Finished Quilt - 2025 - Hive 2

 I had this top completed in April 2025, but only got around to quilting and binding it recently. I am happy about how it turned out. Thanks to all for the blocks!

 

Gayle

Happy November!

Julia has a plan in mind for a future Hive project so I did a little block exploration on her behalf. I hope these blocks work out and lead to a successful collection of blocks in 2026!

Marie

Hive1 November Block for Marie

 Hi Marie,

I just realised, I forgot to take pictures! I was so sure I did :(.

Well, you asked for more Tree-Blocks, so I made three 🌳🌲🌳. Hope the colours go with what you are aiming for with the quilt. 

Some of the scraps come from left-over fabric I had from taking a workshop with Lorena Uriarte this September, so those came all the way from Australia! 🐨

I put the blocks in the post on Monday, so they are already on the way to you. 📮

Happy sewing,

Rita

Hive 5, November Tutorial - Scrappy (Almost) Bear Paw Block

Can you believe it's November already? Or finally? 

This month I am requesting that you all make a not quite completed Scrappy Bear Paw Block. Instead of a completed traditional block like the one below, I am asking that you only make the 4 "paws".  This will allow me to mix your paws with my paws and the paws of the others to get a very mixed up, scrappy look.  It also saves you fabric as well as some time cutting and sewing. 

I love Bear Paw blocks, they are simple in their construction, even a beginner could make them. They can look modern and cheerful when made with bright fabrics, vintage or traditional by changing the colors. They can be feminine or masculine. 

This is what I am asking you to make.  

 

Below is what the completed block will look like, As you can see, what you will be making is not quite "finished" as it's lacking the sashing and center cornerstone. 

 

Because you are sending separate paws you can make them all the same, you can use the same fabrics just mixed up in each block, or you can make each block completely different. It's up to you. 

I do ask that you not duplicate a fabric in a block and instead use 8 different fabrics, not counting the background fabric. The 4 blocks above were made from 9 different colored fabrics, not counting the background fabric. 

For the fabrics I am looking for bright colors either prints or tone on tones that have good contrast against the background fabric.  Please no brown, gray, white, or neon.  Below is a photo of some suggested colors and fabrics to add to what is shown in the photo of the "paws" above.

For the background I am wanting black fabric, it can be solid or a tone on tone. Feel free to use one or multiple different black fabrics for the background. Please don't use fabrics with colors other than black, no white on black, gray on black, black with colors, etc. The backgrounds should read as black. 

 

You will be making 4 paws so in total you will need:

16 colored squares, it can be 4 each of 4 colors or any variety you choose

16 half square triangles of a background and a color, 4 each of 4 colors or any variety you choose

4 black squares  

 

Cutting 

16   2 1/2" squares from the colored fabrics

4    2 1/2"  squares from the black background fabric

8    3" squares from the colored fabrics (or whatever your preferred method calls for to make 16   2 1/2" half square triangles)

8    3" squares from the black background fabric (or whatever your method calls for to make 16   2 1/2" half square triangles)

 

Making the 16 Half Square Triangle Blocks please use the method that works best for you.  This is the method I used, it makes 2 half square triangles at a time:

Using the 3" squares of colored fabrics draw a line from one corner down the center of the square to the opposite corner. Place a colored square and a black square right sides together. Sew a 1/4" from the line on each side.  Cut the block in half on the drawn line, you will now have 2 half square triangles.  Open, press seam to the dark side, trim to 2 1/2". Make 16 of these.  

 

Assemble Rows of Blocks

 

 

 

Row 1  Will be a black square, then 2 half square triangles (watch the direction of your triangles, ask me how I know...) Press seams all going the same direction.

Row 2  will be 1 Half Square Triangle, then 2 colored squares, press seams opposite direction of Row 1

Row 3 will be 1 Half Square Triangle, then 2 colored squares, press seams in same direction of Row 1

Sew the rows together in the order listed.

Press the block, it should measure 6 1/2", make 4 of these

 

 

I hope you all enjoy making these blocks! I look forward to seeing what you all come up with!

Thank you -  Bretta

 

Hive 1 October Bat Block for Jai

 

Hi Jai,

No Halloween Fabric to be found in my stash. Hope these have the vibe, though. they were fun to make and are already on their way to you.

Have a lovely, colourful autumn time.

