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I found this block on instagram (@kerenlewistextiles) and got a screen grab so I could try it out. When I was looking for my August MadcatquiltsBOM I happened back upon it. I'm not sure if this block has an actual name but it seems like a wrench block variation to me.
This block was quick and easy to put together. A perfect block for one behind in their BOMs.
Here we are six months into my MadCatQuiltsBOM! How did we get here so fast!? I've had such a great time coming up with new blocks to make and pushing myself to try new things!
For June I'd chosen a star block using diamond shapes I'd glimpsed. It was an 8 point star, similar to a Sawtooth Star.
My inspiration came from Pomegranate and Chintz, but I can remember what post...
Here's where my no measuring, no rulers method kinda falls down. I cut out eight diamonds in what I thought looked like a good approximation of what I needed and started sewing them together. And immediately hit some problems. No points, bunching, ugh. I decided to take two of the points out and try again.... But that made the sewing of the background awkward at best. I ended up making it way bigger to compensate.
So, although this block got a little out of hand, I'm keeping it in the BOM. It was a great learning experience, for sure. I hope to try diamond shapes again... but not too soon.
MadCatBOM May! I went back to Blossom Hearts Quilts HST Sampler for my May block. I like the geometric aspects of many of the blocks there. Diagonal shows this off well!
This block had a bunch of HSTs but it came together really quickly. I tried to add some different and bright colors into this one. But I wanted to make sure it still worked with the rest of the blocks.
I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.
A little while ago, I was inspired to make a baby quilt in white, silver, red and black. Not my usual palate, but I thought I'd give it a try. Then I set out to find a pattern that interested me.
I've long thought that a Tree of Life Block would make a great focal point for a baby quilt. I've avoided this block because... so many HSTs! After looking around on Google images, I worked out a variation and got to work. It's a little wonky but that's kinda my style. At least Elvis likes it:
I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.
I knew I would eventually try the drunkard's path block during the MadCatBOM. But what an intimidating block!! I bet a lot of quilters feel that way! Curves!! How nerve-wracking. But guess what? This block was awesome to make.
I looked at a few tutorials for this block, but in the end I really didn't use one. I just winged it! I tried to bring in some brighter and new colors with this block. I'm hoping to add more and pull it all together at the end.
As you know, I don't measure my fabric, I free hand measure and cut all my work. I found this worked well for the curves in this block, but the block itself came out quite a bit smaller than my other blocks for the BOM. So I might add a boarder later.
You can find the rest of the MadCatBOM blocks here. I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching today. Are you?
For March, I really couldn't decide what block to do for the MadCatBOM. I scoured my books, and decided that this variation of a basket weave would do nicely.
This block came together very quickly. I've done a few blocks that were similar, but never quite this one. I could see using this block in some ways in the future.
I've been trying to build a bit of a theme with the fabrics, but the bits I have of them is already dwindling. I'll try to incorporate some more of my stash in the blocks going forward. Here's what all my blocks look like together:
I'm not sure what I'll do with these blocks when I'm done with all twelve. But for now, I'm linking up with Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching.
I feel I'm doing well enough with my goal of a block a month in 2016 to call it a BOM. How exciting! I know I'm only 2 months in but I feel confident! I used this tutorial to make my first Snowball Blocks.
Actually, I made four of them! Since I don't measure, they all came out slightly different. I like the effect for this larger block, but I think I have the hang of making them a bit more uniform in the future. These are made with fabric from my stash, so I'm counting this post as part of my Year Of The Stash. My fabric count hasn't changed much since my last post on it.
Fabric Added in February So Far: 0
Fabric Added Year to Date: 5 1/2 yards
Fabric Used this Month So Far: approximately 1/4 yard
Fabric Used year to Date: Approx. 3 1/4 yards
I've been tempted a few times to look and possibly buy on line, but I'm fighting those urges! Since I'm working hard to finish some well started quilts, I haven't had the chance to use too much stash up, but I hope this will change soon.
Here are the two blocks from my personal BOM side by side. I'm trying to use a bit of a theme in the fabrics. We'll see how that works as the blocks add up.
I'm also linking up with Kathy for some Slow Sunday Stitching.
I made one of these blocks earlier in the year, but can't seem to find it! So we will still call this cat head block a New Block.
I like how these come out hand stitched-- A little wonky! It doesn't help that I don't iron....
I see more of these in my future, for sure!
Linking Up with Kathy for Slow Stitching Sunday.
I recently saw a whole quilt made out of these "o" blocks and I really liked it! I thought it might be simple and good for a new (secret) project I was thinking of.
I used some shot cotton and fat quarters I recently picked up at Brooklyn General as well as some other fabric I had on hand. I really like the way these blocks came out. I think this project will go swimmingly.
Have you made this block? If so, I'd love to see how you incorporated it into your work!
Well, really this is an older block as I made it quite a few month ago, now.
I was inspired my Maureen Cracknell's Bear Paw block.
One day, I will iron all my blocks. Perhaps I'm waiting for a proper ironing board. Or even a table ... Right now we iron everything on a towel on the floor.
I've been lacking inspiration and motivation in my sewing lately, so I thought I'd go thru some of the WIPs I have. I'm at a stage in much of my ongoing quilts where they require a large block of time and space, and I just haven't had that recently. I'm hesitant to work on the projects that are more new and less done, bc that just means my pile of unfinished grows and grows.
