Friday, November 1, 2024

Hive 7 - November 2024 - Circles & Rings

When I signed up for this bee, last year, I knew exactly what I was going to ask for. I had a vision in mind, a mock up and draft instructions saved back. However, I’ve enjoyed everyone’s theme/idea based blocks so much that I started thinking about a theme for my turn. I had pretty much settled on my themed idea when a friend passed away unexpectedly.

Her passing made me rethink everything, I decided I’d wanted to re-frame my quilt to celebration life. My sister turns 40 soon, so I’d like to use my bee blocks to commemorate her 40 orbits around the sun. Symbolized with a bright organic shape against a neutral background.

I'm thinking rings, circles, ovals but am open to your interpretation of an organic shape, circle, ring, orbit, etc. For example I totally think snowballs, dresdens or log cabins would work for this request. And I'm very okay with any method to make this block, be it applique, raw-edge applique, reverse applique, improv, quarter circles, improv stack and whack, inset circle, drunkard's path ... whatever works for you will work for me. I'm good with any size, but share that if you are piecing a circle or ring shape larger diameters are easier.

Colors:

I'm looking for Rainbow Brights (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet) against Neutrals (White, Gray, Black, Navy). I'd like any solids to read as one color for the most part and solids are welcome. Here are examples of the fabrics that are suitable backgrounds in my thoughts. Please keep the ring or circle colors bright and saturated with a high contrast against the background.

Here are some of my in-progress blocks.

Tutorials:

Improv Stack and What quarter circles by Teresa Downunder (Youtube video)
Drunkard's Path Scrappy circles tutorial by Center Street Quilts using the Accuquilt dies, but also shares a free pdf template for the block.
Improv Dresden block tutorial by Seattle Modern Quilt Guild
Fuselages tutorial by Seattle Modern Quilt Guild for a freezer paper ring block, scroll down to the Fuselages section or use the search feature to locate the block's instructions.

Hive 3: November block for Debbie

Dear fellow Stash Bees,

I have so enjoyed making all your blocks and using up some of my “Stash”.

For my block, I am excited to have you make me blocks for a summer picnic quilt.

My inspiration came from a free pattern called Ventanas by Timeless Treasures. I can no longer find it on their website, but had kept a copy for myself ages ago wanting to use it for just this purpose.

It is made from a log cabin variation starting in a corner and building only on 2 sides. .There are several different blocks making the interesting patterns as they are joined.

I am including 2 different blocks for you to choose from. You only need to do ONE.

My colors are red, white/cream, and light, dark or medium blue. Each block has 6 rounds, so you will need 6 fabrics. A variety of shades and patterns are great.That’s what gives it interest and lets your eyes wander. You can use plain white or cream or evensmall prints with reds and blues. I wouldn’t mind a patriotic print, but otherwise no novelties.

Here are 3 different blocks I made. You can see the variety of fabrics.

Here is another sampling of fabrics.

The only difference between the 2 blocks are the size of the strips. The construction is still the same.

Each letter is a different color : A , B, C, D, E, and F. B and B1 are the same fabric , C and C1 are the fabric, and so one. 6 different colors radiating from the corner.

Block A

A 4 3/4 by 2 3/4

B 4 3/4 by 2 3/4 B1 5 by 2 3/4

C 7 by 2 3/4 C1 7 1/4 by 2 1/4

D 8 3/4 by 2 3/4 D1 9 1/2 by 2 1/4

E 10 1/2 by 2 3/4 E1 11 3/4 by 2 1/4

F 12 1/4 by 2 3/4 F 14 by 2 1/4

Here are all the logs cut out and placed in position.

Sew in order of position : A ( the bottom right corner ) to B, then both pieces to B1, Add C and then C 1, and so forth until you get all the logs in place.

Finished block: should be 14 inches square.

Back of the block: I ironed all the seams towards the outside.

Block B

A 2 3/4 by 1 3/4

B 2 3/4 by 1 3/4 B1 5 by 3 3/4

C 5 by 2 1/4 C1 6 3/4 by 2 1/4

D 6 3/4 by 1 3/4 D1 8 by 1 3/4

E 8 1/4 by 3 E1 10 1/2 by 3

F 10 1/2 by 4 F1 14 by 4

Placement after cutting: may appear slightly different from actual block, measurements adjusted.

Sew in order of position : A ( the bottom right corner) to B, then add both pieces to B1, Add C and then C 1, and so forth until you get all the logs in place.

