Hive 1 November bonus block for Nicole

 The first ever jaguar-astronaut. 🚀 This is on its way! -Julia

Hive 1 November gnome for Rita

 

This gnome is on his way to you now, Rita. (Orange nose unfortunately won’t be included.) It’s been such a joy sewing with you this year, and seeing all the amazing things you create! I hope he makes you smile. 

Hive 1 November - Bat Block for Jai

I forgot to post after I mailed this off (around November 7)! I hope this bat made it to its friends--sometimes the post office likes to eat mail instead of delivering it... 

--Caitlin 

Hive 1 October Bat for Jai

 Thank you so much for your patience with me, Jai! This belated bat is on its way to you right now. 

Hive 2 - November Tutorial - X's and O's quilt block

🍁 November's block:

Being the last block for the year for Hive 2, I wanted something quick and fairly easy as the holidays are coming. This is also my birthday month. Thank you all for this inspiring year. I tried new techniques as that was my goal for joining Stash Bee, so thank you for pushing me outside my comfort zone. ♥️

This block is from Missouri Star Quilt Company's tutorial video

The background must be white or white on white fabric. This will make the "O" once sewed together.

The "X" is made from a single color as you can see from the above picture the block uses fours shades of your chosen color. The important part is that the fabric needs to read your chosen color. So please no novelty fabrics, no holiday fabric, and no fabrics using another color.  

Below are my final picks that I used to make my sample block. 

Cutting eight, 2.5-inch square blocks of the white background fabric.

Also cutting four, 5-inch square blocks from each shade of your color choice resulting in 4, 5-inch square blocks.

Next draw a diagonal line on all the back of the white background blocks. Placing the white background fabric with right sides together on opposite corners of the colored fabric.

Next sew on the diagonal line and ensuring the background fabric is in the opposite corners of the color fabric. After cutting 1/4 inch from the outside sewn line.

Pressing the seam to the dark side. Then sewing the four blocks together using quarter inch seam allowance, aligning the seams.

Voila! A finished block measuring 9.5" square unfinished and 9" square finished. Enjoy the holidays!! 😘

- Thanks Deb

 

Hive 6 November Tutorial - City Sampler Block for Becca

 Happy November everyone!

I drew inspiration from Block #52 from Tula Pink's City Sampler/100 Modern Quilt Blocks.  This is a simple block, but I love all the different configurations you can play with! 

I will be making a fun sampler quilt with these blocks, so I am asking that you stop one step before completing the block so I can remix them when I assemble the quilt top. Instead of sending a completed 12.5" block, please send four 6.5" quarters.  This block works up easily from a 2.5" WOF strip of each fabric!

For colors, please choose one pink fabric and one black and white fabric.  The pink should be solid or read solid visually. Think raspberry, coral, rhubarb, hot, strawberry. The black and white can be any pattern, but the white should be nice and crisp, not off-white or cream.  This one can be geometric, floral, abstract...whatever you like!

For each block, from each fabric cut one 4.5"x 2.5" rectangle and four 2.5" x 2.5" squares. 

Set one of each color of 2.5" squares aside, and on the back of the remaining three pink squares, draw a line down the center of the square.  Sandwich the pink and the black and white squares together, right sides together.

Sew along your center line, then trim one 1/4" from the sewn line.  Press towards the darker fabric.

Assemble the block like so:

Voila!  You now have a mini block measuring 6.5". Make three more sections the same way.

When I see everyone's mix of fabrics, I'll make the final pattern choices on the block.  I'm excited to see what you pick!

Happy sewing!

Hive 1 October Bats for Jai

 

I bought a fat quarter of this batik about a year ago for another project. I didn't realize it was bats until I got home! I wasn't able to use it in my other quilt, now I feel it has found its true batty home 🦇 Will be flying to you on Halloween! -Julia

Hive 1 - October Bats for Jai

 

I am not a Halloween person (my birthday is the day after and I have had more than my fair share of themed birthdays for the holiday). But, this was super cute and I was really surprised at how easy it came together. I don't have any holiday fabric but I got to tap into my related colored stash. 

