october block

posted : october bee block over at notes of sincerity

Blocks!

Catching up on my blocks!

I love the simple string blocks we made for Amy - I might be adding this project to my list!

April's block was a fun challenge! These stars are stunning.  

My only suggestion for ease of fabric included, cut four 6" squares before you begin, then on the diagonal once. The biggest piece is last, and can be a challenge to get big enough...(trust me!) the rest of the pieces were pretty simple to work out!

These will be in the mail later this week ladies!

Amy

amylouwho's block

I had a lot of fun making Amy's block for September's Bees Knees.

String blocks are a great way to use up scraps!
I will be keeping this fun little project in mind as I am always looking for ideas to use up all of those left over pieces of fabric that are too cute to toss.

And I loved Amy's suggestion to use newspaper for the foundation to make the 12 1/2" blocks.

I put the comics on the back so Amy can have a little laugh as she puts our blocks together.

Every day needs to have a little laughter :)

 

Nedra

October Block Instructions

Hey ladies! I'm excited that it's my month!

I've been wanting to make a quilt from these super cute Lone Starburst blocks for a while now, but I just haven't gotten to it. I started making a couple blocks and had so much fun! It is paper piecing (don't hate me!) but it goes together pretty quick. If you are new to paper piecing, Faith @ Fresh Lemons Quilts has a pretty good tutorial here. If you know of (or have on your blog) a paper piecing tutorial that will help, could you post it in the comments?

I sent you all the same fabrics: reds, yellows, deep turquoise, and grey--and I'd love for you to add one more color to the block. Your choice what color that is. I also sent some white for the background and that little stripe of white in the inside of the block. I put some extra white in the packages just as I was sending them out because I was nervous I didn't send enough. It's really hard to estimate for paper piecing! Odds are, it doesn't match exactly what's in the package. I'm okay with that--trying to follow Callie's Make it Do mantra :) Trying to use up my white scraps. If it really bugs you, the white in the package is Moda Bella 97...I should have more in a few days and I can send you some.

Photo from Six White Horses

What size quilt block do you want your bee partners to make? (Give finished and unfinished measurements, just to be sure.) 

12" finished, 12½" unfinished, please. That's the size of the templates.

Can your partners use any of his/her own stash fabric to use in your quilt block? If so, are there any limitations? 

Please add one additional color (can be the same fabric, or multiple fabrics in the same color) to the blocks--your favorite perhaps? I want each block to be unique!

Is there a specific color of thread (white/off white) you want your partners to sew with? 

Nope. Whatever you usually use is great.

Does your partners have to use at least a little bit of every fabric you send or can your partners decide? 

You don't have to use every fabric, but I would like each color I sent to be represented.

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'd like to stick with the template I provided, and please make the little strips between the colors white. 

Will you allow any embellishments on the quilt block (i.e. embroidery, raised items such as yo-yos or fabric origami)? 

Not this time around. :)

Can you link us to any flickr or Pinterest photos that you would like us to use as inspiration for your quilt block? 

The last block on this post is what I'm going for. Lots of color, and scrappy.

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 can of course make more than one! (But I don't think I sent that much fabric. :)

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? 

Of course, keep whatever you like. Send back what you won't use.

I'm so excited to see what you make!!
xoxo
April

PS I'm all caught up on my blocks, just need to take pictures. I'll post them soon!