Monday, April 25, 2022

Hour Glass Block Re-Mix Challenge Reveal

It's time for the big REVEAL of my Hour Glass Block Re-Mix challenge!   

I've been totally honest with you how I didn't have a vision for this block.  Some months I have a strong vision of how I want to re-imagine a block.  This block was a work in progress in each week as I try different options.  Trust me, there were a lot of options that I vetoed and didn't share with you.  




So I ended up arranging the blocks into a 3 x 3 horizontal layout and used the original hour glass block plus the blocks I designed for Sneak Peek #1 and Sneak Peek #2.   I love the secondary patterns that emerged!  

The next step was adjusting the colors.  I stayed true to the 6 fat quarter bundle I selected for my inital fabric pull and resisted the temptation to put some white in there.   The color placement really enhanced the secondary patterns. 

In case you didn't see it, here are the fabrics I pulled for this month's block. 

I'm going super springy with my fabric pull for this month and am using a 6 fat quarter bundle of pastel Kona Solids from Robert Kauffman.   This exact bundle is available in my Etsy shop. 

Yes, send a bundle to me! 


I truly love the opportunity to play and experiment with different blocks as part of the REMIX challenge.  Stay tuned for next month's post when the designers work on another new block. 

Each Monday, the participating designers are 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 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme this week.   

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@megschoicepatterns

@debbiewendtquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@masterpiecequilting 

@swanamity   

@shout4joyquilter

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@deb.quiltblox



An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 


Hashtags:


#Hourglassblockchallenge

#Hourglassquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Aprilblockchallenge

#Aprildesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks



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. 


Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Cartwheels & Carnivals in Summer 2022 Quilter's World Magazine

I'm excited to share that my Cartwheels & Carnivals quilt pattern is in the Summer 2022 issue of Quilter's World magazine that is available now.  

Yes, I want that pattern


 

I always describe myself as a modern traditional quilter and this design is a bit more modern but it still uses traditional patchwork for the piecing.  The bright bold solids (think brightly colored lights at a carnival) from the Michael Miller Sew Colorful Colorwheel collection give this quilt a very edgy and fresh vibe.  If you love this colorway as much as I do, pick up one of the 18 fat quarter bundles that I have available in my Etsy shop. 


Sometimes we just need fun in life and this quilt is pure fun.  It features 2 blocks alternated in an on-point layout with partial blocks filling in the setting corner and setting triangle placement which makes it hard to determine where the blocks start and stop.   The quilt reminds me of the blur of legs and arms flying thru the air on a carnival ride.  


This issue of Quilter's World magazine is packed full of gorgeous designs.  There are so many that I want to make.  Here is a direct link to purchase the magazine.  

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. 


Monday, April 18, 2022

Hour Glass Block Re-Mix Challenge - Sneak Peek #2

It's time for Sneak Peek #2 of my Hour Glass Block.   

Last week I shared that I didn't really have a vision on how I wanted to "ReMix" this block.  If you missed last week's post, here is a link to it.  And guess what? I still don't really have a vision! I'm just playing and letting the block go as it wants.  



Last week I played with straight lines and it was kinda cool.  This week I'm playing with curves! 

I added curves on all four corners of the hourglass block.  It's kinda a nod to a Drunkard's path but with a hour glass in the middle.  The curves could be pieced or they could be appliqued.  To be honest, I'd rather use a raw-edge fusible applique to get the look instead of curved piecing.  

Again I'm popping the block into a quilt-like arrangement just to see what secondary patterns emerge.  Sometimes the secondary patterns will then drive the direction the block design is going. 

This is kinda interesting.  When the curved sections come together in the center, they actually form another hour glass ... hmmm!  That could be fun to play with :) 



I truly love the opportunity to play and experiment with different blocks as part of the REMIX challenge.  I'm going to keep playing with this block, so be sure to watch for next week's Reveal post. 

Each Monday, the participating designers are 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 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme this week.   

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@megschoicepatterns

@debbiewendtquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@masterpiecequilting 

@swanamity   

@shout4joyquilter

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@deb.quiltblox



An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 


Hashtags:


#Hourglassblockchallenge

#Hourglassquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Aprilblockchallenge

#Aprildesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks



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. 


Monday, April 11, 2022

Hour Glass Block - Sneak Peek #1 - Block ReMIX Challenge

It's time for Sneak Peek #1 of my Hour Glass Block.   