Happy quilting,

Rita

Bat Block for Jai

Hello Jai,

I went as "Halloween" as I could, without any Halloween fabric!

I appreciate the challenge of getting the wings to mirror each other😉

Thanks for this fun tutorial and the lovely cat pictures!

Marie

HIVE 3 October Stars Tutorial

 Hi all,

I am Annemieke and I’m October’s Queen bee. This is my first year being part of the hive and every month I have enjoyed everyone’s blocks. Everyone’s talent is amazing.

This month I am asking everyone to make a star block of their choice. My favorite color is purple and I’m asking for a 12” finished/12 1/2” unfinished star block using purples with white or white on white backgrounds.

One of my favorite star blocks is the Lemoyne Star.

To make this block you need to cut 8 4 1/8” blocks of both the background and main fabric.

1. Place a background and main fabric right sides together. Mark a diagonal and stitch on each side of the diagonals 1/4”.

2. Cut along the marked diagonal.

3. Press the seam toward the dark fabric.

4. Square each block to 3 1/2”.

Place each hst according to the picture and chain stitch each row.

Press each rows seams alternating left and right so the row seams will nest when you sew them together.

Press each rows seam open and voila, you have a beautiful Lemoyne star block.

Maple Star Quilt Block

Other possible choices for star blocks can be found at the following links

https://www.scrapish.com/easy-star-quilt-blocks.html 

http://www.delawarequilts.com/index.html

You can also design your own block.

I think I might make this block again using only two colors of purple so the inner star stands out.

I’m really looking forward to seeing what everyone makes.

Annemieke

Hive 1 September Friendship Star Block for Caitlin

 

Hi Caitlin,

HSTs and myself are not on friendly terms, nonetheless, I managed to get some Friendship Stars out of them. 😁

These blocks go on their way to you today.

Happy sewing,

Rita

Frienship Stars for Caitlin

Hi Caitlin,

I hope these blocks work well for you and find their place in your collection of "Friendship Stars"!

Happy Quilting!

Marie

August Hive 1, Book Shelf Block for Abby

 

Hi Abby,

I couldn't resist adding some titles... I read voraciously since my early teens, but I haven't made a book shelf quilt yet, probably, because it would remind me of the many, many boxes of books I left behind, when I moved to Ireland over 20 years ago.

Hope you're going to enjoy snuggling under all those 'fabric books' :).
These books are shipping out to you today.

Happy quilting,

Rita

Crashing Hive 3 - Halloween Bear Paw block for Maree

 Halloween fabrics are my obsession and I loved making this bear paw block for Maree.  Sorry it's a bit late.

Hive 6 - August Tutorial - Halloween No Point Stars for Susan

 

I am obsessed with Halloween fabric 🎃.  This month we're using the same Cluck Cluck Sew No Point Stars pattern that was posted by Meghan last month, except we're celebrating a different holiday - Halloween 👻.  The original tutorial can be found here.

 

                                                       Halloween fabrics of many colors

Fabric

• Halloween prints please; no solids, batiks or licensed characters (Marvel, Peanuts, etc.) with one exception - Jack Skellington is allowed. 
• Option 1 - two Halloween fabrics of any color/pattern, one for the star and one for the background; there should be obvious contrast between the two. The center square of the star should feature the same fabric as the points - this is different from the original tutorial.
• Option 2 - one Halloween fabric for the star, and a background print that reads black, gray, orange, black and white or something similar (it can be a combo of these colors), see palette below for inspo.
• PLEASE save and send the trimmed star point corners! 

 

Cutting

Star  Halloween fabric	1 - 4 inch square    8 - 3 inch squares
Background Halloween or coordinating fabric	8 - 4 inch squares

Construction

A note about pressing:  I tend to press seams open but will mix it up as I see fit; do as you like.  Please use 1/4 in. seams throughout. 

1.  Draw a diagonal line on the back of the star fabric 3 in. squares, or use whatever method you prefer in order to sew a line along the diagonal.  The fabric shown happens to be directional, so I marked half the squares one direction, and half the opposite direction. 
   
    
   
2. With right sides together align one of the marked squares with the corner of a background square, the line reaching from raw edge to raw edge, and sew along the line.  

