Summer 2026 Block Lotto: Fames Hexies

This year, we have a bonus block lotto for you to work on over the summer, and it’s a nice portable project that you can take on vacation, or just work on outside.

We’ll be using English Paper Piecing (EPP) to make framed hexies.

Due: Our next in-person event, in September 

Techniques and concepts: English Paper Piecing (EPP) 

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

What you'll need

• A fabric for the center hexagon. I’d encourage you to fussy-cut a motif for this central piece. If the motif has a distinct top and bottom, place it so that the top and bottom are aligned with an edge, not with a point: 
  
  
  
• A fabric for the six half-hexagons used for the frame. Pick whatever you like.
• EPP template. If you didn’t pick one up at the June event, you can download it here. Be sure to print it at the actual size (100%) and use the 1" test square on the template to check that it printed correctly. I like printing the template on cardstock, but some people prefer working with lighter or heavier paper.
• Thread or glue for basting. You can use any washable glue.
• Fine, sharp needle and a fairly fine thread for piecing.

Steps

1. Cut out the template pieces. 
   
   
2. Cut fabric at least 1/4" larger than the pieces.
   
   
3. Baste the fabric around the pieces. You can thread-baste or glue-baste. If you use glue, please make sure it's water-soluble and use it sparingly so that the papers can be removed later.
   






4. Use a whipstitch to connect the pieces. You'll need to bend some of the pieces slightly when sewing some of the seams.
   
   
   

Please leave the papers in the block when you turn it in. 

Additional resources

There are lots of resources out there for EPP. One of my favourites is the EPP for Beginners guides from Tales of Cloth, which covers tools, basting, how to whipstitch, and more.  

The MQG site also has these resources:

Getting Started with English Paper Piecing (EPP) with Sheri Cifaldi-Morrill (Whole Circle Studio)
The History of English Paper Piecing
The Changing Shapes of EPP

May Block Lotto: Monochromatic Scrap Vortex

Due: Bring your blocks to the June 22 event

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

It's time to use up some scraps! Pick any colour - your favourite, your least favourite, or the one where you have the most scraps and make a scrap vortex block using just that colour.

What's a scrap vortex block? There are variations out there, but it seems to have been popularized by Amanda Jean Nyberg (@crazymomquilts), and you may also remember that this was a block lotto from Leslie back in 2022. 

For this month's block lotto, please follow Leslie's instructions, with these changes:

• Instead of using a variety of colours, just use one colour for each block (though you can use different shades/tints/tones of the colour)
• The blocks you turn in can be any of these sizes. The bigger the block, the more tickets you'll get for the draw!
• 12.5 x 18.5"
• 12.5 x 12.5"
• 12.5 x 6.5"
• 6.5 x 6.5"

Hopefully we'll get a variety of colours and the winner will end up with a rainbow! 

On a personal note, I'd like thank everyone who participated in block lotto this year. I enjoyed putting them together and it was a delight to see all of your blocks.

New Location and Date for May 25, 2026 Event

Please note that we have a new location AND DATE for our May 2026 event which is now on Monday, JUNE 1st at the J.A. Dulude Arena in the Mel Baker Hall (941 Clyde Ave N, Ottawa, ON K2C 4B2).  This is our silent auction and Annual General Meeting.  Be sure keep an eye on your inbox for more details.

Our Guild Needs Volunteers

 

We need you! Positions to fill for the 2026-2027 season.

We are looking for folks to fill these positions in the upcoming 2026-2027 season.  These positions help the guild flourish, bring the guild together, and provide opportunities for learning, connection, and fun.

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

If you would like to see a job description, contact France @ SecretaryOMQG@gmail.com.

April Block Lotto: Blossom Quilt Block

 Due: Bring your blocks to the May 25 event

Technique: Snowball corners, 2 at a time HSTs

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month, we're making big, bold blossoms using a free pattern from Julie Cefalu (TheCraftyQuilter).

(Miranda Priestly might not approve, but I think we can all use a dose of springtime after the long winter we've had)

To make the blocks, please go to The Crafty Quilter website and download the pattern. Julie's website has lots of variations and ideas for how to use the blocks. 

The pattern includes three block sizes, and we'll be making the biggest one: the 12" block. 

