Hive 7- April Tutorial - Space Block for Bonnie

Hi, Everyone! My name is Bonnie and this is my second year participating in Stash Bee. As per usual, I agonized over what to do when my turn came around, so once again, I turned to my Hive for help. With all their awesome feedback, I'm now pretty excited about this one.

The Plan:

With your help, I would like to create a space-themed sampler quilt. I have found that I absolutely love samplers, because I love making lots of different types of blocks, trying new patterns and techniques, and putting them all together like a puzzle. So for this quilt, I’d love it if you could make ANY block(s) you want that fits the theme. Think stars, constellations, planets, spaceships, black holes, eclipses, suns, meteors, comets, aliens (if you can figure out how to make me a xenomorph, we will be friends forever, haha), moons, galaxies, or anything else you can think of. Use whatever techniques you’d like. Straight piecing, curved piecing, big pieces, tiny pieces, FPP, EPP, applique, crumb piecing, string piecing, seriously whatever. Be as creative (or not) as you want to be. I’d like it to be more “adult” so please avoid things like astronaut cats. Words/phrases could be okay, too, depending. The pattern itself does NOT have to be space-themed. If you hate stars, just try to aim for space-y colors and do a row of flying geese or something for filler.

Colors & Prints:

I’m envisioning BOLD, BRIGHT colors against a BLACK background for maximum “poppage.” I made that word up, but you get it, yeah? Take a look at my inspiration collage below. Notice that there is not any green, which is shocking because green is my favorite color. Please avoid green (😭).

 

While I also LOVE botanical prints, I don’t feel they are in keeping with the theme, so please avoid florals, leaves, trees, and the like. Blenders, geometric designs, stars, dots, etc. would all be appropriate prints for this. Novelty science prints COULD be okay, but please use your best judgement re: whether they read adult or juvenile. If you think you have something really fitting, but worry about the appropriateness, feel free to send me a picture, because I often bend rules. Heh…

Background: Please use white on black prints, black on black prints, bold colors on black prints, or solid black prints for the background. Please make sure they read black and not gray or navy. SUPER dark grey is okay.

Celestial Spacy Stuff: I’m super eloquent. Please use Maroon, Firey Orange, Yellow, Teal, Blue, Purple, Magenta, White, etc. Please NO green. Teal/turquoise OKAY. If you’re doing something made of metal, like a spaceship, please stick to realistic greys. As you can see below, I have too much fabric I like basically everything, including batiks, metallics, etc. So don’t worry yourself overmuch-- Just avoid florals and other botanical and novelty prints.

Pressing

Please press to one side. It's just my preference. Thank you!

Go Forth and Create...

...If you feel inspired. If you're not sure what you want to do and could use some ideas, scroll to the bottom where I've listed tons of free theme-y patterns and tutorials. If you hate this, keep reading and make one of the blocks from my two tutorials below.

Tutorials

Now for those of you who prefer to not be given free reign and would like to just be told exactly what to do I have written up a couple of simple star block tutorials. I envision lots of stars in this quilt, so stars of all sorts are welcome.

OPTION ONE – FRIENDSHIP STAR

This is just a nine-patch with a few Half Square Triangles (HSTs).

Cutting:

	FINISHED SIZE
SQUARES	3” Block	4.5” Block	6” Block	7.5” Block
BLACK background	(4) 1.5” (2) 1 7/8”	(4) 2” (2) 2 3/8”	(4) 2.5” (2) 2 7/8”	(4) 3” (2) 3 3/8”
COLOR or WHITE	(1) 1.5” (2) 1 7/8”	(1) 2” (2) 2 3/8”	(1) 2.5” (2) 2 7/8”	(1) 3” (2) 3 3/8”

 These instructions use the traditional method of making HSTs, but many stars use multiples of four, so the 4-at-a-time technique where you sew all the way around the square and then cut on both diagonals or the 8-at-a-time method that I’ve personally never tried may be more your speed. You can also make the HST Squares 1/8” larger and just trim more if you don’t mind the waste. My favorite method is to use the essential triangle tool by Bonnie Hunter. Use whatever method you’re comfortable with!

