Stash Bee FYI: Making fabric choices -- quality, color, style

With sign-ups opening on October 9th, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the aspects of the Stash Bee to those who have not participated previously but are interested in signing up for 2015. These posts will all be linked on our Rules and FAQ pages. If you have questions, please leave them as comments on any of this week's posts and I will do a question round-up post next week. -- Alison


One of the biggest complaints that participants have about the blocks that they receive is that someone used poor quality fabrics to create them. Often, people use the poor quality fabric they have on hand because it is the right color OR they purposefully buy discount fabric to save themselves money. I think the first happens more often than the second, but both occur, unfortunately.

How do you differentiate poor quality fabric from good quality fabric? Here's some helpful pointers.
1. Blocks made for the Stash Bee must be 100% cotton quilting fabric.
2. I would tend to trust anything that came from a shop that is dedicated to quilting fabric -- whether a local brick and mortar store or an online shop. Most of us know the "big brands" -- Moda, Free Spirit, Robert Kaufman, etc. -- that always provide high quality products so it is a  good idea to check who the manufacturer is when you're shopping online.
3. If the fabric comes from a craft store (JoAnn, Hancock, etc.) I would be rather wary and inspect the fabric before buying it and/or using it in a Stash Bee block.
4. Compare the feeling of fabric you know to be good quality fabric to what you're unsure of. Is it rough? Does it have a very low thread count? Does it seem extremely thin? If you answered "yes" to any of those questions, you might want to reconsider.

Another complaint from members is that their hive mates did not use the fabric styles that they requested to be used in their blocks. This is a sticky issue. First, hive mates should be following their Queen Bee's requests as closely as possible -- that's just good etiquette. However, as this is the Stash Bee, participants are not required to go out and purchase fabric to complete their blocks. If you feel the fabric in your stash doesn't closely match your Queen Bee's requests, then you should contact her and see how flexible she would be given your current stash. More than likely you can come up with a solution. For example, if Audrey is the Queen Bee and requests that we use a pink floral print for our blocks and I have no pink floral, the right thing to do is to tell Audrey my situation and see if there are any fabrics that I do have that might work.

Note: there will more than likely be a few times that you might have to buy fabric if your colors/styles aren't what the queen bee is looking for. If Sarah is the Queen Bee and requests that we make blocks that have purple in them and I have absolutely no purple in my stash, it would be the wrong thing to make her a blue block because it is "close enough". In this situation you could purchase purple fabric, ask the Queen Bee to send you some purple fabric, swap with a friend or guild mate for purple fabric, or request an angel block for that month (by the deadline, of course!).


The following is a brief list of some common styles of fabric in the quilting world that people sometimes have strong feelings for or against but in no way is a complete list. The purpose of this list is to educate anyone who is new to the quilting world and may be unfamiliar with all of these terms. Your queen bee will tell you what types of fabric to use and what types to avoid. Use your best judgement when picking fabrics from your stash for the blocks that you will make and err on the side of caution when necessary.

Batik: Batik fabric is made from a repeated process of dying and using wax as a resist on fabric. Batik fabrics often have patterns that look mottled, may incorporate floral or botanical motifs, as well as what I would call "tribal" type prints.

Civil War: Civil War fabrics are fabrics that reproduce patterns and prints that would have been popular during the 1850s-1870s in the USA. Often times these are somewhat darker fabrics, often using paisley and other florish type motifs. White backgrounds are not often found with civil war fabrics. A modern designer that produces Civil War style fabrics is Barbara Brackman.

1930s: This type of fabric is often bright and use white much more significantly than Civil War style fabrics. Many 1930s prints are small scale florals or geometric prints-- 1930s fabrics don't often incorporate very large scale prints, unlike many modern designers.

Holiday: This is rather self explanatory -- holiday fabrics have motifs that recognize a particular holiday. Unless your queen bee specifically permits or requests holiday fabrics for her blocks, you should not be using holiday fabrics.


Novelty: Novelty and holiday fabrics often go hand in hand. Novelty fabrics are not usually subtle. They often have characters, animals, people, fruits, vegetables, specific careers, sports teams, etc. etc. etc. These should be avoided as well unless your Queen Bee requests them.

Florals: have flowers and botanical motifs -- pretty self explanatory.

Text Prints: have words/letters on them -- again, self explanatory.

Tone on tone prints: patterned prints that often look like a solid at a distance or if you would squint. Often referred to as "blender" fabrics.


Remember that when it comes your turn to be Queen Bee you are NOT allowed to ask for your hive mates to use a particular brand and color of fabric to complete your blocks. For example, you may ask your hive to use a white background, but you may not ask everyone to use Kona White. If you desire to have all of your blocks to have identical background fabric you have the option to send out fabric to each one of your hive mates to use in completing the block. You are also not permitted to ask for a particular designer or line. You are more than welcome to reference fabric lines for your color palette but you are not allowed to request that hive mates use fabric from it.


