Sinta's Dresdens

Sinta, I am so sorry to be this late with your blocks!  

What a fun quilt this is going to be!  

I really loved strip piecing, and getting two Dresdens from one sewn strip.  

 

 

A question for Sinta: I haven't made centers, since I wasn't exactly sure of what you wanted.  Did you want us to choose something from our own stash? 

I did have a bit of trouble with my blocks laying flat, they were a little cone shaped.  I think it's a sign that I need to work on accuracy- either with my scant 1/4" or cutting.  After pressing they flattened out better.

I am hoping it'll come out in the quilting.  I had to laugh at the advice from a good friend of mine... "She said as long as it's smaller that a "C" cup you'll be OK." 

I'm guessing a block that turns out bigger than a "C" cup it could be made into a bra.  Unfortunately not for me. 

Thank you Sinta!  Despite the little bit of trouble I had, I really enjoyed your blocks!  I can't wait to see the finished quilt. 

Calli's Pickledish Arcs

 Has it really been a year 

since we first started 

Bee's Knees?

My how time has flown!

This is our last block scheduled together.

I just finished Calli's arcs

for her Pickledish block.

 They were easy to do and a lot of fun to make.

The paper piecing helped to keep the arc together

at an even size, so the curves went together perfectly.

There wasn't enough fabric in my envelope to make

two arcs, 

so I added in a little bit of my own Gracie scraps.

I hope my fabric additions are okay, Calli :)

It's been a delight to work with you ladies!

Thank you Sherri and Amy for

inviting me along!
--Nedra

Double the Bee Fun

Hi everyone,  I am SO late this month.  I hope you all forgive me.  This is our final month of the Bees Knees and I'm sad to see it end.  I've loved getting your bundles each month in the mail and piecing all your lovely blocks.

For my quilt I've chosen Aneela Hoey's free Pickledish pattern.  I call it a double wedding ring, since it doesn't have the triangles... but whatever you want to call it... it's classic quilt that I love and am so excite to make.

Now before you panic seeing the block above, don't worry!  You won't be making a whole block.  I've sent enough fabric for two of the melons.  I would be happy if you'd only like to make just one, two if you are really motivated. 

If you're familiar with Aneela's templates, you'll notice the templates I've sent you have been altered a bit.  I found it much easier, and more accurate, to add lines to the arcs rather than following her tutorial exactly. 

I've sent a solid in each of your envelopes, either a purple or a minty green, for the squares at the end of each arc.  The unbleached muslin is for the center of the melon.  Please don't substitute these fabrics.

I personally made a freezer paper template for cutting the center of the melon.  I love freezer paper templates!  They just behave.

A template is included for the solid squares, but to make it easy for you, they are cut 3-1/8" square. 

The scrappy fabrics for the arcs are mostly "sherbet" colored 30's.  Aneela recommends cutting the strips for the arcs 4" high x 1-1/2" at the bottom and 2" at the top.  I cut mine 4" x 2" since it was much faster, and since I had the lines drawn on the template, there is no need to cut them differently.   I trimmed the excess fabric after piecing the arcs.

Aneela's tutorial for assembling the melons is found here.

Here are the answers to the questionnaire:

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.)    I've sent enough fabric and templates to make two melons, but you only need to make one.  If you enjoy it and have the time, you can make two.  A melon measures 15" from point to point and 8" at the widest.  

Can your partners use any of his/her own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations?   You are welcome to add a little of your own fabric if you wish, as long as they work with 30’s and are in the “sherbet” colors of my pallet, which are lavender purple, minty green, aqua, yellow, orange, and a little pink.

I’ve included a solid (either purple or green) for the squares at the end of each arc.  The unbleached muslin is for the center of the melon.  Please do not substitute these fabrics. 

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with? Any light colored thread is fine.

Does your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide?  You decide.  If there is something you don't like, no need to use it. 

