It’s too hot to think, but here’s a fun sketch from a traditional block, originally called Boise (Brackman 2306). The periodical, Hearth and Home, which published this block, was in operation from 1885 to the 1930s.
The block, exploded.
The 7″ block, set on alternating verticals. All of these can be found in BlockBase+ which is software that is basically the Brackman Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. I modified this in my design software, Affinity Designer by Serif, a reasonable cost design software (NO, you don’t have to buy Illustrator. YES you should buy BlockBase+.)
And I think we should give the quilt a name. I know it’s the capitol of the state of Idaho, but I’d like to give it a more contemporary name: Blockchain. What does that mean? Since I just donated to Wikipedia (you should too), here’s their definition:
A blockchain is a type of Digital Ledger Technology (DLT) that consists of growing list of records, called blocks, that are securely linked together using cryptography.
So couldn’t we define a quilt as “a growing list of blocks that are securely linked together with thread”? I think so. I was amused to see that a lot of the images used to depict the idea of blockchain are some of our traditional quilt blocks, like baby’s tumbling block, among others.
If you’d like the 8-inch version, I’ve got that for you here, as a free download. I didn’t monkey around with it too much, so it’s rather a no-frills set of templates (remember, it’s too hot), but you can see how nicely the templates are generated for you by Blockbase+. [Okay, I did do a bit of monkeying…]
Here’s the 12-inch version, which finishes at 52″ square, with those 2″ borders and cornerstones. To get this layout, I did four columns of the Blockchain block, doing half-blocks at the top and bottom of columns 2 and 4. I’m sorry I didn’t include the 12″ size block, but it’s hot, and we are about to head to our traditional Labor Day Cookout: a trip to In and Out Burger, where they do the grilling for me.
What is it about Kaffe Fassett fabrics that pulls us in? The rich hues and full range of shades? The interesting patterns, many from old wallpapers and fabrics? I have a couple of stacks of his fabrics and it’s always a delight when I can pull them out from my shelves and start playing.
Secret Garden, quilt number 235, is the original size of my Triad Harmony pattern, measuring 28 1/2″ by 31 1/2″ and was made for a class sample, since my friend Susan loved Kaffe fabrics. She was the program chair and had me teach this class for their Guild.
After several weeks of lallygagging around — or so it felt — this week I put on the binding and the label:
The quilting goes fast with this size! (Click any image to enlarge.)
It also helped to get back into a Guido Brunetti Mystery, after a long time away.
And the first in the series in Jennifer Sampou’s ombré fabrics. I put them all together in a reel on Instagram. (See my tip in my next post for how I deal with that app.)
Triad Harmony and her sisters. One more is coming…
This block, also known as Rolling Star (Brackman 3795) has several variations that are well-known. I’ve seen this block used in multiple quilts including mine, but what amazes me is how versatile it is just by changing up the colors and the center.
Here’s a line-up from one of my Home, Sweet Home classes — the quilts are similar, but different.
I changed up the center block and added seaming for windows and doors to get this one, after I saw so many quilters turn away from the fused doors and windows, wanting to seam them instead.
Several years ago I’d written a post where I talked about making up some block ideas for my neice-by-marriage, and I still can’t believe how popular the poppy block was from that post, but of course it was a free download and those are ALWAYS popular (I don’t mind). See Notes (at the end) for link to block.
So I thought I would slide down the sunflower rabbit hole this week, and finally get the sunflower version added to my Home, Sweet Home pattern:
I put the pattern on sale (now only $7 instead of the usual $12) as a way of making it easy (no coupons to enter), and hope those looking for this pattern will enjoy it.
Home, Sweet Home with Bonus 18″ Sunflower block available here.
But the rabbit hole of sunflower blocks got deeper and I decided to do a PatternLite pattern (costing less than a Pink Drink at Starbuck’s) with a changed-up method of piecing, to emphasize the petals of the sunflower. I also added a detailed series of instructions for a Four-in-One Flying Geese block, as well as how to trim it up accurately. I put a lot more in this one than usual, but I just kept going, making blocks and having fun.
About every other month, someone writes to me, asking if they can buy that sunflower pattern, which was an illustration on the Poppy Flower post (which was very popular in Australia). I popped it into a Google Search, trying to figure out what rando had taken off with my image, and found this:
It’s a sham website, ranking dead last in safety, in security. Don’t go there, but these guys are in the habit of stealing images and trying to sell them off to unsuspecting quilters (9 Pretty Barn Quilt Patterns for $42.88?).
