Modern Stitching Bee - a finish

Last year I was part of the Modern Stitching Bee with some truly lovely Bees and some fun blocks being set every month.  In July, my Queen Bee request was to have the other Bees make "That block" blocks for me a la Mary's tutorial (but re-sized a bit to finish at 12.5" square).  The blocks are a fantastic way to use up your scrappy leftover strips of fabric, and those of your Bee mates too!

A little like a spider's web block, "that block" uses lots of scrappy strips added around a centre (usually a solid).  In my experience of both blocks, however, the "that block" is the one I most prefer to make.  It definitely did not feel as difficult to construct as a spider's web block, and I also have a personal preference for the secondary pattern being a diamond, rather than the web effect.  Everybody will feel differently, but I at least hope that my Bee mates didn't hate me for setting this block.

They did me proud sending in all their blocks in the colour scheme I had requested (pretty much scrappy, bright and summery).  In fact, I loved it so much after I had it all laid out on my living room floor that in spite of having resolved only to piece it into a top until after the baby arrives, I just couldn't wait to finish it.




Now, as you can see it is a fully fledged quilt!  I chose to quilt in wavy lines mainly because I was impatient to get on and because the straight line design options I was mulling over would take me through those seams where many layers of fabric had come together and I feared that might get a bit bumpy instead of staying straight.

Have to say, I really love the waves and am pleased that I just went for them.  Finished off with a scrappy binding I already know this quilt will be much used in my home.  I love that it is such a happy quilt.  I love that my Bee friends contributed to it.  I love that it has such a greater scrappy variety in the fabrics than I could have achieved by myself.  I love that it looks just like I hoped it would way back when I was choosing my block to set in MSB.  And, I love that it is finished and snuggle worthy!

I am linking up this scrappy strippy quilt with Leanne and Nicky today for Scraptastic Tuesday even if the scraps used were not all my own.  BTW two of the pretty blocks in my quilt were contributed by Leanne herself!

Lastly, I want to reiterate my thanks to the lovely Modern Stitching Bees for making me such a beautiful set of blocks and for including many precious fabrics in there.  Thank you all so much!!

Modern Stitching Bee - August 2014

Trumpet fanfare please for the most regal of all Queen Bees, Queen of the Cumberland Gap, the majestic Rhonda!

Rhonda asked for Union Jack blocks in brights and white so here are the two I stitched up for her:

This first one is my favourite.  I love the red and yellow together!

The second one is orange and a beautiful shade of jade which hasn't pictured very true here.  Looks more turquoise here but it isn't.

Rhonda pointed us in the direction of this tutorial from Molli Sparkles.  It works beautifully but does require some attention when orientating the diagonal segments for cutting.  Mind you, paying attention was worth it, I reckon!

Great block choice to finish up a year in the Modern Stitching Bee.  I've made a ton of blocks this year, been introduced to many low volume backgrounds, learned some gentle curved piecing and just been made so welcome in the Bee by Rhonda and Leanne and the other Bees.  Thanks ladies for letting me join in with this year's fun!

July Queen Bee - Modern Stitching Bee

This month is my month to be Queen Bee for the Modern Stitching Bees and this block, or should I say "that block" is my choice for the Bees to get busy with.

Some months ago, I came across "That Block"  (yes, that's what it's called) and I haven't been able to get it out of my head.  Mary from Molly Flanders Makerie has written a great tutorial for the block and has kindly allowed me to reference it for the purposes of the Bee this month.  (MS Bees please note that I am upscaling the block a little as Mary's will produce a 10.5" block.  I will list all adjusted measurements on the flickr discussion thread.)

Sort of similar to the Spider's Web block, it builds layers of strips around a central star shape (generally pieced in a solid).  However, using the quarter square unit as the base, rather than the quarter triangle a la Spider's Web, sets the star off-point and results in a different secondary pattern when the blocks are repeated.

I think it's this secondary diamond pattern that makes me have a personal preference for this block.  I love it and can't wait to see even more of them all laid out and repeating!   So what better way to get a deliciously summery scrappy quilt of "That blocks" than to farm out the work to the beautiful bees of your hive?!

So, ladies, I hope you won't hate me for the strippy piecing but this is what I would really love from you for July.  All of the specific details, adjusted measurements and handy hints from my experience of making up the blocks are posted on the flickr thread in our group.  Any other questions, just shout!

Thank you in advance for making these up for me.  Mwah!

