Rivervalley's February Block

This months block is brought to us by Kathy.

Paulette made two versions of the block.

These blocks show how different the block can look, depending on your fabric choice.

Have a great day!

Rivervalley's January Block

This month's block is a Modern Dresden.  A traditional Dresden is made up of 18 degree wedges.  I decided to use a 15 degree wedge.  You may use whatever size you wish.

I started with a variety of scrap strips, from 2 1/2" to 3 1 /2" wide.

I added a 3 1/2" strip of background to each side of the scraps.

Next up was cutting wedges with my 15 degree ruler.

I varied where I placed the ruler so that I would get different amounts of background top and bottom. For the corners of the blocks make sure the wedge is at least 9 inches long.  You will need twenty four wedges if using the 15 degree ruler.

Lay out the wedges on a 12 1/2" ruler or on your cutting mat, making sure to cover the corners to the 12 1/2" mark.

When you are happy with your placement, start sewing together.  Sew the wedges into pairs, then six together for a quarter of the block, and the all twenty four together.  Trim the block to 12 1/2" and then add a circle of background fabric over the centre hole.

Happy stitching.

Rivervalley's December Block

This months block is brought to us by Judy!

The block is a modern leaf!  To make it follow along with Judy's instructions.

Make a stroppy block 1 1/2" bigger than desired finished size.  Judy made hers 4 1/2" so that the block would finish 3".  Make a second block and cut the blocks, angling in opposite directions for each block.

Sew two mirror image pieces together with a 3/4" strip of stem fabric in the middle.  Trim the block to the desired size and add connector corners of background that are finished size plus 1/2". Judy used 2" background squares for her 3" finished block.

Judy made four leaf blocks in total so that when they are pieced together they will make a 6" finished block.

Paulette's block is very elegant.

My block is a little on the bright side.  Paulette and I both used instructions available here.  It is a blog post from a few years ago, with a link within it to the original directions for the block.

Thank you to Judy for organizing and presenting this fun block for us.

Happy Quilting!

Rivervalley's November Block

This months block is brought to us by Jane.  Thank You!!  As promised Jane has kept her block fairly easy.

It's a rail fence block!  To make a quarter of the block you will need three 2 1/2" x 6 1/2' pieces of different fabric.  Sew together and press as shown.  Make three more blocks and sew together to make a 12 1/2" block.

My block is a slight variation of Jane's Rail Fence.

I stripped pieced six 1 1/2" strips, and then cut four pieces 2 1/2" x 6 1/2" and substituted them into the centre strip spot.

Paulette came up with several variations on the theme.

Offsetting the centre fabric makes for a great alternative.

I have been shown a few blocks made from last months presentation.  Wonderful.  Paulette had hers ready to go in time for the meeting.  Here are her pictures.

 The machine button hole stitch with variegated thread makes for a nice finish on her block.

I'm looking forward to seeing lots of variations on this months block.  Next months block will be brought to us by Judy. 

Rivervalley Quilters' Modernish Block of the Month

Rivervalley Quilters have asked for a block of the month to run for nine months, starting today. Paulette and I have agreed to head up a crew of "volunteers."

The first block is presented by Dinah.  It is her take on Hawaiian Appliqué Quilt Blocks.

My version of a Hawaiian quilt block is a little different, I'm not sure it will make the final cut for my quilt, but it certainly was fun to make.

Since all the blocks are going to be 12" finished (12 1/2"unfinished) I started designing my block with an eleven inch square piece of paper.

I folded it in half on the diagonal, and then folded twice more on the diagonal.

I drew a funky design that no way resembles the beautiful leaves Dinah came up with.

When I cut it and opened it up, it looked like an ink blot, but I decided to go ahead with it.

Since I was fusing mine, I traced it onto fusible web and then cut some of the inner fusible out. This is to make the block not quite so stiff.

I fused the web onto the back of my fabric and cut out on the lines.

I cut a thirteen inch square of background fabric and folded it on the diagonal and pressed to make some reference marks for placement of my ink blot.  After fusing the blot, I stitched 1/8" in on all edges and then trimmed the block down to 12 1/2".

Maybe my next try will be a true Hawaiian design that is reverse appliquéd like Dinah's.  Stay tuned.

Crossed Lines

Today is a tutorial day for a quick little baby quilt idea, that can also be used to make a smaller block.

This technique popped up recently on my Facebook feed.  I decided to do the math and come  up with a quilt that finished around 36 inches, for a preemie quilt.

Start with eighteen 2 1/2" strips of fabric.  Piece together end to end, and then cut into thirteen pieces that are 2 1/2" x 55".

Sew the thirteen pieces together along the length to make a piece that is approximately 26 1/2" x 55"

Cut two squares  and then cut the squares in half on the diagonal.

The bias cut edges end up on the outside of the quilt as you flip the pieces for the orientation shown.

After stitching together, I stay stitched the edges, quilted and bound this little cutie!

Next up I wanted to make a block that was 9 1/2" to fit into my (someday) Cotton + Steel quilt.

I started with seven 1 1/2" x 21" pieces cut from some fat quarters I had laying around.

The strips were sewn together to make a piece 7 1/2" x 21".  Since this was a smaller piece than above, I used Mary Ellen's Best Press on the entire piece so that I didn't have to worry as much about the bias edges. This piece was cut into two squares and then once again the squares were cut on the diagonal.

After they were sewn the block was just slightly larger than I wanted so I cut it down to 9 1/2".

Have a great day!

Hoffman Digital Deer

I feel so fortunate to be able to play with new fabric, before it hits the stores.  My latest adventure is with the Hoffman Digital Deer panel.

At a recent Guild meeting Paulette presented a demo on Delectable Mountains.  I decide that the block would work well with this panel.  A little bit of math was required to make it work the way I wanted, but in the end I was happy with the effect.  The red border was a perfect match for the little cardinal in the lower right corner.

The backing is the two tone Fireside that is just arriving in stores now.

I had an opportunity to play a little with the quilting on a hanging for a friend.  I love all the textures on this!  I'm hoping she will be as happy with it as I am.

Linking up with Finish it up Friday.