October Block Lotto: Side Stripe

Due: Bring your blocks to the November 24 event

Techniques and concepts: Two-at-a-time HSTs and trimming HSTs

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

 

We’ll follow the colour suggestions for the original block. If you follow the instructions on the MQG site, please cut two additional 1” x 8-1/2” strips so that you end up with two blocks. You can also follow the instructions below, which include a couple of extra tips.

Fabrics and cutting

Background fabric

Choose a white or a very light colour, in either a solid or near-solid.

• Cut 2 squares, 7-½” x 7-½”

Other fabrics 

Choose an assortment of bright colours. Ideally, each of these pieces is a different colour because we’re going for a bright and scrappy look.

• Cut 2 squares, 7 ½” x 7 ½”
• Cut 4 strips, 1” x 8 ½”

Steps

1. On the wrong side of the two light squares, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. 
   
   
2. Pair a white square and bright square, right sides together. Sew ¼” away from each side of the marked line. Repeat for second set of squares.
   
   
   
     
3. Cut along the marked line, creating two half-square triangles (HSTs). Press seams towards the darker fabric. Do not trim. (Repeat for other square)
   
   
   
   
   
   
4. Place a quilt ruler along the diagonal seam of one HST. Cut across the light side, 1 ¼” from the seam. (Repeat for other squares)
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   
5. Align one of the 1” x 8 ½” strips along the cut edge. To align the pieces, fold them in half and mark the centre point by pressing it with your fingernail or marking it with a pin. (Repeat for other squares)
   
   

   

   (Sorry for the continuity error here - I switched to the other set of squares for the rest of the photos)

   
   
6. Sew the seam and then press it towards the strip. (Repeat for other squares) 
   
   
   
7. Use the same technique to mark the centre of the edge of the strip and the centre of an offcut triangle. 
   
   
   
8. Stitch together and then press the seam towards the strip. (Repeat for other squares)
9. Trim the HST units to 6 ½” square. When trimming, take care to place the 45-degree line on your ruler along the centre seam of the HST. 
   
   
   
10. Sew two HST units together, matching the strips and background fabric edges. Press the seam to one side.



At this point, you should have two blocks that measure 12-1/2” x 6-1/2”. 

If you win the blocks, see the instructions on the MQG site for a suggestion on how to assemble and finish the quilt. 

Ornament Swap

Welcome back to another exciting guild year! We're going to start everybody off with the first swap of the year, so get your holiday fabric stash out.

 

The first swap will be quilted ornaments! In order to participate in the swap, you must submit an ornament. You're welcome to submit more than one!

A few guidelines to ensure a consistent swap:

• The ornament must be made from fabric, with some sewing recommended. (Other materials can also be used along with fabric. For instance, styrofoam, stuffing, pins, buttons, etc)
• Keep it simple! Please submit ornaments (not wall hangings, not table runners) that are small and can be hung up.
• Please include a hanging loop.
• Christmas and holiday fabrics are welcome, but not a must!
• Finished size should be 3-4 square inches (roughly the palm of your hand)

 

I've collected a few tutorials and ideas from across the internet. Feel free to use these, or any fun ideas of your own. If you're unsure, reach out to me and we can chat.

Kaleidoscope Star Quilted Christmas Ornament by Hello Sewing

Fabric Christmas Ornament by I See Stars Quilting

A Bit of Cheer by Ann Hermes Mini Quilts

Scandinavian Star Ornaments

Make sure to wrap it, use a gift bag or envelope and submit it to me. Your options are:

• at the October meeting,
• at the guild retreat
• or drop it at Lee's house by November 16.

 

Please include your name and email address. If you do not submit an ornament, you will not receive one. We will do the swap at the November meeting, so that we can display our ornaments during the holidays.

 

Have fun!

September Block Lotto: 9-patch Warm Up

Due: Bring your blocks to the October 27 event

Techniques and concepts: Precise cutting and piecing, colour values, twirled seams

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

Welcome to the block lotto for 2025-2026! 

We’re kicking things off with a back-to-basics block to ease into the new guild year. This month’s block is inspired by cozy autumnal plaids and golden afternoons. It’s a straightforward 9-patch block, so it’s a good opportunity to pay extra attention to techniques and accuracy, and to the use of colour to give the blocks a glowy look.

Fabrics and cutting

You’ll need dark, medium, and light values for this block. You can pick three shades of the same colour or mix it up, but please keep it warm. There are a couple of ways that you can check that you’ve got enough contrast between your fabrics:

• Use a Ruby Beholder or similar tool
• Take a photo and use a filter to make it monotone:

Cutting tip: If you’d like a refresher on accurate cutting (I know it’s something I always struggle with), check out Lee Heinrich’s Quilting 101: Accurate cutting. 

Fabric A

Choose a warm dark colour, in either a solid or near-solid.

Cut 1 - 3.5” square

Fabric B

Choose a warm medium colour, in either a solid or print.

Cut 4 – 3.5” squares

Fabric C

Choose a warm light colour, in either a solid or near-solid.

Cut 4 – 3.5” squares

Steps

Before starting, consider testing whether you’re getting an accurate ¼” seam. For instructions, I’d recommend How to Perfect Your Seam Allowance from Lo and Behold Stitchery. 

1. First, make the center row. Take the dark fabric and sew a medium square on two opposite sides. Press the seam allowances in, towards the dark fabric.

2. Next, make the other two rows. Take the medium fabric and sew a light square on two opposite sides. Press the seam allowances out, towards the light fabric.
   

   

3. Join the rows together. Because the rows are pressed in opposite directions, you can nest the seams together tightly. When aligning the seams, slide them into place so they butt up against each other.
   