Finished block: 14 inches square

Hive 2 - November Tutorial – 9 Patch Block for Jai

Hive 2 Tutorial for November – 9 Patch Block for Jai

Hello, Hive 2! I’m so excited to be the Queen Bee for November, and I can’t wait to see all the amazing blocks you create this month. For this tutorial, we’ll be working on a 9 Patch block.

Fabric Selection and Color Inspiration:

I’m looking for a striking contrast between bright yellows and bold black-and-white prints to give our blocks some real punch. Here’s a quick breakdown:

Black on White Prints (A) – Feel free to mix and match 4 different black-on-white prints if you have them, but it’s not required. Please avoid holiday or novelty prints. Florals and small geometric designs are great!

Solid Bright Yellow/Gold (B) – Go for vibrant yellows or golds. Yellow on yellow or gold on gold tone-on-tone prints are fine, as long as they read as solid.

Solid Black (C) – Black on black prints are welcome, as long as they read solid.

White on Black Prints (D) – Again, avoid holiday or novelty prints. Two different prints are preferred but not necessary.

To help inspire your fabric choices, I’ve included a color palette and fabric pull below!

Color Inspiration:

Cutting Instructions:

You'll need 1/4" seam allowance for all seams. Here's the breakdown:

Black on White Prints (A):

Cut four (4) 4 ½” squares (one from each print, or repeat if needed)

Solid Bright Yellow/Gold (B):

Cut one (1) 4 ½” square

Solid Black (C):

Cut two (2) 4 ½” squares

White on Black Prints (D):

Cut two (2) 4 ½” squares (one from each print or repeat if needed)

Piecing the Block:

Now for the fun part—let’s piece everything together!

1. Lay out your fabrics for the 9-patch as follows:

Row 1: D - A - C
Row 2: A - B - A
Row 3: C - A - D

2. Sew each row together using a 1/4" seam allowance:

Press the seams outward for rows 1 and 3.
Press the seams inward for row 2.

3. Sew the rows together:

Match up the seams and sew row 1 to row 2, and row 3 to row 2.
You should end up with a 12 ½”x 12 ½” block

Finished Block:

And that’s it! You’ve created a 9 Patch Block with a bold, graphic look. I can’t wait to see what you come up with—happy quilting!

Warmest stitches,

Jai

Hive 6 November Block: Modular Maryland for Elise

Hi! I’m Élise. This is my third time participating in the Stash Bee.

I was born and raised in Maryland, and you may not know this, but Marylanders are a little obsessed with our flag.

History of the Maryland Flag

The colony of Maryland was chartered in 1634 and Cecil Calvert, Second Baron Baltimore, was named as its proprietor by King Charles I of England. His 17th century heraldic banner of arms consisted of the black and gold of his father’s arms, along with the red and white of the Crossland family, of whom his grandmother was on heiress.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Cecil_Calvert,_Baron_Baltimore.svg#/media/File:Coat_of_Arms_of_Cecil_Calvert,_Baron_Baltimore.svg

During the Civil War, pro-Union Marylanders flew the black and gold Calvert flag, while pro-Secession Marylanders flew the red and white Crossland flag. Following the Civil War, both coats of arms began to be used again. The present design was officially adopted as the State Flag in 1904 and is seen as a reunion of all the citizens of the state.

Block Construction

Enough with this history lesson. Let’s get to making the block. This block is based on the Modular Blocks Quilt by Soho Purl https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2015/08/10/modular-blocks-quilt/

Fabrics

You will need red, white, black and yellow fabrics. They should be as close to the tones of the Maryland flag as possible. No novelty fabrics. Solids and blenders are great! Prints are fine as long as they have one of the other flag colors in them.

Cutting Instructions

2 Red 5 1/2 in squares

2 White 5 1/2 in squares

2 Black 5 1/2 in squares

2 Yellow 5 1/2 in squares

1 Red 5 7/8 in square

1 White 5 7/8 in square

1 Black 5 7/8 in square

1 Yellow 5 7/8 in square

Piecing Instructions

-Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the 5 7/8 in squares and pin it to another 5 7/8 square, right sides together. Repeat with remaining 5 7/8 squares

-Sew 1/4 in on each side of the diagonal line, then cut on the diagonal line. Repeat with second pair of squares.

-Press seam toward the darker fabric. Now you have four HSTs! Trim them to 5 1/2 in.

Now for the fun part: choose any eight of the 4 HSTs and 8 5 1/2 in squares to create a 4 x 2 block. The only rules are that no two of the same color 5 1/2 in blocks can be next to each other. Going forward, I'll be showing the steps based on the combination in the first picture.