Our block lottery for March is vintage-made-modern thanks to designer, author, fashion designer, and blogger Charise Randell of Charise Creates. Browsing her eight year old blog you'll find tutorials, free patterns, tips for paper piecing, fussy cutting, and much more that might interest you, especially if you're drawn to vintage items and modern traditional quilting.
Letha's Electric Fan originally appeared in the Kansas City Star Newspaper in 1938. Charise's tutorial enlarged the size of the original pattern and provides all of the templates needed. The tutorial can be found here.
Laraine's block lottery presentation at February's meeting gives us a vision that is very modern because of her use of bold colorful (and color blocked arc units) graphic prints against a stark white background.
Notice the green centers of Laraine's sample blocks. That is another element to this month's lottery. Each of your blocks must use Pantone's Color of the Year 2017, Greenery. Use as much or as little of the color as you want. That is your first challenge.
Laraine chose Kona's Sour Apple and used it sparingly in the gray block, but more so in her other block (first photo).
Construction wise, you'll also notice a technique or two we've sewn recently - curved piecing (Adore-la); paper-piecing (Foldstar and You've Got Mail!) - and one we haven't - appliqué. Laraine confidently told us this "teensy dip-the-toe-in-the-water" for appliqué and is not hard.
Speaking of appliqué, please don't be intimidated. It is simply attaching one fabric to the top of another fabric, usually as a design element. Needle-turned appliqué results are neater and more durable over the long haul; raw edge appliqué, also known as fusible web appliqué, is quicker.
Modern quilters finish a raw edge piece with a simple straight stitch or blanket stitch.
We've rounded up video tutorials here, here, here, and here to help you decide.
Other things to remember:
- Use Kona White or Moda Bella White for the background
- Print your templates at 100% (unclick the print to fit box)
- Sew with a scant .25" seam allowance
Most importantly, try something new. As always, we are more than willing to answer questions.
Other things to remember:
- Use Kona White or Moda Bella White for the background
- Print your templates at 100% (unclick the print to fit box)
- Sew with a scant .25" seam allowance
Most importantly, try something new. As always, we are more than willing to answer questions.
