Starting Bloem

I had seen Libs Elliott’s Bloem quilt several places online before I found the pattern at Five Little Monkeys recently, so when I saw the pattern I decided to make the quilt.

I got these two patterns at Five LIttle Monkeys and I’m starting Bloem, the pattern on the left

I like the fact that the quilt is designed for several alternative layouts, and I like the bright colors. When I bought the pattern I thought I already had templates for most of the blocks, but when I got home and looked at the templates they weren’t quite right.

So I got a big piece of template plastic and some spray adhesive and made templates.

I found that just tracing the templates onto the plastic wasn’t too great because it was hard to see the clear plastic template! However, it worked great to cut out the paper shape, spray it with adhesive on the printed side, and then put the printed-and-sprayed side on the plastic. I used crummy scissors to cut out the plastic, of course!

And naturally I had to re-design the quilt to suit myself, both in terms of the blocks used and the colors. Here are a few of my attempts on EQ (Electric Quilt 8).

This is my modification of the Bloem pattern from Zen Chic

And here’s the quilt so far on the design wall. Some of the blocks are overlapping so they’d all fit.

I’ll keep you posted!

19 thoughts on “Starting Bloem”

Thanks for alerting me to this pattern. I’ll look forward to seeing your progress. I ought to do one myself since Bloem is a family name!

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zippyquilts on August 13, 2023 at 7:21 am said:

Definitely need to do it with a family name included! Have fun!

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- laura bruno lilly on August 13, 2023 at 10:12 am said:
  
  I agree! How often does that happen?

Ooo! Thanks just awesome! I love the drama – the contrast in colors – and those big shapes. This is spectacular! Keep going.

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zippyquilts on August 13, 2023 at 12:43 pm said:

Thanks 😀

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Thanks for sharing the solution to making templates…what a great idea. I love the way you make the pattern your own. The colors are fabulous. I have difficulty with curved pieces….do you have any tips?

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zippyquilts on August 13, 2023 at 12:43 pm said:

Ah, curved piecing! I have a friend who seems to have a natural talent for it–who knows what’s up with that? I’ll email you 😀

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This is great! I see how you’ve plowed through the more ‘obligatory’ stash of scraps/orphan blocks to get numerous quilts completed and now: I sense you are rewarding yourself by delving into an interesting new pattern and project. Complete with challenging curves! You are so talented, Zippy. Enjoy the process!
BTW: I suppose this new project will only add to the stash of scraps?!?

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zippyquilts on August 13, 2023 at 12:42 pm said:

Ha! Not only did it add to the scraps, but there are several new orphan blocks as well since I tried out various designs!!!

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