May 2013 Block

I have been oohing and aahing over this quilt pattern for some time. It's been on my "must make list" once I have more scraps to work from. However, instead of having three different shade of blue (aqua, light blue and dark blue), and two shades of orange, I think I'll have to add in a grey block, and maybe even a brown, white, and/or black block as well. In my book it's all about the color spectrum, not just the rainbow.

Karri sent enough fabric to make a 4x4 block, but the instructions call for a 5x5 block. I think she's currently finishing up a semester, so I'm going to cut her some slack on that. Once I added a few more 5" squares to the mix in my assigned color of red, I was ready to go. Improv piecing the star points was pretty fun, but if I make this quilt for myself, I'll probably end up making perfectly symmetrical star points. I just like order in my life, it's a flaw, but one I'm willing to deal with.

I made the points first, then put together the nine patch around the star, and then added on the outside rows and columns, one "layer" at a time. That seemed to work pretty well and I like to think that my points are fairly accurate.

 

I'm really quite happy with how it turned out. And the other pictures I see popping up in our Flickr group are equally amazing.

May 2013 Theme

What is your theme (if you want everyone to make a specific block type please provide a pattern to follow)?
Rainbow Starburst Block

Tutorial can be found here.

What size block would you like (unfinished v. finished)?

17.5 unfinished

Do you have any particular instructions for the fabric (don't use a certain color as a background, use some of every fabric sent, etc.)?

I'm sending 5 inch charms that need to be cut down into 4 inch blocks.

Can members use their own fabrics, or should we stick with yours? If yes, should it be washed or unwashed?

Each person will be assigned a color. If you have red and feel like you have a fabric that better represents that color instead of mine, please feel free to swap out.

Can members make more than one block if they are feeling inspired?

One block each will be plenty to make a large quilt.

Do you have preferences for thread color (white/off white/etc.)?

Any neutral thread you have in your machine should be fine for the piecing.

Please share any links that inspired your theme (flickr/pinterest/etc.).

April Block

Caryn sent out some beautiful prints. I happened to receive this very exotic looking elephant print with two neutral solids.

The pattern we used was this Giant Churn Dash block. They finish at 24" and nine of them make a decent size quilt top.

Except for some initial measuring and cutting issues, I did finally manage to get the block put together fairly easily. However, due to the measuring and cutting issues, it's just a hint shy of 24.5" unfinished. Still looks gorgeous.

April Theme

What is your theme (if you want everyone to make a specific block type please provide a pattern to follow)?
Giant Churn Dash blocks. The tutorials can be found here and here.

What size block would you like (unfinished v. finished)?
24.5" blocks according to the tutorial.

Do you have any particular instructions for the fabric (don't use a certain color as a background, use some of every fabric sent, etc.)?
You'll be sent one patterned fabric ready to be cut utilizing the diagram in the first link, plus two pieces of background fabric. The large one will be cut the same as the print fabric and the smaller one (8 1/2" X 8 1/2") will be the center block used when piecing your final nine patch. Please note in the second tutorial that the HST's need to be cut down to 8 1/2" before sewing together your nine patch block.

Can members use their own fabrics, or should we stick with yours? If yes, should it be washed or unwashed?
Please only use the fabrics sent

Can members make more than one block if they are feeling inspired?
One block each will be plenty to make a large quilt and a pieced back

Do you have preferences for thread color (white/off white/etc.)?
Any neutral thread you have in your machine should be fine for the piecing.