Splendid Sampler II - Mod Bowtie Block

The very long wait is over and today is my day on the Splendid Sampler II block tour! It was ages ago that Jane and Pat asked me if I'd like to design a block for their second sampler book. I must admit, I was hesitant at first because I'm not much of a sampler-maker, but it is really hard to say no to Pat. Her enthusiasm for all things quilting and for bringing people together is super infectious and I knew that I'd have FOMO for sure if I didn't get on board! 

As I'm sure you know by now, the blocks are only 6" finished. I decided pretty quickly that I wanted to make something fairly simply design-wise. Something involving technique, but not so difficult or tricky that people would shy away from trying it. Finding ways to re-imagine traditional quilt blocks is fun and creative for me, so that's the approach I took.  I decided to incorporate my favourite way to applique bias 'binding' into the design.  The word binding is in quotes because you don't actually have to purchase special pre-made binding, or a bias making tool, or burn your fingers folding a skinny bias strip of fabric under a big iron.

Mod Bowtie, page 114 in Splendid Sampler 2

In fact, you don't even have to sew a curve! This block couldn't be easier to construct! One square, two quarter circles, two bias strips, fabric glue and coordinating thread are all you need. The possibilities for creating fun layouts using just this one block are exciting and something I hope to explore one day.

If you are sewing along with the Splendid Sampler 2 bloghop and you haven't yet acquired a 6" bias trimming square, I'd consider treating yourself to one! I love my bias trimming squares (I also have a 4" and 8" one in my ruler quiver).

I started out all keen and ready with a beautiful selection of Carolyn Friedlander voile prints combined with Oakshott shot cottons to make my blocks. Then I made 3 (badum-bum). These small blocks are great skill builders and I have every intention of choosing a selection (maybe 36?) of them from the book to make a wall hanging. I'll be bringing supplies to a retreat in March, so it's possible some blocks will happen there. So many of my talented friends have blocks in this book, so I definitely want to try all of their designs!

Thanks so much for stopping by. If you make a block, I'd love to see it on IG in the #splendidsampler2 group! Don't forget to add your block to the Splendid Sampler2 website for your chance to win this week's giveaway. Join the supportive Facebook group HERE.  

Happy Sewing!

A Splendid Sampler V.2

The first half of the year has been a blur and I'm only just emerging from major volunteer commitments at two more quilt shows here at home. I need to tell you all about The Splendid Sampler 2 sew-along!! 

I was so pleased when Pat and Jane asked me to participate in their second sampler book (of 100 six inch blocks) after suffering a mild case of FOMO when the first one came out. Although I'm not really a sampler person, I just love being part of fun things when lots of other quilters are involved! Meeting new quilt-folk is a favourite pastime of mine - it is always a life-enriching experience. Sometimes it's hard to grow your circle without pushing yourself a bit and designing a tiny 6" block is a bit pushy for me, actually. After the last few years of (mostly) improv work where I just start cutting and sewing and playing on the design wall, it is a surprising challenge to focus small and design something contained.

I have to keep my little block a secret for a veeeeeeeery long time, but until then I will be trying my best to sew along with the many other designers involved in this book. There have already been many posts about it (like selecting fabric and announcing the 1-wee countdown to the 20-block freebie sew along here). Check the links because there are fabric and book discounts there!

Follow along on the Splendid Sampler dedicated blog for all activities and announcements. It's time I did the same and got up to speed on everything that's happening! There are links in the header of the blog to galleries featuring stunning quilts made with the first book. You'll likely get lots of fabric inspiration there. I'm just in awe of people that can stick with such a big project and finish the quilt - that is definitely not my modus operandi.

I'm going to attempt my blocks in single colour stories using shot cottons from my Oakshott Colourbox purchased during a sale several years ago and lovingly dipped into for rare and special projects. I don't have tons of this fabric, so I plan to be a bit selective. I know making ALL of the blocks will be too much for me to stick with and I'm admitting that right up front.  Initially, I planned to skip all of the applique blocks because I never seem to finish applique things that I start (I tend to lose interest after all of the prep work).  However, this past weekend at my traditional guild show, I had the pleasure of meeting Rosa, the incredible designer of the Apliquick system. I purchased some of her amazing applique tools and notions, so hopefully I'll get to bust them out and try some new to me techniques for hand applique on some of these blocks.

What about you...do you enjoy the challenge of making a little block every week? Do you love sampler quilts?  Is it meeting new designers that gets you excited about a group activity like this? Let me know in the comments!