June Bee Blocks

When I can, I like to take care of my Bee blocks at the first opportunity each month.  This month I wasn't quite as on the ball as usual - combination of having a little less available time and having to think about some of these blocks a little more.

The easy peasy one was the Bee Blessed block that Judith chose to be our BOM for June - Scrappy but Classy block by Anne Marie at Gen X quilters.  This one took more time choosing fabrics than stitching up and I think it'll make a great scrappy quilt for Bee Blessed.

Queen Bee of Modern Stitching Bee, Anneliese, plotted to keep us busy with HSTs for an afternoon but I think you'll agree the results are very pretty.  Her daughter should have an amazing pieced quilt 

when these lovelies all make it home.

As you can see low volume strikes again for the MSBees!

In HipBees, Rachel asked for floral applique blocks in a variety of sizes.  This one made me scratch my head a little lot as applique isn't my favourite stitching style and I didn't want to mess these up on Rachel.

With much thanks to Google Images for helping me find starting points I have made:

a raw-edged sketchy applique 6.5" square with an orange morning glory (you know I never knew they could be orange but they can);

a little bunch of yellow tulips, satin stitch appliqued as best I could (this block is 12.5" square);

and a 6.5" x 12.5" rectangular block with a little flutter of blossoms and leaves of the "Sarah-made-them-up" variety (sketchy raw-edge applique again). 

A trio of floral applique challenges!!

So, there you have it.  All squared up on the Bee Block commitments for another month and next month I get to play Queen ....

Modern Stitching Bee - May 2014

For Queen Bee, Clara, we are making spiderweb blocks this month in the Modern Stitching Bee.

I have never made a spiderweb block before.  It's one of those blocks on my very long "Must do one day" / "Fancy a quilt of these" lists, so being asked for them in a Bee has been a perfect way to get stuck in.

I did underestimate just how much time these blocks would take me to put together.  Not because they are hard but maybe just because I didn't have a flow for a while and I was dithering about with scraps.

I was a little nervous about drafting my own paper template for these blocks.  However, thanks to these great instructions from Narcoleptic in a Cupboard, that part of the process was nowhere near the fearsome task I had conjured in my mind.  If you fancy giving it a go, Sarah's instructions are great step by step guide to drafting the paper foundation.

So, my verdict on the spiderweb block?  I LOVE it's scrappy loveliness and sharp lines, but I don't see me ever having the patience to make a whole quilt of them myself.  Perhaps that's why they're such a popular block to set for our Bee mates?

Modern Stitching Bee - April 2014

It's Rebecca's turn as Queen Bee this month and she asked us for Japanese x and + blocks in saturated colours.

These blocks look brilliant in a full quilt but I have to admit that I struggled more with these block than I have ever struggled with a block before.

This is the evidence of several blocks made and ripped apart in my attempts to line up the top and bottom arms of the plus part of the block.  Much frustration (and fabric) later I did have respectable blocks but as yesterday's IG posts testify it was not a painless experience.  Thank you to the IG folks for bolstering my confidence and soothing my furrowed brow!

I've also been working on my hipBees blocks this weekend (with more success) but have a wee spot of embroidery to finish on one of them before I reveal them.  Soon I hope ...

Hope you had a successful stitchy weekend!

Modern Stitching Bee - March 2014

Time for the monthly Bee Blocks again!  I started this month with Di's blocks for the Modern Stitching Bee.  

Asking for jewel toned/ deep fruity toned crosses on a low volume background, Di's choice of block was very kind to us this month and, of course, the LV charm swap I was gifted was super handy when it came to having an adequate LV selection.

Di shared with us a picture of a quilt that inspired her to ask for these blocks and although the very mixed LV background of quilts isn't something I have absolutely warmed to just yet, this quilt really did look amazing.  I think the trick (for me) is to make sure there's a really marked contrast between the LV and the other design elements of the block.  Perhaps I can be converted yet?

In any case, I'm sure Di will have gorgeous blocks buzzing their way back to her very shortly and I look forward to seeing her quilt finish in due course.

January Bee Blocks

Although I downed tools for a few weeks at the beginning of January, I did sneak back into the sewing room twice to fulfil my Bee commitments for the month. (Can't keep those Queen Bees waiting for pretties!)

First up was Katy's block in the Modern Stitching Bee.

