Rail Fence Block Challenge 2021 - Sneak Peek #2

Welcome back to the Rail Fence Block Challenge!  If you are catching this post for the first time and aren't exactly sure what I'm talking about, there are two other posts that preceed it.   First is my Fabric Pull post where I share the fabrics that I'm using to make my Rail Fence Reimagined quilt.  Second is the Sneak Peek #1 post where I show making the traditional rail fence block. 

Here is Sneak Peek #2 of my block where I have done some slicing and added a sashing strip between half-blocks.  

In order to get this slicing and reassembly technique to work, you have to slice half of your blocks on direction and the other half of the blocks the opposite direction.  Then you can mix and match and sew them back together with a sashing strip in between. 

I know it is hard to cut up something that you just worked so hard to make.  But after the first cut or two, it isn't so bad and the excitement of creating something totally brand new takes over and then it's really easy to cut the block in half. 

If you want to join in making a quilt using the same fabric colorwary that I'm using, here are links to the precuts and yardage in my Etsy shop. 

Precut 2-1/2" strips

2-1/2 yards beige tonal yardage

The fun of a challenge like this is to see what everyone is doing.  Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing the second sneak peek of our blocks today - Monday March 22nd.  

@tamarinis

@seamslikeadreamquilts

@faithandfabric

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@appliques.quilts.and.more

@orangeblossomquilt 

@swanamity

@lisaerin1121

@debbiewendtquilting

@masterpiecequilting

@lizardcreekquilting

@storiedquilts314

@patchworkbreeze

@mvquilts

@melissabekkum

You can also follow along with the challenge using these hashtags.

#railfenceblockchallenge

#railfencequiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#marchdesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks

Next week will be the FINAL REVEAL! and if everything goes as planned I will be sharing the completed quilt with you.  I think it is going to be so cool.  It's hard not to share anything in advance, but we have to wait :)  

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Old School Block of the Month - March 2021

 I'm excited to share my March block for the Old School Block of the Month. 

This month's featured designer is Jane Davidson of QuiltJane in Australia.  Here is the link to Jane's gorgeous block tutorial. 

I learned a lot making this block and mostly I learned that my fabric stash is pretty darn boring!  I've turned into a solids, tonals and small prints quilter!  Help - I think I need to go shopping :) 

Jane's beautiful block and tutorial are filled with fussy cutting, stripes and busy fabrics.  So I did a lot of searching (yes, it took me longer to find fabrics than it did to make the block!) and came up with these options.  A medium scale floral, a stripe, some big dots to fussy cut and a white tonal to fussy cut. 

A tip I've learned along the way that is super helpful is to use tape on the cutting grid to help define the area you want to fussy cut. 

I opted for a kaleidoscope layout in the center of my block with the 4 fussy cut florals.  I thought it gave it more movement as I tried to maximize the impact of my medium scale print. 

Here are my three blocks together.  

My March block doesn't quite have the same pizzazz as my first two so I may remake it or at least look for the busier busy print for the center section that will give it a bit more punch.   

If you are just finding this post and want to join the Old School Block of the Month, we would love to have you!   Here is a link to Kim Lapacek's January block and here is the link to my February block tutorial.  You can find the Facebook group here. 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Rail Fence Block Challenge 2021 - Sneak Peek #1

These block challenges are so much fun and I can't wait to share Sneak Peek #1 this week of the Rail Fence Block Challenge.   In case you are catching this post first,  here is a link back to last week's post where I revealed my fabric pull for the challenge.  

Here is a first glance at my block! 

This week I've been busy sewing 6 "rails" to make my rail fence block.   I have several blocks already at this stage with several more to go.  And yes, I am making a dent in my autumn stash bin.  If you are wanting to stitch along with me, I have precut 2-1/2" strips in an autumn colorway available in my Etsy shop.  They are very similar to the fabrics I'm using. 

Precut 2-1/2" strips in Autumn Colorway

If you aren't super comfortable sewing together 2-1/2" precut strips, I put together a quick Watch Me Work video where I share a lot of tips and tricks about working with 2-1/2" precut strips.  

If this video was helpful to you, be sure to subscribe to my Youtube channel to see more of my videos. 

The fun of a challenge like this is to see what everyone is doing.  Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing a sneak peek of our blocks today - Monday March 15th.  

@tamarinis

@seamslikeadreamquilts

@faithandfabric

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@appliques.quilts.and.more

@orangeblossomquilt 

@swanamity

@lisaerin1121

@debbiewendtquilting

@masterpiecequilting

@lizardcreekquilting

@storiedquilts314

@patchworkbreeze

@mvquilts

@melissabekkum

Next week I will be sharing sneak peek #2 and you will be wowed when you see what I do with these blocks :) 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Let's Gather Table Runner - Spring Colorway

Yes, Spring is on it's way!  I'm so excited to share my Let's Gather Table Runner in a beautiful spring colorway. 