Make the HSTs:

Put two squares right sides together. Draw a line from corner to corner. Or be super rebellious like me and just lop those babies in half and risk bias stretching when you sew them. I hate taking my seam guide off my machine if I don’t have to.

 

 

If you prefer to follow the “rules” go ahead and sew ¼” from the line on each side of the square and THEN cut on the line. Please press to the dark side. It is the only way you can save your friends. Apologies to all of the open-seam supporters and anyone who doesn’t like Star Wars.

Trim to the appropriate size, which is the same size as the plain square blocks.

Lay out the squares and HSTs and then sew into rows. Please press toward the squares (away from the HSTs).

Sew the rows together with nesting seams. Please press away from the center.

 

Voilà!

 

OPTION TWO – OHIO STAR

This is just like the friendship star, but with Quarter Square Triangles (QSTs) aka Hourglass units instead of HSTs.

Cutting:

	FINISHED SIZE
SQUARES	4.5” Block	6” Block	7.5” Block	9” Block
BLACK background	(4) 2” (1) 2 7/8”	(4) 2.5” (1) 3 3/8”	(4) 3” (1) 3 7/8”	(4) 3.5” (1) 4 3/8”
COLOR A	(1) 2”	(1) 2.5”	(1) 2.5”	(1) 3.5”
COLOR B	(1) 2 7/8”	(1) 3 3/8”	(1) 3 7/8”	(1) 4 3/8”
COLOR C	(2) 2 7/8”	(2) 3 3/8”	(2) 3 7/8”	(2) 4 3/8”

See my spiel on HSTs (also relevant for QSTs) in the option 1 tutorial.

Make the HSTs:

Follow the method listed above in Option 1. You should be pairing a black background square with a C Square and a B square with a C square. 

Press toward COLOR C or away from Color C, just be consistent with all of them. In this case I pressed AWAY from Color C.

Put two HSTs right sides together. So that the seams nest and Color C triangles are opposite each other. 

Again draw a line from corner to corner, perpedicular to the seam. Sew ¼” from the line on each side of the square and then cut on the line. Or be rebellious 😉. Please press towards the side with the black background triangle or be fancy and spin the seam. Trim to the appropriate size, which is the same size as Color A squares.

Lay out the squares and QSTs and then sew into rows. Please press toward the squares (away from the QSTs).

Join the rows together by nesting the seams. Please press away from the center.

 

Fin!

Free Patterns/Tutorials

For those of you who are down with this challenge, but have NO idea where to start (I get it, I’m super indecisive myself), below are some FREE patterns for star blocks and theme-y stuff that might inspire you:

If you fancy STARS:

•         Fast Flying Geese Sawtooth Star by Amy Smart @ Diary of a Quilter https://www.diaryofaquilter.com/fast-flying-geese-sawtooth-star/
• Tiny Wonky Star by Emedoodle of Mommy’s Nap Time http://mommysnaptime.blogspot.com/2011/02/tutorial-tiny-wonky-stars.html
• Bright Hopes Star Blocks by Fresh Lemon Quilts https://www.freshlemonsquilts.com/journal/solstice-stars-series-another-star
• Double Option Stars by Melanie Rudy @ Quilters Enjoy Color http://quiltersenjoycolor.blogspot.com/2013/09/double-option-stars.html
• Scrappy Rainbow Star by Melissa Corry of Happy Quilting http://www.happyquiltingmelissa.com/2012/12/scrappy-rainbow-star-tutorial.html
• Sun Block from APQS https://www.apqs.com/free-quilt-pattern-sunrise/
• Rocket Star Block by Sherry at Powered by Quilting https://poweredbyquilting.com/2019/05/03/rocket-star-quilt-block/
• So many star blocks here: https://www.generations-quilt-patterns.com/star-quilt-block-patterns.html#Blocks
• Several star blocks here @ Piece N Quilt https://www.pieceandquilt.com/2015/05/30-days-of-sewing-quilt-blocks-star.html
• Wombat Quilts has a TON of free FPP star patterns here and they are all SOOOO cool: https://wombatquilts.com/free-paper-piecing-patterns/

If you’re partial to PLANETS / MOONS:

