The Moda designers had a fun project for the Spring Quilt Market this year. A group of us designed 18" block patterns to give to local quilt shops to use during this National Sewing Month. 18 inches is a substantial size for a single block and leaves room to play with fabric and combine several shapes and sizes into a layered composition. At the time of designing my block I was working on my Picket quilt with it's stitch and flip sides that make up the picket fence border around the quilt perimeter. I liked playing with this shape and how it also suggested flower petals, especially when grouped around a central square. I call my block "Full Bloom" because it reminds me of the petals in a fully open flower in a grand display. The petals are separated by sashings to give more definition and color play in your piecing while dividing the space in an interesting way. For a schoolhouse session at Market we showed our blocks. I made up two blocks using my new collection (shipping in October 2019) of Painted Meadow. Coneflowers in paisley shapes, textures, little sprigs, all make up the blocks in this composition. And I could not resist doing a little fussy cutting and making one of my fat bumble bees the center of a bloom. Perhaps this bee is looking for pollen in the center? These blocks are not quilted yet and I'm still deciding if I'm going to make pillows or work these into a quilt top. I like to experiment on the computer with the blocks and what it looks like made up different ways. With this block, the corners could be more valentine-like with hearts (like the top left image) and a hashtag center. Or maybe the center is surrounded by darker colors to set it off in contrast. Multi-colored blocks (lower left) have a different feel from monochromatic blocks that play with values of light and dark. Studying what happens with light and dark values is interesting when you have all these rectangles that continue across the block. You can have mid-range tones that suggest overlap and transparency, or sashing lines that stay solid and strong. Some look like woven plaid. Others are radiating light or dark from the centers. I love the different look and feel you can get from one block with this play of light and dark. Wouldn't it be fun do do a monochromatic quilt just exploring these light and dark relationships? If you want to make a block with a big fuzzy bumble bee, like the one above, look for the Painted Meadow collection in October. Painted Meadow has corals, red, greens, teals and pinks. Or use solids with a range of light and dark values. Or go completely scrappy with enough room in those squares for some good fussy cutting. Whatever you make, I hope it is fully blooming and glorious! Click the blue "download file" for the Full Bloom pattern jpeg. ![]()
Visit the previous designer's blog posts and the future posts to see more 18" block fun! Here is the schedule and links to their blogs: 9.23 - Lella Boutique and Sherri & Chelsi 9.24 - Kansas Troubles and Corey Yoder 9.25 - Crystal Manning and Me & My Sister 9.26 - Jan Patek 9.27 - Robin Pickens (me and here is the pattern!) http://www.unitednotions.com/blog_mi_KC2019_robin-pickens.pdf 9.30 - BasicGrey 10.1 - Betsy Chutchian and Lisa Bongean 10.2 - American Jane 10.3 - Kathy Schmitz 10.4 - Zen Chic and Deb Strain ![]() I'd love to see images of things you make with your blocks! Do you make a sampler with all the designer blocks? A table runner with a set of three or four? A pillow or mini wall quilt? Have fun sewing and share with us!
15 Comments
Alicia Key
9/27/2019 05:08:21 am
Great block! Thanks for so many colorings! LOVE your fabrics but your pictures suggest using ombres,too. I'll have to try it!
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 09:38:06 am
Hi Alicia! I love the idea of using ombres! I have some of V&Co confetti ombres and I think this would be great to try them on. Thanks for the idea!
Reply
Michelle H
9/27/2019 09:28:44 am
Love this block! Thank you for showing the different value possibilities...that really helps with the decision of which fabrics to use.
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 09:39:38 am
Hi Michelle!
Reply
Anita Connor
9/27/2019 10:35:56 am
I LOVE your Painted Meadow fabrics - have pre-ordered a layer cake and can't wait to get it! The more I see these fabrics, the more I want to get more and more and more of them! Congratulations!
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 03:54:53 pm
oh how sweet of you Anita! Thank you so much! I can't wait to see what you make with your layer cake!
Reply
Dottie
9/27/2019 10:56:32 am
Wow! What a difference using values, etc. Really like how they all look. Sure is a pretty block with so many choices.
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 03:55:47 pm
Thanks Dottie! I had fun with this one! I'm glad you like it too!
Reply
Jacqueline Hale
9/27/2019 10:58:19 am
Love your block! Beautiful fabrics! Thank you!
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 03:56:36 pm
Thanks Jacqueline! This was fun to make- I'm glad you like it!
Reply
Carol
9/27/2019 11:52:15 am
What a great pattern! And that bee in the middle is perfect!
Reply
Robin Pickens
9/27/2019 03:59:05 pm
Thanks Carol! I keep looking at all my blocks thinking "hmmm, will a bee fit in there?" ha ha!!
Reply
Loris Mills
10/1/2019 08:51:01 am
October is finally here! I'm hoping Painted Meadows is shipping to my LQS fast!
Reply
Kathleen Kingsbury
10/19/2019 11:26:14 am
I just came across this beautiful block (with a link from Life in the Scrapatch). I like that this block is a large one. Would you consider adding a coloring sheet to your free block pattern page? I love all your variations. thank you for sharing.
Reply
Cheryl Muzingo
2/13/2020 03:46:46 pm
Do you have a list of the fabric requirements for this beautiful Full Bloom block with the Painted Meadow fabrics? I'd love to make this, but I'm not sure how much fabric to get of each.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
About ROBINDesigner of colorful florals for Moda fabrics. Modern to transitional quilt designer. Illustrator, sewist, crafter. I am proud to be a designer for Moda Fabrics!
Shop Robin's DesignsCategories
All
Archives
March 2023
© Robin Pickens Inc. All rights reserved. No images may be reproduced without permission.
|