Janaury Quilting Bee

Dear fellow bee members:

I'm very excited for January being my month in the bee.  I had a lot of fun designing this quilt - and I thought I"d share the process with you!  So here we go :

I want to do a valentine's quilt that is inspired by the colors: red/pink and gray.  So I went to a LQS near my parent's house in NJ and pulled fabrics. (This was so much more fun than buying fabric online).

Then, I had to come up w/a  design.  I don't have any fancy quilt designing software - so when it comes time to design a quilt I have to go the old fashion way: paper and pencil.  I usually draw somethings up in paint, so I can print off a couple templates.  But the majority of it is done w/markers, pencils, crayons, etc.  

Here is a picture of the final design I chose: 

And then some research on flickr led me to this quilt.  I liked the variability in the block colors.  

So, I'm keeping my design and color palate and will end up w/blocks that look something like: 

Included in everyone's packet is: 

1 large rectangle of fabric

4 strips of contrasting color fabric

4, 8x8" paper pieces

assignment: X or O

It requires the sewer to make 4 paper pieced blocks and then assemble them into 1 larger quilt block in the shape of an X or an O.  I drew the lines on only 1 of the paper squares.  So you will need to add the lines to the remaining 3 blocks to complete the pattern.  The center lines are drawn 1" away from each corner.  Does that make sense?? I hope so.

This block is pretty easy to make.  I know paper piecing sounds scary to some folks, but really this block doesn't even really require it.  Think of this as more of a string block w/only 1 string down the center.  I chose to paper piece these blocks because I thought it was the easiest way for me to make my blocks equal ensuring that the letters lined up nicely.  Plus it made it easier in sharing directions w/you guys.  

If you aren't familiar w/paper piecing, here is a tutorial I used when I was first learning: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJM6QJbBgE0&feature=fvwrel

A few notes on the paper pieces I included: 

1. I did not include numbers.  Since there are only 3 sections, you can just sew in a line (triange -> strip, then add 2nd triangle).  Please let me know if anyone has any questions - I can post more pictures if needed. 

2. I didn't draw seam allowance lines.  Just sew 1/4" seam allowance to assemble the 4 blocks.

3. I didn't include a TON of extra fabric - so be mindful when placing your fabric and paper.  You can "test" it out before you sew to help make sure all corners will be covered w/fabric. 

4. REMEMBER - turn down your stitch length to ~1.4-1.8ish - this way it will help perforate the paper, making it easy to rip off in the end, w/o ripping your stitches.

That's it!  Please don't hesitate to ask questions here or on Flickr!  Happy sewing!!

Summer 2011 - Sewing Updates I

I can't believe it - I have so much to share that I can make this a multi-part post!!!  And to think that a year ago, I didn't even own a sewing machine!  Crazy times.

Part 1: July Bee Blocks.
So as I mentioned in my post yesterday, I was very busy in July and August -- needless-to-say I got a little  behind in my bees!!  I just got around to making my July bee-blocks  <insert bashful face>.  Luckily they both came together pretty quickly!  I plan to put them in the mail tomorrow!!  Here are the results!


Sew 2 Speak:
This month Melissa asked us to make a block from the Moda Bake Shop - "Sunkissed Squares".



I have to admit, at first I wasn't that excited to make this block.  I thought that there wasn't much room for creativity  since all the fabrics were picked for us and the pattern is very specific.  Let's me say, though, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I really enjoyed making this!!  I'm thinking that this pattern will go on my list of project ideas for future baby quilts and pillows.  And that my friends, is why I joined a bee - to be exposed to new patterns, fabrics, and ideas!


Twelve Month Quilting Bee:
Cassey asked us to make a string block.  This block has been on my to-make list for a long time.  And the fabrics she sent were so bright and beautiful!  I can't wait to see what this whole quilt looks like all put together!

Don't you love these colors?? I think this has been my favorite color scheme I have worked on so far during this quilting bee process.

On other bee-related news .... my month to be the "Queen Bee" for Sew-2-Speak is October - which is right around the corner!  This means it is go time for planning!!  I'm thinking I want to have an improv snowflake quilt ... I just put a fabric order in today  so that I can make a test block soon. I can't wait for the goodies to arrive!!  Once more details are clear in my head I will share!

