June - Random Block With Red Centers

 Start with a bit of red in the middle and then randomly add light colored print fabrics any which way you please, as shown below. Trim to 6" square. 

The finished blocks will have different numbers of pieces.

Use your ruler to see when your block is big enough, then trim.

I like how the red centers tie all the blocks together. This will make a pretty summertime quilt. Enjoy!

NOTE: Due to my computer problems, this is a repeat of a block we did a few years ago. Hopefully you agree that random piecing never gets boring. 

February Camp Quilt

Our quick and scrappy blocks for February will combine to make a quilt that's right at home in a lake cabin like the movie set for "On Golden Pond." You need a 6" square and a handful of 2" strips. It's quick. Go fast, don't fuss. This will look great with our big variety of fabrics!

Start with a 6" square yellow print or solid. Cut 2" strips from scraps to make 4 borders around this center square. Add them to the center square as shown.

Press closed to set seams. Then press open (shown above). This helps keep the seams straight.

You might want to alternate between borders of dark and light scraps.

After you add 4 borders, cut the block into quarters, as shown above.

Insert a vertical strip and 2 horizontal strips, as shown above. Trim. The finished block will be 18.5" square.  If the block sizes vary a bit, that will simply add charm. They can be trimmed as needed.

Remember, you add your name to the drawing once for each block that you bring to the meeting. The winner of the drawing gets all the blocks. See you at the Feb. meeting!

This is my finished sample quilt: "Golden Pond." You can see that I added some string borders between the blocks and around the outer edge. Optional pattern here.

 I can't wait to see all our blocks on the wall at the February meeting!

October: Butterfly

This pretty butterfly block is quick and easy to make.  

CUT: Four 3" squares from a white/ivory fabric (solid or print). 

CUT: One 3" (+ or -) square from a colorful print. Then, cut it on the diagonal. 

Place one triangle on a white square, as shown above. 

This is done "by eye" so they won't all be exactly the same. 

Sew along the long edge of the triangle. Make 2.

Press open. Trim.

Sew 4 squares together.

The winner of the blocks might arrange them all in the same direction or at random. 

Here's another possibility: offset. This is going to be one cheerful quilt! See you in October.

November: Low Volume MADE Fabric

Member Victoria Findlay Wolfe's new quilt book, 15 Minutes Play is coming out in November! 

As a warm-up exercise, let's make some fabric with scraps like the block above. Starting with a bit of red, randomly add low volume (light colored) fabrics any which way you please. Then, trim to a 6 inch square. Because a picture is worth a thousand words, see the photos below. Have fun! 

La la, just playing. Add some here, add some there. Press as you go.

Your block might have fewer pieces in it. This is improvisational, and I got a little carried away.

Use your ruler to make sure your block is big enough. Then trim.

I rebelled at the last minute, adding the pretty sprinkles in the upper right corner. I may decide to replace it with a "lower volume" print before the November meeting. Maybe not. Haha. 

Betcha can't make just one! 

Be sure to visit Victoria's website for wonderful inspiration.

September: Orange Pick-Up Sticks

Update: Here is the winner Val Turer with some of her new blocks! This will be a fabulous quilt.

Congrats, Val!

How do you feel about orange? Are you loving all the new orange prints, or did you (like me) leave that color behind with the other relics of the 1960s? I even painted my bedroom orange, and I thought it was beautiful! 

If you're like me, here's a block to get you reacquainted with orange. It's fast, easy, and will make a great looking quilt for the lucky winner.

Fabrics and Cutting:

Cut one square 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" from solid white fabric. This could be white, parchment, ecru, snow, bone, tea-dye, whatever. A variety will add depth and it's easier than trying to get everyone using the same white!

Cut some orange scraps into strips: 1" wide. Length will be about 7-9." (Think: orange, peach, rust, etc...If there are little bits of other colors in there too, that's okay.)

Construction:

Using your ruler and rotary cutter, cut across your white square in any direction you like. Insert one of your orange strips. Press toward the strip (as shown below). This makes the stick puff up a little in the finished block, rather than sink down. 

Then cut your block again, any place you choose, and insert the second strip (as shown below).

If you like, add another strip.

When you've added all the strips you want, trim your block to a 6" square (below).

(In the finished quilt top the blocks will measure 5 1/2" square.)

See the 4 blocks below for an idea of how the quilt top might look.

Some of the sticks (below) look like they continue from one block to another. 

I can't wait to see all our blocks at the September meeting!

See you then!

P.S. Start collecting FOOD themed prints for the October block.