•         Scrappy Drunkards Path by Center Street Quilts https://www.centerstreetquilts.com/drunkards-path-scrappy-circles-quilt-with-free-tutorial/
• Simple Circles by Andy @ A Bright Corner http://www.abrightcorner.com/2017/07/simple-circles-quilt-coming-up-roses.html
• Circles & Half Moons Afire by The Quilter’s Planner https://quiltersplanner.com/how-to-piece-circles-free-half-moons-afire-quilting-pattern/
• Full Circles from Yvonne @ Quilting Jet Girl https://quiltingjetgirl.com/2016/02/09/sewing-full-circles-tutorial/
• Dance With Me Applique from Quilting Daily https://www.quiltingdaily.com/quilt/dance-with-me-free-circle-applique-quilt-block-quilt/
• Improv Circles from She Can Quilt https://www.shecanquilt.ca/2017/01/improv-circles-2016-fal-tutorial.html
• Eclipse by AGF https://www.fatquartershop.com/eclipse-quilt-free-pdf-pattern

If you’re fond of SHIPS and STATIONS:

•         Star Wars ship/deathstar FPP patterns by Quiet Play – I especially love the geometric versions. https://payhip.com/b/YFVv
• Fandom in Stitches has some neat FPP Star Wars ships/stations if you scroll down a bit http://www.fandominstitches.com/2010/03/star-wars.html
• UFO Block by Monica Curry https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WOVjsMWPhip8ndUMTRoy5gt960zMqy4L/view
• FPP Rocket over at Handicrafty Sisters http://handicraftysisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/paper-pieced-rocket.html

If you’re a fan of other SPACE-Y THINGS:

•         Comet from Ruby Star Society (This is obviously way too big so you’d have to be comfortable scaling down and cropping) https://www.fatquartershop.com/comet-quilt-free-pdf-pattern
• Some cool blocks here that can fit the theme: https://quiltinspiration.blogspot.com/2022/09/free-pattern-day-rainbow-quilts.html
• This twisted log cabin looks pretty complicated if anyone is up for a challenge https://www.quiltingboard.com/tutorials-f10/twisted-log-cabin-t81954.html
• Snail Trail Block from FQS https://www.fatquartershop.com/snail-trail-quilt-block-free-pattern
• This Tula pattern is neat (One of the body portions, not the head) https://www.fatquartershop.com/serpentine-quilt-free-pdf-pattern
• Spiral Flying Geese https://www.freequiltpatterns.info/free-tutorial---spiral-geese-mini-quilt-by-janice-zeller.htm
  

Bonus Content

And finally, if you're still with me, while searching for all those tutorials above I found this cool article for about Karen Nyberg: http://quiltingdigest.com/one-of-these-blocks-was-made-on-the-space-station/

More about retired Astronaut / Artist Karen Nyburg: https://karennyberg.com/artist/

THANK YOU ALL, I AM SO EXCITED FOR ALL THE HAPPY MAIL!

💚 BONNIE aka @gingerbreaddscraps

P.S. I missed half my address in the address file when it was first sent out, so if you downloaded it BEFORE I corrected it, just an FYI that it is now correct. Also feel free to just PM me and I'll give you my address.

 

Hive 2, April Tutorial- Scrappy block for Kim

This block has been on my bucket list for seven years.  It was a Stashbee block for one of my hive mates in 2017, and I fell in love with it.  This is scrappy deliciousness for me.  I hope you are able to simply pull from your scrap stash for it, because that makes the block go together very quickly.   Below are two finished blocks.

You will need the following fabric:

Forty (40) 2-1/2” squares as scrappy as possible with bright colors, but that is only a preference.  Use what you have.

Two (2) 4-1/2” squares from low volume fabric with white background or white or white on white.

Two (2) 4-1/2 “ by 8-1/2” rectangles  from low volume fabric with white background or white or white on white.

Take the 2-1/2” inch squares and sew them into four patches.  They should measure 4-1/2” square. Then sew four of those together to make two sixteen patch blocks.  You will have two four patch blocks left.  Sew each of the four patches to the 4-1/2” inch square of low volume fabric.

Lay out the pieces as follows and sew them into rows. Sew the rows together to finish the block.  It should measure 16-1/4 “ inches.