She asked for a single large block instead of the usual two, so this biggie is 18.5" x 24.5".  Katy's quilt is going to be a variety of icy blue wonky blocks with scrappy pieced centres.  Making this reminded me a lot of the wonky grey quilt I made for my brother and I know Katy will have a great quilt when all her blocks are in.

In hipBees Collette has plans for a funky floating log cabin quilt and sent us each a pack of pre-cut strips in a selection of lovely fabrics from her palette of navy, red, coral, yellow, aqua and grey.  

I really like how these colours work together (they aren't very true in my photo) and am interested to see Collete's finished quilt top come together.  Should be a stunner!

November Bee Blocks

It has taken me a little longer than usual this month to finish up my Bee blocks, but here they are:

For Jennie in Modern Stitching Bee we are making her star blocks with a solid centre (range of colour options suggested by Jennie) and low volume background pieces.  Jennie has written her own tutorial for this block if you're interested.

Catherine's hipBee choice was the Jared Takes A Wife block which you can find on quiltville.com.  This block has certainly sparked a bit of interest on IG, perhaps because Catherine's fabric selections make it very striking and perhaps also because it's a block which isn't so familiar to us.

In spite of the fact that this block is made from several units which in themselves are really straightforward, I had a humdinger of a time making them.  I was reaching for the stitch ripper more than just to correct this

Oops!  I just seemed to be having one of those days when my brain refused to co-operate.  I did eventually pull it together and finish both blocks, though some of the points are not as well aligned as they should be - hope they don't spoil things too much for your quilt Catherine.

Modern Stitching Bee -October

Emily is this month's Queen Bee in the Modern Stitching Bee and has asked for highly contrasting log cabin blocks with low volume strips on one half and mainly blues to navys on the other. She has thrown in a wee red centre and a touch of yellow and green too.

These blocks are going to look smashing in a quilt and there will be so many possibilities for the layout. I wonder which she'll choose? I must admit to a little trepidation that my stash might not have quite been up to the selection of the right shades of blue, but fingers crossed they might just scrape by.

So, that's one set of October Bee Blocks sorted. Hoping to do the hipbees ones soon.

Posted with Blogsy

Modern Stitching Bee Initiation

September is my first month in the Modern Stitching Bee and the lovely Leanne set a great block for my initiation month.  I'm not sure if the block she asked for has a name of its own, but it is a block of four quarters - two quarters are quarter square triangle blocks and two are the block which is known variously as Economy, Thrift or sometimes just Square in a Square.

These blocks gave me a great opportunity to break in the new mini design boards which I made just before I went on hols.  You may have seen these on Lori Holt's Bee in my Bonnet blog.  (For ref, I made mine 16.5" which is a bit bigger than Lori's.)  I wondered for a while whether I should make them or is it just another thing that would clutter my space without actually being very useful.  In late July I decided to make 4 and try them out (still have to finish two of them with binding as you can see).  I won't kid you that I wasn't covered in glue during the process.  They aren't difficult, I just got myself into a bit of a gluey mess.  I am glad I persevered though as they came into their own when I was choosing fabrics and sorting the layout for these blocks.  Yes, you are right, I could just have laid them out and played with fabrics on the table but the boards meant I could free up the table for more cutting and prep without disturbing the the arrangement of the blocks.  It also meant that the cut pieces stayed put instead of blowing off the table with every little breeze coming through the window!

Anyway, back to the blocks.  Leanne requested that the Economy block quarters are made up in bright colour prints and, of course, the block design lends itself nicely to a few fussy cut centres.   So, I hunted through my stash and found these which I hope will fit the bill in terms of Leanne's colour requirements.  She did say they didn't have to be matchy.

For the QST portions of the block, Leanne asked for a white solid and a horizontal text print (or another print that reads horizontally dark on white).  I'm not explaining this as well as she did, so just let me show you -

Can you see what I mean now?  (The page on the floor was me checking that I had the orientation and positioning of all the quarters correct before sewing them together!  Attempt to avoid disaster.)

And, here are the finished blocks -

I really think that Leanne is going to have an amazing quilt when all of her blocks come together and you get to see the repetitions of her solids and text prints.  I can't wait to see it!

Hope you like the blocks, Leanne.  Thanks for the fun in month number 1!!



PS  Something is definitely up with my camera.  I'm no Lord Lichfield but even I can usually manage to take pics a wee bit better than some have been the past few days. Definitely a little bit of a blur going on and, today there are funny horizontal lines on the camera screen.  So apols if my pics are inducing mild headaches!