BlockBase #2741 Gem Star block

Here is Block #2 in the BlockBase Sew Along.  It is block #2741 and is named Gem Star or Golda.  I love the look of this block but it is not an easy one.  I didn't find a way to use 5" squares in it's construction so decided to make the block 8" finished to match the size of Block #1. The Electric Quilt blog suggests constructing the block in wedge sections.  I did not want to cut the tiny pieces or make "y" seams so I decided to paper piece the block instead.  I did have to open it in in my Electric Quilt software to be able to print the paper piece pattern however.  You can download a pdf of the pattern I used here.  It is for an 8" block. You can see how others made the block by clicking here.

Block #3 is posted today!  

Block Base #1336 Seesaw block using a jelly roll or charm pack

I have my first block done for the BlockBase Sew Along at Electric Quilt!! Here it is, block #1336, the Seesaw block.  Today is the day you can link up your finished blocks.  Go to the blog to see everyone's finished blocks! There's quite a variety of fabric choices.

I have decided to use scraps of my bright fabrics and make a sampler quilt with the blocks.  There will be 12 blocks total.  A new one will be posted every two weeks.  You can make them whatever size you like but I decided to use my scraps which means 5", 2 1/2" and 2 1/2" x 5" pieces of fabric, of course, going along with my whole "nickel" theme.  Making this block an 8" finished block works perfectly!

Here's a very quick, basic tutorial for creating an 8" Seesaw block using scraps from a jellyroll or charm pack-

All of the squares are 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" and the rectangle pieces are 2 1/2" x 4 1/2".  You need all the pieces shown above.

Just sew squares across the corners of  the rectangles using the stitch and flip technique as shown above.  You need 2 sets of each of these units in different fabrics like shown below.

Sew your parts together into 4 sections like shown above and then sew them all together like shown below.
Super fast and easy!!  If I were going to make this block any other size, I would use the paper piecing templates. The rotary cutting templates have you cut to the 7/8" which I don't care to do.

My friend Linda decided to join the fun and made the same block look very different!

Check back next week to see if I can create the next block from 5" squares!

Ghostly Treats pattern

Today's my day to post a pattern to the Halloween Paper Pieced Blog Hop at Whims and Fancies.  If you haven't done so already, check out the great free patterns that are being posted daily.  If you make a block and post it, you have a chance to win a prize too.  Go here for all the details!

Ghostly Treats

My Ghostly Treats block pattern finishes at 10" square as do all of the blocks on the hop.  I used a marker to draw the features on the ghost's face and the Trick or Treat pumpkin bag but they could also be embroidered.  A piece of small black ribbon is inserted before the top two rows are sewn together to create a dimensional handle for the bag,  You can get the paper pieced pattern here.

October quilting

October is starting out to be a busy quilting month!  The AQS quilt show in Des Moines starts this week.  My friends and I always go on Friday of the show. Can't wait!  If you are heading there, be sure to check out Rainbows and Calico Things Quilt Shop's booth.  They will have a great selection of brights and novelty fabrics in fat quarter, half yard and one yard lengths.  Don't miss The Woolen Needle's booth either.  They will have tons of wool. 

Another exciting event for October is the Halloween Paper Pieced Blog Hop 2012 hosted by Whims and Fancies.  Each day of October, a designer will post a free Halloween themed paper pieced quilt block that they created. I will post mine on the 10th.  Be sure to visit the blogs and get your free patterns!  

Also starting today is the BlockBase Sew Along by Electric Quilt.  I have owned BlockBase for years and hope this Sew Along will help me use it.  BlockBase is the CD-ROM version of Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns with over 4300 block patterns.  Electric Quilt recently published it again but the product is the same.  Every two weeks, a block will be featured to sew and there will be a link up so everyone can show a photo of their finished block.  The first block is posted so I better get started!