March Block of the Month: Confetti Blocks

I don't know about you guys, but I'm starting to feel a bit of hope that there's light at the end of the tunnel? My list of people I know who have been vaccinated is growing, the weather is getting warmer, my garden is starting to emerge from the snow, I may not need to hunt for my kids' winter gear in our closet for much longer... There's a lot to be excited about! 

So let's celebrate with some Confetti Blocks.

I was looking for BOM inspiration this month, and it occurred to me that maybe my friendly Ottawa Public Library would have a book that could help. So I picked up Alissa Haight-Carlton and Kristen Lejneiks's Block Party: The Modern Quilting Bee and came across the Confetti Block. I think we're going to have fun with this one! This block is designed by Megan Risse, and our instructions have been copied directly from the book (p. 92-93).

Fabric Requirements:

Background Fabric: Solid white or white with a small pattern - the background plays a large part in this block, so whatever you use should "read" as white.

Confetti Fabric: Any combination of bright, fun colours: turquoise, pink, purple, peach, yellow, green, blue, red, orange, etc. etc. It's supposed to be like party confetti, so don't be afraid to mix your solids and prints and to go for bold colours. Just get out that scrap bin and let 'er rip!

Instructions:

Completed blocks will measure 13.5" x 13.5" 

All seam allowances are 1/4".

1. Cut the background fabric into strips, varying from 1" to 4" wide and approximately 18" long. Cut the confetti fabric into rectangles of varying sizes, for example, 2" x 3" or 1.5" x 4".

2. Using the background strips, frame each scrap rectangle by adding strips around the centre, like a square in a square. Trim and press as you go.

3. Once all the scraps are bordered in the background fabric, lay them all out. Try to fit the framed scraps together like puzzle pieces. Join sections together by adding additional framed units and background strips if needed to make sections fit together. Square up the units as necessary and press all seams.

4. Continue sewing the units together until you have a block that measures 13.5" x 13.5" square.

And there you have it - party time!!

Please feel free to post your finished blocks on Instagram - the hashtag is #ottmqgBOM if you want to join the party!