A few tips:

• To keep some consistency between our blocks, please use yellow for the center, and white or a low volume fabric for the background. The petal colours are up to you!
• After downloading the pattern, go to page 2 to see the cutting chart for the 12" blocks.
• When the sewing instructions include measurements, those measurements are for 6" blocks. Here are the corresponding measurements for 12" blocks:
• At the end of the Make the half square triangle (HST) units section, the instructions say to trim to 2" square. We'll trim to 3-1/2" instead.
• At the end of the Make blossom center section, the instructions say this unit should measure 3-1/2", but ours will be 6-1/2". 
• When you're finished, the block should measure 12-1/2" square, not 6-1/2".

Proposed Constitution Changes

We have a few updates to our Constitution, By-Laws, and Procedures that need to be approved at our Annual General Meeting (AGM) on May 25.

We’ve tried to keep the changes straightforward—mostly clarifications and a few additions where we didn’t previously have formal wording. To make things easier, we’ve included both a marked-up version of the Constitution and a short summary of the key changes.

There will be one motion to approve all Constitution updates.

In addition, we will be bringing forward a separate motion regarding our membership fees. Due to increased costs, we are proposing to remove the early bird rate.

If you can, please take a few minutes to review these before the meeting. It’ll help us move through the voting smoothly and leave more time for the fun stuff.

Of course, if anything raises questions, feel free to reach out ahead of time.

Thanks,

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16y3Pp5idL1EH6EKW8rwhqmvmn044ZaZA/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=116414742298483391323&rtpof=true&sd=true

Thanks so much,

France Cyrenne

SecretaryOMQG@gmail.com

March Block Lotto: Freestyle Arcs

Due: Our next in-person event, April 27

Technique: Improv curved piecing

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month's block is improv quarter circle arcs. The blocks you turn in should be 10 x 10 inches (they'll finish at 9.5" when sewn together as a quilt). 

Fabrics and cutting

Background: White or a very low volume fabric that reads as white.

Other fabrics: Two or more bright modern fabrics for the arcs: solids, prints, or a mixture. You can choose the number and size of arcs to add to the block.

The amount of fabric you'll need depends on your style of piecing, but the technique I show below makes a wonky block that needs quite a bit of trimming to square it up, so it's best to aim for a significantly larger size than 10 x 10", then trim it to size at the end.

Steps

There are several ways to create these blocks - feel free to use your favourite technique! For example, if you took the curved piecing workshop with Cheryl, she showed a nifty way to get accurate improv curves without the wonkiness that that you'll notice with the technique I'm showing below. 

When you're assembling the blocks, you can start with the background and work your way in, or start with the inside. Here's a technique that starts with the center:

1. Freehand cut a quarter circle(ish) for one corner of your block.
   

   
   
2. Lay the piece you just cut on top of the next fabric, right sides up. Cut along the outside edge of the quarter circle to cut the inside edge of the arc that you'll be attaching. You can also cut the outer edge of the arc now, or do it after you've sewn these two pieces together.
   
   
   
3. Stitch the two pieces together, right sides together. You can pin the pieces together before stitching, or just match one end of the two pieces, then stitch until the end. It helps to occasionally stop with the needle in the fabric and lift the presser foot to ease the tension and reposition the pieces. 
   
4. When finished, you'll likely have some extra fabric to trim off. At this point, you can move on to adding the background, or add one or more extra arcs.
   
   
   
5. In this example, I've added another arc using the same method.
   
   
   
6. Use the same technique to add the background.
   
    
7. Trim the block to 10"square. 
    

   

   
   

   If you win the blocks, there are several ways to assemble the blocks. You could line them up all facing in the same direction, position them randomly, arrange pairs of them in rows of rainbow shapes, or join for four together to make circles. Have fun!

   

   
   

Additional resources

• Improv Circles tutorial by Leanne from She Can Quilt. The tutorial also includes links to a video and other instructions by Leanne.
• Improv Quarter Circle Photo Tutorial by Yvonne from Quilting Jetgirl. 
• Yvonne also has a Curved Piecing: Beyond the Drunkard's Path video on the MQG site (login required). 

February Block Lotto: I Love Economy Blocks

Due: Our next in-person event, in April

Technique: Fussy-cutting, piecing, and trimming blocks

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month, we're making Economy blocks, with a central square that represents something you love. 

I absolutely love Economy blocks (sometimes called Square in a Square). They're a traditional block that's easily transformed into something more modern by your choice of fabrics, and they provide a great opportunity for highlighting special fabrics.

For this month's block, pick something special for the center square of the block: fabric that depicts something you love, something that reminds you of a loved one, your favourite colour, a treasured fabric scrap, etc.

Fabrics and cutting

Central square: Cut a 4.5" square. When fussy cutting, it can help to use tape to mark a 4.5" square on a clear ruler or make a template so that you can plan how to cut the square. Remember that 1/4" on each side of the square will be in the seam allowance.

