The blocks that I made for the October and November F2F participants arrived ages ago, the December blocks have been mailed and I’ve already received one package of beautiful green January blocks. Definitely time to catch up!
October
October was Lynn’s month and her chosen colours were grey, turquoise and coral.
For my first block I made two strip pieced triangles that were sewn together so that the direction of the strips in the second triangle was rotated 90 degrees compared to the first triangle. While some people might be tempted to make both pieces exactly a half square triangle, I didn’t. I think this is visually more interesting.
For my second block I made half a log cabin using strips of different widths. This is a variation I hadn’t made before and I like it, but I think it is quite safe to say that I’ll like most things that are somehow log cabin related…
For my third block I got a bit more improvisational and made some opposing triangles. It is quite a simple block but has an interesting visual impact that I’d like to experiment a bit more with.
November
November was Avis’ month and her chosen colours were bright blues and purples. Avis likes symmetry (so I refrained from doing any wonky stuff), small prints and solids.
For my first block I pieced long strips of fabric, cut that piece in four parts and then reassembled the pieces to resemble a windmill. I am from the Netherlands after all.
For my second block I did more half log cabins, but this time made 4 and pieced them together with a narrow cross in between. I really like this effect too.I also really like the birds that are sort of peaking out.
The third block has to be my favourite. I simply love, love, love how this turned out! I think this design would also look great on a pillow.
Even though it was late at night I remembered to take some progress pictures that more clearly show how the block was created.
To get this effect I first made four identical triangles, starting with an equilateral triangle and simply adding strips at two of the sides. When they were large enough I used a 12.5’’ square ruler to cut the top point to 90 degrees instead of 60 so I could piece the four triangles together to make a square. At this point make sure that you cut the four triangles in exactly the same way! Use the markings on the ruler to align them. Finally the block was trimmed to 12.5’’. If you want to try this block just make sure that you are generous with the size when you cut the four triangles, you can always trim the block when it turns out larger than 12.5’’ or whatever size you’re making, if it is smaller all you can do is add a border to make it fit and I think that will ruin part of the effect of this block. The only tricky part was that the center point where the 4 pieces meet turned out bulky from all the seams that meet at that point.
As always the blocks that were made by the other participants can be viewed on the F2F page.
I absolutely love my blocks Esther – they are gorgeous and so different. I might give your triangle block a try – it looks like fun and I’m waiting for a 12.5 inch square ruler to arrive in the post which I ordered so that I could make wonky blocks, trim my F2F blocks nicely and now I have another use for it!
Large rulers are awesome and really versatile.
I’ve called you Esther again!! So sorry Emmely. The other day I said Annett lived in the Netherlands and she is actually in Germany. There’s no cure for it you know!!
Haha! I’m terrible remembering names myself so don’t worry.
I am terrible at it too!
Hugs
Esther
These blocks are awesome! I have to fly home today, but I’ll be back to take a closer look. You make me want to experiment with some of these ideas. I think 2016 is going to have a lot of sewing and quilting in it. Lots of inspiration in blog land these days! 😀
Nice to see your posts again! I’m so delighted!
Thank you!
Hello Emmely,
Again you create such lovely blocks! I especially like the last block! It is so energetic!
I am working on your green blocks. I have made one (very) improv block and it is really pushing me out of my comfort zone. I really like how this swap is “forcing” me to try new things!
Hugs
Ester
see…. I can’t even remember my own name…
Esther
Thank you! I especially find some of the colourschemes a challenge because they’re colours I wouldn’t ordinarily pick. Looking forward to seeing your improv block!
I think Esther is right, F2F is good for all of us – we are all having to make colour and block choices that are out of our comfort zones, and finding that we actually enjoy something we never thought we’d do. I have some really lovely green fabrics in my stash, but they are brighter than what the others have used so far. I hope you’ll be able to integrate them successfully!
Oh, I am sure that will be fine. I have not yet started on my own blocks but I also have some brighter greens that will probably make it in somewhere. I’m hoping for a good variety of different greens anyway.
Happy New Year!
Glad to see you, and these marvelous quilt squares!
Am so impressed with your skill!!!
Thank you!
Another set of striking blocks! It’s so interesting to see what everyone comes up with for this swap. I only hope my “old lady blocks” will blend in well with the more modern ones!
Thank you! I sometimes wonder whether my blocks aren’t too weird to work with the others so that works both ways. From the completed sets that I’ve seen so far the variation of modern and traditional blocks seems to work, so I think we shouldn’t worry too much about it.