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Monday 28 October 2024

October Block of the Month - Inspired by Gee's Bend

 Block #2 - Celebrating Martha Jane Pettway

This block is inspired by another quilt called “Housetop”, created by Martha Jane Pettway, circa 1945, and made of quarter log cabin blocks.  I was drawn to her colour scheme - a lovely light green with light tan, and a bit of bright red for contrast.  I’m taking two of Martha Jane Pettway’s colours - light green and bright red - for this month’s block, with just a bit of white to break things up.  The block finishes at 12” square.


Fabric requirements

Solids - light green, bright red, and white (or substitute near solids that read one colour)


Cutting

From light green solid:

2”x 2”

2”x 3.5”

2”x 5”

2”x 6.5”

2”x 8”

2”x 9.5”

2”x 11”

2”x 12.5”


From bright red solid:

2”x 2”

2”x 3.5”

2”x 5”

2”x 6.5”

2”x 8”

2”x 9.5”

2”x 11”


From the white solid:

Remove one of the red strips from above and replace it with the same size white strip


To make the block:

Use a scant ¼” seam throughout.

Join the red and green 2”x 2” pieces together.  Press.

Join the green 2”x 3.5” strip.  Press.

Join the red 2”x 3.5” strip.  Press.  Then join the red 2”x 5” strip. Press.

Join the green 2”x 5” strip.  Press.  Join the green 2”x 6.5” strip. Press.

Continue adding strips in this manner until all the strips are used up, pressing between each addition.  Note that at one point you will be adding a white strip instead of the same sized red strip.  Trim block to 12.5” square.


You are done!


Thursday 24 October 2024

Alert! Alert! New Time and Location for Oct and Nov 2024 Events!

 Hey folks!  

Our October and November events will be held from 7:00pm-9:00pm at the Nepean Sportsplex in the Visual Arts/Senior Centre, Entrance 3 (the back of the building).

Address: 1701 Woodroffe Ave  

We can't wait to see you!




Monday 23 September 2024

September Block of the Month - Inspired by Gee's Bend

Block #1 - Celebrating Mary L. Bennett

The quilt that inspired this month’s block, called “Housetop”, was made by Mary L. Bennett, a self taught quilter, circa 1975.  Housetop is a log cabin variation, and instead of a solid centre square, Mary L. Bennett uses alternating dark and light strips for her centre.  Her choice of block layout is interesting as well, alternating horizontal and vertical direction for the centre strips.  For our block of the month, I’ve followed Mary L. Bennett’s lead and used strips for the centre square, maintaining her choice of a dark blue solid.  I’ve paired it with a white solid, and substituted bright orange for one of the blue strips.  The block finishes at 11.5” square.


Fabric requirements

Solids - dark blue, white, bright orange


Cutting

Dark blue solid 

2 - 2”x7” strips

2 - 2”x9” strips

2 - 2”x12” strips

White solid

4 - 1.5”x7” strips

2 - 1.5x9” strips

Bright orange solid 

1 - 2”x7” strip

To make the block:

  1. Assemble the 7” strips.  Start with a white 1.5”x7” strip, and alternate with 2”x7” strips (order of 2”x7” strips does not matter).  End with a white strip.

Sew and press.

  1.  Sew a 1.5”x9” strip to the top and bottom. Press.


  1. Sew a dark blue 2”x9” strip to each side.  Press

Sew a dark blue 2”x12” strip to the top and bottom.  Press.


All done!  The block should measure 12 inches square.