Sewing Updates Part 2 coming soon.

Where to Start??

I have so much to share!! But instead of overwhelming this post w/all the projects I've been up to and have coming up - I will share June's Bee Blocks that I finished =)

First: 12 Month Sewing Bee:
Julie asked us to make a house for the little person she sent.  The only requirements were to make a 15.5" block with a blue background and red roof.  We could add colors from our stash as long as it was a color in the rainbow.  So far the ladies in this bee have made beautiful blocks!! Here is the block I made

I can't wait to see how the final quilt turns out!

Second: Sew 2 Speak II
Erin asked us to make 2 Kitchen Window quilt blocks.  These are based on the tutorial from Oh Fransson's blog.  The requirements were really loose and she sent lots of fabric to choose from!!  I made 1 square and 1 rectangle.

So that's the update from quilting bee land.  Hopefully I'll update again soon w/some of the other exciting things I"ve made/am working on.

Now  - off to enjoy the warm weather! =)

So pretty!!

So I decided to join a gym.  To justify the extraordinary price tag that comes w/a gym membership in downtown Baltimore city {you'd probably die if I told you how much}.... I promised the hubby I'd cut back on my fabric budget ...    

But ... before the fabric budget slash - I ordered all of these fabrics!!  

Impressions, Ty Pennington 50% off!  Couldn't resist - now what to make w/it??

Sunset fat quarter bundle from Sew Fresh Fabrics

Some stash building dots - by Alexander Henry

Thought this would be perfect for one of the many baby quilts/projects I have coming up

 I'm obsessed w/these Paperweight fabrics!  I see these turning into a bag!

 Check out this stack of "Happier" layer cake!  so bright and cheery

 Some more "Happier" yardage w/coordinating solids

May Fabric for my 12 Month Quilting Bee 

*this one I didn't pay for

Keep checking back for updates on sewing projects w/these new beautiful fabrics!

April Quilting Bee ...

Here is April's block for the 12 Month Quilting Bee.  This has been on my to-make list and now I can check it off ... or maybe put it back on for a quilt for ME! ;-)  We followed the tutorial from Oh Fransson!  This block was made using light blue, light green, gray, and brown.  In addition to the fabrics that were sent I added 2 from my own stash - scraps from the tan Cobblestone Central Park fabric and some blue paisley fabric.  

~Laura

My First Month of Quilting Bees - DONE! =)

Have I mentioned that I joined some online quilting bees?? Hm, I can't remember.

Well - in case I haven't, here's the low down - - I joined 2 quilting bees - each 12 months long.  They are both "virtual bees" meaning that we all sew on our own (in our own parts of the country) on a montly joint project.  Each month someone is the "Queen Bee".  The Queen Bee is in charge of picking the pattern and fabric for the month.  She will send out fabric and directions to each of the bee members at the beginning of the month.  Once the bee members have finished making their quilt block(s) they will mail them back.  Then the queen bee has 12ish beautiful blocks made by her fellow bee members to sew together to make a quilt!  There are 12 members and 12 months - so everyone gets 1 month to be in charge.  I joined 2 of these - "Sew 2 Speak" and "12 Month Quilting Bee".  I found both of these on Flickr.

Soo - anyway - now that I caught you up to speed - here are the blocks I made ..... 

The gray and green one above is a wonky log cabin block (tutorial by Quilt Dad) made for the 12 Month Quilting Bee.  Without a real pattern, this quilt lends itself to lots of room for creativity and freedom.  not to mention the fabric is so fun!  This was made w/Ty Pennington's Impressions line - one of my many coveted fabrics.  so of course I was v. excited to get to make something w/it.

These pink and yellow quilt blocks were made for Sew 2 Speak.  These will be added w/other blocks to make a "pink lemonade" quilt.  There are all different yellow and pink combinations.  I think this quilt will be so fun when it is done.  I would never have thought to put yellow and pink together - but I think it really works!  I can't wait to see this finished quilt! 

All-in-all this was a lot of fun!  I am eagerly waiting for April's quilt packets to come out!!  But alas, there are still 15 days left ... I'll just have to be patient.

Stay tuned for updates on my most recent completed project - the Central Park Quilt!