Hello!!
This was a fun time! I'm glad Rita softened us up. I hope the wonkiness and...festive colors are okay!! 🎄 I can't wait to see all of the blocks together!
They'll be on their way ASAP.
Hello!!
This was a fun time! I'm glad Rita softened us up. I hope the wonkiness and...festive colors are okay!! 🎄 I can't wait to see all of the blocks together!
They'll be on their way ASAP.
Jennifer, I’m SO sorry my post and send off was delayed and I hope that by sending 2 blocks, you’ll allow grace to me!
Can’t wait to see what this quilt will look like once you’re finished.
Chris
Hi Leah,
Here is my contribution to your quilt. I aimed for complementary purple and yellow. Crumbs are crumbs so other colors were added, but I still hope in the end that everything will fit well in you plan!
Happy quilting!
Marie
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.
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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:
Hi guys,
This is my first time participating in a Monthly Block Swap and also Stash Bee. Loving it so far!
Slightly scared now it is my turn, but I hope the below is understandable.
Fabric
I am going for a black/white/grey monochrome look. I have included some ideas for fabrics, these
are all from my stash and are what I have made/will be making the rest of the blocks from.If you
don't have much variation in your stash, please don't worry about it and just use what you have.
Off white, large prints, batik, novelty prints, text prints, florals, all fine, just treat them as their "main"
colour. To see where they fall, you can use the B/W filter on your camera to find the value, similar
to what we did for Sara's block in March. As you can see in my examples below, I've used some
dark fabrics with a tiny amount of colour, this is OK, but I’d like the main colour to read as black/
grey or white.
If you don't have a massive array of shades, happy for it to be a stark black and white block too.
The main point here is to have fun not using colour! I've had this in mind for a while, so have been
collecting fabrics!
Essential tools: Ruler, Rotary cutter, Cutting mat, Hot dry iron, Ironing mat/board, Glue or safety
Pins. And, of course, a sewing machine!
Nice to have tools: EPP Glue stick, Add a quarter ruler, Rotating cutting mat (I don't have one,
but it is on my wishlist!)
Instructional FPP videos and guides:
Foundation Paper Piecing:
Tiny Orchard Quilts YouTube Video
Whole Circle Guide
Paper piecing made simple | Quilting Tutorial with Angela Walters for Craftsy
Sewing a curved seam:
Secrets to sewing curves
Patterns
There are two main options, zigzag or circle. I am happy for you do do either one or both if you
fancy mixing it up! The zigzag creates a star or diamond shape when 4 pieces are combined,
the circle is likewise made of 4 pieces. The circle can be made of 4 plain pieces, or from a variety
of FPP options, which are all included below in the PDF patterns.
I forgot to put the inch square as the printing measure, however you can check they are correct
as one of the quarters should be 7.5 inches along each side (this is including the 1/4 inch seam
allowance on each side) , and the final block should be 14.5 inches. If you print to actual size, or
100% scale, it should work. However, if it is too big or too small, don't worry, as I am happy to either
cut it down to size, or add a border to make it up in size.
The PDFs can be found here:
Please let me know if this link does not work and I can email them to you directly instead.
Block ideas:
The first one is slightly skewiff as I was experimenting with an asymmetrical zigzag. It didn’t
quite work how I wanted it to, but you can see the difference that the fabric choice makes when
you compare to the second one.
You will need 4 copies of the zig zag pattern to achieve either of the below options:
This is an alternate way to layout the zigzag, to create a diamond in the middle. You will need to
print 4 copies of the same pattern for this option as well, but the layout is different.
This is the circle option. Within it, there are a few variations as well.
This is the basic block, just curved seams.
Part A, B, C and D from pages 1 and 2 as below
This is the basic block with a striped FPP band in a white to black colour gradient.
Part A, B, C (option 2) and D from pages 1 and 2
This block was done in dark fabrics. You have a subtle flying geese, as well as the corner and centre
being the FPP blocks.
Part A (option 2A and 2B), B, C (option 3) and D (option 3A and 3B) from pages 1, 3 and 4.
Due to the way they come together, Parts A and D are in two pieces.
Apologies for the smudge at the top of Part C Option 3, the original paper tore and I didn’t realise
it would show up on the scan. I’ve had a bit of a mare with scanners, so I decided to leave it, lest
it refuses to work for me at all!
This is the same as above, but using a greater variation of the colour gradient.
Thanks for participating! Any questions or issues, please let me know!
All the best,
Kate @toodlipoops
Xxx