Patterns specific for the Spring Colorway are available in both Print and PDF Digital Download versions in my Etsy shop.  I varied the color placement a bit from the Fall and Christmas colorway versions so I updated the pattern. 

Print version (shipping included)

PDF Digital Download version

To make the Spring colorway, I used Solid-ish Watercolor Texture tonals by Kimberly Einmo for Timeless Treasures fabric company.  I love the color saturation of these fabrics as well the softness of the tonals. 

If you want to make your runner using the same fabrics that I did, I do have kits available.  It contains all the fabrics needed to make the runner top including binding + print pattern + free shipping.  That is an amazing deal. 

Let's Gather Spring Table Runner Kit

I'd love to see your version of Let's Gather.  Be sure to share it on social media using #letsgatherrunner and #masterpiecequilting 

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me.

My Etsy Shop has Spring Fever!

The bulbs are starting to push through, the sun is shining and Spring Fever is running rampant! Now is the perfect time to stock up on some spring fabrics from my Etsy shop.  Get yours before they are gone!  And Free Shipping too for domestic orders. 

6 Fat Quarter Bundle - Kona Kauffman Solids in pretty pastels. 

12 Fat Quarter Bundle - Quilting Flannel - perfect for warm & snuggly baby quilts! 

6 Fat Quarter Bundle - Patriotic blend

Batik Mystery Bag - perfect for building your stash

Fairy Frost precut 10" squares - 

Enjoy your shopping experience! 

Lonesome Heart Quilt + Tutorials on 45-degree diamonds & Piecing Y-Seams

I put this video together over a week ago, excitedly edited it and uploaded it to my YouTube channel (If you aren't already a subscriber, be sure to subscribe) and promptly forgot to blog about it!  Yikes what was I thinking???  

Anyway, better late than never - here is the video about my Lonesome Heart quilt. 

I share a bit about the quilt pattern and fabric and then dive right into two tutorials that will help you make the pattern.  The first tutorial shows you two ways to cut 45-degree diamond shapes and the second tutorial is about piecing Y-seams.    Enjoy! 

If you haven't already purchased your pattern - here are direct links to both the pdf and print versions for your convenience. 

PDF Digital Download Pattern

Print Patterns (shipping included)

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me. 

Rail Fence Block Challenge 2021 - Fabric Pull

I had so much fun with the recent Snowball Block Challenge and I even got my Snowbound Quilt finished and the pattern written (see it here) that I signed up for the Rail Fence Block Challenge.  If you missed the Snowball Block Challenge, here is a link to my introductory blog post.  

I'm partnering with a group of leading designers to bring this super fun experience to you.  Each of us have been challenged to take a basic rail fence block with 3 or more rails, straight or angled, and re-imagine it.  I've been working on my design and am pretty pleased with it - but I might make a few changes. 

Each Monday in March, the participating designers will be sharing about the challenge on their Instagram feeds.  Some of us are adding other social media too.   If you don't already follow me on Instagram, I'm @masterpiecequilting 

This Monday, everyone is sharing their fabric pulls, then sneak peeks for the next two Mondays (March 15 & March 22) followed by the big reveal on March 29!   It's gonna be a full month, so be sure follow all the designers so you don't miss a post! 

So without any further delay - here is my fabric pull for the Rail Fence Block Challenge. 

I decided to go with fall fabrics for my quilt.  I love a scrappy quilt in the fall and to be honest, we need another smaller fall quilt for outside gatherings so I know this quilt will get put to get use.  I have several partial bundles of precut 2-1/2" strips that I plan on using as well as some extra stash fabric.  My fall fabric stash tote is OVERFLOWING, so hopefully this will make a dent in it! 

If you are wanting to stitch along using the same colorway I am, here are links to the precuts and yardage in my Etsy shop. 

Precut 2-1/2" strips

2-1/2 yards beige tonal yardage

The fun of a challenge like this is to see what everyone is doing.  Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme on Monday March 8th  

@tamarinis

@seamslikeadreamquilts

@faithandfabric

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@appliques.quilts.and.more

@orangeblossomquilt 

@swanamity

@lisaerin1121

@debbiewendtquilting

@masterpiecequilting

@lizardcreekquilting

@storiedquilts314

@patchworkbreeze

@mvquilts

@melissabekkum

I can't wait to see what everyone is selecting for their fabrics and I hope that you will take a look too! Be sure to follow each of the designers so you don't miss their posts during this fun challenge.

If you would like to see more of my patterns, tips and techniques delivered weekly to your inbox, be sure to sign up for my weekly Masterpiece Quilting Studio News email.  It's free of charge and I promise your email is safe with me.