Inner (first round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 4-1/4". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.

Outer (second round) triangles: Cut 2 squares, each 5-1/2". Then cut the squares in half diagonally.

Steps

1. Mark the center of each side of the square, and the long (cut) side of the triangles.
   
2. Center the long edge of one of the first round triangles with one edge of the square, and stitch. Be careful because the triangles are cut on the bias, so they can be a bit wiggly/stretchy. 
3. Repeat with the opposite side. 
4. Press seams towards the triangles. 
   
5. Trim the extra flaps of the triangles so that they're even with the centre square.
    
6. Repeat steps 2-4 with the other two inner triangles.
7. Trim the seam allowance to 1/4" all around the block. Measure seam allowance from the point on the inner square.  
    
8. Repeat the same steps to attach the outer set of triangles, lining up the centre of the long edge of the triangle with the point of the inner square.  
   
9. Trim the block so that the outer seam allowance is 1/4". The block should be 8.5 x 8.5".
   
   

Additional resources

• Catbird Quilt Studio: Economy Block ANY Size
• Red Pepper Quilts Economy Block Tutorial
• Just Get It Done Quilts Economy Block Video
• Ottawa Modern Quilt Guild instructions from November 2018

January Block Lotto: Play in the Snow!

Due: Our next in-person event, in April 

Technique: Improv 

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

This month, let’s have some fun with improvisational blocks! You can use improv piecing or applique. This goal of this month is to experiment and have fun.

If you’d like to learn more about improv, the MQG site has this great Improv Resource Playlist (requires member login).

A few constraints to give the blocks some harmony:

• Take inspiration from winter, though you don’t need to make a literal representation of something wintery. Maybe take inspiration from a snowflake, a winter storm, an icy river - whatever you like.
• Keep the colours limited to white and cool shades of blue (leave the tropical aqua tones for warmer weather!)
• The blocks you turn in should be 8.5 x 8.5”, or slightly bigger. With improv, it’s often easier to aim for a slightly bigger block and then trim it down. 

PIECED (Inset) CIRCLES

Due to popular demand from our Mon Nov 25, 2025 Skill Share, here are the instructions for pieced inset circles per technique from Susan Madu of Modern Blended Quilts.  We can't wait to see all of your circles at the next sew and share😉!

Modern Blended Quilts Inset Circles

Material required:

• Freezer paper

• One sheet of parchment paper 

• Glue stick

• Frame fabric

• Circle fabric

Make Template:

• To make a stiff template you will need two sheets of freezer paper of the same dimension.  Freezer paper should be at least 1.5” - 2” larger than the intended circle

• Trace or photocopy a circle template on the dull side of one sheet of freezer paper

• Layer in this order: parchment (bottom), blank freezer paper shiny side down, template freezer paper shiny side down

• Press to fuse, cool, and cut out the inner circle.

Attach Template to Frame Fabric:

• On an ironing surface, place frame fabric wrong side up.

• Position the template shiny side down and press to adhere.

Make the Circle Opening: 

• Cut out the circle opening, leaving a 3/8” seam allowance.

• Clip the seam allowance at 1⁄4” intervals, stopping 1/8” from the template.

• Working on a quarter of the opening at a time, fold and glue all the tabs onto the inside of the opening in the template.

• Center circle fabric right side down over opening and press to dry glue.

Sew the Inset Circle:

• Shorten stitch length to 2.0

• With fabric right side up, lift the frame fabric from the template and stitch just a smidgen beside the template. Do not backstitch but stitch a few stitches past the start. 

• Press on the right side.

• Trim circle fabric seam allowance to 1⁄4”. Working from the right side, gently release the tabs from the template.

• Press both sides. Trim block to desired size.

November Block Lotto: Triangle Log Cabin FPP

Due: Our next in-person event, in April

Techniques and concepts: Foundation paper piecing

New to block lotto? Learn about it here

 

Fabrics and special notions

Color scheme: Bright, modern, and cheerful.

You’ll need 4 different fabrics: 

• A small piece for the center triangle (A1)
• 3 other colours for the logs, in strips that are around 1.5” wide: one colour for all of the B pieces, a different colour for all of the C pieces, and another for the D pieces. 

Solids or near-solids will give a nice visual impact, but you can also use prints for one or two of fabrics, as long as there’s contrast between the A, B, C, and D fabrics so that each triangle in the block is distinct.

You’ll also need a copy of the template we’re using. If you didn’t pick one up at the November event, you can download it here. Be sure to print it at the actual size (100%) and use the 1” test square on the template to check that it printed accurately.