I need a vacation just for quilting! Who's with me?
I'm linking this block up with Slow Sunday Stitching by Kathy's Quilts.
I'm back from an unexpected break with the letter B.
Are you tired of wrinkled blocks yet?
I've had a letter quilt rattling around in my head for a while now... So I rolled up my sleeves and made a B. I liked my fabric choices, but they weren't right for what I have in mind, so I changed directions on this quilt. I'm happy with how it's turning out and think it'll be a great new idea.
Tom is "helping"!
I feel successful with my first letter block and can't wait to do the rest of the alphabet!
Linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Sunday Stitching.
Ironed.
Here we have an aztec-y, chevron-y type block. I'm not sure if this is an actual block or just a variation of a sawtooth star. It's funny how simply changing the color pattern of a block changes the look so drastically.
Over at Gen X Quilters, AnneMarie, has been exploring this in her Patchwork Audition Series. It's really neat to see how much changing the colors can seemly change the layout.
I chose very old batik-y, tie dye-like precut squares and neutral white on whites, or cream on cream, squares for this block and I love how it all comes together.
Pre ironed.
I made this block and a brother to it, with the idea that I would make pillow covers. I have never made pillow covers, but I dig the idea of trying. But some how before completing the brother block, I lost one of the strips. These are things that happen when you don't have a sewing room. And have four cats.
I'm still hoping to find all the pieces and put these blocks together on day! Linking up with Kathy (a little late) for Slow Stitching Sunday! Drop me a line if you know the name of this block!
When I saw this block on the Tales of Cloth blog, as part of her Red Sky at Night QAL, I knew I wanted to try it.
Ever wrinkly.
I decided to make a really over sized block. I picked out some tiny calicoes and then decided it needed a plain border, or part of one... I'm not sure what I'll do with this big block. Any ideas?
Also, at Tales of Cloth, Jodi revealed the top and bottom for the Flowers for Eleni quilt. It's amazing quilt and it was an amazing experience to be a part of.
Picture by Tales of Cloth. Pure photoshop skills by me.
I can even see one the of the flowers I made in the pic! I think they changed the backing fabric, which is super nice of them, as I think I cut mine too small.
Thanks so much to Jodi and her helpers for allowing us to share our grief and joy and hope in this way.
I'm sharing all this with Slow Stitching Sunday. As always, check out Kathy's blog!
I've seen this block or variations all over the internet. I like the nautical theme and the graphic nature. It's so cute, I thought I'd try it!
Pardon the threads and cat hair, as always!
I really like a version that Messy Jesse did.
I made this block with a nautical border. It works out to be about the same size as my Friendship Star mini quilt. But I'm thinking of adding more to it to be a larger quilt.
What would you do with this oversized block?
I'm linking this hand pieced block up with Kathy and Slow Sunday Stitching today.
I had been putting any new blocks I sew under the category Something New. You can see some examples here, here, and here. But I have been doing a lot of new blocks, and plan to do A LOT more this year. So, I think they are going to need their own heading.
I happened upon an image of this block on instagram and thought I'd try it! I'm not sure what this one is called. Does anyone know?
I used some vintage precuts I had. This block is really similar to a churn dash block, but has a totally different feel. I started quilting this to make a pillow out of, which very may well fall into the Something New category. (If I ever finish it!)
Like churn dash blocks, these would be really fun chain piecing blocks on the machine. There are times I wished I used a machine for sewing, especially since one simple block can take so long! But since I only hand sew, I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts and Slow Stitching Sunday.
Belated Happy Valentine's Day to all (if you're into that kinda thing)!! We don't really celebrate in our house, no fancy dinners, expensive chocolates, or bunches of red roses. But we do like hearts. Doesn't everyone?
Instagram I took right after making my first block.
It seems like the appropriate season to post a new block I've made recently. The first little heart I made was from memory from a post by Cluck Cluck Sew. I used 4 HST and it turned out cute!
But I decided I probably should revisit the post and see how I'd done. The tutorial was not exactly how I'd remembered it, so I made a few more blocks!
Some more wonky than the others....
We are stash busting in our house this year, so I paired the hearts, which came from very old pre cuts, with scrappy greens from the scrap bin. I was able to move 99% of that bin to 2 smaller bins, and organize, so it was a work and fun project!
A lot of people have been following this tutorial over the last few months. Here are a few of my favorites: Sane, Crazy, Crumby Quilting, Random Thoughts... Do or "Di", and Film in the Fridge. And so many more I have seen, too many to find! Plus a ton on instagram #cluckclucksew.
Today, I'm linking up with Kathy's Quilts for Slow Stitching Sunday.
Back in August, I finished a quilt that had the first traditional stars blocks I have ever completed. At the time, I thought they might be Ohio Stars (or a variation thereof) but I have come to learn they are Sawtooth Stars (or a variation thereof). I'm still learning about the traditional quilt blocks and techniques. Once my mistake was discovered I became interested in sewing an actual Ohio Star.
In the last week or so, I have made some Ohio Stars, or a variation of the traditional block, for a gift quilt I am working on. Here is my (terribly wrinkly) first attempt:
I'm not really a fan of ironing.
I'm working on a fairly tight deadline (can I do it?!) so, hopefully, you will be seeing more of this quilt soon!