Blue-and-white sampler progress
I’m caught up on making my sampler blocks through the month of August, and over the weekend I sewed together the sections I could, and put them on my design wall along with some random spare blocks that will go into other sections. I’m making the full/queen size sampler, and making it as a quilt-as-you-go project.
I’m excited to see it starting to take shape!
Almost caught up
I’m almost caught up with my sampler. Just need to make three Sweet Dreams and I’ll be there. They’re starting to look like a quilt.
Scrappy Sampler Progress
I like how my scrappy sampler is evolving. I modified the September’s Sweet Dreams block. Without the circle the design has a harlequin look. I like it.
I could not wait to stitch some window blocks, the sun and spokes blocks together. This is a nice combination.
6 for the Mod Mod
And here are six blocks for my Mod Mod in my usual complementary color scheme.
Cathy L in IA
Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting
http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com/
Let’s Plan Block Lotto 2015
This is the time of year when I start thinking about what will we do NEXT year and I would love some input from you.
Earlier this year, I asked for some input on colors and I hope you’ve noticed some of your suggestions in the blocks this year. But before I start thinking about color, I start with the block patterns themselves. I think about block sizes and overall themes for the year.
A lot of my block ideas start with a, “What if …” or “Can I …?” questions. This year, it was, What if we made blocks in an uncommon size (7 inches and multiples of 7 inches)? And Can I create block patterns for that unusual size? I also wondered, can I design blocks which would have a Modern Quilting feeling … and design a “Modern quilt?”
I think about things we haven’t tried … yet, like:
- English Paper Piecing
- Redwork or other embroidery
- Raw edge, fused appliqué
And wonder if there’s enough interest in trying these or something else completely different?
I ask myself, “Should we do more …” of a specific theme (liberated blocks, traditional blocks, modern blocks) or of a specific size–though the headache of mailing large 14 inch blocks earlier this year makes me think that they are generally a bad idea, even though there are some great large size blocks we could make.
In the past, the message I’ve heard is that you want all the blocks during the year to be the same size. I wonder if that’s still the case and–as much as I am enjoying the process of designing and making the Mod-Mod Sampler quilt, if designing a quilt for the blocks is interesting to you?
I worry that the Block Lotto has/may become stuck in a rut of my personal taste? This month’s red background is one example, too much use of other specific colors or black & white prints might be another.
I often think about a year of some of the most popular blocks we’ve made in the past–after a dozen years, there’s quite a list to choose from–but then dismiss the idea because there’s something new that I think we need to make …
That’s what’s bouncing around in my head … I would love to hear about your ideas. You can blog about the Block Lotto and join the linky list below OR just leave a comment. Tell me what you like or don’t like about the Block Lotto, or would like to see in the future. It can be about colors, size, style, technique, themes and quilt designs using the blocks.
As the fictional Frazier Crane used to say on his Seattle radio show, “I’m listening.”
Printing Templates
If–like Cathy and Toni–you are having problems printing the GIF version of the templates on the Quilter’s Cache … try this PDF one:
sweet_dreams_template-converted
I simply converted Marcia’s image to a PDF file format that will print at the correct size IF YOU DO NOT LET YOUR COMPUTER SCALE IT.
The dialogue box you see when printing will likely look different than mine (on a Mac), depending on the computer/operating system and printer you are using, but the things you are looking for are any indication that it will scale to fit or a percentage that is anything except 100%.
As an example, here’s what I see. The options I care about are in the lower right of the window.
Without any intervention from me, my Mac will (un)helpfully chose to Scale to Fit and enlarge the template 109%. I have to click the Scale option and set it to 100% to print the templates the correct size.
Making Do
I did a quick (mis)calculation in my head and thought I could cut 14 five inch squares from a FQ for my Mod-Mod quilt. When that didn’t happen, I made like a scrap quilter and made do, by adding 2 more 5 inch squares from another fabric and mixing them up after I had cut them into quarters–I used the outside-in method.
I think those solid turquoise squares will add a little twinkle to my quilt.
It made me think that however you identify yourself as a quilter (art quilter, modern quilter, traditional quilter), you can benefit from thinking like a scrap quilter and making do.
Clearly, I’m playing catch-up with this (and some other things) … and last month, I completely forgot to mention that after you make your windows blocks, you’ll be able to assemble a couple more of the modules in the quilt … though I think Cathy’s photo of her quilt segments hanging on the line illustrated that fact beautifully.
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And because I just want to see Cathy’s Wild Thing one more time …
I Need Help Printing Template Right Size
I can’t get the templates to print properly so I don’t end up with a 7.5 inch (unfinished) block. Mine ends up 8 inches no matter how hard I try to re- size templates and print. My seams are exactly 1/4 inch. As you can see the triangle measurement is not right and I can’t get it any smaller than 7 1/4 inches. Any advice? I’m not very good at this re – sizing stuff. If I was going to make all the blocks for a quilt for myself I would go with the off size; however, I need to at least make blocks for my MOD MOD sampler and they won’t fit in at the incorrect size.
Wild Thing – Mod Mod QAL Modules
Some of my MOD MOD QAL Modules.
Not in layout order. I have no design wall.
Cathy L in IA
Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting
http://saneandcrazy.blogspot.com
Al Fin!
Finally worked my way through the June Sun block. Not too keen on paper piecing, but it was good practice. I feel better about it now. I now have my 2 for the sampler. On to the July and August blocks. Phew!
purple cone flower for sampler