House Blocks

First, sorry about the shodding instruction sheet for the mystery blocks. It just wasnt coming together well that day.
The links to the tutorials are quite excellent however. I made two blocks, the above one uses the Fredas Hive tutorial. I quite like this block. I added the outer borders to bring the block to the size I chose, 12.5.

And in Modern Quilting tradition I riffed on the theme, houses. I found this terrific tutorial on flickr. Search mushroom house tutorial. She has a few others that I would like to try. And they are free.

Now on to the tree block.

I am also going to finish the other blocks for the year so I can have it ready on time to share with you.

How are you doing on your blocks.

Mystery Block #2

Block 2 of the Mystery Quilt is a tree.

This tutorial is a good starting point, Little Forest Tree

Other great sources of inspiration
Tree Quilt
Whimsical Tree

Adjust your block to meet the size you have chosen.
Bring your finished block to the next meeting and show it off. At our next meeting we will also be announcing the next block.

Mystery Quilt Block 1

As announced at our last Guild meeting the first block for our 2011 mystery quilt is a house.
Here is a link to a simple house block. You can embellish it as you like. Go for it.


Freda's Hive Cottage Block Tutorial

You can make the final size of your block as you wish. It would be helpful if all the coming blocks are the same size. 8.5 or 12.5 are a good size. Most people at the meeting said they are making an 8.5 block.
You can use the cottage house block as a starting point or you can use your own house block. A treehouse, salt box house, barn, chapel...its up to you. The overall theme of the other blocks is Nature, if that helps.
Need some inspiration? Go to Flickr and type in house quilt block, or whatever else you are looking for.
Dont forget to bring your blcok to the next meeting to show everyone.

Dresden Plate Tutorial

Hello Guilders. I finally have the tutorial up for the Dresden Plate block.
I used the templates from Material Obsession, a great book.

I used the cardboard from a layer cake as my wedge template. I needed 16 plates per block and I knew I wanted 12 blocks. I traced the template on the cardboard from a layer cake. I traced and cut the appropriate number of wedges.

Fold each wedge in half and then sew along the longer end 1/4 inch. I chain stitched all the wedges.

I forgot the next picture but here are the deets.

Clip the corner on the folded edge a smidge. This reduces the bulk in the corner. Turn the fabric out, poke the corner out, and iron the flap down.

Now for the centers. I traced the template on the fabric and pinned in on to non fusible web.

As an aside I found the circle template too small and had to recut a few.

Sew on the line.

Cut out 1/4 beyond the line. Snip the web and use this to turn the circle right side out. Iron flat.

Join the wedges to make a flower. Iron seams.

Fold the background fabric in half and finger crease the middle. Fold in the opposite direction and finger crease again, creating a cross in the middle. Use these cross hairs to center your flower.

Using the stitch of your choice (I used a straight stitch close to the edge) attach the flower to the background fabric. I used spray baste and a few pins to hold the fabric.

Attach the center circle in the same way.

Voila. Join your blocks as you wish. Use sashing or join the blocks they are. You can add borders.

The book, Material Obsession, gives the fabric requirements and a great way to hand quilt the top.

Pincushion Swap

I am very excited about our new swap, pincushions. Sign ups were at our January meeting and are due at our March meeting. You still have time to sign up. Leave a comment or sign up at the February meeting.

I promised I would put up some patterns for you to take a look at. If you google 'pincushion tutorial' you will get more ideas than you can look at.

Also take a look at Flickr. Lots more inspiration.

Here are a few titorials to get you started. I am looking forward to see what you create.

A pincushion in a bowl from A Very Dandioslion Life

Best pin picture and tutorial from Tall Scrapper

Pincushion patterns from Moda Bakeshop

Easy pincushion from Whip Up

Easy Square pincushion from Paper.String.Cloth

60 free patterns from TipNut

Our 1st Holiday Party Sewing Night

we had a great brief meeting, lots of food, a fabulous gift exchange, and tons of talking along with funny stories squeezed in between our sewing. Thanks everyone who came and we will see you in the new year! Have a great holiday!

Cross Block

Hello quilters. Here are some great links to Red Cross blocks.

Check out this one From Tallgrass rairie Studio.
1918 Quilt in the Wenache Museum

Want a starting oint to make your own Cross quilt. Check out these tutorial links.

http://bettyninja.blogspot.com/2009/01/hot-pink-cross-quilt-block-tutorial.html

http://campfollowerbags.blogspot.com/2010/02/red-cross-block-tutorial.html

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=6954