Block of the Month and Community Quilts
Each month our guild makes a different block of the month. Some are improv and some are a twist on more traditional blocks. It's always exciting to see all the different takes on a common theme.
We have regular Sew Ins to get together and whip up quilts using the blocks of the month. Those, along with other quilts graciously donated by members, are given to local charities.
2024 BLOCKS OF THE MONTH
January 2024
Flour Power
Captain: Kathy B.
Let’s start the new year with a bright colorful block. The quilt will be raffled for the Relay for Life in May. The pattern is designed by Linda Allen and the tutorial on YouTube is presented by Donna Jordan. Choose any 2 contrasting prints for the half square triangles, solid bright yellow for the center and solid cream/off-white for the outside accent. Cut yellow accent 2” square and cream accent 2 1/2” square. Unfinished block is 8 ½”. We will need 80 blocks, due by end of March and finished by April.
Sew-In session to make these blocks is on January 6, 10 am - 2 pm at the Parkland Library.
Here’s the Tutorial.
February 2024
Souvenir
Captain:
This pattern is from Generations Quilt Patterns. We will make child-friendly blocks that are so fun and easy to make. Choose any print and color of a child-friendly novelty fabric with primary color background. Unfinished block is 10 ½” square. Do not trim. We will need around 40 blocks.
Click here for Directions.
March 2024
Animal Kingdom
Captain: Joyce N.
Take out all your scraps with animal prints (any color) and sew a traditional log cabin pattern around it.
Instructions:
1. Choose a fabric with animal print. Cut it to 3” square for the center.
2. Cut 1 ¾” strips of white, red, and gray solid or low volume fabrics.
3. Starting with white strips, sew a log cabin pattern around the center, followed by the red strips, and finally the gray strips.
Unfinished block measures 10” square. Do not trim. We will need 40-50 blocks.
April 2024
Be Good To Your Heart
Captain:
Another version of a heart-within-a-heart block designed by Amy Smart who gave us permission to use this block for a community quilt to be donated to a Breast Cancer organization or a needy family. Use red and white fabrics, solid or printed. Blocks are due in August and quilt to be finished in September.
Here’s the link for Directions.
May 2024 - Rally block
This is a fun quilt that is community related as you read Melanie Tuazon’s explanation of her quilt design. It is improv all the way and will be exciting to see how this one will come together with our blocks! Blocks work out to 8 inch by 8 inch and 56 are needed. Please do these blocks with grey background and orange accent. Click here for link Rally Quilt.
Captain:
June 2024--
Vector Block
The March 2018 MQG Block Study is Vector by Sarah Ruiz, a member of the Houston MQG. It’s a fun and whimsical paper piecing blocks that has loads of possibilities. Find the block pattern and bonus quilt pattern below. This is a 12 inch block. You can find instructions here Vector block.
Captain:
July is a bye or free month
No BOM this month. Wishing you a time of extra rest this month!
August 2024 - Not so square block
This quilt was inspired by shadows on a bookcase. Tina Curtis designed this for The MQG block study series.
By using basic components, gentle curves, and inset circles, achieve a modern aesthetic with just a few seams. Skills you will learn to use are glue basting and sewing curves. The block size is 12.5 and we would like them to be green tones on cream or white background. Please find the instructions here The MQG.
Captain:
September 2024
En Pointe - Giant Gem
How to freezer-paper-piece
Captain:
This block is designed by MJ Kinman from Create Whimsy. It’s a nice twist to the paper-piecing technique using freezer paper to create a gemstone block. Use gemstone colors (red, blue, green, etc.) in different values to create contrast, with light grey background. Finished block is 13”. Do not trim.
October 2024 - Mosaic Block
Lee A Heinrich from Freshly Pieced designed this free block pattern that has flexibility on how to lay it out. The block is 12.5 inches and we would like the blocks to have a white or cream background with solid fall colors. Find the link to the instructions here Freshly Pieced.
Captain:
November 2024
Grandmother’s Cross
BLOCK LOTTO
Captain:
There are several variations to this block pattern. The instructions for this version is from Generations Quilt Patterns by Julie Baird. We will make the 10 ½” unfinished block. Choose floral fabrics for the cross patchwork and an aqua (or similar color) background. We will need 40-50 blocks.
December 2024
No BOM this month! We wish you much joy this month!
2023 BLOCKS OF THE MONTH
JANUARY 2023 Support Group Bra
Captain: Kären L. — FINISHED!
