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.  ***(Update: Apparently I can't count, or I shouldn't multi-task quite so much, but I sent only enough for one melon.)  I would be happy if you'd only like to make just one, two if you are really motivated.  (A few of you have still wanted to make two, and you are welcome to use your stash if you have 30's scraps in the same color palette.)

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  one melon, 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.  (There shouldn't be much left over, so keep or send it as you wish.)

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.