This year I decided to participate in several Block of the Month (BOM) type Quilt-a-longs (QALs). One of them you already know about, Build A Quilt, hosted by Angela Walters of Quilting is My Therapy or possibly more popularly known as The Midnight Quilter on YouTube. Her Build A Quilt started in November so we’re already 3 blocks in. You can see my first two blocks in this post. Here is January’s block.
Wendy, from Pieceful Thoughts encouraged me to join the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Patterns by Jen. You can read more about this challenge by clicking on either link in the previous sentence and FYI this challenge comes w/chances to win prizes! January’s color is purple, inspired by Eggplant. I usually opt to make larger blocks but for whatever reason, I went w/the 6″ version. I may change my mind depending on how “challenging” these 6″ blocks end up being. =) Here is my purple, 2021 Monthly Color Challenge block.
The next couple of BOMs/QALs are just an impromptu idea I pushed on a couple of friends in an attempt to reduce my scraps. The rules are to make one block a month and “sew/show & tell” on the 4th Saturday of each month. I adore scrappy quilts and I think making a couple of scrappy blocks a month is low pressure but at the same time extremely gratifying. This will also force me to use my fabric cutter to tame this ridiculousness into some semblance of order, which I already started on this past weekend.
My 1st impromptu, Scrap Bustin’ BOM/QAL is the Japanese X+ Block. I used this tutorial for these first couple of 8″ blocks. Of course I made 2 blocks; one light version and one dark version. I will continue to make two a month but I plan to try this tutorial next month which makes a 12.5″ block.
My 2nd, impromptu, Scrap Bustin’ BOM/QAL is Criss-Cross Stars by Lori Holt. These blocks are so much fun that I made 4 of them! Two with dark backgrounds and two with light backgrounds. My faves are the ones w/the dark backgrounds.
I’m making the block that finishes at 9″ because it calls for 2.5″ and 3.5″ squares. And I have these two handy dandy dies that cut multiples of each. If I turn the 2.5″ strips perpendicular, I can cut multiple 2.5″ squares.
By the way, my cutter is an AccuCut GrandeMARK2 which is identical to the AccuQuilt Studio 2 and made by the same company.
A long time ago I used to strip my “leftover” fabric into 1″, 1.5″, 2″, and 2.5″ strips. I really should’ve continued doing that. I also should’ve started cutting squares, rectangles, HSTS, triangles, tumblers, etc., after I got this amazing fabric cutter and dies, but with this scrap bustin’ mission ahead of me, I’m finally starting to cut and organize my scraps and will continue to do so in the between times.
Since the 3rd Saturday of every month is the day I pick up the monthly Build A Quilt block pattern, this is the day I have reserved for making my BOM/QAL blocks.
How are y’all starting off your quilty year?
Thanks for stopping by. Until next time, God Bless You and Happy Stitchin’!
A Thread for Life
To Him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24-25 NIV
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A Quilted Passion 