Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #15

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #15

What????  We're already at the end of row THREE!!!! Things are really starting to take shape now, aren't they? My co-host, Maureen Cracknell and I've been seeing Instagram postings showing off your makes to date, and my goodness, your quilt blocks are looking good! Use the hashtag #SewcialBeeSampler when posting to Instagram and take a look at your fellow SBS Maker postings for block variation ideas and meet other sampler sewists. We've created such an amazing virtual sewing bee community because of this event and it's all because of your wonderful participation and interaction with each other.

As we keep getting more blocks made, start thinking about what sort of sashing you will want to use to tie all the blocks together. The frames (white frames around the block in the example image above) bring any block smaller than 12-1/2" up to size. This week we're adding 3-1/2" wide frames. Once all the blocks have been set into the sashing, they will FINISH at 12". 

If you're just joining us on the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS) you may want to start at the first post, working your way forward and taking advantage of the in-blog tutorials. Otherwise, let's get started sewing week #15 block! Download the free (and super easy) Broken Dishes PDF from my Sew Along page.

No tutorial this week since these 2-at-a-time Half-Square Triangle units are review. But, if you need a refresher, take a look at the step-by-step photos and instructions here and tips for Perfect Patchwork, here.

With Quilt Market right around the corner, I've only been making blocks for my Sewcial Bee Sampler quilt made with my Bountiful fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics. I promise after Market that I will get caught up on my other SBS sampler quilt. 

For online shops that carry my Bountiful fabrics, check out my Shop Fabrics page!

Are you finding you have blocks that didn't make the cut or extra pieces/units accumulating? Since we use many of the same size pieces in constructing the sampler blocks, you may get a chance to reuse extra orphaned units in future blocks. But, if you're like me, you may be amassing quite a few scraps and orphan pieces. I took cast-off week #13 Flying Geese units and extra HST units from a recent quilt to make a fun, improv zippered pouch. I didn't make much of a dent in my pile of scraps, but it was really exciting to work freeform and felt good to use at least some of them! I even used some fun selvage for my zipper pulls.

Don't forget that this Friday's Giveaway Friday and this week I will be hosting the giveaway from this blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Intrepid Thread 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

Week #14 SBS Giveaway

Week #14 SBS Giveaway

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Maureen Cracknell and I are co-hosting, we've lined up special giveaways with one of our generous participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info and can join us anytime - it's never too late to jump in! Be sure to use the #SewcialBeeSampler hashtag when posting your SBS makes to Instagram for more chances to win as well as see all the SBS blocks in one convenient place!

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

 

TODAY'S FEATURED SEWCIAL BEE SPONSOR IS omnigrid!

Omnigrid® is a family of measuring and cutting products. When Omnigrid® tools are used together they provide quilters, sewists and DIY aficionados with unsurpassed accuracy and quality. A product concept born of the genius of Peggy and Randy Schafer, Omnigrid® products work behind the scenes allowing makers to flawlessly bring their creations to fruition. - See more at: Omnigrid!

Products  *  Projects and Patterns  *  Instagram  *  Pinterest 

We hope you enjoy visiting Omnigrid!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, Ominigrid is offering an incredible prize! Both the blog and Instagram winner will receive all of the wonderful Omnigrid sewing/quilting products shown below! 

This prize pack includes:  

2050 45mm rotary cutter * R24 6” x 24” ruler * 18 x 24 cutting mat * 2102 Glow-Line tape * R1264S Marking ruler trio * R1 1” x 6” ruler * 2064 4” needlecraft scissors * 2045 28mm rotary cutter * 2051 45mm blade replacement * 2046 28mm blade replacement 

Thank you Omnigrid for this generous prize!

ENTER TO WIN!

Here's how: Since Maureen and I are taking turns hosting the Sewcial Bee Sampler Giveaway Fridays, this week I'm sending you to Maureen Cracknell's blog to enter!

A BIG thanks to all of you who are joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!  ♡ Sharon

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #14

Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #14

We're officially past the halfway mark on our Sewcial Bee Sampler quilt. I thought I would throw this virtual rendering of the quilt back up to remind you how the quilt will be set into sashing when finished. I've already deviated from my original color and fabric placements, how about you? It's so interesting seeing all the different ways the same block can be sewn by experimenting with fabric placements, a quilter could probably work with a block for a week and not come up with the same look twice.