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block?  Here's what the finished quilt will look like:

Photo from Aneela Hoey's Comfort Stitching Blog

If your partners are super motivated and are able to make two blocks out of the fabric you send, would you accept more than one block from your partners? Yes you can make two melons. 

Do you want your partners to return any leftover larger size scraps to you when they return the completed blocks or can they keep them for their own scrap stash?  If you only make one melon, I would love it if you sent back the remaining fabric so I can use it to finish the quilt. 

Thank you all!  I can't wait to see this quilt come together!  If you have any questions, don't hesitate to drop me a line at callimakesdo at gmail dot com.

Sa-we-eet!

I made my Bee blocks for the Shari a week or so ago and forgot to make a

post about them here.

 I just
love the two blocks... it
is going to be so cute. I might need to copy this idea and
make one for myself! 

Blocks for Shari

 Blocks for Shari.

I loved making both these blocks. This is going to be such a darling quilt! I can't wait to see what it looks like, Shari!

I decided to call this week "finish the Bee" week. It's funny how one block a month can sound so easy and then all of a sudden they pile up on my. Why is that!?

 

 

Shari's blocks were really fun to do. I loved playing with the fussy cut fabric. But I have to say, improv piecing a block to a specific size was a new challenge for me. I think it turned out pretty good. :o)

 

 

I also had Trish's block to do from soooo long ago. (Trish I'm so sorry!)

This block was super easy and quick that it made me feel even more guilty for not doing it sooner.

 

I'll have these in the mail this week.

 

BTW: Does anyone out there still have my november blocks? I'm trying to round them all up but I lost my list. I for sure am still missing purple. If you have it, could you send it to me? Even if it's not finished. THANKS!!!

Bees Going In Circles!

I can't believe that it's finally my turn "up to bat", so to speak!

(it's time for spring training)

I actually am glad that I am sharing my block with you now.

I feel like I have gotten my "feet wet" ... and had the 

pleasure of getting to know all of you a little bit. 

I have been stretched and challenged a bit over the past months...

especially when it came to the improv blocks! 

Oh my gosh, that was taxing!

But I am so happy that now I have done it...

I wouldn't have done it without you! hehe!

So, now it's my turn and I hope I am not getting you to do

something that is too difficult... but hopefully something that

you are excited to try.
I love Dresden's but I have not tried this modern version before.
So, here we go!

Here is my block.

Here is a link to a tutorial on it.

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.)  Finished will be 13" x 13" and Unfinished will be 13.5" x 13.5", (once it's cut into an octagon, but I will do that). It's a  little bigger than the blocks so far... but it's round. Please forgive me:)

Can your partners use any of her own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations? I have included everything you will need to make the block and the "reverse" block. I also included a  plastic template of a 15 degree ruler to use.

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with? Nope, either is fine.

Does your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide?  Please use the fabric I'm sending. It's pretty straight forward. The strips are precut for you.

Do you have a general theme or is it up to your partners to decide? Are there any specific themes that you do NOT want in your quilt block? Likes/dislikes?  I have sent an instruction sheet and fabric. You won't have to use anything from your stash.

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)?   If you would like to make a hexie for the center, I thought that would be nice and a good way for me to remember who made the block. No worries though. 

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block? This is what I am working towards:

 

Here is an example of another version of the same block:

Totally different look. These are from Geta's Quilting Studio blog.

Here is a photo of Cindy's quilt... isn't it sweet?

If your partners are super motivated and are able to make two blocks out of the fabric you send, would you accept more than one block from your partners? You will be cutting the blade and then the reverse from your sewn strip. You can just make the one  Modern Dresden and send me the alternate blades and I will make the other Dresden. No need to do anything but the circle. (you don't need to make them into octagons either).    Thanks!

Do you want your partners to return any leftover larger size scraps to you when they return the completed blocks or can they keep them for their own scrap stash?  You probably won't have any leftovers but what will be left over is for the alternate block, so yes, please send the extras back so I can make the alternate Dresden. (unless you want to make it) wink!