Some month's I have a vision of how I want to reimagine a block and other months I don't... this is one of those months were I do not have a vision!  So I just starting playing and allow the vision to develop on its own.   


 

I began by adding lines on two opposite Quarter Square Triangle (QST) sections.  I have the width of the lines alternated between narrow and wide just to give a bit of visual interest.  The lines could be piecing lines or they could represent the use of striped fabric - how fun would that be? 

As I'm designing, I always like to layout the block into a quilt-like arrangement just to see what secondary patterns emerge.  Sometimes the secondary patterns will then drive the direction the block design is going.  While I wasn't exactly loving the block layout I do like the secondary patterns.  We have almost lost the hourglass look and now a large pinwheel is emerging in the center based on color placement. 



I truly love the opportunity to play and experiment with different blocks as part of the REMIX challenge.  I'm going to keep playing with this block, so be sure to watch for next week's Sneak Peek #2. 

Each Monday, the participating designers are 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 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme this week.   

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@megschoicepatterns

@debbiewendtquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@masterpiecequilting 

@swanamity   

@shout4joyquilter

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@deb.quiltblox



An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 


Hashtags:


#Hourglassblockchallenge

#Hourglassquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Aprilblockchallenge

#Aprildesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks



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. 


Tuesday, April 5, 2022

3-Tiered Serving Tray for Quilt Block Mania

The theme for this month's Quilt Block Mania is Tea Time and what is better to have with tea than some scrumptious treats on a beautiful serving tray?  I must be honest, while I like tea ... the pastries and the cute little sandwiches are my favorite :) 

One of the things I love the most about "Tea Time" is the attention to all the details ... the way the table is set, the fine china, the pretty linens and of course, the serving trays.  

This tray is super easy to make using raw-edge fusible applique techniques.  One of my goals as a quilt pattern designer is to increase my skills using raw-edge fusible applique.  Making individual blocks like this forces me out of my comfort zone as I create and make based on a theme.  I also played with the embroidery stitches built into my sewing machine.  99.9% of the time I use just one stitch - the straight stitch.  This block gave me an opportunity to use some of the decorative stitches. 

The pattern for my 3-Tiered Serving Tray is available for free using the link below. 

Link to 3-Tiered Serving Tray Block pattern


I'd love to see the version you make.  Be sure to share on social media using #3tieredservingtrayblock and #masterpiecequilting 

An entire group of designers have been working with this same theme and here is a sampling of the blocks they have made!  Aren't they gorgeous? 




Did you know there is a Quilt Block Mania facebook group where you can share your finished block and see the blocks other quilters have made?  It's a great community and I invite you to join.  Here's the direct link. 



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. 

Monday, April 4, 2022

Hour Glass Block - Block ReMix Challenge - Fabric Pull

I am so excited about this month's block.  It's simple, it's classic and oh, so verstaile.   It can stand alone or it can be in a supporting role paired with a variety of other blocks.  

The Hour Glass Block is sometimes referred to as a Quarter Square Triangle block or QST for short.  




I'm going super springy with my fabric pull for this month and am using a 6 fat quarter bundle of pastel Kona Solids from Robert Kauffman.   This exact bundle is available in my Etsy shop. 

Yes, send a bundle to me! 



I truly love the opportunity to play and experiment with different blocks as part of the REMIX challenge.  I'm going to keep playing with this block, so be sure to watch for next week's Sneak Peek #2. 

Each Monday, the participating designers are 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 

Here is the list of Instagram handles of the participating designers.  Each of us are sharing our fabric pull and / or color scheme this week.   

@tamarinis

@katecollerandesigns

@megschoicepatterns

@debbiewendtquilting

@patchworkbreeze

@sue_duckcreekquilting

@masterpiecequilting 

@swanamity   

@shout4joyquilter

@dragonflysquiltingdesignstudio

@deb.quiltblox



An easy way to find the posts is using the following hashtags.  Just type them into the search box and the posts will show up. 


Hashtags:


#Hourglassblockchallenge

#Hourglassquiltblock

#morethanjustablockchallenge

#designerblockchallenge

#Aprilblockchallenge

#Aprildesignerblockchallenge

#quilt

#quilts

#quiltdesigner

#quiltblock

#quiltblocks



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.