Hive 2 Tutorial for April - Fluffy Cloud Dreaming

Hive 2 Tutorial for April

Mandi Holmes

Circa 1934 Cosmic Cricket Moda Pattern

“Fluffy Cloud Dreaming”

12 ½” x 12 ½”

This is a Moda pattern, you can find it here. 

FABRIC

I was inspired by this piece of fabric that came in some scraps from a friend. It was a decent enough size that I always wanted to feature it in some way but could never figure out how/where, so I used it here as my background and color scheme inspiration.

Light blues, greys, and whites, with black for the “stick”.

I’m trying to keep things desaturated and dreamy. The choice for background should have a pattern or is a batik.

The churn dash can be black, grey, or white so long as it’s solid or appears solid like a tone on tone. 

The gray I used is a bit washed out and has a few minor color shifts, which is fine because it’s still basically a solid. I honestly don’t know if they are part of the fabric or actual discoloration from the sun from the place that I got it, but I actually love the variation. A batik is fine for the Churn Dash if you have a good pattern behind to set it apart.

Here are some examples for backgrounds.

I don’t love traditional floral patterns generally, I prefer more geometric, abstract or grunge, or batik. No novelty fabrics, please. I always love the Ghastlies, however :) 

CUTTING

Stick:

1 - 1” x 22” 

Churn Dash:
4 - 2” x 6 ½”

2 - 4”x4”

Background:

4 - 2” x 6 ½”

1 - 6 ½” x 6 ½”

2 - 4” x 4”

Step One: Sticks

Fold and press the long sides of the 1”x 22” black strip a ¼” on each side, leaving you with a ½” wide strip. You can use bias tape. I actually made mine with my ½” bias tape tool, which is incredibly handy.

Step Two: Main Block

1. Place the stick on the right side of the 6 ½” background square and pin in place. I marked the ¼” seam allowance with chalk so I made sure to measure the 2” down and 1 ¾” up marks on the actual block edge.

2. Sew 2 - 2” x 6 ½” Churn Dash rectangles to the square, enclosing the Stick in the seams. Press away from the center.

Sorry - I didn’t get a great 1:1 pic of this step, but this is what it looks like from the back

3. On the wrong side of the block, mark where the Stick crosses the edges of the Churn Dash rectangles. 

4. Add 2 - 2” x 6 ½” Background rectangles. Transfer the marks to the back of those rectangles. Move the stick out of the sewing area. Sew the rectangles to the block, stopping and starting (be sure to backstitch) at the marks. This will leave an opening for the Stick to be moved to the front of the block.

5. Press the seams towards the center of the block. Thread the Stick through the holes and press. Applique the Stick in place and the holes closed using a small zigzag stitch and a black or invisible thread. Trim the Stick even with the sides of the block.

6. Layer 1 - 4” x 4” Churn Dash and 1 - 4” x 4” Background square, right sides together. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lighter square. Sew ¼” on each side of the diagonal line. Cut on the line. Press open to make 2 half square triangles. Repeat to make a total of 4 half square triangles (HST). If necessary, trim to measure 3 ½” x 3 ½” with seams.

7. Combine 1 - 2” x 6 ½” Churn Dash and 1 - 2” x 6 ½” Background rectangle. Join a half square triangle to each end. Make 2.

**this picture has ruler ¼” down from top of HST which is why the seam is on the 3” line**

8. Combine all the sections to make one Main Block.

Cut away the Stick areas that are on the back of the block.

Thank you!