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Sewcialites "Flirty" from Chelsi Stratton and Color Studies

11/11/2022

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Chelsi Stratton is our designer this week for Sewcialites and her block is "Flirty."  Simple one color with white or pull out more of a Bear's Paw type of block by shading in one corner square. Or treat the block as a study in diagonal movement and shades of sunset colors. Let the white stand out as a bow tie or accent triangles.
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Block sewing will happen next week but I'll enjoy seeing the different blocks popping up in the facebook Sewcialites lounge while I finish up a couple things and then take a sewing break with a sweet 3" block.
Have a great weekend!
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Sewcialites block 3 Patchy Days from Jackie McDonald and my color studies

11/4/2022

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Hello Patchy Days with little squares and flying geese from Jackie McDonald! I just got to see Jackie in person at Quilt Market in Houston and it was SO nice. We have connected through phone calls and zoom so this was the next step...an actual meeting! I have enjoyed making Jackie's block this month AND I caught up with last week's Tussy Mussy sewing. But first, color studies!
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens color studies
You can emphasize the diamond made from flying geese or the square in the center or make the flying geese and their joining rectangles into arrows pointing out. Those 4-patch corners can be one color plus background or play with gradations and place the lightest parts to the inside or outside. I like the arrow idea and decided to apply that to my sewn block.
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens Wild Blossoms fabric
I'm using blues from my new Wild Blossoms collection (the one showing at Quilt Market last weekend). The arrows are out of the blue bonnet floral print with corners in the diagonal sketchy plaid. Mist Thatched flipped to the back side for a lighter shade makes the center square. 
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens Wild Blossoms fabric
I am thinking about combining these blocks in a variety of colors with the big width-of-fabric rainbow print of all the wildflowers. Perhaps in a tote...I'm working on my plan and will share when it is solid.
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens Wild Blossoms fabric
For my Tussy Mussy block, I used the pink Queen Anne's Lace print with a butterfly in the center part of the block, fluttering towards those outer dark petals. These small blocks are so much fun to make. Last year I did all the small 3" ones and fell in love with doing this sweet small size.
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens Wild Blossoms fabric
Now I've got a red, pink and blue block and have got to plan out next week's color. Orange, yellow, green? Sewing with the range of colors in Wild Blossoms has so many possibilities.
Sewcialites Patchy Days with Robin Pickens Wild Blossoms fabric
Check out the Fat Quarter Shop blog and shop for the free weekly patterns for this Sewcialites 2 Quilt Along!
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Sewcialites2 for another quilt along journey!

10/21/2022

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DAY ONE of the new Sewcialites 2 Quilt Along! My Moda Blockheads quilt is pieced and patiently waiting for longarming so what better time to start in with a new sampler sew-along. I was very happy to be a part of last year's first Sewcialites quilt and was thrilled when Fat Quarter Shop asked me back for this one.
Sewcialites Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop
Each Friday the Fat Quarter Shop will be releasing a new FREE block from one of the 24 designers. You can check the Fat Quarter Shop blog and join the Sewcialites Facebook group to join in the fun! At the shop, there are coordinating items to keep you organized and info about the sew-along too...visit HERE. A couple weeks will be off for holidays and a couple weeks at the end for assembly. Kimberly shows more detail on how she joins the blocks through her youtube channel each Friday.

If you followed me on Moda Blockheads, you might know that I like to play around on my computer and do some color studies of the blocks. I (almost) always leave the pieces as they are in the diagram but change up the colors and light and dark placements to see what variations I might get. I can't promise every week, but I'll try!
Sewcialites block1 Perennial with color studies from Robin Pickens
Our block #1 comes from Bev McCullough of Flamingo Toes and is called "Perennial." I was really intrigued by the little extra line from the rail block and how it makes that center pinwheel smaller. OR it could give an opportunity to have an accent stripe within the flower center. I think it is fun to treat the outside corner blocks either as leaves or as another layer of flower, suggesting the ways that petals overlap and are layered underneath other petals. Thank you Bev for giving us such a lovely, interesting block to start this Quilt-Along!
Sewcialites Perennial quilt block made in Robin Pickens fabrics
I've been getting ready for Quilt Market so I've been busy making quilts with my newest line that is showing to shops now...Wild Blossoms. This fabric will ship in March 2023 but since I have some sample fabric, I'm planning on making my blocks with it and mix it with my basic line from Moda, Thatched. Here is my Perennial block made with the Little Wild Things print in red and green and Crimson, Maize and Sugar Rose Thatched. I'm making the 3" blocks for this project, which is the same size I sewed last time. That is when I learned that I really like to make these littler blocks. They are so cute!
Sewcialites Perennial quilt block made in Robin Pickens fabrics
Wouldn't it be lovely to do a whole Christmas quilt with this block? It feels like a festive holiday flower and those pointed ends of petals are reminiscent of Poinsettias. 
Sewcialites Perennial quilt block made in Robin Pickens fabrics
Tune in next Friday for the next Socialites block.
Happy sewing!
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Moda Blockheads blocks 27 and 26 with Color Studies