I will get it out in the mail in the next few days. Thanks for letting me push my comfort zone!

Tasha

Crashing hive 6 - Funky chicken for Elise

 You had me at chicken. I can't resist a good chicken block! This is going on the mail tomorrow. Have fun! 🖤🖤

Nicole

Hive 1 Bat Block for Jai

 

I'm so excited I get to use the Halloween fabric I've been hoarding! Today is a post office holiday, so I'll pop it in the mail tomorrow :D 

--Caitlin 

Hive 1 Bat blocks for Jai

 This block was particularly magical for me because I have an unnaturally large Halloween fabric stash. I LOVE having the opportunity to dig into it and turn it into a festive quilt. 

The first bat went a little crazy and took a few liberties with the color palette. They can be feisty little creatures. 

We had a little chat, and even though it's EXTRA BATTY, it promises to behave.

So of course we had to make a second bat, because everyone knows the second child is better behaved. This little friend will do its very best to keep big brother in line. 

Your helper is the best. Tell them PSPSPS from me. 🖤

I hope they play well with your other bar friends! 

Happy spooky season,

Nicole

Hive 1 Friendship Star for Caitlin

 Here are my (late) stars! Thank you Caitlin for being so understanding with the delay--I'm happy to have my machine back from the repair shop. 😊 -Julia

Hive 1 Bat Block for Jai

 

Bat Block

I have very little Halloween fabric so I tried one without holiday specific fabric and one with.  I also really liked the idea of a lighter background.  I hope they will work with your final quilt!

Happy quilting!

Beth

Crashing Hive 5, "Curved Legs" for Cathy

Dear All,

Crashing the party from Hive 1! 

I just couldn't resist preparing a block for my South Florida Modern Quilt Guild friend Cathy!

I did my best with those curves😏

Marie

Hive 4 October Tutorial - Blue/Teal Twirling at the Disco for Amy

Happy October! Fall is making it's way here to Minnesota. The leaves are starting to turn into a beautiful, colorful show, and will soon be flying off the trees. Just a little about me. My name is Amy. I am a lifelong Minnesotan. I am a dog mom to a beautiful and sweet 12 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Charity. We live in the country near Duluth, MN. I learned to quilt from my Nana when I was really young. As soon as I was able to tie a good knot, I was helping at the kitchen table and church basement tying quilts with yarn. I made my first quilt in college from my Toys R Us employee vests and am now at a count of 70 plus completed quilts to date. I often laugh to myself at how my Nana would not recognize quilting today from my learning with cardboard squares for templates, scissors, safety pins, needles, and a sewing machine to my current quilting tool supply.

This is my 4th year doing Stash Bee. It's been a hard decision each year to pick a block. I really love the idea of using up our scraps and using as many different fabrics as possible. Scrappy makes me happy! This year, I've actually picked the same block as last year, but last year I asked for a rainbow of colors and this year I want to try a more monochromatic look. I had Twirling at the Disco on my Pinterest board for several years and last year someone from another hive chose this block, so I decided to go for it too. I really love how it came out (well the top...I've not finished it yet...ooops!!).

I decided not to reinvent the wheel since there was already a stellar tutorial available, so I've linked it here along with some other great resources including the original pattern. I hope you have a great time!

Here are links to the 2024 Hive 2 tutorial with excellent instructions: http://stashbee.blogspot.com/2024/04/hive-2-april-tutorial-for-kim.html

Here’s a link to the original pattern: https://www.sameliasmum.com/2020/02/twirling-at-disco-quilt-free-pattern.html?m=1

This is a super easy block to assemble. There are a lot of pieces, but it goes together quickly and is a great use of those small scraps you’ve got laying around.

