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 4 August Tutorial

Thank you all for understanding earlier this year that I was very sick and needed a couple months off and those that shuffled so that I could have a month later in the year.  So, now it’s my turn and I created this block to use up scraps and keep it bright and cheerful. I’m calling the block, Dots.  Because that’s what it is!  Just some background with appliqued dots however, I do have a specific color scheme and applique method to use.

The color scheme uses a Split Complementary scheme of Red/pink, Blue-Green, and Yellow-Green.  The color wheel picture has the colors outlined in black and the other picture is my fabric pull. A 16” square of white on white, or white, or mostly white low volume is needed as the background. Various sizes of scraps are needed to make the 5-8 dots to be appliqued on the background.  For the color dots, I prefer prints rather than solids and the prints can combine colors as you see in the middle of mine as long as it “reads” one of the colors in the split-complimentary choices.  The dots should be about 1” to 4”. The largest dot should be in the centerish of the square and all the other dots are placed randomly across the background square.

 

This applique method requires a lightweight fusible which is one side with the bumps/glue and the other is smooth.  I am using Pellon Featherweight Fusible -911FW or Pellon SF-101 is also very popular.  If you do not have a one sided lightweight fusible, I can send you some.

This linked tutorial shows the method for applique to use; however, the shape is various circles rather than an orange peel or melon shape.

Here are some detail instructions with pictures.

Use templates or everyday objects no bigger than 4” for the largest circle in the centerish portion of the block (eyeball it is fine)– you can have multiple larger circles or small circles – totally up to you and your scraps you have available.

• Draw circle on smooth side of interfacing.
• Put interfacing glue/bumpy side down on right side of pretty fabric.
• Shorten stitch length to 1.5
• Sew with needle going through the drawn line
• Go slow Reposition presser foot often
• Trim to scant 1/4” around circle 

Pull up interfacing and snip middle to make slit for turning inside out 

Use purple thang (yes mines mint green) or bamboo stick or chop stick with dull end to smooth out circle

Remember to place your largest circle in the centerish part of the background square and all other circles place randomly.

Press to background – follow your interfacing instructions - If circle does not hold - use glue to attach to the white square while you stitch around to secure to background fabric

Topstitch close to edge of circle – no more than 1/8^th inch in from edge – straight stitch - Aurifil colors as follows if you have it, if not any white thread for the top stitching. Natural White - 2021 or White - 2024 to top stitch around circle.

5-8 circles per square - Other circles random placement

Leave 1.5” around space at edges of block - I’ll be trimming to 15.5” so they finish at 15”.

Thanks Everyone!  I retire on 8/15 and I'm looking forward to putting this one together with all of your beautiful fabrics!

Lisa...