   

   
   
3. Towards the outside corner, trim 1/4 inch away from the seam; flip and press the star  point. 
   
   
   
4.  On the opposite corner, complete steps 2 and 3 again 
   
   
   
5.  Repeat these steps 3 more times for a total of 4 star point blocks.   Please save and send the trimmed star point corners
   
   
   
   
6.  Arrange the squares in a 9-patch pattern; sew the 3 squares in each row together, then  sew the rows together.  Press the seams as you like.  Your block should measure around 11 inches square.  
   

And you're done!  Thanks for sewing for me 😊

 

 

PS: when sewn together the small scrap triangles will make 2.25 inch (unfinished) HSTs that I plan to use for a postage-stamp type quilt inspired by this Halloween masterpiece.

Hive 1 Christmas Gnomes for Beth

 

Hi Beth! These were a lot of fun to make! I couldn’t find my Heat N Bond, so you’ve got a pair of noseless gnomes coming your way :)

Merry Christmas in July!

Christmas in July for Beth, Hive 1

 

Hi Beth,

Hope you like those gnomes. I've had only bits and pieces left from previous Christmas themed fabric bundles, but tried to make it work.

These guys are going into the post today to make their way over the big pond.

Happy quilting,

Rita

Hive 5 Tutorial for July- Sampler

 July 6" Sampler Squares

This year, I am grateful to ask your help in making a sampler quilt for my nephew, Danny. 

I thought I would start with a little bit of information about the recipient. Danny is a 10-year-old boy who loves his family and his pets. He has two dogs, one cat, and three siblings, and loves being a big brother. His favorite subject is math, and his favorite colors are green and blue. He likes baseball and playing video games, but he is the kind of kid who does not answer his ringing iPad when friends call if he is spending time with his family. For Danny, nothing tastes better than his grandma's home cooking--he especially loves his grandma's turkey burgers or cheese tacos. 

I hope this provides you with some inspiration!

The Quilt

I struggled to come up with an idea for what to make Danny, and I finally decided on a sampler quilt. I already have a good number of 12" squares, and I would like your help to make 6" squares to mix in. The plan is to mix up blocks of different sizes. You can make ANY 6" (finished size) block you'd like. They should be 6.5" unfinished. Generations Quilt Patterns has a lot of options for inspiration.

These are some of the 12" blocks that I have received from another swap for this project.

Fabric Parameters: 

I am using Danny's favorite colors in this quilt: Blue and Green. If you need an additional background color, please use light to medium grey. 

Please avoid: 

• Florals 
• Girly themes (shoes, lipstick, etc)
• Overly childish themes (I want the quilt to grow with him)
• Greens that lean toward olive or mint. I am looking for brightly saturated green

Here is my fabric pull for the project. You can see batiks, light denim, solids, patterns, and blenders.

Tutorial

As I mentioned above, any 6" block is perfect! You can use traditional piecing, FPP, appliqué, improve, you name it. Just make sure the unfinished size is 6.5". For the sake of this tutorial, I am going to lead you through making a Double Pin Wheel from Generations Quilt Patterns.

Step 1: Cut Fabric

• Background - Cut (1) 4.5" square, then subcut it twice diagonally, corner to corner. You now have 4 triangles.
• Accent Color - Cut (1) 4.5" square, then subcut it twice diagonally, corner to corner. You now have 4 triangles.
• Main Color - Cut (2) 4" squares, then cut each once diagonally. You now have four larger triangles

Here are my cuts. The grey is the background; the green is the accent, and the blue is the main color.

Step 2: QST

With right sides together, align the edges of one background triangle with one accent fabric triangle. Stitch them together along a straight edge (not the bias) to form a quarter square triangle. Press to the darker fabric. Repeat with three other sets.

Here is what my QSTs look like.

Step 2: Quarter Units

Sew each QST to a larger, main fabric triangle. Be careful and make sure all of your smaller units look the same. Trim to 3.5" inches. 

If you've sewn everything correctly, you can easily make a pinwheel by rotating each block 90 degrees 

 

This is what it looks like when you mess up. Try not to do this!

Step 3: Assemble Block

Sew units together so that they create the double pinwheel block. Press the rows in alternating directions so the seams nest. Press however is most comfortable for you, and trim to 6.5". 

Here is my finished double pinwheel! Thanks for sewing, and I am looking forward to seeing what you come up with. 

Note that I my centers do not line up perfectly. I don't mind if yours are a little off either :)