July BOM

July BOM

Storm at Sea

This month you have a choice of what Storm at Sea variation and what technique you want to use.

Here are the 2 choices you have: Thanks to Allyson for making a block, hers is on the left and is the traditional Storm at Sea block. Mine is on the right and is a variation.

     Here is another version done by Allyson, without the center square.

Before you start making this you have to decide what technique you want to use. The 2 pics above are foundation paper pieced (FPP from now on). The other way you can make it is piecing. The directions I give here are for FPP. If you want to make it the other way, you can use this free pattern from McCalls. Here’s the web site Mccalls Quilting then do a search for Storm at Sea.

As for FPP this is very easy with the direction below. First print out your pattern pieces Here.
Note – Before you begin, I suggest you write on the paper pieces what color goes where, you will thank me later.

1. Cut each paper piece about ½” from the solid line. Do not cut it out of the dotted line, that is your ¼” seam allowance line.
2. All 3 of the blocks are made the same way, I will show how to do the large 6.5” square.
3. Glue your center piece to cover the size of the inside square (use a 5” square for this) to the back side of the block, facing down. Just a drop of glue will work. I use an Elmers glue stick. It goes on purple, but I promise it will dry non-sticky and clear.
4. Here comes the magic park. Flip the square over so the lined side is on the top. Use a piece of card stock and fold the paper back along the line. Then use an add a quarter ruler or the ¼” line on your regular ruler. Cut the fabric along that ¼” line. Repeat for all 4 lines. Now you have a ¼” seam line to know exactly where to place the other pieces.
5. Flip the piece over so your fabric is showing (right side). From now on we will be sewing the pieces right side down. Line up your fabric (see the cut sizes for each block below…I will caution you that I am very generous on the pieces to make sure that it all fits together)  right side down on one of the straight lines of the square we just cut. Then carefully flip it over so you can see the sewing line on the paper and sew along that line. Start with a few stitches away from the line and end with a few stitches past the line. Do you see how the ¼” seam allowance is now on the block, there’s no need to flip over and cut the ¼” seam allowance. 

6. Now repeat this with the line that’s across and then press these open. Then repeat for the other 2 sides. 

7. Once you have all 4 pieces done and pressed then you can cut the block to make it the right size. Cut along the dashed line which is ¼” away from the straight line. Flip over and you have a block with perfect points. I suggest keeping the paper on until you put the whole quilt together.

The other pieces work the same way. With the 2 square units make sure to center the points with the fabric. For the diamond in a rectangle the peace will have to be lined up with the fabric with more hanging off the short side.

The difference between the block is that Allyson’s block used a square in square in square on the corners. And the other one just used a square in square. If you make the traditional square (Allyson’s) you will start with the center and work out. For instance…cut the ¼” seam for the inside square and then repeat for the outer square.

When you put the block together make sure you have the pieces lined up and sew in the straight line. This will give you perfect points, where the pieces are sewn together.

Here’s the cutting directions for the blocks.

For the large square:
1 – 5” square, and 2 – 5” squares cut diagonally in half you should have 4 HSTs now.

For the small squares
4 – 3” square for the center and 8 or 16  – 4” squares cut in half diagonally (4 if only doing the square in square).

Diamond in a rectangle:
4 – 3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangle and 16 – 4.5” squares cut diagonally

Writing the colors on the papers are very important now, so you know how many HST parts of each fabric you need.

I hope you guys have fun with this block and will see you soon!!

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!!! :)

YWCA Charity Nap Mat Challenge April 2013

CHALLENGE RULES and REQUIREMENTS for YWCA CHARITY NAP MATS:

• Quilted Nap Mats should measure anywhere between 24X36", 24X48" or 36X48". 
• Fabrics should be kid appropriate, but can be scrappy and any pattern or block of your choice. Think bright and cheerful when choosing your fabrics. Remember there are boys as well, so blues, robots, rockets & planes etc...
• MAIN REQUIREMENT- Due to the wash and wear on these mats, all nap mats must be machine pieced, machine quilted and machine bound.
• No hand appliqué, beading, ties or anything that could be a choking hazard.
• YWCA has requested at least 30 mats. You will receive 15 points for the 1st mat. If you want to make additional mats (which would be greatly appreciated :) you will get 10 points for a 2nd mat and 5 points for a 3rd mat. 
• Points will not be awarded for more than three mats, but you are welcome to make as many as you want.
• Nap Mats are due at the June 2013 meeting on June 20, 2013.

Need some inspiration check out the links below. 

Link 1

Link 2

Link3

Link 4

 You guys are awesome and very generous, so let's make these little ones feel loved :)