I used this advanced chain piecing also known as web piecing (and probably other things as well) for the 16 patches. Assemble them however you prefer, but I thought I would share for anyone who is interested and hasn’t tried this method. https://youtu.be/qE7KKaS5p-8?si=ADB0Qz5b-0JStY7n

You will need the following fabric:

Forty (40) 2-1/2” squares in a nice mix of blue and teal (more blue than green, preferably) prints. Just about anything goes. Batiks are cool. Licensed fabric are fine. Holiday is acceptable (preferably not majority holiday). I can only ask for 10 different fabrics, but if you want to use a bigger variety and have it in your stash, go wild! Have fun!

Two (2) 4-1/2”  squares from solid white or white or white on white prints.

Two (2) 4-1/2 “ by 8-1/2” rectangles  from solid white or white or white on white prints.

Here’s my pull of prints:

I played and moved things around and tried out a bunch of layouts and even did a few (unnecessary, but really fun) fussy cuts to show of some of my favorite scraps

I sewed each of the 4 patches to a white square and then assembled the block in two rows and the two rows into a block:

Have so much fun! I can't wait to see what everyone makes!

HIVE 1 October Tutorial - Bat Block for Jai

 

 

Fall is here, and with it come cooler nights, candy overload, and all sorts of spooky crawlers. Why not add a handmade bat to the mix?

This month we are stitching up the Bat Block from the Mystery Bats & Boos Quilt Along by the Fat Quarter Shop. Instead of a variety of blocks, we are focusing on one block, using multiple fabrics to bring out its personality. Picture it standing on point, with the bat flying up toward the moon.

These blocks are designed to capture fall’s fun and fright: candy, crawlers, goblins, and ghouls. Whether you are calm and cozy with solid fall shades or a bit mischievous with bold seasonal prints (Halloween monsters, candy bars, bonfires, leaves, or sunsets), this block works either way

 

Pattern and Video

·         Original Pattern: Week One – Bat Block

·         Video Tutorial: Mystery Halloween Quilt – The Bat Block

 

Fabric Choices

I challenged myself with thrifted Halloween fabric scraps that came in a mystery bundle. You can do the same with scraps or dip into your stash. 

 

·         Colors: Stick to fall shades, with clear differences in tone. (Skip religious or unrelated holiday fabrics.)

·         Moon (cornerstone): Think of any color that has ever been associated with the moon. This could be visual events like a glowing golden moon, a shining silver moon, or a dramatic red blood moon. It could be calendar events like a rare blue moon. Or it could be story-time moons like the old tale of the moon being made of green cheese. Any of these work, as long as your moon fabric contrasts with the background and does not blend into it.

·         Background: Candy corn vibes with orange, yellow, and white as the main color. Prints are fine as long as they read in those shades.

·         Bat body and wings: Darker than the moon or background. Body and wings should be distinct shades from each other, but which is darker is your choice.

 

Bat Tip! Scrappy is fine. If you mix fabrics, just make sure your bat does not vanish into the night sky.

 

Helpful Rulers (optional) 

·         2.5", 3.5", 4.5" squares

·         10.5"+ square

·         12" straight edge

 

Notes Before You Cut 

·         The original pattern is for four blocks. We are making one.

·         Measurements are very exact. Add at least ¼" to all sides and trim down later for sanity’s sake.

·         If you notice my pictures do not quite line up at the end… yes, I messed up and did not realize until the second to last step. Learn from my chaos.

Spooky Shortcut! If your cuts feel cursed, oversize and trim later. It keeps the crooked spirits away.

