October Block Instructions

I'm super excited about October's blocks because we'll be using one of my favorite new fabric collections, LillyBelle by Bari J for Art Gallery fabrics! So here's the deal:Each of you will be receiving a little bundle containing a fat eighth of two different LillyBelle prints, plus a fat quarter of a DS Quilts by Denyse Schmidt print. I'm reaching outside of my comfort zone here - this is the first time I've not chosen a solid as my background fabric!

 

I loved how Anna allowed us each to choose a fabric from our stash to add a little bit of ourselves to her quilt.  I also LOVE the look of sampler quilts, so I'm asking you each to make a 12" traditional block of your choosing.  It would be extra fabulous if you picked a block that represented you in some way (you'll see what I mean in a bit).  Quilters Cache has an amazing array of 12" patterns if you need some inspiration. 

 

The first block I chose was a Churn Dash, which I selected because it's also called a Monkey Wrench.  I fancy myself to be a bit of a mechanic, and my friends have been known to call me a Grease Monkey (a somewhat derogatory term for a mechanic around here, but I wear the badge with pride):

Since my first block only used one color, and I had two LillyBelle prints to work with, I decided to make a second block (I figured some of you would choose three-color blocks so I included two prints.  You don't have to make two blocks, but you're totally welcome to if you want to).

I chose a Maple Leaf block because my very first quilt was a Maple Leaf quilt:

I have to admit I was really nervous about using a patterned background fabric, but I really love the way it works with the LillyBelle!

A Button

I got a little bit bored today, so I've generated a button you can use on your blog sidebar, etc... 

<div align="center"><a href="http://anythinggoesquiltbee.blogspot.com/" title="The Anything Goes Quilt Bee"><img src="http://i1187.photobucket.com/albums/z394/plumpatchwork/AnythingGoes_zpsc16108a7.png" alt="The Anything Goes Quilt Bee" style="border:none;" /></a></div>
Anna, I hope you don't mind!

Hello from March!

Hello, this is a little late since we have already started but I figure better late than never right?!

My name is Kellye, I live on the mid Wales/Shropshire border in the UK :-) I live with my awesome partner, Dave, our beautiful baby daughter Rosie and my two lovely step-sons George and Tommi.

This is me and my beautiful girl a couple of months ago!

I  love patchwork, appliqué and quilting, art quilting, screen printing, dyeing etc etc, I'll try anything really! I was introduced to quilting properly by my mum about 5ish years ago when her health was poor and I drove her to Malvern quilt show and have been hooked ever since :-) (I think the stash building part is my favourite) My mum has quilting for over 40 years so I have learnt mostly everything from her.

I've recently had my first beautiful baby daughter she is the light of my life, I love her so much, but it means my sewing has been put on the back burner a bit. I'm just starting to get a bit done now and I'm hoping this bee will be a great opportunity to get back into sewing, make some new friends and have fun!

I'm on twitter @WhatKellyeMakes and I also have a blog which I have just started to write in again if you'd like to check it out, it's http://whatkellyemakes.blogspot.co.uk Also if anyone would like to add me to facebook I'm Kellye-Marie Owen.

Kellye xxx

September Block Instructions

The first block for the bee is a block made up of 7 fabric strips and a background piece, along with a request for each bee member to add a strip of their own fabric.

The block is based on books sitting on a book shelf!

The finished block is 12.5" wide by 15.5" tall.

Supplies in Fabric pack:

 

7 strips of fabric 3" by 10"

Back ground fabric: 13" by 22"

Instructions:

Taking all of your strips, put them into an order you are happy with - take a photo for future reference.

The widest books can stay 3" wide, the slimmest 1.5" wide for the pattern.

Cut the strips into different widths for the books. Make sure to remember your book end scrap and that when sewn together the block needs to be 12.5" wide.

 

This process takes a while so take your time! Once you have sorted out the widths of the strips, start cutting down the heights of the blocks to give you different books sizes. Mine are from 10" tall down to 5" tall.

Take the background fabric and cut strips that match the width of your fabric strips and 13" long. Keep the lengths quite long for sorting out later.

Start stitching all of the books to their corresponding background strips using a 1/4" seam allowance:

Start to stitch each book and background to the next one in the order you have decided, with a 1/4" seam allowance. Don't forget to include your book end!

 

At the end of sewing all your strips together, your block should be 12.5" wide. If it is too big - cut it down as appropriate. If it is too slim, add another book!



 





 

Take the block and square off the top to make a block 12.5" by 15.5.



I hope all this easy to follow!

Inspiration for the block came from Sarah Johnson's quilt Heads or Tails in the book Modern Quilting Bee: Block Party.



How to design a block.

Well, the fabric for the September blocks on their way to whole of the UK and the USA. So very exciting!

I thought it would be helpful though to explain the process of design for the new quilter members of the quilting bee.

There are a few things that will help with designing a block:

• Always have a pencil and paper to hand. If you have an idea plot it out first, write notes, play with your ideas before you grab the rotary cutter.

• When you are desiging, make sure you remember the 1/4" seam allowance. It is a costly mistake to forget - speaking from experience! Plus make sure you have a 1/4" patchwork foot for your machine too!

• If you fancy using a block designed by another quilter, that is fine. There are plenty of books, blogs and website for inspiration, but make sure you ask permission if appropriate and always reference the design on this blog. We need to respect other quilters creativity, by acknowledging their hard work.

• One you have worked out your design on paper, take photos as you go when you are putting together your block. This will make it easier when writing your instructions. More photos are better than too few.

• Make sure you plan in advance, ideally the fabric for the blocks need to be in the post in the first week of the month - 3 bee members are in the USA, so postage to there will take quite a bit longer!

• Don't be afraid of using simple designs, there is no judgement, ANYTHING GOES!

• The last tip is to have fun! This is going to be an exciting 12 months!