I found the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild’s Block of the Month (BOM) for 2024 while wandering around on the internet. Probably wandering on the internet when I was supposed to be doing something else, but whatever. I liked the quilt and all the instructions were right there (for this year so far), free for anyone to use. Here’s the link.

I followed the instructions up through September, then improvised for the rest of the blocks because I can’t stand to have something like that unfinished, waiting for instructions. Here’s the result:

Linda Nichols quilted it using the “Retro Lines #1” design from Urban Elementz, and I think it goes perfectly with the quilt.

Tthat little print in the circle is another thing I did just to practice inserting a whole circle. I think it gives the quilt “personality”.

Quilt Stats

Name: Like, Totally

Design by: Seattle MQG, 2024 BOM (slightly modified by me)

Finished size: 57″ x 57″

Pieced by: me

Quilted by: Linda Nichols

I’m catching up on some binding (I’m actually months behind!) so it’s going to look like I’m making a quilt every week, but I’m not!

After finding a box of UFOs (from 2021!) while re-arranging the studio, I set out to finish all of them. Here’s the last of it!

These improv blocks from years ago

were made into this quilt

I particularly like the quilting, done by Linda NIchols. I do wish I had chosen a whiter background; this one is pale gray.

This panel, attractive though it is, went to the donate pile after much consideration.

And the last two pandau blocks have been put away for when I need them to decorate shirts or bags.

Whew!

Meanwhile, I’m taking Tara Faughnan‘s Block Studies Collective class, which is a six month program. Every month she presents a color palette and a block as prompts, with instruction regarding both. However, students aren’t required to use either!

The first month’s block was the hourglass, and here are my little studies.

I don’t know that I’m crazy about any of these by themselves, but it was interesting to experiment.

The second month’s block was log cabin, with multiple potential variations. She suggested paper piecing tiny blocks, but since her instructions are optional I wasn’t having that! I cut strips without rulers and made the following construction, entitled Along Comes Orange.

I especially appreciate Tara’s advice to apply a black and white filter to a photo of the palette to check contrast. It’s quite surprising to realize how much of what I see as value is really color!

I’ve been thinking of variations on log cabin blocks for some time, so there probably are more to come. And, surprise! These exercises are creating more orphan blocks/UFOs!

A friend and I found some good fabric with tools at a quilt show recently, so of course we bought it, since our husbands are both “handy”. Actually, they’re both pretty good woodworkers.

A lot of woodworking-themed or tool-themed fabric is way too “cute” but this had panels of realistic-looking tools. The fabric is part of a line from Quilting Treasures, if you want to look for it. Be aware that the panels are NOT printed square! I decided just to not worry about it.

I tried out several designs and finally settled on a simple one.

I made the top when my sweetie was away at a woodworking show (how appropriate) and a friend quilted it with a woodgrain texture.

Then I put the binding on while my husband was at another woodworking event, and sneaked it into one of his work rooms, where he has a large leather chair.

He seems to like it, and verified that it is, indeed, washable. Workshops can get dusty!

Quilt Stats

Name: Shop Quilt

Finished size: 60″ x 60″

Designed and pieced by: me

Quilted by: Victoria Gleasure

Still dealing with computer issues, but of course it’s necessary to take a break to sew. Therefore, I put the binding on Starfield.

This quilt started with using orphan blocks (the stars) to practice inset circles. Then I added a few more things, which you may recognize as leftovers from this quilt:

And here it is!

Quilt Stats

Name: Starfield

Size: 65″ x 75″

Design: mine

Pieced by: me

Quilted by: Linda Nichols