9/21/2022

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Happy Wednesday and Moda Blockheads day! Today Michelle White from Moda brings us "Threaded" for our free quilt block pattern! Visit Michelle on instagram @MichelleWhiteMakes and get your THREADED quilt block pattern at Moda's site:  https://my.modafabrics.com/tags/blockheads-4
Moda Blockheads #27 Threaded color studies from Robin Pickens
Michelle's design is shown with the angled ends all going in one direction, however the pattern also showed an alternate that faced the angles together, so I did some in the last row with that and took some liberties of flipping the last one as two mirrored angles. I like how treating the ends with the middle color of the bar next to it creates a bulging line. Or only playing the outer ends, having graduated shades of colors in the bars, or play with different colors. The bottom middle really plays with negative and positive space to form a strong O shape. Thanks for this versatile block Michelle!
Moda Blockheads #27 Threaded in Robin Pickens fabrics
My block is living in a green corner of my small row so I'm treating the shapes as a leaf idea. Two of the other green corners have leafy blocks with Autumnal and Clover.
Moda Blockheads #27 Threaded in Robin Pickens fabrics
My little butterfly that has rested on the leaf is from Sweet Pea & Lily with the little drawings next to it from Carolina Lilies. Thatched greens bookend the leaf.
Moda Blockheads #27 Threaded in Robin Pickens fabrics
Last week I had not blogged about my color studies. There was just a lot to catch up with at home plus needing more naps from Covid. Feeling much better but I'm behind on a couple of things. So this was my color study that I shared on the Moda Blockheads Facebook group for Block #26, POSTAGE STAMP!
Moda Blockheads #26 Postage Stamp Color Studies from Robin Pickens
This weet Postage Stamp is from Corey Yoder! The link is through her blog @CorianderQuilts. I think this would look adorable with "Forever" embroidered on it. Those little dashed edges would be cute as colored lines of playful hues. Corners the same color as the background make it round off the shape more. 
Moda Blockheads Postage Stamp block in Robin Pickens fabric
A little orange stamp for my orange row. Abby Rose has a bud for the center!
Moda Blockheads orange Postage Stamp in Robin Pickens fabric
And I've got a couple more small orange blocks from the bonus blocks that I had not posted yet. These are bonus block 6 STEP TO IT and bonus block 7 STAR TURN.
Moda Blockheads orange bonus block 6 in Robin Pickens fabric
Moda Blockheads orange bonus block 6 in Robin Pickens fabric
Moda Blockheads orange bonus block 7 in Robin Pickens fabric
All of my orange and yellow blocks are made so I can start joining them. ONE MORE BLOCK TO GO! I have one space left in my big pink outer ring. Till next week...happy sewing!!
Moda Blockheads orange blocks in Robin Pickens fabric
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Moda Blockheads #25 Heart from Lellaboutique free pattern and color studies

9/7/2022

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Ready to show some love? Well, Vanessa Goertzen's HEART quilt block will help you do just that! Visit Vanessa at ​https://blog.lellaboutique.com for the pattern and follow all her pretty Lellaboutique images on instagram ​https://www.instagram.com/lellaboutique/
Moda Blockheads #25 Heart Color Studies from Robin Pickens
This week's block just seemed to scream out for some pop-inspired colors with some super-graphics 70s vibe. I think of the roller skating rink with Donna Summers singing "I feel love" with those star points beaming out light around the heart. This would make the cutest tshirts!
Moda Blockheads #25 Heart in Abby Rose, Painted Meadow and Thatched from Robin Pickens
My block for my sampler is in the large pink row and I've used a Mix of a print from Abby Rose with corners using broken lines from Painted Meadow. Four colors of Thatched (fuchsia, primrose, cranberry and sugar rose) mix in with the other pink blocks in the row. 
Moda Blockheads #25 Heart in Abby Rose, Painted Meadow and Thatched from Robin Pickens
Moda Blockheads #25 Heart Close Up from Robin Pickens
Moda Blockheads #25 Heart in Abby Rose, Painted Meadow and Thatched from Robin Pickens
Four spaces left to go! Based on what I have sewn so far, I have one big block left to go and 3 small ones (two orange and one green corner). When we get near the end of a sewalong I am so happy to finish, but also sad since the journey and sharing is so fun. Guess that means it will be time to start thinking about another one, right? 
Moda Blockheads plan with Robin Pickens' Surrounded Square Garden
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Moda Blockheads4 quilt block #24 Outtakes

9/5/2022

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A little late here with my Blockheads post but I do have a legit excuse. Blame it on the Covid I contracted and my needing lots of naps. Doing better now and thought sharing late was better than never!
Last week's block was Outtakes from Vanessa Christenson of V&Co. Vanessa creates those beautiful ombre fabrics with luscious colors! I think her fabrics would be so pretty in the block she designed. 
Visit Vanessa at https://vanessachristenson.com/blog/ or check out her feed on instagram
​ https://www.instagram.com/vchristenson/
Moda Blockheads #24 Outtakes color studies from Robin Pickens
I like to squint my eyes to see what is popping out as the strongest element or is an overall feel in each of these. That all white center star really pops to me. I also like how it can also look like a visual illusion of corners zooming out at you. Such a fun block!
Moda Blockheads #24 Outtakes in Robin Pickens fabrics
My Outtakes block will be the last of the four for my yellow center! I did not have the specialty ruler so I used the paper piecing for the star points, which worked well. I thought a little Dandi Annie puff ball was a fun center to use for this!
Moda Blockheads #24 Outtakes in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads #24 Outtakes in Robin Pickens fabrics and other 3 yellow blocks
Here are my 4 yellow blocks together. I'm looking forward to getting this all joined!
Moda Blockheads #24 Outtakes in Robin Pickens fabrics and other 3 yellow blocks
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Moda Blockheads 23 Gentleman's Fancy from Benda Riddle

