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!

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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!