Wonky Paint Chip Challenge

In March we discussed the Wonky Paint Chip Challenge. Everyone received a paint chip and had to use at least 2 of the 3 colors on the chip in their project. 

We could make a Quilt or Wall Hanging (any size), Home Dec, Purse or Tote (any size). We had to use a "WONKY" design somewhere in the project (i.e. wonky stars, houses, string quilts, log cabins or make up your own "wonky")

Here are the beautiful projects - it was IMPRESSIVE!!!

Thank you guys for all joining in the fun!! 

May BOM

I can't believe we're already doing May's BOM!! This year is really flying by. This month we thought we would do a little bit of paper piecing. I found this block on pinterest and thought it was a nice gateway pattern to paper piecing :) If you weren't at the meeting you can get the pattern here. Make sure you print out page 1 and page 2 to get all 4 quadrants. 

picture is from quilt jane

It went together very fast and was a lot of fun to do. I will be posting a little - how to paper piece very soon. The weather hasn't allowed for much sewing and or picture taking. Hopefully today will be nice. You will need to add boarders of your choice to make the block 12.5"X12.5". I chose to put the block on point. I did this by cutting (2) 8.5" squares and then cutting the squares diagonally from point to point. You will get 4 triangles. Then folding the triangles and the block in  half, lightly make a crease. You will then match up the creases and sew one side together. Press and trim the dog ears and then repeat the steps. Once your block is assembled you can trim it down to 12.5".  This is what the finished block looks like :) I hope you have fun and can't wait to see your finished blocks.

Upcoming Challenge for August 2013

We went over our next few challenges last night since summer is quickly approaching :) Remember these are optional and you are not required to do them, however you'll receive points if you do :)

LOW VOLUME QUILT CHALLENGE RULES:

• Low volume fabrics are considered to be "quiet" fabrics, and are mostly white, paler shades and/or graphic prints combined with whites and neutrals.
• You can use a traditional pattern, your favorite patter, or design your own.
• The quilt must be at least 45" by 45" or larger.
• Reveal at the October FWMQG meeting on October 17, 2013.
• You will receive 5 points for completing this challenge by the October meeting. 

Modern quilter and Moda fabric designer Malka Dubrawsky provides a description of low volume quilting and fabric selection on her blog. She also wrote a more detailed article in Quilting Arts that is available free as an online ebook and can be downloaded at Quiltingdaily.com The ebook title is: Traditional and Modern Quilting: Designs and Techniques for Quilt Designs.

If you are unfamiliar with low volume quilts, here are some examples for further explanation and inspiration:

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6, Link 7.

Also check out the Low Volume QAL on flickr for inspiration and ideas.

Upcoming Challenge for June 2013

We went over our next few challenges last night since summer is quickly approaching :) Remember these are optional and you are not required to do them, however you'll receive points if you do :)

NEGATIVE SPACE QUILT CHALLENGE RULES:

Definition of "negative space" from the Modern Quilt Guild Website: "Negative space is the unoccupied area that surrounds the objects, shapes or forms in a composition. Negative space can be within a block itself as well as the space surrounding the block. It flows in, around and between our quilt blocks. Negative space is a powerful design tool as it gives definition to our composition. Sometimes the negative space in a composition also forms a design element that becomes part of the composition. Sometimes the negative space in a composition also forms a design element that becomes part of the composition."

"In addition to defining shapes in a quilt, negative space can be used to create movement, emphasis and interest in a quilt design. Negative space can simplify or unclutter a design and at the same time draw attention to the focal point of a quilt. It can also give the eye a place to rest in an intricate design."

Taken from the following blog post:

The Modern Quilt Guild 

• Quilt design incorporates a significant use of negative space which organizes the composition of the quilt.
• The quilt must be at least 45" by 45" or larger.
• Reveal is the August FWMQG meeting on August 15, 2013
• You will receive 5 points for completing this challenge by the August meeting.

If you are unfamiliar with how to use negative space in your quilts, here are some examples for further explanation and inspiration: 

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3 and Link 4

Let's have fun with the upcoming challenges and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

~January~

April BOM

April's BOM is brought to you by the fabulous Faith of FReSH Lemons. This is part of her Solstice Stars Series and we thought it was perfect for our BOM.

It was a really fun block and went together super fast. Please click HERE for her tutorial and more pictures of the process. 

**Make sure to cut accurately** 

I cut and sewed very carefully with a scant 1/4" seam and ended up 1/8" short on one side. Jenn did the same thing (scant 1/4" seam) and ended up 1/8" larger :) 

Please note, all seams are 1/4". This block has been resized from the original. Final block size 12.5" unfinished.

Step 1. Cut your fabric:

Pattern Piece

Center                   Cut 1         4-1/4" x 4-1/4"

Strips                     Cut 3         5-1/4" x 1-5/8"

Short Strip A         Cut 1         4-1/4" x 1-5/8"

Short Strip B         Cut 1         1-5/8" x 1-5/8"

Block Corners       Cut 4         4-5/8" x 4-5/8" 

Star Points            Cut 4         3-3/4" x 3-3/4"

HST Background   Cut 2         3-3/4" x 3-3/4"

Take all of your 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" squares for star points and the HST background and cut them diagonally into half square triangles.

Step 2. Sew the strips around the 4-1/4" x 4 1/4" center square. Layout your strips around your center square.

Take your shorter strip (Short Strip A, 4-1/4" x 1-5/8") and sew to the bottom of the center square.

Continue to sew on the left and top strips, as you would a log cabin block.

For the final side, sew the 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" square to the end of the remaining side strip. Then sew the final side strip to the block, making sure you align the matching fabric seams. (Check the tutorial for pics of this process)

At this poing your center square should measure 6-1/4" x 6-1/4". 

Step 3. Layout the rest of the block pieces.

Step 4. Sew together the top left and lower right points. Take your corner square and gently press the block in half and then in half again the other direction, so you can see the center of the block. You could also make a mark using a water soluble pen.

Step 5. Place one of your HSTs right sides together with the corner square. Align your point to the center line you marked. Sew together. Make sure you are sewing alone the long side of the HST, and not the short side which you are probably used to doing. (Check the tutorial for more pics)

Step 6. Repeat with the other HST. Repeat for the other corner.

Step 7. Now we will make the top right and lower left corners. First repeat the previous steps and sew on your HSTs to the corner squares. 

Step 8. Take your background HSTs and sew them to the sides of the star point section. 

Step 9. Repeat for the other side.

Step 10. Sew on the corners of the block to the center. Sew the top left and lower right to the center.

Step 11. Sew the remaining top right and lower left to the block. Square your block to 12.5" x 12.5" if necessary.

I hope you guys have as much fun as I did putting this block together. Can't wait to see your blocks!!! :)