Make this one, instead. It’s a lot cheaper!
Other posts about other Flower Blocks Poppy Block and debut of Sunflower idea with the free Poppy Block download April Flowers with a link to Totally Tulips Quilt from Missouri Star Field Flowers with a link to Sherri McConnell’s pattern Flowers for Emma June Flowers — a really early day post of mine, with a tutorial for a nine-patch tulip It makes me snort smile to see this post from nearly a decade ago. I still love Blossom, which has flowering snowball flower blocks in three sizes. Last, Sunny Flowers quilt, another PatternLite.
Hope that’s enough flower blocks for you. Since August is right around the corner, so many of mine in the garden have dried up with July’s heat. Guess we’ll just have to make them in fabric!
THIS IS AN UPDATE ON THE MAKING OF THIS BLOCK. JUMP BELOW TO THE FOUR SQUARES TOGETHER FOR THE EARLIER POST.
The original post was published just about exactly two years ago, and I needed to make four blocks for the quilt. I changed the colors slightly . They are updated on the Main Page for the New York Beauties, or on the free download on the pattern, which can be found in my pattern shop. Okay, now that we got that business out of the way, here’s how it looked when I was doing freezer-paper piecing.
I decided to cut some triangle-shaped blobs to make it easier for piecing.
The top one is all trimmed.
I’ve pulled back the freezer paper a little bit so I can join the two sides.
Just playing around with the pieces. Just so you know, all four of the Large-Ray backgrounds are differently arranged. I really did use scraps.
Sometimes I make a block at a time, and other days I make all the parts and then sew them together. My light throws off a yellow cast; I promise that the green band next to the center is not that neon-y.
(Inspiration)
Goofing off with the blocks. All work and no play makes for a dull quilter.
Here’s Ocean Gleam pasted in digitally to the quilt. Looking fun and fancy!
Okay, read on for a jump to the past. Congratulations for making Block Four: Ocean Gleam!
We should stop meeting like this.
But it’s Wednesday, it’s June, and we’re ready for the fourth make in this series of New York Beauties. And the last in this foursome is Ocean Gleam, the dark dapples and glints that show up when you are lying on that proverbial beach and the ocean’s waves lull you into relaxation. Or something like that.
I dedicated a lot of digital real estate in the last New York Beauties Quilt post talking about how I work with FPP. Head over there if you need more info; scroll down as it is below Block Three. This block has two rows of rays and two bands, but you are up to this task, I know.
Q: How did I get here so fast? A: Read this. (Scroll down)
Checking for colors: bits of Block Four pinned up next her sisters.
Sew the parts together, and as usual I have the convex on top.
Yes. I am trying out colors again, but I have committed and am starting, judging by the sewn triangles on the upper arc. (The lower arc’s pieces are just laid out.)
Do you remember in the last post that I told you I figured out I didn’t need the paper on everything? It came from sewing this together. First I ripped off the seam allowances, like I’d learned. I was still wrestling with it under the needle, so I started ripping off the paper on the triangles. This photo was taken when I stopped to rip ALL the paper off. I had already pinned my four marked intervals together, so I didn’t need the paper for that.
Back view. You can see the press marks on the burgundy arc, and the pins on the upper arc, ready to be matched up.
Stitching, again without paper. I use those tweezers to help grab parts that need lining up. Tweezers are definitely recommended.
I just noticed they made a heart! These patterns come with a lot of love, so I shouldn’t be that surprised.
Time to sew them all together. Do your best, but really…remember that the perfect is the enemy of the good.
Magnifico Thread into action!!! (Kind of like a super hero or something.) I use either So Fine or Bottom Line from Superior Thread in the bobbin. Test, test, test.
I love a heavily quilted pillow, and I sketched out a lot of possibilities. But in the end, I decided not to have a Battle with the Beauties, and did a lot of outlining and stitching around the bits. But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a little fun:
New York Beauty Mini Quilt/Pillow • 20″ square • Quilt #266
Now I have some ideas for more blocks!
This all started when the pillow-of-the-month came from Riley Blake and I wanted something a little brighter. And yes, I know we have four, if not six blocks, and possibly a quilt hanging out there, waiting in the wings. So let’s keep going.
Our hashtag on Instagram is#newyorkbeautiesquilt so please post and tag and share your beautiful blocks. If you feel inclined and want to say a thank you, I’d appreciate a follow on either my blog where I post weekly (or occasionaly bi-weekly). You can also follow me on my Instagram.
OccasionalPiece--Quilt! 