Hive 6 Tutorial for April 2024 - Springtime Herringbone for Meg

Hi!  My name is Meg, and this is my second year participating in Stashbee.  I had so much fun last year and made amazing friends in my awesome hive, and this year has been just as enjoyable so far 💕💕!  This month I am asking my hive mates to make a herringbone unit for me using 4 half square triangles.  My inspiration for this block is from this tutorial: Easy Herringbone Quilt Tutorial with Half Square Triangles (scatteredthoughtsofacraftymom.com).  I really loved the ombre pink layout featured in that tutorial.  My tutorial is going to be a little bit different from the inspiration tutorial, but that link will give you an idea of what the final product may look like.  Here is a photo of 4 of my practice blocks together:

 

Fabric Selection:

I want my final product to be springy and girly 💅💮.  I am looking for bright pink, pastel pink, lavender, pastel blue, and bright blue in prints or solids.  I especially love small floral prints!  I am laid back about your fabric choices, and I love seeing everyone's first choice of fabric, rather than your first choice within really tight guidelines.  So, I have tried to make the pull encompass a wide range of fabrics.  Here is a picture of my fabric pull:

You will need to pick 2 fabrics - one colored fabric (pink, lavender, or blue), and one background fabric (white or cream: low volume, white on white, solid, pretty much anything goes!).  If you would prefer, you can pick 2 different colored fabrics that coordinate like I did in the practice blocks above.  For one of them I used a pastel blue and a bright blue, and for another I used a bright pink solid and a bright pink blender.  

Cutting:

Cut two 8-inch squares (go with 8.25 inches if you like to have wiggle room in your HSTs) from your colored fabric(s) and two 8-inch squares (again, bigger if you want wiggle room) from your background fabric.  Here are mine, I chose a pastel pink solid and a low volume background:

Sewing:  You're going to make 4 half square triangles that each finish at 7.5 inches square.

1.  Draw a line from corner to corner on the wrong side of your background fabric squares:

2.  Place each background square right sides together with a colored square and sew 1/4 inch or a scant 1/4 inch on each side of the line.  Cut on the marked line:

3.  Press in whichever way you prefer.  I am a weirdo and I like pressing towards the light side.  I love to see that perfect quarter inch showing through the lighter fabric.  But you should press your favorite way, whatever that may be :)  Here are my HSTs before squaring up:

4. Square to 7.5 inches and arrange like this:

5.  Sew together in a 4 patch.  Your final block should measure 14.5 inches square, but no need to square up!  I pressed my first two seams to the side so that I could nest, and then pressed the final seam open to reduce bulk.  You can press your seams however is most comfortable for you though!  Here she is:

Wahoo!!!  I think it will be pretty easy, but if you have any questions, please reach out, as I would love to help and chat.  Thank you so much for sewing for me!  I can't wait to see what you all create.  💗

With much love,

Meg from Alabama 💓

Hive 3 - April Tutorial - Cabin Fever Block

 

Hi to All!  I'm Jan from SC, originally MI.  I've been quilting since late 2016, so considered a newbie by some.  I've been in the online Bee's since 2018, taking a break last year, but back now.  

I'm picking Cabin Fever.  It is a free pattern by Gigi's Thimble. I did a Christmas version shown below in October, 2019.  

Please head over to Gigi's Thimble to print out the pattern.  Her instructions are very easy to follow.

For this version we are going Red, White and Blue.  Here is my test block.

And my fabric pull. Just about anything goes, but please no holiday, batik, kids or trademark fabrics.

Each block will need:

4 - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"  Red or Blue

4 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" Blue or Red

1 - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" White/White on White with a bit of red or blue

4 - 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" White/White on White with a bit of red or blue

12 - 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" White/White on White with a bit of red or blue

If you use Red for the 4 1/2 squares, please use Blue for the 2 1/2 squares.

If you use Blue for the 4 1/2 squares, please use Red for the 2 1/2 squares.

Page Two starts the directions for the block.  It is a very quick block to put together.

Your block will finish at 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Here are two blocks I put together.

Hive 5: April Tutorial- Southern Star

 

Southern Star for Emily, Hive 5

 

 Back in January, our Hive Queen posted her block: a pink and yellow star in any pattern your heart desires. From there, I landed on a Moda Blockheads pattern called Southern Star by Jenelle Kent. I’ve been thinking through colorways for my turn as Queen ever since. I’d like to see a patchwork summer night come out this 12.5” modern star block.

