Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #24

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #24

This is our second to last block and many of you are wondering about how to put your quilts together and the finishing. Here's the breakdown: Next Wednesday will be our last block release. The following Wednesday (the last week of July) we will post the instructions for Assembling and Finishing your quilt. This will include how to add the sashing, layering the quilt sandwich, and binding. The very first Wednesday of August will be reveal week so everyone can show off their finished quilts, quilt tops, or progress so far. There will be a grand finale prize package on the last Giveaway Friday that will knock your socks off, so stick around, we're almost there!

As we near the end of this incredible journey, my co-host, Maureen Cracknell and I are thinking about future collaborations. The success of the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS) has been phenomenal and mostly because of your participation and the remarkable community you've created out of this sew along.  

To help us better understand what you're looking for in a future sew along, Maureen and I have prepared an 8 question survey. This quick questionnaire is completely anonymous and your answers will give us better insight into serving your needs as a quilter. To ensure the most accurate results, please only take the survey once. Many thanks to those who've participated in the SBS questionnaire already. If you've not yet had a chance to take the survey, please do, we're only keeping it open now through the end of the SBS sew along and then we'll close the survey. The link provided on both our blogs will link to the same survey. So, if you access the questionnaire from either Maureen's site or mine, your answers are compiled to the same place.  

I'm not sure how many new Makers we've got joining our sew along at this late point but anyone just starting may want to take advantage of the in-blog tutorials for the different patchwork techniques used throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler. Pick up tips and block variations beginning with the first blog post The Start of Something Sewcial. Both Maureen and I will leave all the SBS downloads up on our blogs for you to download long after this event is done. 

Time to get sewing this week's block #24--Crosses and Losses. Download the free PDf for the blocks on my Sew Along page.

According to The Denver Post, Crosses and Losses was first published December 6, 1931 and credited to Ruby Short McKIm.

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Have to love the add for developing your bust for $1--totally over priced if you ask me! Anyway, back to the block, instead of cutting out the individual shapes for our block like the original pattern, we utilize the 2-at-a-time Half Square Triangle (HST) technique in two different sizes. Refer back to our past tutorial if you need a refresher on how to make your units. We will be making 2-1/2" and 4-1/2" (unfinished) HST units for this block. Be mindful and accurate with your seam allowance for maintaining the points of the units when assembling. 

For my Crosses and Losses block I'm using prints from my Bountiful fabrics collection and Pure Elements solids both from Art Gallery Fabrics and decided to incorporate 4 prints as a variation on the PDF pattern instructions for 3 prints. To find shops that carry my Bountiful fabrics, visit my Shop Fabrics page. If you'd like to make this variation you will need to cut the following:

(2) 2-7/8" squares and (4) 2-1/2" squares fabric A

(1) 4-7/8" square fabric B

(2) 2-7/8" squares fabric C

(1) 4-7/8" square fabric D

I know I've said this before but now that we have 24 blocks done, I can safely say THIS is my favorite block! I think what I like best is how I used the different prints and the scale of the prints to add depth. There's something very pleasing to me about how it all came together with it's contrast and texture.

This last photo was a great op to show off my little (live) succulent plant in the cement pot I got for $1 on clearance. Now that's a better way to spend $1 rather than on bust development!!!!!

Don't forget that this Friday's Giveaway Friday and this week Maureen be hosting the giveaway from her blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Lady Belle Fabrics you won't want to miss!

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl     Lady Belle Fabric      Needle in a Fabric Stash      Dritz      Knotted Thread    Needle and Foot      Stash Builder Box    Hobbs Batting   Thread Cutterz

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #12

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #12

We're buzzing right along and ready to start block #12 on our sampler quilts! My co-host Maureen Cracknell and I are thrilled with all the blocks being made and the awesome virtual community that's been created by this sew along. We're still seeing new SBS Makers joining us every day so please be sure to welcome the new members and help out where you can with encouragement and any tips you've learned along the way. Thank you for being such a wonderful, supportive community, I know many new friendships have been made because of the SBS.

With spring here and yard work calling us away from our sewing machines I know it will be very easy to fall behind on your blocks. Don't worry, even if you cannot pick up the PDF instructions right away they will remain on our sites long after the 26-week long SBS is completed. I want to remind you not to post the instructions from your web site (please read the copyright blurb on the instructions and on the right sidebar of this blog). Instead, link your readers back to mine or Maureen's blogs for the instructions and the tutorial supporting posts. Thanks!

If you're just joining, you may want to start at the beginning of the community sewing bee with my first post The Start of Something Sewcial and work your way up to the present. I've included tips and tutorials with each new block and they can be helpful, especially if you're new to quilting. 

Download the free Right Angle block from my Sew Along page.

Right Angle is going to be a fun block because it's composed of 2-at-a-time HST and 2-1/2" squares. You'll find this another fast one to piece. There's no tutorial today, instead I will refer you all the way back to block #2 for the 2-at-a-time HST tutorial and to the SBS Extras post if you'd like making larger HST to trim down to the 2-1/2" size for piecing. Remember to be mindful of your cutting and seam allowance accuracy for best patchwork results.

