Block of the Month
How does it work? Each year the president selects a theme and nine blocks, one for each month, September through May. You may have already recieved the patterns through email, also one or two patterns will be printed in the newsletter each month. Members are asked to make and donate that month's block at the Monday meeting. Be sure to write your name on a scrap of paper and pin it to your block.
Each month the blocks are divided into groups of six and names are drawn from that month's contributors to win a set of blocks. The first name drawn selects blocks first, the second name selects next, etc. These selections will be made after the meeting. What a wonderful, quick way to make your own quilt. At the June meeting, all the names from each month will be combined for a final chance to win one of three super gift bags.
How creative are you? For this years blocks, you are challenged to adorn (or unadorn) the monthly blocks as you choose. Piece the crazy quilt block in flannel with a cream or beige center and embellish the center with a nature theme. Blocks will be taken out each month to create a raffle quilt at the end of the year. Have FUN!
- Foundation Fabric: Muslin or thin white or off-white fabric, cut 13 ½" x 13 ½".
- Assorted flannel fabrics.
- Beige or cream flannel fabric for the center of your block.
- Start with your foundation piece of muslin or other white fabric. Your first patch (beige or cream) should be about 4"x4" and 5 sided. Lay it on the foundation piece, right side up in the center of your block.
- Take your second patch of flannel and lay it on the first with right sides together. Sew along one side of the patch (¼" seam). Do not backstich becuase you may have to remove som estiches from the ends.
- Keep adding patches and cut away any excess fabric from previous patches. Sew your fabric pieces with straight edges for ease in sewing and continually iron to keep your fabric from puckering.
- Once you have covered the foundation piece wiht flannel, trim the flannel fabric to the edge of the foundation fabric. Your block should measure 13 ½" x 13 ½". Optional: Sew a basting stich around all four sides to hold flannel in place.
- Now comes the fun part! Appliqué, embroider, fabric paint or embellish the center of the block to creat an item from nature. Thing flowers, animals, insects, trees of fish. User your imagination - there is no right or wrong. You may want to try using some of those fancy stiches on your machine that you haven't used before.