Fabric Requirements

What is not welcome: patriotic, holiday (excluding Halloween), cartoon, licensed, or baby prints. Everything else is a-ok! Different colors in the print are fine, but the overall fabric should read as background- or star-colored.

Background: Eight 4.5” squares in varying shades of medium and dark blues, teals, greens, and purples. Please keep repeated fabrics from touching each other.

Center Star: One 4.5” and Four 2.5” squares in the same fabric. Color should remind you of a clear night sky: yellows, oranges, creams, light pinks, etc. If you’re feeling it, fussy cut something fun.

 Assembly

Assembly is pretty simple. The main difficulty I foresee is ensuring your Center Star points wind up in the right place. All seams are ¼”.

1.       Draw a line diagonally down the center of each 2.5” square.

2.       On four Background squares, sew one Center Star 2.5” square to the upper left corner. Align the line we drew in step one from right/high to left/low. Sew following that line as a guide. Trim the outer triangle off, ¼” from the seam. Press the seam open. Trim to 4.5”.

 

3.       Arrange your 9-patch so that the Center Star shines through. Assemble like you normally would a 9-patch, maintaining awareness of how each square is oriented and where it belongs. Either press open or nest seams to both keep bulk down and line up neatly.

 

4.       Your final block should measure 12.5”. Pack ‘em up and send ‘em out!

 

Hive 4: April Tutorial - Jeannine’s Bookshelf Blocks

 

The goal for this quilt is to look like a well-loved somewhat stuffed bookshelf. I intend to fill in “objects” on the shelves with FPP blocks later, and will make the shelving later as well, so these blocks are for the books only. 

Fabric choices

Background: - 3+ fabrics that read as black or extremely dark gray - ideally, tonals, monotone prints, or something with a little visual texture, but if you don’t have a good selection in your stash, one of these can be a solid black.

Books: - 5+ fabrics that are bright, vibrant, fun, prints - fussy cuts are cool here! But keep in mind how they play next to each other. 

Labels: - 1+ strip of selvedge or ribbon with words printed on it. Please nothing political/religious. 18” is plenty. 

Layouts:

Obviously, if you are sticking to 10 fabrics, some books will be the same fabric, and the background is going to have many repeats. Please try to stagger the background fabrics, so that they don’t clump together. For the book fabrics, having multiple matching or somewhat matching fabrics of varying thicknesses of “books” can be a fun way to show a “series”, so that’s ok! Maybe differentiate the “books” within a “series” with different words on the selvedges or having some horizontal and some vertical on the “spine”. And please try to vary the thicknesses of each “book” in the “series”. 

Please choose one of these three layouts:

Layout A:

3 - 3.5” wide “books” & background strips

4 - 2” wide “books” & background strips

2 - 1” wide “books” & background strips

Layout B:

2 - 3” wide “books” & background strips

4 - 2” wide “books” & background strips

6 - 1” wide “books” & background strips

2 - 1.5” wide “books” & background strips

Layout C:

1 - 3.5” wide “books” & background strips

4 - 1.5” wide “books” & background strips

3 - 2.5” wide “books” & background strips

3 - 1” wide “books” & background strips

1 - 2” wide “books” & background strips

Please keep all “books” between 9” and 14” tall, and add background strips for a total of 16” tall strips. If you want to be precise and math-y about it, the formula is as follows:

16 - [height of book] + .5 total seam allowance = [height of background needed]

Assembly: 

Piece together all your “books” with their respective “backgrounds” first, then decide on how you’d like to lay them out. 

Add selvedge “titles” at this stage.

I prefer to iron my seams open, but you do you. It doesn’t make much of a difference. 

Once you’ve determined your layout, snap a photo or take notes so that you don’t forget it (if you’re like me), or be brave if you want to, and start sewing strips together from one end to the other.

That’s it! I’ll trim them when I’m assembling, so no need to do any touching up, and if they’re a smidge crooked, well, so are my bookshelves. 

-Jeannine @jeanninehadid on Instagram