In preparation for the Relay for Life in May, the January block of the month is the “Bra Block” designed by Lori Holt for Bee in my Bonnet Co. The pattern is copyrighted and sold through the Fat Quarter Shop https://www.fatquartershop.com/stitch-support-group-quilt-kit. Duplication of any kind is prohibited. However, Fat Quarter Shop sent us 20 copies of the pattern. They will be distributed (at the December meeting) to 20 guild members who are willing to make the blocks.
There are 4 style variations of the bra pattern. You can choose which pattern to use. The colors will be pinks and marigolds. The background fabric will be off-white or cream. Each block measures 11 1/2” x 13 ½”. Please do not trim. We will need 12 blocks for one quilt. Extra blocks will be used for the second Breast Cancer Awareness quilt in September.
Blocks are due by the end of February and quilt to be finished by April 2023.
February 2023 Secret Sewing! Check your email early January for all the juicy details!!! —DONE!
MARCH 2023 Tunnel Block
Captain: Christine L - no further blocks needed.
For March we are doing a Tunnel block and using the tutorial from 2016 and Rachel Hauser’s site Stitched in Color, https://www.stitchedincolor.com/blog//2016/09/tunnel-block-tutorial.html . These blocks will be large- 12.5 X 15.5 inches.
We need 25 blocks. The color scheme is a red center and blue strips. Please use solids or fabric with a nondescript pattern and one color.
APRIL 2023 Scrappy Heart Block
Captain: Lisa M. - no further blocks needed
For April we will be working on a block for Breast Awareness Month and an auction that Yarrow M. puts on to raise money for research. We will be using a block tutorial from the Website Scattered Thoughts a Crafty Mom, Jamie from Texas. Here is the link. Scrappy Heart. We will need 10 small heart blocks and 10 large heart blocks for a 60 x 74 inch quilt. Color scheme is white or cream heart with pink and/or red background solid or patterned fabrics. Blocks are due by June meeting.
MAY 2023
Tilted Tiles
Captain: Cate C.
12" Tilted Tile Blocks—-Piecing instructions https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Tilted_Tiles_Cameron_final-1.pdf
The Tilted Tile blocks taken from the MQG block studies are made from 7 different pieces: the background (Pieces A, B, C, and D), the tile outlines (Pieces F and G), and the center tile (Piece E). These blocks are constructed like a traditional Courthouse Steps quilt block, where pieces are added to alternating, opposite sides of a center tile. Figure 4. Block variety is created by constructing each Tiled Tile block larger than required, then trimming to size in a ‘tilted’ fashion, taking care NOT to align the quilting ruler with square block components.
Please make your center block is between 2-4 inches, the inside border is 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches and the outside border large enough to complete it to size 12 inches. Use any SOLID colors and we would like to get 30 blocks!
JUNE 2023
Paper Airplanes
CAPTAIN: Rachel K.
Who doesn’t love Paper Planes? For our JUNE Block of the Month, we’re using a free paper pieced block by Kristy at Quiet Play Designs. In addition to her FPP designs, she also has tutorials if you need a little help getting started.
Please use blues (baby blue to indigo), whites and grays. Prints or solids. Feel free to express your own unique vision and have fun with this! Remember this is an 8 1/2-inch unfinished block. The Community Quilt group will square blocks up.
Download the Pattern: PaperPlaneFPP
JULY 2023 Improv Circles
(A Tutorial)
CAPTAIN: LaDauna W.
This is improv curve technique that is fun to do! Leanne from She Can Quilt wrote this tutorial and you can also see some of her great curve quilts on her site: Improv Circles Tutorial
Please do 3-5 color curves in any solids with a light color background and make them 9+ inches. Do not trim. These will make 18-inch circle blocks. We hope to get 50-60 blocks.
AUGUST 2023 Village Houses
Captain: Kären L - No more blocks needed
This is a re-do of the Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co. Village House blocks from two years ago. Let’s make it fun again. Use any color, solid or printed. Let’s make the background low volume white/off-white. We need LOTS of these houses. The pattern is in the link below.
https://www.fatquartershop.com/village-quilt-free-pdf-pattern
SEPT. 2023
Palm Leaf Block (Foundation Paper Piecing)
Captain: Julie YA
We are going to do a leaf block called the Palm Leaf Block. The free pattern is from the Bernina Blog website by Andrea. We are doing the foundation paper piecing version. Click on the link and choose Palm Leaf FPP Templates.
Colors: Darker greens and yellows.
Background: Low-volume beige. We’re aiming for a minimalist look.
Each unfinished block measures 6”. Seam allowances are scant ¼” and the outside points of the leaf need to intersect at or close to the seam allowance, not the edge of the block. We will need at least 100 blocks.
