Since I am completely ga-ga over the 2017 Solar Eclipse, happening August 21st (and I already have the next on penciled in on my calendar–April 2024, if you must know) when searching for decorations to put around my house, I came across a rendition of the Mosaic #19 block (originally published in 1897 by the Ladies Art Company) that is said to commemorate the 2017 All-American Solar Eclipse (who thinks up these names?).

After I read the above blurb,  I searched Google for her and found that not only has she redesigned an old block to celebrate something fun and exciting in our century, but that she’s also done a whole series of blocks to commemorate the National Parks.  I first saw them when a nephew’s wife showed me teeny screen grabs on her phone at a family picnic, and was happy to know who to give credit for those cool blocks.

Here are some other posters I discovered while search for eclipse-related images:

I have more eclipse-themed posters and info on my Pinterest Board: Eclipse.  If you want to make your own eclipse block, here is a PDF file that you can download, in 12″ finished size: Solar Eclipse Block_12. (Click on the blue print.)

I assume you have some knowledge of putting together blocks when I put this stuff up.  Most of us prefer to “snowball” the blocks onto corners. If you do, follow the very sketchy instructions below.  (You are basically going to make the outsides similarly to the flag block I wrote about recently, if you need to reference that tutorial.)

Cut the center block 6 1/2″ square.
Cut four corner blocks 3 1/2″ each, and sew diagonally onto each corner. This post on signature blocks shows how to snowball onto a corner.

To make the side geese, cut 4 rectangles  3 1/2″ by 6 1/2″ in dimension.
Cut eight squares 3 1/2″.  Snowball the squares onto each side of the rectangle.

UPDATE: If you are someone who likes to make the four small squares/one large square method of flying geese, head to this tutorial from Janet Wickell. More help can be found if you do a search on “chart for making flying geese from squares.”

To make the HST corners, cut 2 medium blue squares 4″ square. Match up with 2 dark blue squares 4″ square.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner and stitch 1/4″ on either side of it, then cut the triangles apart down the center.  Press to the dark side, then trim up to 3 1/2″.

Sew a flying geese on the left and right sides of the center square.
Sew a HST square on each end of the remaining two flying geese; sew these to the block. Press.

Here is the PDF pattern for a 9-inch block: Solar Eclipse Block_9inch.

If you are going to cut a large center square to snowball on your blocks, use a 5″ square (remember those seam allowances).  The smaller blocks with then be 2 1/2″.  You have the templates for both in case this is too confusing.

diagrams from my block-drawing program, Quilt-Pro

The arrival of the eclipse also seems a fitting ending for our Book Giveaway of Summer 2017.  Thanks to all who were interested in these books.  I’ve contacted the winners of by email; books will go out as soon as I receive their mailing address.

Happy Eclipsing!

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This month we are doing blocks for Debbie, who requested that we make blocks from the  Moda Be My Neighbor quilt, from 2016.  I found all the free, downloadable blocks on Sew Let’s Quilt It website, and enjoyed figuring this out.  My advice: lay out all the pieces as you cut it out, so you don’t get confused with what goes where.

I was the designated mailer for two other Gridster members who are close by, and was able to pose the blocks together.  A lot of the blocks are showing up on Debbie’s Instagram feed, so head over there to get some quilty eye candy (and not only the Gridster blocks!).

One fun thing I did in Utah last month was to take a tour of the Hand-Quilter factory.  It’s an impromptu tour — you just show up — but it was interesting to see how things are put together.  I wanted to take a picture of the table that shows them “testing” out/breaking in the machines, but they asked me to wait to get this one, from above:

They also had a series of quilts, with lots of interesting texture and of course…free-motion quilting!  Click on the circles for a close-up.

Continuing with the “What I Did On My Summer Vacation,” we left Handi-Quilter and had a Kneaders’ Seafood Sandwich, which unfortunately, I can’t get near me.

I arrived home a day or two early from that trip, in time to hit the 7th Annual Good Heart Quilters Retreat, organized and hosted by the amazing Lisa J. who helped found our group nearly twenty years ago. It was a day of fun and very cool cookies (thank you, Simone!).

Aaron T. Stephan created the “Point of View” art installation in downtown Salt Lake City.

I wish I’d taken a photo of me on that bench, but it’s unfortunately placed, behind the traffic light pole.  Still.  It could have been cool.

Even though it is a couple of weeks away, I can’t end this without reminding you to set your alarms on your phones to watch the eclipse, coming up on August 21st.  Vox prepared this nifty celestial calculator that shows you what you’ll see in your part of the U.S. and what time it will show up.

Congratulations to Sandy A., who won the latest book giveaway.

I’ve sent her an email and will get the book sent off shortly.

Only two books left:

Since summer feels like it’s fast coming to a close, I’m doing both of them this week.  At the end of this post, leave a comment to win either Kathy Doughty’s Mixing Quilt Elements, or Kim Diehl’s Simple Christmas Tidings.  Both are exemplar books by women at the top of the quilting world.  Thank you to all who entered these past few weeks!