 

Cutting Guide

Fabric	ID	Qty	Size (add ¼" if you like)
Background	A	2	3.5" × 4.5" rectangles
	B	2	3.5" squares
	C	1	3" square
	D	1	2.5" square
	E	4	1.5" squares
Moon (cornerstone)	F	1	3.5" square
Bat Wing	G	2	3.5" × 4.5" rectangles
	H	2	3.5" squares
	I	1	3" square
Bat Body	J	1	3.5" square
	K	1	2.5" square

 

Assembly Steps

Step 1: Make Half-Square Triangles

·         Fabric: C and I

·         Press to: I

·         Trim to: 2.5" × 2.5"

·         Result: Two half-square triangles (HSTs)

·         Instructions: Draw a diagonal line on the back of fabric C. With right sides facing, stitch ¼" from each side of the drawn line. Cut along the line, press open, and trim to size.

Bat Tip! Think of this as the bat’s ears forming—sharp and spooky.

Step 2: Partial Bat Head 

·         Fabric: D, K, and both HSTs from Step 1

·         Press to: Top row toward D, bottom row toward HSTs, then press to the bottom row

·         Trim to: 4.5" × 4.5"

·         Result: Partial bat head

·         Instructions: Sew D to one HST. Sew the second HST to K. Join the two rows together.

Spooky Shortcut! If your seams do not nest perfectly, that is just your bat showing a mischievous grin.

 

Step 3: Relocate Cat 

·         Result: An empty cutting surface

·         Instructions: Remove the cat from your fabric. Bribery with treats may be necessary.

Step 4: Bat Head Unit 

·         Fabric: A, F, and the partial bat head from Step 2

·         Press to: Top row toward F, bottom row toward A, then press to the top row

·         Trim to: 7.5" × 7.5"

·         Result: Bat head unit

·         Instructions: Sew F to A, then A to the partial bat head. Join rows together.

Bat Tip! This is the bat finally getting its spooky noggin—witch-stitched and goblin-approved.

Step 5: Prep Diagonals 

·         Fabric: Both B squares and all four E squares

·         Result: Marked corner pieces

·         Instructions: Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of fabrics B and E.

Step 6: Partial Right Wing 

·         Fabric: G (1), B (1), E (2)

·         Press to: Corner pieces

·         Trim to: 3.5" × 4.5"

·         Result: Partial right wing

·         Instructions: Place G face up with shorter sides on top and bottom. Position B in the top right, sew along diagonal, trim ¼" away from seam, and press. Repeat with E in the bottom right corner.

Step 7: Corner Square Unit 

·         Fabric: H (1), E (1)

·         Press to: Corner piece

·         Trim to: 3.5" × 3.5"

·         Result: Corner square unit

·         Instructions: Place E on the bottom right of H, sew along diagonal, trim ¼" away from seam, and press.

 

Step 8: Right Wing Unit 

·         Fabric: Partial right wing (Step 6) and corner square (Step 7)

·         Press to: Corner square unit

·         Trim to: 3.5" × 7.5"

·         Result: Right wing unit

·         Instructions: Sew the corner square to the partial right wing.

Bat Tip! Your bat is starting to stretch one wing. Watch out for a midnight takeoff.

Step 9: Left Wing Unit 

·         Fabric: G (1), B (1), E (2), H (1), E (1)

·         Press to: Corner pieces

·         Trim to: 3.5" × 7.5"

·         Result: Left wing unit

·         Instructions: Repeat Steps 6 through 8, but place G face up with the long sides on top and bottom.

Step 10: Final Assembly 

·         Fabric: Bat head unit, right wing unit, left wing unit, J

·         Press to: Top row toward right wing, bottom row toward left wing, then press to bottom row

·         Trim to: 10.5" × 10.5"

·         Result: Completed bat block

·         Instructions: Sew the right wing to the bat head. Sew the left wing to square J. Join rows together.

Spooky Shortcut! If your bat looks like it is flying sideways, do not worry. Even goblins cannot fly in a straight line after too much candy. 

Final Thoughts

 I stitched up three samples to show how fabric shade can change the mood. Seasonal, scrappy, or even non-seasonal all work. Whatever you choose, your bat will have its own personality.

 

Happy sewing, and may your bats fly straight to the moon.

Jai