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Week 5-Block of the Week- September 12, 2016- God’s Eye Block

There are many blocks which have names related to things or events in the Bible. Today’s block, God’s Eye, would be one of the them.

God's Eye Block
God’s Eye Block

Others would be Jacob’s Ladder, Crown of Thorns, Joseph’s Coat, Ruins of Jericho, Star of Bethlehem and many others. Quilts with Biblical names can be reassuring to those that are devoted to God and quilts have often been used as burial shrouds and it is comforting to families to have their loved one wrapped in a quilt with a Biblical theme. Many other quilt blocks with a square eye in the middle have been called “God’s Eye.” The yarn “God’s Eye” is a popular kids craft where two sticks make a cross and then different colored yarns are wrapped around the sticks concentrically.

 

The block is made up of a 4 x 4 grid, with smaller 4 x 4 grids contained therein. The smaller grids are composed with squares and half square triangles. Although there are many pieces in this block (88), it would still be a fairly easy block for a beginning quilter. This block is usually composed with four colors, 2 lights and 2 darks. Below is an example of  a 16 block quilt made up of God’s Eye blocks.

God's Eye Quilt
God’s Eye Quilt

 

This quilt can be very striking when made from scrappy fabrics, such as the quilt below.

God's Eye Scrappy Quilt
God’s Eye Scrappy Quilt

 

Stay tuned for next week’s block, which will be the Log Cabin, a great block for a beginner to learn to quilt.

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Quilt Block of the Week- August 29, 2016

Week 3- August 29, 2016

Double Nine Patch

Double Nine Patch Block
Double Nine Patch Block

In order to create a double nine patch, we need to know what a nine patch is first. it is a block that contains a 3 x 3 grid. Normally there is a combination of light and dark fabrics. Here is an example of the basic nine patch block.

Basic Nine Patch Block
Basic Nine Patch Block

Notice how there are nine “patches” that are the same size. There is a combination of light yellow with the dark navy blue. The yellow is forming a cross and the navy is forming an “x” in the middle. All of these patches can be anywise, but typically they are divisible by 3, so the overall block size is usually 6, 9 or 12 inches. This block is popular with beginning quilters as it involves straight sewing and matching of a couple of seams. It is also an easy block to select color fabrics as you only need two, consisting of a light and dark. This block also makes a great scrap quilt as each of the navy squares in the example could be a different piece of fabric. This is also an easy jelly roll quilt as to contract the blocks, you sew 2.5″ strips of dark, light, dark together and strips of light, dark, light together and then cut them at 2.5″ intervals. Then you take two of the dark, light, dark units and piece them together with a light, dark, light unit in the middle. Here is what a quilt would look like using this block, and then using the block alternating with plain navy squares.

basic nine patch quilt
Basic Nine Patch Quilt

 

Variation Nine Patch Quilt
Variation Nine Patch Quilt

Continue reading Quilt Block of the Week- August 29, 2016

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New easy pattern for your holiday and Christmas gift giving

New Easy Pattern just in time for the holidays.

Snow Angels Quilt Pattern
Snow Angels Quilt Pattern

The Bear has just released a new pattern called, “Snow Angels.” It is part of their BB Sew Easy Series of patterns that are designed for beginners. The pattern involves a center panel that is surrounded by half square triangles. This would be a great gift to give someone that is new to quilting and just getting started. It is also great for more experienced quilters to have a quick project that they can sew up as gifts for someone special on their holiday gift giving list.

Here is a link where you can download this adorable pattern for just $7.95:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/468515609/snow-angels-quilt-pattern-baby-quilt?ref=shop_home_feat_4

During the Dog Days of the summer, this pattern looks very refreshing!

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When Doves Fly- Tribute to Prince Blue Bear’s latest quilt pattern.

Blue Bear was busy creating blocks for a contest, when he created this purple one that looks like birds flying. With Prince’s passing, he thought it would be a nice tribute to Prince, so he named it, “When Doves Fly.” It has 6 alternative layouts in the pattern; some are more organized and some are disorganized. This would be a great wall hanging for a modern loft or apartment. It would also look great in a student’s dorm room. The link to purchase this pattern is at the bottom of this post.

When Doves Fly Quilt Pattern
When Doves Fly Quilt Pattern
Alternate Layout
Alternate Layout
One of Many Possible Layouts
One of Many Possible Layouts
http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/when-doves-fly/203859
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Blue Bear’s Accuquilt Contest Block

Grandma's Nectie Garden
Grandma’s Nectie Garden

The bear has entered a quilt block design contest and would love to win for the exposure that it would give him as a new quilt designer. He would love it is you would help him by clicking on the link below and voting for his block. He tells me that you can vote every 24 hours until 4/22. Silly bear. Even though, he does seem to be a pretty good designer.

You need to confirm your email once, but you will not be put on their email list unless you check the box to opt into their emails. He wants me to ask you to ask your friends to help as well. Pesky bear, but it is a pretty quilt block and we would like for him to design some more.
Blue Bear and his friends thank you so much for your assistance!
Update: Blue Bear won the Fan’s Choice Award. Thank you everyone for all your help and your votes!
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Blue Blear Quilt Kits & More’s first pattern

Blue Bear Quilt Kits & More’s first pattern has gone live on Craftsy. It is a perfect quilt for a newborn baby or a young toddler. Children will be so excited to show everyone the teddy bears dancing around the blue stars on their very own quilt. This is a beginner quilt project and if you can sew a 1/4″ seam and a blanket stitch, you can make this quilt in a weekend. Blue Bear will have the kits available for this quilt pattern in their Etsy store very soon.

 

Check it out!

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/quilting/home-decor/dancing-bears–easy-childrens-quilt/200240?fresh=true&NAVIGATION_PAGE_CONTEXT_ATTR=PATTERN