Missed some of our other Stash Bee FYI posts? Click over to the FAQ page!

Stash Bee FYI: Block construction, quality, and style

With sign-ups opening on October 9th, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the aspects of the Stash Bee to those who have not participated previously but are interested in signing up for 2015. These posts will all be linked on our Rules and FAQ pages. If you have questions, please leave them as comments on any of this week's posts and I will do a question round-up post next week. -- Alison

What kind of blocks can I expect to make in the Stash Bee?
The short answer is anything and everything!

The current Stash Bee rules allow the Queen Bees to pick any block for their hive mates to make that fits the following parameters:

• One block can be completed in 1.5 hours


• The block does not require the purchase of specialty tools/supplies unless provided by the Queen


• The block is smaller than or equal to 16" finished

Here's a quick look at all of the Stash Bee blocks that I have made from November 2012 to August 2014.

I've made precisely pieced blocks, foundation paper pieced blocks, string blocks, applique blocks, wonky freeform blocks, and some in between.

One of the best things about the Stash Bee is the potential to learn new techniques and push yourself as a quilter. And even if the block requested by the Queen bee that month is too modern or too traditional for your tastes, it is always good to go out of your comfort zone and test the waters. You will more than likely encounter blocks that are difficult for you in the Stash Bee. I had never done machine applique before I joined the stash bee nor had I ever made anything remotely wonky (GASP!) and now I enjoy both!

Most months, the Queen Bee will have chosen a specific block in a specific color palette that she would like you to make. Other months the Queen bee may be more general with her request -- for example, she may give you a color palette and request that you make any star block of your choosing.

I'd like to also point out that the vast majority of these blocks were made entirely from my stash and scrap bin and that I have rarely felt the need to go out and purchase additional fabrics. On occasion I have, but this is not the norm for me as I have a rather large scrap stash to work from most of the time. You are not required to go out and purchase additional fabric for your blocks as this is the Stash Bee BUT you should do your absolute best to adhere to the fabric color and fabric style requests given by your Queen Bee.

One of the reasons why I encourage everyone to read and review tutorials early in the month is so that you have time to troubleshoot if necessary. Encountering a new technique does not permit you to send a poorly constructed block to a Queen Bee. Take the time to make a test block (or at least test the technique) if you have any hesitations. There are tutorials on YouTube and quilting blogs for every technique imaginable!

Remember your good sewing techniques -- making bee blocks for others is not a place for haphazard sewing, cutting, measuring, etc. Many blocks will require an accurate (or scant) 1/4" seam and/or seam matching to obtain a properly sized and properly constructed block. These are basic quilting skills that no one, even master quilters, should take for granted. I know when we are making things for ourselves we might judge things to be “close enough” but please remember to be sending your best work to your Queen Bees. This is not to say one must rip out a seam and resew it to perfection, but pinning and/or glue basting may be necessary even if it pains us to do so. Your Queen Bees will thank you and return the favor!

If you have any questions or concerns, please comment below! 


Missed some of our other Stash Bee FYI posts? Click over to the FAQ page!

Stash Bee FYI: Participant roles and expectations in the Stash Bee

With sign-ups opening on October 9th, I thought it would be worthwhile to explain some of the aspects of the Stash Bee to those who have not participated previously but are interested in signing up for 2015. These posts will all be linked on our Rules and FAQ pages. If you have questions, please leave them as comments on any of this week's posts and I will do a question round-up post next week. -- Alison


In the Stash Bee, there are different roles that we all play as participants. This post will hopefully explain what is expected of participants and explain some of what we do behind the scenes to make sure that the Stash Bee runs smoothly. Please review if you are considering signing up for the Stash Bee in 2015.


Hive Members
Everyone who is assigned a spot in the Stash Bee is a Hive Member. There are eleven (11) members assigned to each hive, each person is also assigned their month to be Queen Bee. Hive members are responsible each month to make the block of the Queen Bee's choosing and mail it on or by the last day of each month. 


If a hive member is unable to make a block for a given month and would like to request an Angel block, she/he must do so by the 7th of that month by sending an email to her Hive Mama. Angel blocks should only be requested when a person has extenuating circumstances -- not when a person just needs a break from making bee blocks or if they don't feel like making the block for a given month because they don't like it or they think it is too hard. Any hive member can volunteer to be an angel block maker for the month and everyone is welcome to make multiple blocks for Queen Bees at any time.


When your block is complete, you should post a blog post on the Stash Bee blog with a picture of your completed block. You should also let your Queen Bee for that month know when it goes in the mail -- often times, this is done in the blog post -- ie, "I dropped this in the mail today" etc. Your Queen Bee should let you know when your block has arrived.