My co-host, Maureen Cracknell and I've been seeing Instagram postings showing off your makes to date, and my goodness, your quilt blocks are looking good! Use the hashtag #SewcialBeeSampler when posting to Instagram and take a look at your fellow SBS Maker postings for block variation ideas and meet other sampler sewists. We've created such an amazing virtual sewing bee community because of this event and it's all because of your wonderful participation and interaction with each other.

As we keep getting more blocks made, start thinking about what sort of sashing you will want to use to tie all the blocks together. The frames (white frames around the block in the example image above) bring any block smaller than 12-1/2" up to size. Once all the blocks have been set into the sashing, they will finish at 12". 

If you're just joining us on the Sewcial Bee Sampler (SBS) you may want to start at the first post, working your way forward and taking advantage of the in-blog tutorials. Otherwise, let's get started sewing this week's block! Download the free Star and Cross block from my Sew Along page.

Block #14 is called--Star and Cross. I really don't know where the star is on this but that's what this traditional block was called so I kept the traditional name for our sampler. 

Just like Four Square in week #11 , this block has no units to make--just cut and sew! There's no need for a tutorial with this block but if you're still trying to achieve a perfect quarter inch seam allowance, you may want to take a moment and read my Perfect Patchwork post so your piecing comes out at it's best. 

I've sewn my Star and Cross block using prints from my new Art Gallery Fabrics collection called Bountiful and mixed in some AGF Pure Element solids. Use my Shop Fabrics page to find an online quilt store that carries Bountiful!

This was such a quick block I took a little extra time and made two just because I wasn't sure which variation I liked better to mix with my other blocks. Again, I could see so many more possibilities but I've also got other sewing to do to get ready for Quilt Market in a couple short weeks! So just two for now.

Variation 1

The first block I pieced was per the PDF instructions with four colors and all squares. Since my Four Square block #11 had a very defined cross center I thought I'd let this one act almost like sashing and used the same solid white as my frame. 

Variation 2

For my second try at this block I wanted to use my Scenic Blue Sky print but not break up the directional print. Instead of cutting all squares, I cut (4) 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles for the cross. If you want to use this variation and are also using a directional print be sure to cut (2) 2-1/2" x 4-1/2" rectangles and (2) 4-1/2" x 2-1/2" (directional) rectangles so the print is going the same direction. I still went with four different fabrics for this variation.

Can't wait to see what you come up with for this block!

Don't forget that this Friday's Giveaway Friday and this week my co-host Maureen Cracknell will be hosting the giveaway from her blog. We've got a great giveaway planned from Omnigrid 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

Week #13 SBS Giveaway

Week #13 SBS Giveaway

Each Friday, throughout the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along community event that Maureen Cracknell and I are hosting together, we've lined up a new, special Giveaway with one of our amazing, participating sponsors! If you happened to miss the launch of our Sewcial Bee Sampler you can follow this link for all the info and can join us anytime - it's never too late to jump in!

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

Today's featured Sewcial Bee sponsor is Needle in a Fabric Stash!

Our sponsor Needle in a Fabric Stash is located in Temecula CA and owner, Sue Stone carries bright, fun, trendy, modern fabrics. Featured fabrics include Art Gallery, Free Spirit, Westminster, Michael Miller, Dear Stella, Timeless Treasure, Riley Blake, Cotton and Steel and more!

Shop  *  Instagram  *  Facebook  *  Blog   We hope you enjoy visiting Needle in a Fabric Stash!

For this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway, Needle in a Fabric Stash is offering one lucky commenter a complete Fat Eighth bundle of my Bountiful collection for Art Gallery Fabrics, including all TWENTY beautiful quilting cottons that make up my newest collection! You can find this collection available in the Needle in a Fabric Stash HERE!

How to Enter:

Maureen and I have been taking turns hosting Sewcial Bee Giveaway Fridays but due to some scheduling conflicts, I've hosted the past two Friday's so now I'm sending you to Maureen's blog at Maureen Cracknell Handmade this week and the next! Don't worry, we'll remind you each week which blog the giveaway will be on :)

A BIG thanks to all of you who are joining the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along and to those who enter our Giveaway!  ♡ Sharon