   

4. To finish the block, there are two options for pressing the rows. You can press the rows away from the middle row, like this:
   

   

   Or, to make the block lay flatter, you can twirl the seams. At the intersections, carefully remove a couple of stitches from the seam allowance. Note that the last two seams joining the rows stay intact. You're only undoing a couple of stitches from previous seams, in the seam allowance.

   
   
   The goal is to allow the seams to lie in opposite directions, like this:
   
   
   Tip: Be careful that you don't end up pressing the seams open -- the seams are pressed to one side. Releasing the stitches in the seam allowances allows you to press in opposite directions.
5. Here's what the back of a twirled block looks like:
   

   When you’re finished, the block should be 9.5” square, which will finish at 9” when the quilt is assembled.

   
   
   

That’s it! Admire your new block, maybe make some more, and share photos with others using #ottmqgBOM.

Here’s a mockup of what a quilt made with these blocks could look like, though keep in mind that if you win the blocks, you can make anything you’d like with them. Maybe slice them up into a disappearing 9-patch instead?

May Block Lotto - Inspired by Gee's Bend

 Block #8 - Celebrating Sadie Bell Nelson

The last block in our celebration of the quilters of Gee’s Bend features the centre medallion from a quilt by Sadie Bell Nelson (1936-1981), circa 1965.  The medallion is a Monkey Wrench block, also known as Churn Dash.  I am staying true to Sadie’s colour choices, but reshaping the block into a square rather than a rectangle.  The block finishes at 12 inches square.

Fabric requirements

Peach, grey, pumpkin orange, turquoise, dark brown, and green solids (or near solids).

Cutting

From the grey 

1 - 5.75” x 5.75”

From the pumpkin orange

1 - 5.75” x 5.75”

From the turquoise

1 - 6.5” x 6.5” 

From the peach

8 - 2.5” x 3.5”

From the dark brown

2 - 2.5” x 3.5”

From the green

2 - 2.5” x 3.5”

To make the block:

Use a ¼” seam throughout.

Start by making four at a time Half Square Triangles (HSTs).  

1. Stack the grey and the pumpkin orange squares, right sides together. 

Sew around all four sides of the square.  

Cut along one diagonal. 

Without moving the block, cut along the second diagonal.

Open each HST and press seams to one side.

Trim to 3.5” square.  Set HSTs aside.

2. Sew a 2.5” x 3.5” peach rectangle to each side of the dark brown 2.5” x 3.5” rectangles.  Press seams away from the centre.

3. Sew one of the above units to each side of the turquoise square.  Press seams away from the centre.

4. Sew a 2.5” x 3.5” peach rectangle to each side of the green rectangles.  Press seams away from the centre.

5. Sew an HST to either side of the above units.  Press seams towards the centre (so that seams will nest in the next step).

6. Sew the above units to the top and bottom of the turquoise square unit.  Press seams away from the centre.

You are done!  The block should measure 12.5” square.

We need you! Positions to fill for the 2025-2026 season.

We are looking for folks to fill these positions in the upcoming 2025-2026 season.  These positions help the guild flourish, bring the guild together, and provide opportunities for learning, connection, and fun.

• Program Coordinator
• Workshop Coordinator
• Block Lotto Coordinator

If you are interested but have questions before diving in, contact Kirstin @ PresidentOMQG@gmail.com.

Program Coordinator

• Communicates program and event information for members through email, blog posts, Facebook, and/or other social media formats.
• Communicates regularly with The Board on upcoming speakers and status of planned speakers.
• Attends meetings of The Board as needed to make proposals to The Board on programs and events.
• Actively works on future months’ programs, events, projects, challenges, Block of the Month.
• Coordinates giveaways, challenges or events based on the programs presented.
• Attends monthly guild meetings.
• Supports the planning, implementation, maintenance, and documentation of The Guild’s public programs and educational initiatives.

Workshop Coordinator

• Develops workshop schedules, coordinates with hosts and instructors, and plans all logistical details including managing the workshop budget. 
• Handles external communications with hosts, instructors, and participants, and manages inquiries.
• Ensures timely delivery and preparation of workshop materials and supplies.
• Serves as a point of contact for participants, addressing their questions and needs.
• Provides support to instructors, ensuring their needs are met and facilitates a smooth learning environment. 

Block Lotto Coordinator

• Creates or finds individual block designs for each month.
• Posts the patterns on the blog each month by writing or providing links to clear and detailed instructions for each month's block, including cutting instructions, sewing techniques, and any necessary tips.
• Responds to questions or concerns from participants regarding the patterns or program.
• Keeps track of which participants have completed which blocks in order to do the monthly draws.

April Block Lotto - Inspired by Gee's Bend

Block #7 - Celebrating Arlonzia and Arcola Pettway

The design for this month’s block is from a quilt made by Arlonzia Pettway (born 1923), a “Chinese Coins” variation, circa 1965.  The inspiration for the colours is from a quilt by Arcola Pettway (1934-1994) called “Lazy Gal”, made in 1976.  The block finishes at 12 inches square.

Fabric requirements

Light grey, cherry red, lime green, gold, and bright orange solids (or near solids).

Cutting

From the dark grey solid

1 - 2.5”x 8.5” strip

2 - 2.5”x 12.5” strip

From each of the cherry red, lime green, gold, and bright orange solids

1 - 2.5”x 11” strip

To make the block:

Use a ¼” seam throughout.

1. Sew the cherry red, lime green, gold, and bright orange strips together along the long side (order of the colours is not important).  Press seams to the side.

2. Cut the above unit in half.  Each should measure 8.5” x 5.5”.

Rotate one of the above units 180 degrees.

3. Sew the above units to each side of the grey 2.5” x 8.5” strip. Press seams away from the centre.

4. Sew a grey 2.5” x 12.5” strip to the top and bottom. Press seams away from the centre.

You are done!  The block should measure 12.5” square.