Also helpful: a piece of cardstock (like an old greeting card or a junk mail postcard) or some other thin edge to use when folding the paper. If you do a lot of paper piecing, an Add-a-quarter or Add-a-quarter Plus ruler is handy. They both have a raised lip that makes it easy to trim the ¼” seam allowance when using FPP templates. The “plus” version also has a thin edge to use for folding the paper.

Choose an FPP method

There are several different ways to do FPP. Use your favourite or try a new one:

• Traditional FPP: This method uses a template printed on regular paper and you sew through each line on the paper. It’s quick and easy to get started, but picking out the papers when you’re finished can be a pain. If you’d like to use this method, here are some resources:
• Written instructions with photos: Foundation paper piecing tutorial with Liza Taylor (Amy Smart Diary of a Quilter site)
• Video: Fresh Quilting episode about FPP with Violet Craft (MQG site, requires member login)
• Video: How to make a triangle log cabin block - Teresa DownUnder (YouTube)

Tips for traditional FPP:

• Make your stitch length very small to help perforate the paper (I set my machine to 1.5) 
• Using a size 14 needle also helps with the perforation.
• Use a strong but fine thread that’ll hold up when ripping off the paper. I usually use Wonderfil DecoBob, which is an 80 wt. polyester thread.
• Freezer paper piecing: I don’t enjoy picking out the papers at the end of an FPP project, so this is the method I prefer. Instead of sewing through the paper, you sew very close to the folded edges, then iron the freezer paper in place to temporarily stick it to the fabric. The beauty of the freezer paper method is that the paper peels off in one piece when you’re done. And you can reuse the paper to make another block! I’ve reused freezer paper templates at least 6 times with no problems. 

Note that it’s freezer paper – not waxed paper or parchment paper. Freezer paper is similar to parchment, but it’s got a plastic-y coating on one side, which you use to stick the template to the fabric. I bought a roll at Home Hardware and quilt stores often carry it too. If you were at the November event, you may have picked up a square of it along with the template.

Freezer paper piecing is the method shown in the instructions below, and here are some additional resources: 

• Video and link to a free guide: Freezer Paper Piecing Tutorial from Bryan House Quilts
• Hybrid: I’m not sure whether there’s an official name for this technique, but you can do something that’s a combination of the two methods mentioned above. With this method, you use a template printed on regular paper, but sew next to the fold like with the freezer paper method. Because the regular paper doesn’t stick like freezer paper, use a little dab of glue stick to hold each piece in place. Resources:
• This is the method that Tara Faughnan uses, so if you have one of her patterns that uses FPP, you’ll likely have the instructions. 
• Written instructions with photos: Instructions on the Seattle Modern Quilt Guild site

How to make the blocks (freezer paper method)

Note: If you'd prefer to use traditional paper piecing or the hybrid method instead, feel free!

1. Print the template, if you haven’t already. Be sure to print it at the actual size and use the 1” test square on the template to check that it printed accurately.
2. Trace the template onto the freezer paper. 
3. Cut along the outside edge of the triangle (dotted line). The template includes a ¼” seam allowance on the outside edge to allow for joining blocks together later. 
   
   
   
4. Pre-fold each of the lines on the template towards the printed side. To get accurate folds, it helps to hold something thin (like a piece of cardstock) up to the line that you’re folding. 
   
5. Place the first piece of fabric in the center of the back of the block, covering area A1 and extending past it at least ¼” on each side. The right side of the fabric faces out. Adhere the fabric in place. If you’re using freezer paper, press it with a hot, dry iron. Don't iron directly on the shiny side of the paper. Instead, either iron on the dull side, or use a non-stick pressing sheet or piece of parchment paper between the freezer paper and your iron.
   

   
   
6. Fold the template back on the line between A1 and B1.  
   
   
   
7. Trim the seam allowance to ¼”. 
   
8. Align the second piece of fabric with the trimmed edge of the first piece, right sides together. Double-check that the second piece of fabric will cover area B1 on the template. Stitch as close as you can along the edge of the paper, starting and stopping ¼” before and after the line. 
   
   
   
9. Fold the fabric that you just added back over the template and press in place. 
   
   
   
10. Repeat steps 6-9 to attach the rest of the of the pieces. For the last round, the pieces should cover a bit beyond the edge of the template.
11. Using a regular quilting ruler, trim along the dashed line on the edge of the template. 
    
    
    
12. Peel off the paper. 
    
    
    
    
    

    Samples