Happy New Year everyone! I wish for you that 2014 is filled first and foremost with good health and happiness as well as with lots of sewing highlights. I saw in the new year quietly and at home with family, and even managed to sneak in some time with the rotary cutter and sewing machine. Really, I wouldn't want it any other way.
Just like last year's Scrappy Trip-Along there is a brand new Quilt-Along to give us some sewing momentum for 2014. Started by Brenda from Pink Castle Fabrics and Katy from I am A Ginger Monkey the Economy Block Along is taking off on Instagram. See the hashtag #economyblockalong on Instagram for ideas and inspiration. There are some great variations in fabric selection and placement. Join in! These blocks are fun and rather addictive.
I have written a tutorial for the Economy Block which you can find right here:
Economy Block Tutorial (Includes a link to a Foundation Paper for this block - in case your prefer to paper piece this block - available as a PDF file and free to download from my Craftsy Pattern Store.)
EDITED TO ADD: I have set up an Economy Block Quilt Along Flickr Group. Please join and feel free to add and share photos of your blocks, quilt tops and finished quilts.
Cutting 100 or so novelty (or I Spy) squares for the center of the Economy Blocks means turning my fabric stash upside down. It would be nice to think that all my novelty fabrics are neatly stashed together, but that is far from reality. And so whilst trawling through my fabric stash I thought it might be smart to cut fabric not just for my Economy Blocks but also for a whole other quilt. Two days of cutting fabric, and about 6 hours of sewing .... 512 squares ....
A simple patchwork Checkerboard Quilt - alternating a light and dark square. I have strip-pieced this quilt using the same method as detailed in the Postage Stamp Tutorial, although I have cut my strips wider (2.5 inches x 11 inches) and therefore each 16-patch Postage Stamp Block measures 8.5 inches x 8.5 inches.
2014 is the year for busting some fabric stash and both these projects are a great way to start putting good intentions into action. Storage space is quickly running out and there shall be no hoarding.
Thank you for stopping by!
Rita
