February 5, 2017

#inspiredquiltproject...more info!

For those of you interested in helping with the #inspiredquiltproject, here is some more info. I really, really believe that small things matter and we all have talents and gifts to share. Thank you so much for sharing yours with others.



WHAT BLOCK DO WE MAKE?

We will be making one type of block...a rainbow/diamond block made with half-square triangles.


For instructions on making this block, please see this blog post. This is the same block as Missouri Star Quilt Company's Four Seasons Block, and there is a video tutorial that explains how to make the block. My apologies! While the block layout in the MSQC's video I linked to is the same, it shows a different way to make HSTs, and those HSTs end up smaller than what is needed for this particular block! 

WHY THIS BLOCK?

I have been involved in making 4 versions of this quilt, and I think every version of the quilt is beautiful. It is perfect for scraps. No matter how many different people make these blocks, they always look so cohesive and pretty.


The blocks finish at a nice size (16.5"). It takes only 4 blocks with some sashing to make a 36" quilt. Just 12 blocks makes a nice lap-size/throw quilt (48" x  64"). With 20 blocks you get a nice, big quilt (64" x 80").

WHAT FABRIC SHOULD I USE?

Use bright, colored fabrics combined with light/low-volume fabrics. Juvenile/novelty fabrics are fine as I will separate blocks based on if they would fit better in a "kids" quilt or a more "grown-up" quilt. You may use either solid or print fabrics.

Please use new, good-quality, 100%  "quilt-weight" cotton fabric. (I personally love quilts made from repurposed fabric, but many organizations that accept quilt donations require the quilts be made of new materials.) That being said, please do not feel obligated to purchase fabric for this project. Each block doesn't take too much fabric, so work from your stash!

WHERE DO I SEND BLOCKS?

Please mail your blocks to:

Stephanie Jacobson
PO Box 280
Boystown, NE  68010  USA

Don't spend more money to send your blocks than you have to! Here's a link to the inside scoop on lower postage rates. If you send blocks and are on Instagram, please include your Instagram name so I can give you credit.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE QUILT BLOCK?

I am going to do my best to sew every single block into a quilt top then longarm and bind every single quilt. Fortunately, I know some very lovely gals in the Omaha Modern Quilt Guild that will probably help me out!

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE QUILTS?

Well...that's a good question. I am currently involved with the Lincoln, Nebraska chapter of Quilts for Kids and Project Linus in Omaha, so I'm sure some of the quilts will go to those organizations. (At least initially, most of the quilts will stay local to me (Omaha, Nebraska, USA) due to the expense of shipping.) Unfortunately, there seem to be tragedies every year that results in a call for quilt donations. I would love to be able to have quilts ready to go in these times of need. 

Bottom line...all of these quilts will be used for charitable causes. Not one of your quilt blocks or the resulting quilts will be for my own personal use. 

HOW CAN I HELP?
  1. You can make blocks! It doesn't matter if it's one block or more than one. I have the post office box for the rest of 2017 so make a block if/when you feel like it and mail them in whenever!
  2. All of the quilts will have a scrappy binding, so I will happily accept 2.5" strips of bright-colored fabric to use for bindings. They don't have to be the full width of fabric. If they're at least 20 inches long, that works!
  3. You can like/follow/share the Facebook page
  4. Use the hashtag #inspiredquiltproject on Instagram and other social media to help spread the word.

If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to ask!



February 1, 2017

rainbow diamond quilt blocks

For the #inspiredquiltproject, we're going to make beautiful, rainbow half-square triangle diamonds. One pattern. One beautiful, scrappy, rainbow color scheme. One whole year. Lots and lots and lots (I'm hoping!) of beautiful quilts to brighten the lives of those that need it.




For each block, you will need:

#8 print charm squares (5") in rainbow colors

#8 low-volume charm squares (5") in pale grays/whites/creams

Sew each print charm to one low-volume charm to make half-square triangles. Trim each HST to 4.5" square. 
If needed, you can find instructions on making half-square triangles here(I recently found this tutorial for trimming HSTs on Pinterest...why had I never thought of it?!) Assemble your HSTs into blocks as shows above.

Each block will measure 16.5" when completed. You don't need to trim it. Just send it to me, and I will sew them together!
 
Let me know if you have any questions or comments!


Of course back in January 2016 I thought I was being super original with this HST quilt block pattern. Of course the amazing Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company did it first. If you're the type that prefers YouTube videos, please check out her great Four Seasons Block video here. My apologies! While the block layout in the MSQC's video I linked to is the same, it shows a different way to make HSTs, and those HSTs end up smaller than what is needed for this particular block! 

 I'm in the process of getting a post office box that you can mail your blocks to. I'll have an address for you in the next few days!