Queen Bees
Everyone assigned to a spot in the Stash Bee will have one month where they are the Queen Bee for the month. This means that they will have picked a block, put together a test block and accompanying tutorial for a blog post that will be posted on the first day of the month that they are assigned. Queen bees are responsible for picking a block that can be made in 1.5 hours or less, is smaller than 16"finished (16.5" unfinished) square, does not require members to purchase uncommon tools/patterns, etc.


The tutorial should have pictures of the steps necessary to complete the block and address any parts of the directions that may need clarification. If a tutorial for a block that is published elsewhere is picked, you should still have pictures of the block in progress/completed and explain any steps that may be unclear in the original tutorial. The tutorial post by the Queen Bee should also have a color inspiration mosaic, designseeds type color palette, or a picture of a fabric pull in the colors you are requesting for your block.


Queen Bees should let their Hive Mates know when their blocks have arrived and keep track of whose blocks they have and have not received. Once all of the blocks have been received, Queen bees should let the Hive Mama know.


If someone is behind on their blocks for previous months, they are not allowed to take their turn as Queen Bee until they have completed all of their delinquent months' blocks.


Hive Mamas
Hive Mamas are the caretakers of each hive in the Stash Bee. There is one Hive Mama for each Hive in the Stash Bee and their month as Queen Bee is January. Hive Mamas are responsible for communicating with their hives on a regular basis (typically twice a month is sufficient) to keep everyone in the loop.


Hive Mamas are responsible for keeping track of which of their hive mates have posted blocks each month and should note if any were posted or mailed late. Angel Block requests are also sent to the Hive Mama; the Hive Mama can choose how to ask for Angel block volunteers within her own hive.


Any in-hive concerns should first be addressed to the Hive Mama who will then determine if the issue needs to be addressed with the Bee Mama. Hive Members should feel free to address their concerns to the Hive Mama regarding block quality, fabric quality, responsiveness of hive mates, promptness of hivemates, etc.


Bee Mama
The person that oversees the entire Stash Bee is the Bee Mama. For 2015, Alison (littlebunnyquilts @ gmail.com) is the Bee Mama.


The Bee Mama manages sign-ups for the Stash Bee in the fall and assigns Hive Mamas and Hive members to each hive. The Bee Mama communicates with the Hive Mamas on a regular basis to troubleshoot issues facing the bee at large. The Bee Mama helps Hive Mamas with in-hive issues when requested. The Queen Bee is also the Hive Mama for Hive #1 and fills any vacancies within the hives should they occur.




Missed some of our other Stash Bee FYI posts? Click over to the FAQ page!

Hive 7 August Blocks

Super fun blocks in primary colors for Tiffany!
(I think I tagged everyone correctly.)

1. Sylvia 2. Emma 3. Jenn

4. Audrey 5. Carly 6. Maureen

Hive #2 July Butterfly Blocks

And the final installment ... Hive #2 July Butterfly blocks for Meghan:

1.  (big) Jansen

Bottom (L to R): 2-3:  Mandy, 4-5. Vickie

Side (top to bottom):  6.  Abigail, 7. Dana, 8. Jessamie, 9. Dana, 10. Heather

Hive #2 June Fire Blocks

Here is the second installment of Hive #2 catch-up.  Fire Blocks for Tiffany in June.

1. Abigail, 2. Dana

3. Heather, 4. Jessamie

5. Mandy, 6. Meghan

Side (top to bottom): 7-8. Jansen, 9. Mandy, 10. Vickie

Hive #2 May Road to Tennessee Blocks

Today I'm playing a little catch-up.  These are the Hive #2 blocks from way back in May.  Road To Tennessee for Lisa ...

1-2. Abigail, 3-4. Dana

5-6. Jansen, 7-8. Heather

9. Jesasmie, 10. Lisa, 11-12. Mandy

12-14. Meghan, 15-16. Vickie

Hive 12 August Blocks

Hive 12 had a relaxing August with these simple, but striking, double pinwheel blocks for Toni:

Hive 7 July Blocks

Hive 7 July Blocks--WOO!

1. Carly 2. Maureen 3. Audrey

4. Audrey 5. Jenn 6. Tiffany

7. Sylvia 8. Emma

Hive 11 - September - Angela

What is your name?  Angela Gubler, also known as The Green Apricot

Where do you live?  Just south of Atlanta, Georgia

Tell us about your family.  I’m very grateful to have been married to a wonderful man for the last 7 ½ years.  We have very busy lives between work, church and children, so we like to travel at least a couple of times a year to get away a little bit.  We have seven kids between us.  Only one boy, who happens to be in the middle of serving a two-year mission in Brazil.  When we got married the kids were between the ages of 8-18, and six of them lived with us.  With a dog.  Since then we have very sadly lost the dog, but gained two SILs, three incredible grandchildren, and three granddogs, although it is probably a little extreme to claim the dogs.  It's a great, albeit crazy and sometimes difficult, life.

