy” economy blocks for some kiddo quilts, and I've not been able to stop thinking about how cute they were! Here are the ones I made:

The Vision:

I would like to make several different holiday themed wall quilts inspired by these blocks for hanging up during different seasons. Side Note: When I told my husband about my idea, he thought I was going to make one quilt with all holidays, and he was horrified… As efficient as that would be (haha), I have much loftier goals, so please pick one or more of the holidays/seasons/themes listed below:

Valentines Day / Love / Hearts
Halloween / Spooky / Fall
Christmas / Winter
Easter / Spring / Pastels

Colors & Prints:

I'm not too picky with colors as long as the fabrics coordinate well. For Valentine’s Day, for example, you can use colors besides pink and red (that just happens to be what I have on hand at the moment). Maybe you have purple kisses or teal hearts. Great! Do it! :)

Feel free to fussy cut something interesting in the center square. Not all fabrics need to be holiday prints. Feel free to use blenders that coordinate well with the other fabrics being used. I found that the middle section is a great place to use blenders and separate prints to make the blocks look a little less busy. I also avoid using directional prints in the middle section because they will be tilted on the diagonal and sometimes look wonky.

Tutorial

I followed Catbird Quilt Studio’s free Tutorial here for 6” finished blocks:
https://catbirdquilts.wordpress.com/2014/01/26/economy-block-any-size-with-cheat-sheet/

Cutting:

For each block you need one 3.5” center square, two 3.5” squares for the middle sections (cut in half diagonally), and two 4.5” squares for the outside sections (cut in half diagonally).

Adding the First Round:

Center the long edge of a triangle on one side of the square. Sew. Then sew one on the opposite side as well. I pressed toward the center square here, but you can press towards the triangles if you feel like it. Trim the overhang with a straight edge. See trimmed version on the left.

Add the other two triangles to the remaining sides. I pressed out toward the triangles this time, because it felt right... Trim the edges to 1/4” seam allowance, as shown on the left.

I used a ruler with a 90-degree angle to trim the sides down, but if you don’t have one, just trim ¼” from the points as best you can.

Adding the Second Round:

This is basically the same as the first round. Center the long edge of a triangle on one side of the unit. Sew. Then sew one on the opposite side as well. I pressed out toward the triangles again. Trim the overhang with a straight edge. See trimmed version on the left.

Then add the other two triangles to the remaining sides. I pressed out toward the triangles again. Trim the edges to 1/4” seam allowance, as shown on the left.

Viola!

I would appreciate a set of four, but if that is a hardship, please just make one. I am asking that you not sew them together so that you have some more freedom with which holidays you choose.

Thank you! I can’t wait to see them all! I know they'll all be fabulous!

Hive 1 Tutorial for June--Log Cabin Block for Caitlin

This month’s block is the Log Cabin Block! I’m making a quilt for some friends whose favorite colors are red and purple—it’s also summer break for the kids, and my brain is being pulled in six directions, so if this tutorial is wonky, please forgive me.

I used these tutorials to help me put my block together:

https://ourlittlehandmadehome.com/log-cabin-quilt-block/ (this is the main tutorial I used)

https://patternprincess.com/how-to-make-a-perfect-log-cabin-quilt-block-tutorial/ (this tutorial has diagrams and an “add-and-trim” method for attaching the strips that I found helpful!)

Here are some fabrics from my stash for inspiration; if you have any questions, please feel free to reach out!

Fabric Requirements for a 12.5” block:

2” strips of purple fabric and white/cream/light grey fabric (can be scrappy/patterned/solid, please no religious/patriotic/juvenile)
Center square: 3.5” red/reddish fabric (can be scrappy/patterned/solid, please no religious/patriotic/juvenile)

final square with parts labeled

For the strips:
Light fabrics:

a) 2” x 3.5”

b) 2” x 5”

e) 2” x 6.5”

f) 2” x 8”

i) 2” x 9.5”

j) 2” x 11”

Purple fabrics:

c) 2” x 5”

d) 2 x 6.5”

g) 2” x 8”

h) 2” x 9.5”

k) 2” x 11”

l) 2” x 12.5”

Steps to make the log cabin block:

1. With right-sides together, sew light strip (a) to one side of the center square using a ¼” seam. I pressed my seams away from the center, but pressing seams open is ok too! I also used the add-and trim method for some of the strips, as shown in the first picture.

2. On the long edge of the now-rectangular piece, sew light strip (b) to the piece. Press seams outward or open, trimming if necessary.



3. Working counter-clockwise, sew purple strip (c) to the piece. Press seams outward or open, trimming if necessary.


4. Working counter-clockwise, sew purple strip (d) to the piece. Press seams outward or open. Trim if necessary.

Continue working counter-clockwise, adding strips in alternating order, trimming if necessary.
after sewing strip (e)