OCTOBER 2023 Churn Block
Captain: Nona G
This is a super fun Missouri Quilt tutorial with Jenni. You can view this 11-minute video on how to make this wonky churn dash at https://www.missouriquiltco.com/pages/freestyle-churn-dash-quilt-tutorial. This is a simple variation of a 9-patch and we want to use white or cream with mostly blue with a dash of yellow. The base block size is 5 inches so this will be a big block. As usual, we would love a bunch of blocks.
NOVEMBER 2023 String Block
Captain: Karen Sh.
It’s time to use your scraps! Use any scraps you want to use on a white or cream background. Use this fun tutorial String Block Tutorial. Susie Stuklis makes a unique design with this tutorial. Please use a 9-inch cream or white block as base for your string block. We hope to get 50-60 blocks.
2022 Blocks of the Month
November 2022
Lisa D is Captain
This is a 12” block (12.5 unfinished) which teaches partial seams and Y seams. Good skills to have in your tool box.
We are making the block exactly like the photo. 2 shades of blue, 2 shades of yellow, 1 gold and 1 pink
October 2022
Marti DA is Captain
Background: Kona Ash (supplied)
Colors: Any solid, highly saturated color. Use four different colors or one, two, or three colors. This is a 12” block (12.5” unfinished)
September 2022
This is a 12” block that is perfect for practicing Flying Geese. Link and details coming soon
Debbie D. is Captain
August 2022
Vortex finishes at 12”. We are doing white background with Yellow (gold), Orange, Green and rich Brown.
Block LOTTO!! Each completed block will equal 1 ticket. More blocks = more chances to win all the blocks!!
July 2022
Whorl is a fun block from the MQG website. Give partial seams a “whorl”, with their easy peasy directions. This block finishes at 12” Use Reds, Oranges, Blues, and Greens.
Janet L. is Captain
June 2022
The World’s Fair Puzzle Block is on the traditional side, but with its spikey red lines, it creates a pretty modern looking quilt. Black background with Aqua/Turquoise and Red. The pattern directions are for a 8” or 12” block. We’ll make either size work!
Dawn G. is Captain
May 2022
Cluck, Cluck Sew’s Floret Flowers and perfect for May. Please use white background, yellow centers and ANY OTHER COLOR that you desire. This is a 10 block that goes together in a flash. Yes this is a repeat, but it is soooo cute.
Jacque H. is Captain
COMPLETED!!
April 2022
The Slipknot Block is our April BOM. White background, black and YOUR CHOICE OF ANY OTHER COLOR. We are doing the 16” block
Karen L. is Captain
COMPLETED!!!
March 2022
Intersection is our March BOM. We will be using light blue, dark blue and the Kona Color of the Year “COSMOS” or something similar. You will have left over HST when you make this block. You can give those to Christine as well and she will include them in the quilt. This is a 12” block.
Christine L. is Captain
February 2022
The Alex Block by Bonjour Quilts will be our first BOM for 2022. Aqua, Red/Orange and Lime Green with a white background make for a bright and happy block. This is a 12” block
Joyce N. is Captain
COMPLETED!!
November 2021
Disappearing Hour Glass. We are going solid white and any green.
Teresa T. is the Block Assembly Captain
Karen S. is the Quilt Assembly Captain
COMPLETED!!
October 2021
Entwined Star - We are making the 12 inch finished version, in red/rust/gold/yellow with a white or cream background. Yes, almost just like the picture!
COMPLETED! Cate C. is Captain
September 2021
This is Discovery. We will be using blue, aqua, teal with white and cream. This block is 8 x 8, smaller than the usual 12” and it’s pretty quick to put together. Maybe you could make 2 or 3?
The “other” Julie is Captain
August 2021
Once again from the MQG website, this is “Cornered”. This block is larger than normal at 16 x 16. Coral and yellow on a Navy background.
COMPLETED!
July 2021
We will be doing Organic Diamonds off the MQG website. Half is traditionally pieced and half is paper pieced. Colors are just as in the tutorial. Lt/Dk brown, Lt/Dk blue, aqua and lime green. Finishes at 10 x 10
Karen S. is Captain
June 2021
Lemon Stars this month. Bright colors (solid or prints) on white or black background. Finishes at 12 x 12.
COMPLETED! Kathy B. is Captain
May 2021
Sewing up the Equinox block this month. Using Colors of the Year, Kona Horizon (blue) and Pantone (yellow and gray) along with some black and white for a pop. Finishes at 12 x 12. Have fun!!
