Patchique Week 1 blocks #1 and #76
One thing that I have learned, is that I have a lot more fun "learning as I sew" and trying new techniques out, when I am sewing along with someone else. Or with a whole group of quilters. This is why I like to be in sew along groups. I love to see all of the variations and special touches .
I also love knowing if there were any problems along the way ,so I can also "look out for" and hopefully avoid these problems. (I run into enough of my own problems mistakes , without adding on any others! lol) I know that the more piecing and patchworking that I do , the better I will become at making blocks of all kinds.
Look what Amanda, over at The Patchsmith blog has lined up for a sew along ! This is a brilliant and beautiful idea that I felt I would love to be part of!
The book says these blocks make cool, calm quilts that are at home in both modern country settings and chic urban settings.
Here are the details about Amanda's Patchique Quilt Project Sew Along...
She will be creating a quilt based on 9” blocks from Susan Briscoe's book. The main section of the quilt will consist of 49 blocks (seven rows of seven blocks) and she will be making one patchwork and one appliqué block every 2 weeks. This is what The Patchsmith calls Patchiqué. We don't have to do the taupe colour theme. Amanda is using beige, tan, green, cream and raspberry colors.
Every 2 weeks , The Patchsmith will detail two blocks that she made from the book,and she'll give us her hints and tips. (This is my favorite part!! Help AND tips!! ) Amanda absolutely excels in these skills. Her pattern designs are concise and clear and easy to understand! { They will spoil you!}
Amanda will then write about her Patchique experience on the second and fourth Sunday of each month.
That's when I will read about those 2 blocks and see what I will need, to make my own version of those 2 blocks. I may be late some weeks, and I may pass on certain blocks, and end up not making every block in the book (I want this to be a fun learning project, so that is ok with me.)
I think that I would like to make a lap quilt. The book has directions for other projects, too, using the Japanese taupe blocks... like a pillow and wall hanging and a tote bag. I will be making some of these other projects with the blocks!
My fabrics: I decided to use fabrics mainly from my stash (Yay!):
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| My fabrics They make me feel happy and calm |
The foundation:
Brown and cream toiles~ Fa La La La La Noel A'La France by French General for Moda
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| What I began with Fa La La La La by 3 Sisters for Moda |
Taupes and colors:
Light taupe floral, paisley ~ Martinique by 3 Sisters for Moda (these have taupes, reds, light sage, light turquoise colors)
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| To bring in color Martinique by 3 Sisters for Moda |
Stash ~ blending in with reds, sage, turqouises , taupe , etc
Blenders~ cream Essentials by Wilmington Prints, and
cream Grunge Essence Cream by Moda
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| Various colors and blenders to go with Martinique and with brown |
Geometrics- for color , interest and some directional~ Painter's Canvas Magnolia Lane Collection by Laura Gunn for Michael Miller
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| I love brown and turquoise and aqua |
Just in case... if all of the blocks don't look good together, then I will make other projects that use the blocks that "work" together!
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| My Patchique fabrics |
So, here begins my journey on The Patchique Quilt Project!
Week 1: First, I read The Patchsmith's blog post for her comments and help:
click here
Patch Block ~ #1: Kasuri square check (Kasuri koshi kaku)
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| Block 1 - Kasuri koshi kaku from the book |
Susie's Sunroom block:
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| #1 Kasuri sqaure check Susie's Sunroom |
It turned out well, using scant quarter inch seams. 9 1/2 inches unfinished
Applique Block ~ #76: Nine bamboo leaves wheel (Kumai sasa kuruma)
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| Block 76 - Kumai sasa kuruma from the book |
Susie's Sunroom block:
Amanda offers this good advice -to use a protractor to place the petals 40 degrees apart , around the circle. (She said you can google ' printable free protractor' (look for full circle and print it out.)
I used Heat n Bond lite fusible and ironed the bamboo leaves onto the block. Then all pieces were outline stitched using the blanket stitch (by machine.)
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| Nine bamboo leaves wheel Susie's Sunroom |
I am happy with my first two blocks in the Patchique Quilt Project. (They are prettier in real life with some warm tones.)
What's next? Amanda is working on blocks # 3 and #71 . That's what I'll be doing!
If you 'd like to learn to make some beautiful blocks, and try something different, won't you join in with us? The more making these, the merrier!
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I'm off to my sewing room!
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