A Dandy

This month saw the blocks of quilt 2 of the Anything Goes Quilting Bee being made.

The lovely Jessica of Plum Patchwork sent out some amazing fabric and posted a great post about the blocks she would like us to make. Traditional blocks were the order of the day!

The fabrics that arrived were simply gorgeous and it has taken me most of the month to decide just how to cut into them! I simply loved them - it did cross my mind to slip them into my secret stash, but I think Jessica would shout at me!

Jessica requested 12" blocks and pointed us in the direction of Quilter Cache that has a huge list of suitable blocks. I looked through the list again and again until I came across this block:

 

It's called The Dandy Quilt and comes from the 1930's, which along with the 1940's fascinates me. I will be totally honest here and say I miss read the instructions and cut the fabrics slightly wrong... but I did get there on the second attempt!

 



So one of the blocks was complete, but I hadn't used the other fabric Jessica sent me. So I had another long look at the list.... and I found A Dandy:

It is very similar, but different. I am really pleased with both blocks and I hope that Jessica will like it when it finally lands on her doormat on the other side of the pond!

I have had a sneak peek at November's block and I am really looking forward to the fabric arriving!

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!