 Tell us about how you got interested in quilting.  My first experiences with quilting were when I was a teenager.  We tied quilts at church activities for people who were having babies, and once for a women's shelter.  That was it.  I was hooked on my two favorite things.  Quilting and service.  I played around with the idea of quilting for a few years, and then took my first class when I was pregnant with my first child (the only boy).  That class was almost 22 years ago.

How do you organize your fabric stash? "Organized" is such a loose term, don't you think?  Haha- I will put it this way- you may walk into my studio and think it isn't organized, but believe me, it is, and if you move anything, I might have to hurt somebody.  Seriously, I do keep most of my fabric in two large PAX wardrobe units from IKEA.  I fitted each with pullout drawers and shelving so that I could see the stash fairly easily, although I do have to stand on a stool for the top ones.  Other than that, I still have a couple of plastic bins I am trying to whittle down and get rid of, and I also have lingering piles here and there that are WIPs.  As for what order the fabrics are in, they are mostly grouped by either intended projects or style.  For instance, there is a whole drawer of 3 Sisters by Moda (very traditional, I know), a drawer of batiks, a drawer of novelties, a drawer of moderns, etc.

Who is/are your favorite fabric designers?  I know this is dumb, but I really don't have favorites.  I love fabric.  I love traditional.  I love modern.  I love it all.  But, I do have an autographed poster of Kaffe in my studio. 

What is one thing you have learned that you wish you knew when you first started quilting?  That's a hard question because it really has been such an evolution, but I think proper binding is probably it.  While I don't know that my binding is absolutely perfect now, but that's what bothers me most about my old quilts.  (I have one that the binding is about 1/4" finished.  I struggled with that one.)

What is your favorite sewing/quilting tool and why should we all go out and buy it?  Any ruler made by Creative Grids.  I love rulers.  I have a hoard of them.  And every time I pick one up that wasn't produced by Creative Grids, I think to myself "I wish Creative Grids made this ruler."  They are well made, and I love the nonslip pads on them.  I also love that they are marked well.  They also make so many specialty rulers, and I haven't met one yet that I didn't like.

Who is your favorite fictional character and why? Most of my life, until just a few months ago, I would answer this question with Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables.  You only have to know me a few minutes to know why this is true.  Even though I don't have red hair.  But, I have to say that after years of badgering by my daughters to read the Twilight series, I finally did a few months ago.  I didn't love the movies, so I didn't think I would like the books, but I was totally wrong.  Loved them.  Now I think that Bella Swan is my favorite.  Not very deep, I know, but real life is crazy enough, I’m okay with a little candy when it comes to my fiction.

So, I'm pretty excited about this tutorial.  I love goofy hashtags, even though I know people think it's lame.  I couldn't care less.  I love them.  Hence this block- Hijacked Hashtag.  There are probably real patterns out there, but I thought of this one a few months ago and thought it couldn't be easier, so it would be perfect for Stash Bee.  Look out, this block is addicting and easy- I made 4 in less than an hour.

My only rules-

1) Have fun and let go, but to be successful, read all of the directions first.

2) Use quality fabrics and 1/4" seam allowance.

3) Stick with neutral fabrics (greys, tans, blacks, creams, etc.), and the background should be lighter than the hashtag.

4) Do not, I repeat, do not, trim down your block.  I will trim when I have all of the blocks and can see how much they vary in size.  I hope to be able to have 10" unfinished blocks, so if you can keep that in mind, it would be great.

5) Use rotary cutting tools, but keep in mind that you aren't really worried about measuring as much as you are about cutting straight.  While the cuts themselves must be straight, they do not have to be parallel to the edge of the block.  In fact, I would prefer if there is a little wonk to your cut.  This will scare the crap out of some people, but I promise, it will be okay.

For one block, you will need:

(1) 10" square of background fabric

(4) 3/4"-2" x 15" strips of hashtag fabric (careful not to cut them smaller or larger than the indicated sizes)

Block construction:

1) Using rotary cutting tools, make a vertical cut through the background fabric square about 2-2 1/2" from one edge.  You may want to use a pin to mark either side of the cut so that if your pieces get turned around, you will know which is which.

2) Now that you have two pieces of background fabric, sew each one to either side of one strip of hashtag fabric by lining up top edges.  (In making this block, always line up top edges.)  Press seam allowances to the dark.

3) Repeat step 1 from the opposite side of the first hashtag mark.

4) Repeat step 2 using another strip of hashtag fabric.

5) Rotate block so that the hashtag marks are now horizontal.

6) Repeat steps 1 and 2.

7) Repeat steps 3 and 4.

8) You're done!

If my directions were clear, this should be a super easy block and not take much time at all.  I hope you enjoy!