March Believe Circle Quilt

Hello Believers!
For March's quilt, I'd like to do a variations on the Churn Dash block.  The Churn Dash is my all time favorite traditional quilt block.  I love how you can change up the fabrics and color ways and create lots of variations!  

Below is a diagram of several variations on the Churn Dash.  Most of them use the 3x3 grid, with all squares being equal sizes, but some, like the Wrench, Puss in the Corner II, Ruins of Jericho, Whirling Five Patch and Grandmother's Choice and Grandmother's Choice II, though all use a 3x3 grid, the spacing of the grid is not equal.  

This is a diagram I did for fun; in no way do I expect the color layout to be exactly as I show. This is an idea of what you can do!

You can find a lot of these quilt blocks, with directions, online.  Several of these come from the book, 501 Rotary-Cut Quilt Blocks by Judy Hopkins.  I am happy to share cutting/assembly directions with you if you want to do a particular block and cannot find online directions.  Just let me know!

Please create your favorite version of the Churn Dash using the Design Seeds color scheme below.  You can use the light gray, white or low volume as your background.  I'd like to avoid a creamy background for this project please.  Or you can do one of the colors as a background (as I show in the diagram).   Feel free to use solids or prints.  Mix up the colors if you'd like.  Make it modern, make it yours!  

Piece and Quilt did an Urban Churn Dash sew along at the beginning of this year, and that is also a neat block if you care to check that out.  It's also on IG under #urbanchurndashsewalong.  These blocks finish at 24"  . . .

Which leads me to size.  You can make two 12" x 12" finished blocks, or if you want to make one super-sized 24" x 24" finished, feel free.  You can even make a few 6" x 6" blocks as well.  I just want them to be finished square and at a size divisible by 6.  Make what is the equivalent to our usual two 12x12, however you want to divide that up.

Please let me know if you have any questions!  I look forward to seeing what you all create!

Hugs and Happy Sewing!
Nicole

The Best Set Intentions . . .

I had such hopes for last year . . . As you read in my 1 (yes, that's right, O-N-E) blog post!  Sigh . . .

But, it's a new year, and I did sew a lot last year, so I'll share some old and new stuff, okay?!

I made some shirts for my friend, Lee of May Chappell, All Shirts No Shoes swap!  We used Carolyn Friedlander's Shirts pattern.  Lee has another swap going on now.  You should sign up!

3 shirts I sent in for the swap

I finished up the Valentine's themed quilt made from Lee's Lazy Sunday pattern.  
I love how it turned out!  I bought a fleecy throw on sale at Target and backed it with that!  So warm!

I also made some travel pillowcases for my husband, myself and my in-laws for our cruise last March.  These were clutch for the drive down to Jacksonville!  I was set up with my pillow and my quilt!

My SURMA group decided to do a small swap for those of us that didn't go to Sew South last year.  I drew Lee's name and made Noodlehead's Cargo Duffle for her; ok, really for her dog, Mack the Chihuahua.  I used some Chihuahua fabric for the lining and the front pocket flaps!  Mochi dots and Essex Linen in Natural and Comma Swing in Mustard round out my fabric choices.  I ended up using webbing for the handles and accenting them with the Mochi dot fabric.

Here is a pic with Mack the Chihuahua posing with his new bag!

I also went to The Stash Bash last year and I'm happy to say, I'm returning again this year!
My SURMA friends, Tessa (The Sewing Chick), Lee and Melissa also went.  We had a blast!

I worked on the SURMA center in my possession, which was Lee's.  I finished up the paper pieced border and sent it on to Sarah (Stitching and Bacon) to add her border.  Hopefully (finger's crossed) we'll be getting these finished up this year!   

I'm in the Believe Circle of do.goodstitches and for my quilting month, I had my beemates make Scottie blocks with bowties in yellow, green and pink.  It turned out so great!  I made the back and made bones blocks to go with 2 extra scottie dogs!  This is on my current TO DO list to get it quilted and bound!

Look at my cute hubby poking out from behind the curtain!

One of the big things I did this year was make 2 quilts for my parents in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary!  I used Lee's Lazy Sunday pattern for both of these quilts and made them twin sized.  
For my dad's quilt, I used Road 15 from Sweetwater.  He's a retired Driver's Ed teacher and I thought the theme was perfect for him.  And I happen to LOVE Sweetwater and this line in particular!

For my mom's, I used Briar Rose from Heather Ross.  The strawberries remind me of my grandmother and I knew my mom would love that and the sweet mama and baby frog hanging by the pond!

They were both so tickled and I was so happy to be able to give them something that honored such a tremendous event in these days and times!

And with that, I think I'll do another post with some other finishes I had last year!

I hope you all have a great weekend!
Nicole