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Saturday, January 7, 2012

Quilt Block Fun...

Have you visited Craftsy? It's an online community with the motto of "Learn it.. Make it". You'll find projects, online video classes, and special deals on supplies like jelly rolls and charm squares. It's not just quilting either... there are classes for knitting, crochet, clothing and costume making, and more. One of the latest offerings is a free Craftsy Block-of-the-Month class featuring instructor Amy Gibson. You just need to sign up on the Craftsy site and then enroll in the free class. The Asterisk block above, and the Wonky Pound Sign below are the two 12" blocks for January- the "slash" blocks.

The videos are comprehensive, and divided into easy-to-reference chapters. You can watch along while you make the block; or watch and then review as needed when you are ready to cut and sew. At the end of the series, participants will have 20 blocks with which to make a quilt. Amy is a delightful quilter and instructor, and there is a forum where students can post photos of the blocks they are making. That's always a plus because it's inspiring and fun to see what fabrics others are using, and how they may vary the blocks. There are class materials you can print out that have the block patterns, too. I'm trying to avoid over-using my printer though (it seems to have an unquenchable thirst for inks), so my goal is to make the blocks with the videos only.  

Fabric requirements are based on using fat quarter bundles, or you can use assorted fabrics from your stash. I found this Free Spirit "California Dreaming" fat quarter bundle on eBay, and the vendor was super prompt, so I was ready to jump into this project quickly. But the bundle I purchased has only the 16 fabrics seen in the photo above, and in the two blocks I've completed. More will be needed. I'm combing the shelves to see if I have some compatible prints to use with these. I think the two pictured below, in the background along with one of the Free Spirit prints, will do, don't you? However, I did a major purge of my fabrics recently, so I believe shopping is still in order! I seem to have an unquenchable thirst for fabric. 

3 comments:

Unknown said...

The unquenchable thirst for fabric is part of the FUN ... ha ha. I do like the fabric you got on ebay. The last photo also really really appeals to me as well. This project sounds like you will really enjoy it. There is so much available on the web which is either free or at very little cost. We are very fortunate. Love your blocks -- will enjoy seeing the rest. Hugs, Donna

Nancy said...

Nancy, I love the fabrics you got on ebay and I think the ones in the following picture go great with them.....I can't wait to see what your do with this beautiful material....

I can identify with the unquenchable thirst for fabric..plus yarn, plus roving, plus art supplies, plus plus plus you name it.....I wish I didn't like to do so many things...oh well...what will I do now?

Martha Lever said...

Hi Nancy! Thanks so much for you feedback! Being a quilter you know how best to assemble blocks of color. Every time I try to do an abstract it always comes out in blocks. It seems like I am afraid of organic shapes in an abstract. Must be some sort of issue there in my abstract mind. I am sure it's my left brain trying to be more logical or something. Who knows???