March Block Lotto - Inspired by Gee's Bend

 Block #6 - Celebrating Annie May Young 

This month I’m inspired by the quilt on the cover of the book “The Quilts of Gee’s Bend”, created in 1976 by Annie May Young (born 1928).  She created this stunning quilt from work clothes, assembling a centre medallion of bright strips, surrounded by different shades of denim.  I am providing instructions for two versions of the block:  one in red and yellow (inspired by the top of the quilt); and one in red and brown (inspired by the bottom half of the quilt).  Both finish at 12” square.  In the above image Version 1 is on the left, Version 2 on the left.  Make one block or the other, or try both!  

Fabric requirements

Dark blue - solids, near solids, small scale prints that read dark blue

Red - solids, near solids, small scale prints that read red

Yellow (for version 1) - solids, near solids, small scale prints that read yellow

Brown (for version 2) - solids, near solids, small scale prints that read brown

Version 1 

C1= yellow

C2= red

Version 2

C1= brown

C2= red

Cutting

From the dark blue

2 - 2.5”x10.5” strips

1 - 2.5”x12.5” strip

From C1

4 - 1.5”x10.5” strips

From C2

4 - 1.5”x10.5” strips

Note:  The following photos show Version 2 of the block.  If you are making version 1, you will use yellow instead of brown.

To make the block:

Use a ¼” seam throughout.

1. Join the 1.5”x10.5” strips by sewing along the long side, alternating colours.  Press seams away from the centre.

2. Sew a dark blue 2.5”x10.5” strip to either side of the unit.  Press seams away from the centre.

3.  Sew the 2.5”x12.5” strip to the top of the unit.  Press seam away from the centre.

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