Summer Sampler 2019 Blocks 17 and 18: Machine-pieced hexagons and hourglass units
You guys! I've gotten behind on my blog posts lately, so let's catch up on Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp blocks, shall we?
First, Block 17 is "Scattered" by Faith Jones of Fresh Lemons Quilts. Our skill for this week was hexagons, but rather than mess with English paper piecing or Y-seams, Faith gave us an easy way to machine-piece hexies by cutting them in half!
Obviously, this block involves a lot of cutting, using a paper template that comes with the pattern. I made the process a little quicker and easier by tracing the pattern onto stiff cardboard and using that as my template. But once the cutting was done, the sewing itself was easy-breezy! I absolutely love the design of this block, and the construction makes it very flexible—you can switch up the color placements to really make it your own unique creation, which is always fun.
Next up we have Block 18, Mission Beach, by Katie Blakesley of Swim Bike Quilt. The skill we learned on this block was quarter-square triangles, which are just a hair more complicated than half-square triangles, but the block went together easily and beautifully!
Depending on the quarter-square triangle arrangement, this technique allows you to easily make hourglass units like the one in the center of this block. This is a handy unit to have in your design arsenal, and it really is easier to make than it might appear at first glance.
Want to up your piecing game? Join Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp and learn a new piecing skill every week! Join us and get immediate access to all 21 block patterns, plus finishing instructions for two layouts. Click here to join!
The Summer Sampler 2019: Piecing Bootcamp pattern includes:
• Fully-tested instructions for 21 gorgeous blocks (12" finished size)
• Complete finishing instructions to make an 80" x 92" sampler quilt
• Instructions for two layout options—you get both! No need to choose!
• All fabric requirements and suggested Moda Bella Solids colors (YES! There are fabric kits available from Sewtopia and Canadian shop Mad About Patchwork)
• Quilt mock-up coloring sheet for planning
• Access to an exclusive subscriber-only Facebook group to ask questions, get advice, and interact with the designers and a community of other quilters
The Summer Sampler 2019 designers are: Top to Bottom, Left to Right
Row 1: Heather Black @Quiltachusetts, Krista Hennebury @poppyprint, Lynne Goldsworthy @lilysquilts, Lee Heinrich @lee.a.heinrich, Krystina Hopkins @khquilts
Row 2: Andrea Tsang Jackson @3rdstoryworkshop, Jemima Flendt @tiedwitharibbon, Faith Jones @freshlemonsquilts, Kitty Wilkin @nightquilter, Yvonne Fuchs @quiltingjetgirl
Row 3: Lynn Carson Harris @lynncarsonharris, Stephanie Zacharer Ruyle @spontaneousthreads
Row 4: Jen Carlton Bailly @bettycrockerass, Amy Friend @duringquiettime, Justin Stafford @keatonquilts, Katie Blakesley @swimbikequilt, Jo Avery @mybearpaw