We had an unremarkable drive back to Wisconsin and it feels great to be here again. (And the air is so clean!) On the drive I had a lot of time to think and plan for next year. It's going to be a big year for us, and there will be several big quilts coming up--including a wedding quilt. (!!!) There are several other projects waiting in the wings that I'll be sharing soon, including something new I just learned and am really looking forward to getting a lot more practice doing.
For the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I've finished two of the quilts for this year and still have the Framed quilt and the Paper Dolls quilt to finish up. They will be done soon enough, and they're both going to be amazing. I'm also bringing over the string blocks from last year and making more, because I don't have enough for a quilt yet. And then there's this:
Okay, so I don't draw so well (the car was moving, after all), but you get the idea. This is a quilt that I am planning as my major project for the rainbow scrap challenge for next year. This quilt will have 12 blocks-- one per month-- surrounding a large multi-colored central block (which I haven't chosen yet). I'm also thinking of making a pieced border for this one, but I'm not sure just yet.
The "working title" of this quilt is Intricate Stitches. Why "intricate?" Well, since there is only one block per month, I'm planning to make some traditional pieced blocks that aren't often seen because they have a lot of pieces, some of them very small. Blocks like these:
Yikes! I can hear what you're thinking! Why such complicated blocks? Well. . .these blocks are a part of our quilting heritage, and they aren't in very many modern quilts. I totally understand why! Simpler blocks make faster quilts, and any repeated block makes a terrific, striking quilt. But our lives are different from our grandmothers' and we don't have the same kind of time to repeat these blocks over and over again, so they are often overlooked. They are gorgeous, though, and deserve to be used. So, I figure that one of them a month is enough to handle, and together they'll make a wonderful quilt.
For my fabrics, I got the special hand-dyed RSC fabric pack from Vicki Welsh. These are gorgeous! (All of her fabric is just beautiful and very high quality.) Check out some of these fabrics:
Pretty! I also have some other hand-dyed scraps that I'm planning to incorporate as well. Altogether I think this is going to be a great quilt and I am so looking forward to making it.
If this sounds appealing to you, I am planning to post tutorials for a block each month as a sew-along, just like the Classic Stitches quilt. I'll put up a new tab for this pretty soon, and the January tutorial will be along in the first week of 2016. Come on along and join in! These blocks look really intricate, but once they're broken down, they're just good old half-square triangles, flying geese, strips, and squares. I'll make it as easy as possible! Because heaven knows I have less time than I've ever had to sew.
So, that's the intro! Think about joining in. It's just one block a month, and they're 12-inch blocks, so the pieces aren't *really* tiny. I may be crazy, but I'm not *that* crazy! And the blocks look way better in fabric than they do on paper, so you know this quilt will turn out great.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday, and that all your Christmas wishes come true!
Sharing at Let's Bee Social and soscrappy for RSC15! Or 16!
14 comments:
I am intrigued by your block of the month idea. I made some tiny blocks this year for a charity quilt, and I enjoyed making them! (The secret is to piece bigger units so that you can cut down to the correct size.) Also, I haven't done a rainbow quilt yet, and this would challenge me to use colors I usually avoid (purple and green). Thanks for dreaming it up!
I look forward to making the blocks! When I started quilting in 1976 I only worked in miniature...it will be nice to work with small-scale pieces again. I agree with lalaluu about making bigger units then cutting them down to size.
I am interested in your blocks for next year. I tried to follow your Sow Along, but it was hard to make copies of the patterns, because they print so small,and with all the advertising. Is there a chance these could be made PDF like Angel is doing with all her Rainbow blocks at soscrappy? I'm sure she could teach you how to do it, as I sure don't know but would appreciate it.
I love the idea! Cannot wait to get started with this next year as my BOM! I do really like the quilts you make and the designs and instructions you share with us. Thank you for being so generous!
Pat
What a great idea! I love the thought of making one intricate block a month. Will look forward to these tutorials. Thank you.
I have every confidence in you! You get things done girl. Happy Christmas to you and your guy. LeeAnna
Oh Love Love Love this idea!!! And glad you are back!!
The Intricate Stitches sounds like a great idea for a BOM, Mari. Those are some really pretty blocks and the fabrics you have chose will show them off nicely. Looking forward to following along on your journey in the coming new year. Merry Christmas to you and yours!
This will be fascinating to watch ... Such interesting blocks!
What a beautiful plan for the new year. Such great traditional blocks, and you are right, they are often overlooked. What a fun project.
Those are going to be fun to piece! I'm already looking forward to this. 8)
What a great plan you have for the new year. I love those blocks... it is too bad they are not used more often. I will enjoy watching your quilt grow each month.
How thoughtful to work with the old patterns, to keep them in view of newer quilters.
This is going to be another great project Mari. You have such a way with these traditional blocks and I know this will be stunning. Looking forward to watching your progress with this. I can't imagine where you find the time to write these awesome tutorials each month. It is such a generous gift of your time.
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