8/24/2022

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Brenda Riddle brings us Gentleman's Fancy this week. Click the gray bar to be taken to her blog to see her lovely fabrics and designs!
Brenda Riddle's Blog
Gentleman's Fancy has numerous angles, which is always lots of fun for color play. I can think of it like petals of a flower or have one dark and one light on the flying geese units to make more of a spinning/pinwheel look. Number 4 just draws you in to that dark center. And the last row plays with switching it up in the triangle corners to get a diagonal look or one that looks like a mouth open with teeth and tongue to me!
Gentleman's Fancy for Moda Blockheads with Robin Pickens color study
I usually don't sew blocks that I divide corner to corner first then sew on a side. I seem to be a little challenged when I do this with getting my corners lined up. This is probably one of my more wonky blocks but since it is the SECOND time I made it...I figured I'd live with the imperfections. 
Gentleman's Fancy for Moda Blockheads with Robin Pickens fabric
That's right...second time. The first time I made my orange block in a 9" size. Hmmmm. My orange row is all 4.5" sized blocks. So I thought, I'll just use it in the 9" row. Nope, those are pink/red/cranberry. So making the block again was the answer. Here's my duo:
Gentleman's Fancy for Moda Blockheads with Robin Pickens fabric duo
Gentleman's Fancy for Moda Blockheads with Robin Pickens fabric
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Moda Blockheads Block #22 STAR PATCH from Sherri McConnell

8/17/2022

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Sherri McConnell brings us STAR PATCH for block #22 for Moda Blockheads. Visit Sherri's blog for the pattern and see all her wonderful tips and quilts. 
Star Patch from Sherri McConnell
The little 9-patch center can be a cute little checkerboards, a cross, radiating center. Corners look interesting in background white or carrying color out to the points. Emphasize the star points or the corners. I love the options on this block.
Moda Blockheads 22 Star Patch color studies from Robin Pickens
Another 9" block for the red/pink row with a little orange in the center to tie in with the orange row next to it. Painted Meadoww paisley makes the star points with fuchsia corner points.
Moda Blockheads 22 Star Patch in Robin Pickens fabrics
I like combining the soft pinks with those stronger cranberry and fuchsia colors. A little print, a little Thatched and some Solana in the center.
Moda Blockheads 22 Star Patch in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads 22 Star Patch in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads 22 Star Patch and other pink red blocks in Robin Pickens fabrics
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Moda Blockheads 4 Block 21 Shiny Bauble

8/10/2022

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Baubles, ornaments, pretty shiny things that twirl and spin...hello week 21 with "Shiny Bauble" from Janet Clare! Some paper piecing helps to make the top and bottom angles. Get the pattern through Janet.
Janet Clare's Blog for Shiny Bauble
I just played a little with the bauble this week and tried different colors for corners of interior blocks or making them the color of the top and bottom. Maybe a dark light combo like the last ones to look like a shadow is cast. 
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Red row for me with a 9" block. I went for scrappy happy energetic reds. 
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Will you make holiday ornaments? Or a court jester's playful object? Or colorful kid's top? Have fun with Shiny Bauble. We are nearing the end...keep on sewing!
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Moda Blockheads Stop Go #20 with Color Studies

8/3/2022

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"Stop Go" from Stacy Iest Hsu for this week's Moda Blockheads. This block feels so playful and fun. I love the little extra squares in the middle of some of the stop signs. Switching up some of the corner colors starts to make some star-like corners or checkerboard QuarterSquare Triangles where they meet. Play with colors in rows or make all the color play about the little corners with a random mix of party colors.
Moda Blockheads StopGo Robin Pickens color studies
My block this week is for my large pink/red row. Those squares are a great place for using a scrappy mix of pinks from Abby Rose, Dandi Annie, and Painted Meadow. Since my theme is garden inspired, little yellow centers felt like the centers of flowers. 
Moda Blockheads StopGo in Robin Pickens fabrics
Moda Blockheads StopGo in Robin Pickens fabrics
Need the pattern? Visit Stacy's blog:
https://my.modafabrics.com/webfiles/bh4_20_stacy-iest-hsu_stop-go.pdf
Stacy Iest Hsu Blog
Or visit the Moda PDF page here:
Stop Go from Stacy Iest Hsu
Here is the plan so far! I've been making my blocks and might rearrange once I see them together but this is probably pretty close to the arrangement. Have a fabulous week with sewing fun!
Moda Blockheads Robin Pickens layout in progress week 20
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    Designer of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter.

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