July Block

Hello! I am really excited about this pattern and color scheme. I am making it for a very close friend of mine who is moving back to Holland this summer. I will really miss her and wanted to give her something that would make her smile! I hope you enjoy helping me do this.

Here is the inspiration for this month's block:

                             Found on twinfibers.blogspot.com                        


I would like the color palette to be restricted to the colors shown above. Please use modern prints (no batiks or mottled solids) in red, brown, white, turquoise, light blue, and soft pink. No black or gray, please. This pattern is a disappearing nine patch. Please use the following  tutorial:

http://justquilty.com/2013/02/disappearing-nine-patch-quilt-pattern/

Firstly, please cut 5 inch squares when making the initial 9 square block.
Secondly, please use the middle arrangement when putting the four squares together in the second stage. I want the arrangement to look like the above picture. Does that make sense??!!

Here is a picture walk through of what I did:

My friend is moving mid-August, so the sooner you get me the blocks, the better. Thank you so much!
Contact me with any questions. Thank you!!!!

Amy

Spool blocks from Claire

Here are my spool blocks for Stephanie - sorry the photo is making them look a bit wrinkled! I was a bit worried about working with the much smaller pieces, but I think they have turned out OK.
Claire

Stephanie's Reels

Amy's right Stephanie, these were nice and straightforward to sew up. And I always enjoy a string block - matching mis-matched colours and patterns is a fun challenge.  Although I suspect I should have played with the arrangement of the right-hand block a bit more as this photo makes it look like there is too many "solids" together.
Your photo tour of your sewing room Stephanie was an excellent way for us to come up with fabric combinations that might suit.  I hope you find that these reel blocks work.
Anthea x

Amy (Canada)

These came together quite quickly. I hope they fit your color scheme, Stephanie!

Finished!

Here is the finished quilt.  I thought it was going to be ready a month ago but moving house got in the way.  I am very happy with it.  The different reds and blues are great and the little motifs in the centre of each block add a touch of quirky-ness which is fun.

 

The border is made of squares to carry on the theme from the main part of the quilt and I quilted the border with a pattern which goes around each square and joins onto the next square.

 

In each block I quilted on the polka dots, around each coloured area.  When you made the blocks you pressed the seams towards the coloured part, this allows the quilting to flatten the polka dots a bit and raises the coloured parts.  This is a tiny detail that makes very little difference to the overall quilt but I like the effect of the reds and blues being prominent.

 

Here is another part of the border.  I ran out of polka dots so I just used some stars instead.  I like a haphazard mixture of fabrics in quilts.

 

This is the back and it is an Ikea fabric.  Every time I go to Ikea (which isn't often) I always examine all the fabrics.  This is only the second fabric I have ever found that is light enough for me to sew with.  Happily, it was exactly the right width for my quilt.  I didn't plan it, it just worked.

 

Thank you all for making such nice blocks for me for this quilt.  The new blocks have been arriving and I think this years quilt is going to be even better.

 

Linsay.

Amy's May and June Blocks (USA)

HI All!
The month of May completely passed me by and I suddenly realized I hadn't done my block for Linsay! So sorry! It is done and will be in the mail!! I love the movement of this quilt.

I also made Stephanie's blocks for June.   The only thing I noticed is in cutting the white pieces for this block, cut 4 1 1/2 x 1 1/2 inch squares- not 2 1/2 inch squares. Not a big trimming down if you cut larger though! I love these blocks and can see making many of them in my future! The gray I used is a dark gray, but shows black here. I hope it is okay! 

Now that the kids are out of school for the summer, I have to find time to get all my projects done!

Happy Sewing All!

Amy (USA)

Stephanie's Spool Quilt

Happy June!  Last year we moved into a new house and I was able to have my dream quilting studio.  We spent all summer turning the previous owners' wood shop into my quilting space.  I have had very little desire to decorate since it was finished.  That is my major project this summer.  I have very high ceilings and lots of wall space…..

This is the wall behind my long-arm.  This is where I plan on putting the quilt we will work on this month!

I have decided that I want to do a spool quilt.  I got my inspiration from this and this.  Here are two of my finished blocks.

The grey is supposed to be on top but I can't get the picture to rotate!

Anyhow….. I would like you to follow this tutorial.

Instead of using a 4 1/2 inch square of fabric I would like you to use several different strips of fabric like a string quilt.

You will need to cut the following for each block: 

2-    1 1/2" x 4 1/2"  white rectangles (Pure white.. no tone on tone or cream please.)

4-    2 1/2"x 2 1/2"   white squares

2-    1 1/2"x 6 1/2"   solid grey rectangles

1-    4 1/2" string square.

Please make 2 blocks.  Here are some pictures of the colors in my sewing room.  I just want them to be bright, cheerful, and modern.  No dark reproduction prints please.  I do like 1930's so that is ok.

The wall behind my sewing machine

I redid this chair a couple of years ago.

 My daughters sewing table

  My pegboard

George Straight calendar…

Happy sewing!!!!

Stephanie (USA)

Catching Up….

O.k.  I am so excited because I have been really good about getting my blocks done this year!  I have had them done on time every month.  I wish I was as good about getting them in the mail.  I stink at mailing things!  I hope everyone is doing well.

Stephanie (USA)

June's Block

Hi all, I am running a bit behind. Story of my life! I am finishing up a few block samples so I will post tomorrow! I hope that works for everyone.

Stephanie (USA)

Just in time!

I was hoping I would be able to make this post before Stephanie posts her June project and it looks like I made it! Linsay, I have to say that I am a bit nervous that my light pink might not be light enough (I was Team A). I did do the black and white camera test for light, medium, and dark fabrics and it tested just fine. Now as I am looking again at the other contributions from our members it looks like my light fabric might not have enough white in it. After you receive my block in the mail please let me know if you want a "do over" from me, I wouldn't mind at all. I do think it is a cute block, I'm just not sure it is what you were hoping for!

I enjoyed making it and the center fabric is from a new fabric that I have never used before.

I hope all of you in our International Stashes group are doing well!

Love,
Jennifer