Mini Quilts for March

Quilter Bees Inspiration MARCH:  Originally uploaded by Clicky the Moose

March is my month for blocks. I would like each of you to make a 20″ square block that looks like a quilt already. My goal is to make a large quilt that looks like a collection of my favorite quilts. I have some inspiration photos above and they can also be found in my flickr gallery or in my flickr favorites. Everyone is getting a completely different set of fabrics. (Photos can be seen on my flickr account.) Please feel free to add fabrics from your stash that compliment the fabrics you receive.

The packages all have longer explanations of what I am hoping for, but let me know if you have any questions. I really hope you all have fun with this.

~Adrienne =]

P.S. Lisa, Sharon and Theresa: I put the block I made for you in with your fabric package. I am so sorry they are late. The last couple months just ran past me. I hope they are worth the wait. =]

Another weekend goes by without working on my quilt, BUT

I did make jewel squares for Theresa and a drunken square for Sharon! (Sadly, I no longer have access to a camera, so I can’t prove that I did this. But I will get those in the mail to you both tomorrow.)

Just need to get caught up on my other bee and THEN I can turn my attention to my lovely Quilter Bee quilt.

Jewels Galore

I have finished up my jewel squares for Theresa as well.  I really like how most of the blocks turned out.  In retrospect, I should have done more advance planning and math before cutting and sewing.  Unfortunately, I made several math errors that resulted in more fabric waste than I hoped.  I’m sorry Theresa!

I have some extra fabric that I will be sending back with the blocks.  There is also one block I intended to make a 12.5″ square, however, due to said math errors, I discovered I did not have enough fabric.  Theresa, you will just need to add the final ring on it.

More Jewels

These were lot’s of fun to make. I will put them in the mail on Monday.

-Sharon

Modern Jewels

I’ve had a lot of fun sewing these! It’s such a great selection of colours and prints. Hopefully one or two more blocks can be eked out of the remaining fabric, and then I can move on to the drunk love.

Sharon and Theresa’s blocks complete

I’m all caught up now. I finished both Sharon and Theresa’s blocks.

I’m pretty happy with how they turned out.. I just hope you both like them as well. 

Drunken vs. Wonky, pt. 2

Hmmmm…does anyone know if we can insert an additional photo into an existing post?  Couldn’t figure it out….

Sharon – I’m glad you like the square.  I threw together the smaller square tonight using the leftover scraps.  I really love that almost all of the fabric can be used – there is so little waste.  I was rougher with the construction of the second square, and it was so fun!  So liberating!  I’ve really loved and been inspired by all of the challenges so far, but this is the first quilt that I have felt I might need to make for myself.  Just so I can keep having fun with these squares.

PS – husband just walked through the room and said, “I like these patterns.  You should make one of these for us.”  Yes!

Dutch Churn for Lisa

Lisa chose an Amanda Jean block tutorial and I was able to kick this baby out fairly easily. And I measured as I pieced each section.  No ripping this time. It’s not perfect, but again I hope it is C.E. (close enough).

Neither of Heidi’s or Lisa’s blocks are ones that I imagined myself choosing to make, which is the whole point of joining quilting bees.   It forces me (nudges me?) to create outside my comfort zone.   If nothing else these two blocks are getting me into the habit of slowing down and concentrating on what I am sewing.   I appreciate that to no end. =]

What’s round on the ends…?

{Ohio Star Block for Heidi}

Sorry about the title. I’m such a cheese ball and can’t help myself sometimes.

I was pretty nervous about this block. I had used Amanda Jean’s tutorials before and didn’t have any issues with that, I am just not that great at straight lines.   Drawing, cutting, walking, driving…I don’t do any of these straight.   I wanted to wait until I had the time and attention to put into doing this block right.

Unfortunately that didn’t come until last weekend. (Life got a little hairy and my sewing machine was inaccessible for about 6 weeks.) When we got my new sewing space situated and Midge back from her hiatus this was the first on the to do list.   By the way, I recently decided my sewing machine is a Midge.   I’ve had her for about two years and didn’t have any inclination to name her until the new sewing space was made.

I didn’t have any trouble with the individual blocks that went to the construction of the whole block, but after sewing everything together I was about 1/4″ short of 12.5″.   So I ripped the seams and shrunk the seams to about 1/8″-3/8″ to make up for it.   I hope that doesn’t create any problems.   I don’t think it will, they are secure.   Minus the scant seam allowance I surprised myself with this block.   And it taught me a lesson for Lisa’s block.
=]

Will need your help…

So I was massively disorganized as the first bee-sender. I didn’t even send emails out to thank people when I got my blocks! The blocks have been sitting patiently in a corner waiting for me, but this weekend I’m making that quilt top! Stay tuned. I may need advice…