Warm Thoughts and Gifts from Friends

Here we are, at the end of January, in Northwest Florida, most of us sitting home wondering where our warmth and sunshine have gone.

Because of the unseasonably cold temperatures yesterday and the rain that turned to sleet, mini ice pellets, and eventually snow for some, has provided us with an unprecedented two days in the middle of the week for sewing! 

Schools are closed.  Roads and bridges all over our area are closed.  Many businesses are closed. 

So if you're one of those at home today sewing or crafting, let me show you our December Handmade Ornament Swap.

With all of the excitement of opening gifts and oohing and aahing over each ornament, my note taking was pitiful to non-existent.  Which means I don't really know who made what, nor can I point you to any tutorials.  I will be glad to add links to these photos if you leave the info in the comments.   

A tutorial from Karen of Blonde Design, can be found here.

Fancy Folded Star Ornament.  Not Only Quilts has a tutorial here.

Common Threads Newman has an easy-to-follow PDF here for these Pine Cone Christmas Ornaments.   

Origami Fabric Stars from Diane.  Read about her inspiration here.

Inspiration for this Embroidery Hoop Button Ornament from Kelly can be found here.

The Purl Bee has the tutorial for the Confetti Burst Ornaments (upper left corner) here.

I can't help but notice the short sleeves, flip-flops, and even shorts we were wearing at the beginning of December.  

Come on Mother Nature, this is Florida.  Bring back our regular weather.

Cindy Marvel
ECMQG Secretary

February 2014 Lottery Block - Circle of Friends Block

Welcome to the ECMQG February 2014 Block Lottery!

If you are new to the group, or our blog, you can read the general information here and see past lottery blocks and the winners.

The rules are simple:

• The Lottery is open to all ECMQG members in good standing.
• Please use only quilt shop quality fabric.
• The aesthetic is ALWAYS MODERN
• Take your time and effort to construct your block well, and use 1/4" seam allowances (unless the tutorial states otherwise). 
• Blocks should be the correct size, within about a quarter of an inch.
• Each block + $1 is one entry in the drawing.You may submit as many entries as you would like.
• Please label your block with you name, either within the seam allowance on the back or an address label stuck to the back.
• Past winners can still contribute, but please understand until we see a finished quilt from your win, allow someone else the thrill of winning.
• If you have any questions please contact me - Kira - or comment below.

For the February 8, 2014 meeting, we are making the 'Circle of Friends' 12.5" (unfinished) block. 

The color way this month is Kona white background and modern scraps - yep that's right scraps!  So gather up your modern fabric scraps and have fun!

This block is based on the 9-Patch layout and even though it looks complicated in reality it is very simple! All nine units are the same size, but color placement in the units creates an illusion of a circle. 

Three different units make up this block - A, B, & C

A's are the top and bottom centers, as well as the two sides; B's are the four corners; and C is the center square.  Simple, as well,  ABC!  

For the focus fabrics you need 8 - 2.5" x 2.5" squares.

Background fabrics cut:

• 8 - 2.5" x 1.5" rectangles (for units A)
• 8 - 4.5" x 1.5" rectangles (for units A)
• 4 - 2.5" x 2.5" squares (for units B)
• 4 - 4.5" by 2.5" rectangles (for units B)
• 1 - 4.5" x 4.5" square (unit C)

Here you can have fun with placement - lay out your 2.5" square scraps in a circle.  Play with colors.  Select the top, bottom, and two sides for your A blocks.

Unit A

For units A you have the 4- focus 2.5" squares, 8- 2.5" x 1.5" rectangles and 8- 4.5" x 1.5" rectangles.

Sew one background 2.5" x 1.5" rectangle to a focus square and press towards the background.

Sew another 2.5" x 1.5" rectangle to the opposite side of the focus square and press towards the background.

Next  sew a 4.5" x 1.5" rectangle to the edge of each focus square and press towards the background fabric.

And sew the last 4.5" x 1.5" rectangles to the four squares and again press towards the background.

Now your unit As are complete, set these aside for now.

Unit B

With the remaining 4- 2.5" squares, 4- background 2.5" squares and 4- 4.5" x 2.5" rectangles we can create units B.

Sew the 2.5" background squares to the 2.5" focus fabric squares and press towards the background.

Next sew the 4.5" x 2.5" rectangles to the side and press towards the background. Units B are complete.

Let's sew this baby together!

Check the layout and pay close attention from this point on how the units are sewn together.

Create the rows by sewing the units together as in the photo above. Press towards the unit B blocks on the top row and bottom row, and towards unit C with the center row.

This is how your rows should look, see the color placement and how it creates a circle or ring of colors.

Now sew your rows together and press towards the center row.

Ta-da! Your done. 

Kira Bell
ECMQG Block Lottery Coordinator