Remember the african violets?
First let me say that I won the african violet swap last year & I have done nothing with the blocks & I am unashamed! I WANTED them so bad I could taste them & periodically I spread them out on the floor & roll around in them. So I guess I have not exactly done nothing.
But this post is for anyone who wished they had won, particularly if instead of african violets the lotto had been poinsettias. Confused? Excellent.
Over on Facebook, we have an every other month quilt block swap & the December swap block is just that: the 8″ african violet block, but in poinsettia colors. If you are interested in joining the swap, the easiest thing is to search for Quilt Block Swap on Facebook & ask to join OR you can leave a message on the useless ranch blog post (http://uselessranch.blogspot.com/2012/08/noche-buena-for-december-2012.html) & I will get you the details.
& thanks again Sophie for all you do for Block Lotto & giving permission to cross-post this item.
Always do a test block….
….. before cutting all your fabric! I am not happy with how my blocks are turning out. Why do 1/2 square triangles and flying geese always turn out crooked for me…unless I sew large and trim to size? I’m not sure if I will have any that are up to par for the lotto. Maybe I’ll try again later in the month.
October blocks
Love the blocks and they will make up into a lovely quilt but in spite of having a huge stash I have absolutely NO solids – lots of tone on tones but no solids – very sad. So I will wait until next month. Enjoy making them
One September Block from Helen
No better way to spend a rainy Labor Day then in the sewing hub while my son napped. This will be my only block for September but maybe it will bring me luck. I learned so much from this block. The roses in my front yard bloomed (this weekend) and inspired this block. I promise the background is sky blue…it was a rainy day so I couldn’t take the photo outside. I will try and take a better picture tomorrow. Sophie, thank you for challenging me again!
I am real excited about how my sampler is turning out! It definitely won’t be hard to misplace. The blocks will be mixed up but it’s easier for me to see what I have done grouped together by month.
Thanks.
Helen in Nashville, TN
Tips and Tricks for the 3-D Flower Block
I’m going to attempt to capture the suggestions and explanations that I know will be coming in this post.
If at first you don’t like the block …
I already shared this thought, from Christa, with the sneak peekers–it’s more about attitude than technique, but something to consider if you shared her first impression of the block:
First when I got the sneak peek I thought “don’t really like it” but when I made it, I fell in love with it. AND learned a lot again.
Designing a block with two flowers
Michelle shared her process for creating a block with two blooms and a Y-stem created by inserting the bias strips into the background.
Appliqué Techniques
NOTE: For both these methods, you’ll need to cut the bias for the stem at 1 1/2 inch wide.
A couple days ago, Lynette Anderson posted a great tutorial on preparing fabric tubes to use for appliqué in this article, Bias Stem Tutorial. If you don’t have bias bars, check out your tool box or local hardware store for a zip tie. I once was supplied one for that purpose and it actually worked well.
In my previous post, I described an approach where the stem/vine is stitched to the background and then folded over that seam to cover it and the seam allowance before stitching it down.
Getting the Proportions Right
I didn’t like the proportions of my first flower block, but by the time I got to the second, I realized that I could easily make paper templates to use as part of my designing process.
For this block, once I had a right-sized paper-leaf, I traced it onto the fabric to produce a 3-D fabric leaf that was just the right size, too.
Next time I’ll probably make a paper flower bloom, too 😉
Think Multiples
If you know you’ll want more than one leaf on your block or plan to make multiple blocks using the same green fabric for stems and leaves, consider drawing and stitching bunches of leaves in one fell swoop.
These three leaves were drawn with the template above and used in that block.
What Else?
If you have had an “aha” moment when making your blocks or have a tip to share, tell us when you post your block(s) or leave a comment here.
Cool Ladders blocks
Here are the 2 Cool Ladders I made for the August drawing. Enjoyed working with these colors during the heat we’ve all had this time of year.
Pressing the July blocks
Anyone else having problems getting their blocks to lay flat. I’ve pressed the life out of them but they still puff out in many wrong places.
Any suggestions?
thanks.
//
July block
Tried three. Ruined three. Cannot get them flat even though I ironed the life out of them. Sorry about that. Must be a secret I don’t know. Will wait until August.
Posted three June blocks to Laura
I haven’t disappeared totally…
I really intended to get some blocks done last month….but time got away from me and life got in the way. My sewing room has not yet recovered from my daughter’s wedding. We had to make an unplanned trip to Kentucky, as my FIL was not doing well at all. He is 87 years old and we thought it might be too late if we waited until our planned trip at the end of this month. He has improved, but it was good to get in a visit. Life goes on. I logged on to the blog here this morning and realized it is a new month and a new block. And I do like the Silly String! I hope I can find time, work space, and the right fabrics to make a few.
Silly String Question
I sat out last month due to a really hectic month! But I love this month’s block andI have to join in.
I have a general question concerning finding the block instructions each month. When I signed in a couple of times in june with the intention of making one or two schoolhouses, I happeded upon the instructions quite by accident and the other time I never found them again.
Is there an easy way to get to the instructions for each month? WordPress is not my usual blog venue and I am still learning how to maneuver in it.
glen: like going back and finding the list of tags………I guess I need to paste it to my door.