Teresa T was Block Making Captain
Trisha T is Assembly Quilt Captain
COMPLETED!!
April 2021
We are making Strawberry Blocks for April. Yellow tops and any light and dark of the same color for the Strawberry and background. Finishes at 12 x 12.
Ladauna W. is Captain
Block collection is COMPLETED
October 2020
This month it’s an ACORN!!
These should pair very nicely with last month’s leaves to make a wonderful quilt. Please use a white/cream/low volume background and fall colors for the acorns. You can make the 6.5” one in the tutorial below or upsize it to a 12.5
August and September 2020
Leaves - Background should be white/ivory/bone/ cream in solid or low volume and the leaf/leaves can be anything you want. Pattern is also anything you want......links below for patterns or just inspiration. You can piece, paper piece or applique....Or any combination. We would really like to see your creativity and quilty personality in this BOM. Have fun everyone!!
Maple Leaf Block
Autumn Glory Quilt Block
Paper Piece Leaf
Splash of Color Templates
Turning Leaves
Scrap Buster Fall Pillow
Falling Leaves Paper Pieced Leaf
July 2020
X's and +’s
For the month of July, we’re using WHITE background and BRIGHTS for the X’s and +’s. Very much like the picture of the samples and PDF instructions. Finished size is 12.5”
April, May and June 2020
ONE VILLAGE - TOGETHER
For the month of April, let’s put together our own version of a TMQG Village. The pattern, “VILLAGE” is offered compliments of Moda Fabrics and Miss Rosie’s Quilt Co.
Each block is around 5 1/2” x 7” unfinished. (Don’t worry about trimming it, our Community Quilts Committee members will do that.) Have fun with this! Put faces and/or other things in the doorways, use wild fabrics — let your imagination go crazy!
Make one, or two, or more houses, and bring them to the next TMQG meeting, which is pending reopening of the Environmental Services Building.
So stay tuned, keep sewing and stay safe! We hope to be sewing together and showing our “Stay Home - Stay Safe” creations soon.
March 2020
Who doesn’t love Paper Planes? For our March Block of the Month, we’re using a free paper pieced block by Kristy at Quiet Play Designs. In addition to her FPP designs, she also has tutorials if you need a little help getting started.
Please use blues (baby blue to indigo), whites and grays. Prints or solids. Feel free to express your own unique vision and have fun with this! Remember this is an 8 1/2-inch unfinished block. The Community Quilt group will square blocks up.
Download the Pattern: PaperPlaneFPP
February 2020
Hashtags and Cheerios for the February Block of the Month! Blocks this month will be used for the Seven Stars Community Quilts.
Please use earth tones — blues and greens and browns with white background. We will be using 4 1/2 and 5 1/2 inch squares (to make the HSTs) for the completed 12 1/2” unfinished blocks. (No need to trim them.)
Links for instructions follow:
Cheerios block instructions and tutorial: http://www.meandmysisterdesigns.com/patterns/downloads/hideho.pdf
Hashtag block instructions and tutorials:
https://www.sewcanshe.com/blog/2016/3/5/classic-blocks-fresh-fabric-the-hashtagquiltblock
http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/2013/09/tic-tac-toe-block-tutorial-by-crazy-mom.html
November 2019
Remember this is a Block LOTTO month!
For every block you make, you get a ticket. During the meeting we will draw a ticket and the winner gets all the blocks. This is a fun and versatile block. Although 1 block alone looks quite simple, the layout can create a lot of movement and interest.
This is a 12.5 unfinished block. The cutting directions in the tutorial are for a 6.5 block. So use the tutorial for assembly directions and layout ideas and substitute the following on the cutting:
The solid strips can be of any color and should be 3.5 x 7 (6 strips for each block). For the white background (or white on white), cut a 9" square and then cut it in half to make 2 HST.
I folded my triangles, pressed a crease in the middle and then lined that up with my center seam on the strips. Let's go ahead and let the community quilt ladies square them up with the same rulers.
Tutorial link is located at: https://thequiltbom.blogspot.com/2019/07/september-2019-hammonasset-beach.html?m=1
October 2019
Sailboat Block
We are doing this awesome sailboat block from Samelia’s Mum
12.5" unfinished, using white background, navy type blues and red. Probably wouldn't hurt to throw a little yellow into some of the sails, just to keep it happy and fun.
August 2019
Anvil Block
July 2019
Low Volume Wonky Log Cabin
May 2019
April 2019
March 2019
February 2019
Candy Wrap
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
August 2018
June 2018
May 2018
April 2018
March 2018
February 2018
January 2018