Sewcial Bee Sampler Block #17

The virtual sewing bee that my co-host Maureen Cracknell and I have created has been simply amazing and it's all because of the SBS Makers posting their blocks and making the sew along a community event. I'm astonished with every block I see posted to Instagram under the hashtag #SewcialBeeSampler. I love the confidence that's being gained and the changes and modifications being invented to make your sampler truly unique and your own. Thank you for sewing with us!

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 #17 block! Download the free Spools PDF from my Sew Along page.

You may recognize the corner sections of this week's block as small Broken Dishes blocks from week #15. Since we have a lot of half-square triangles (HST) to make for this block we are utilizing the 8-at-a-time HST technique instead of the 2-at-a-time HST technique used in Broken Dishes.

Block #17--Spools is one of five blocks in our sampler that does not require a frame. The block will measure 12-1/2" square (unfinished) before being sewn into the quilt.

I pieced my block using Bountiful fabrics from Art Gallery Fabrics. Instead of using three different fabrics like in the PDF instructions, I used five. Here's what you would need to cut if you wanted to make a five-fabric variation like mine:

Variation

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric A

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric B

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square fabric C

Cut (1) 5-3/4" square and (4) 4-1/2" squares fabric D

Cut (1) 4-1/2" square fabric E

Visit my Shop Fabrics page to find online shops that sell Bountiful. For fun inspiration and a peek into Quilt Market where I just had a booth for Bountiful go to Art Gallery Fabrics Bountiful Lookbook and the AGF blog.

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 Knotted Thread you won't want to miss!

Aurifil      Circa 15      The Intrepid Thread      Fat Quarter Shop      Omnigrid      Llama Fabrics      Color Girl  &nbsp… — 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 #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!