I had every intention of not only sewing a second Right Angle block for the other SBS quilt I'm stitching but to start getting ahead on my block making. I was lucky to get one block done today and photographed for this blog post. Oh well, maybe tomorrow I'll get more done!

My Right Angle block (seen here on top of a quilt I've made for my Quilt Market booth) is made using Bountiful fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics. I used Vine Braid for the background and Tartan Field Midnight and Haymow Early for the angles. I played around with the placement of the sections of this block and even though I made it exactly as the instructions say, I flipped two of the sections to split the "V" for a different look. I bet we'll see a lot of interesting interpretations of this block on Instagram.

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl     Lady Belle Fabric      Needle in a Fabric Stash      Dritz      Knotted Thread    NeedleandFoot      Stash Builder Box

Also, don't forget that Friday is Giveaway Friday and this week I will be hosting the giveaway from this blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Knotted Thread! 

Note: Normally, Maureen and I trade off each week but we had some schedule conflicts so I will do another week in a row and then Maureen will take two weeks in a row--don't worry, we'll let you know where to go to enter!

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #1

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #1

Hello, I'm so happy to welcome you to the first week of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew along! My dear friend and sister Art Gallery Fabrics designer Maureen Cracknell and I have teamed up to co-host this event. Every Wednesday, for the next 25 weeks, we will be releasing a new block PDF, share piecing techniques and tips for making the block, and provide inspirational photos as both Maureen and I stitch using the different fabric lines we've created. So, after you've read this blog post, head over to Maureen's blog to see what she's posted!

To make it easier and not miss a single thing, be sure to sign up for my email notifications and add my blog to your Bloglovin' feed (use the handy link at the top of my right sidebar).

Check back here on Friday as I am this week's host for our first Sewcial Bee Sampler giveaway. There will be several way to enter across two social media platforms—so lots of opportunities for everyone. More details on Friday.

Let's Get Started!

Today I have two PDF downloads you'll want to pick up from my Sewcial Bee Sampler page. The first is the Introduction handout. Please note: Print out the Introduction and all block PDFs in landscape (horizontal) printing orientation and select Fit to Page, if applicable.

In the Introduction PDF you'll find what's needed for selecting your fabrics. Here’s a tip for gathering your material: Since we have no idea how many different fabrics you will want to use in your quilt, the yardage for this project will be broken down into total amounts, rather than specifics fabrics and amounts. We want this to be a personal experience for you to make your sampler with your own unique aesthetics. So, if you want to make this quilt entirely from scraps, just work block to block with the exact cutting requirements for each block. If you want to limit your palette to just a few fabrics, then divide the total yardage by that number. Remember, a scrap quilt can be a great way to use scraps and stash fabrics, substitute any material you run out of with similar-hued fabric and it will be wonderful! Included in the Introduction PDF is a handy coloring sheet so you can start planning your quilt.

I plan to make my quilt from strike-off prints of my new Bountiful fabrics for Art Gallery Fabrics. Strike-offs are small samples of the prints from the mill and what we use to until the actual yardage is available. Sadly I have about a fat quarter or less of each print so until my advance yardage comes in, I may be adding some prints from some of my other collections. Many Gossamer, Sketchbook, and Tapestry prints go beautifully with Bountiful so it may end up being a blessing in disguise to run out and have to make substitutions. The more (prints) the merrier!

The second PDF you will be able to download today is our first block—Patience Corners. The block instructions come complete with cutting information and step-by-step illustrations. If you've not had a chance to try the eight-at-a-time half-square triangle (HST) technique, now's your chance. You will be able to make the necessary 16 HST units for this block from just four squares of fabric in no-time flat.

Eight-at-a-Time HST Units Tutorial

1. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lightest fabric square. Draw another diagonal from the remaining corners. 

2. Place the marked square right sides together with another same-size square. Sew a ¼” seam on each side of the drawn line. In the same manner, stitch on each side of the remaining diagonal line. Press.

Tip: Tape the corners of the stitched squares to a rotary cutting mat to hold in place while cutting.

3. Align the short end of a ruler with the straight edge of the squares and the long side centered at the intersection of the diagonal lines. Cut the square in half, but leave the cut pieces in place. Without disturbing the shape of the original square, cut the square in half again in the same manner, dividing it into quarters.

4. Cut the square quarter-sections apart on the drawn line. Open and press. Makes 8 half-square triangle (HST) units. Trim dog ears on the individual HST units.

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #1 Patience Corners

We can’t wait to see what your first block looks like so when posting your block to social media and especially on Instagram, don’t forget to use the hashtag #sewcialbeesampler and tag @maureencracknell and myself @sharonhollanddesigns so we can follow your work. Using the official hashtag will also automatically included your name in the weekly IG giveaway drawings! Please note: Your Instagram account needs to be a public account for your hashtags to show up in an Instagram hashtag pool. Hashtags are also wonderful for our purposes of following each other's work. But don't worry, we respect your desire to have a private account, that's why we will also hold the same giveaway prize, alternately between our blogs, and on Instagram so you can choose how and where to enter. Again, more about giveaways this Friday.

Happy sewing!