{Sew} Modern Monday | Bee Block Catch-up

Good morning & welcome to {Sew} Modern Monday! I spent this past weekend catching up on a few bee blocks from the last few months. It really feels great to check a few things off the "to-sew" list & it's also little bitter sweet knowing these three blocks wrap up the {Sew} Beautiful Bee for 2012. 



//Septemeber// For her month, AnneMarie asked for a combination of improv piecing & hexagons. This is my take on the combo -- I especially like those two little hexi mushrooms on the right! 




//October// Katie asked for a block using Anna Maria Horner's Feather Bed Quilt tutorial (it's free!). I've been crushing on these feathers ever since Spring Quilt Market, so it was great to finally give them a try. Katie chose a super saturated + jewel tone color palate -- this is going to be one awesome quilt!



//Novemebr// Lee from Freshly Pieced asked for a half square triangle block inspired by this Chicopee quilt from Red Pepper Quilts. She chose a fabulous selection of solids paired with a crisp, clean white. So bright and fresh -- this quilt is sure to be a beauty!

Now it's time for your {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! Here's how it works:

[1] Link-up a blog post (or fickr picture!) featuring a finished project. Modern home decor, quilts, bags, garments are all welcome! Please be sure to add a link back to this post, too -- or just grab the button over on the sidebar. 

[2] Visit & comment on other {Sew} Modern Monday link-ups! 

Have a great week!

xo, megan. 

{sew} beautiful bee [may+july]

hello, everyone! i hope you all had a wonderful weekend. i spent most of Saturday and part of Sunday playing "catch-up" on a few sewing obligations. today i'm excited to share two of those weekend finishes! both quilt blocks were made for a virtual quilting bee called the {Sew} Beautiful Bee. this quilting bee has some seriously great sewing+blogging talent involved and i'm proud to work with these ladies. 

this first bee block is for Angela of My Three Sons. she asked each of us to make an Improv Pineapple Log Cabin block using this tutorial from the Modern Quilt Guild -- i highly recommend this tutorial! i'm loving her Hawaiian inspired fabric choices (makes me want a beach!). orange+blue = <3 it's going to be a fabulously modern quilt!

every time i look at it, i'm finding myself more and more "attached" to this second block. good thing i dropped it off at the post office this morning before i could keep it for myself! Katie of From the Blue Chair asked for a paper pieced star block (of our choosing!) using this great yellow+gray color palate. the block i chose is called the Kansas Dust Storm. you can find the tutorial and templates over at Freshly Pieced. 

have a great monday!

xo, megan. 

9 bee blocks, 1 day.

that's the kind of intense sewing situation you find yourself in when you slack.on.bee.blocks. guilty as charged. i like to blame it on sewing summit, but in reality - - it's my crazy life that's gotten in the way. enough with excuses tho, here's what went down yesterday. side note: please excuse the pictures. i was more concerned with takin' care of business than photography. :)
 

[bee block #1] September {Sew} Beautiful. 
yep, September. need i go further? ok, ok. AnneMarie asked for this simple Dutch Pinwheel pattern (tutorial here!) using Ruby and Bliss charm squares. charm squares + HSTs = easy peasy. i love the way this block turned out -- simple and traditional-ish. :)
 

[bee block #2, #3,and #4]September do. Good Stitches.
another September. for the Bliss circle of do. Good Stitches, we were asked to make 3 blocks of varying sizes following a string pieced log cabin pattern. our quilter for the month requested we use solid fabric in the cool color-way -- greens, blues, and purples -- with a contrasting print for the center. again, easy peasy. and i actually enjoyed this method of improv sewing. gasp!
 

[bee block #5, #6, #7, #8, and #9]November do. Good Stitches.
yep, jumping ahead a month.  can you blame me? these blocks are super fun and modern. love them! Linda Beth asked for blocks using an orange or blue solid accented with orange, blue, and black & white printed fabrics. i am super happy with the way these five turned out!
 

so there you have it, 9 bee blocks, 1 day. moral of the story. i am a total procrastinator. :)
 
now, with only 3 bee blocks left to make (with an October deadline) i am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. and i will be knocking those 3 out tonight. no ifs, ands, or buts!

xo, Megan

sewing bee meets fear factor.

Some people are afraid of things like spiders, heights, and public speaking.
Even water, needles, and snakes.
I am afraid of wonky.
...well, in terms of sewing, my friends and family will attest to the fact, I live my life a little wonky! :)
Pssh!
 

Ok, back to sewing. For the month of August, Kati from From the Blue Chair asked each of us {Sew} Beautiful Bee-ers to make a wonky log cabin block. Ok not a huge deal, right? WRONG. I was completely nervous/anxious/flippin' scared! You see I like order, rules, and organization, especially when I sew. And because of this (and my nasty procrastination habits) I have stalled out all month on actually making this block--sorry, Kati! :)

Until last night. Somewhere between my forth and fifth diet coke of the day, I went for it. And I SURVIVED! Don't get me wrong, I was on the verge of an OCD anxiety attack, but I got 'er done! And just like my pal Amy said, sewing bees are great because they push you outside of your comfort zone! Although I am very happy to report next month's block is all about HSTs--more on that tomorrow!
 
xo, Megan

bow tie block [a tutorial]

June is my month for the BLISS circle of do. Good Stitches and I am really excited to say our theme will be a Rainbow of Bow Ties.  I have put together a little tutorial for the block with the measurements I am asking the Bliss girls to use, but I am so happy to share it with you all as well!

NOTE: The inspiration for this quilt came from Angela's Pink Lemonade quilt, which I absolutely adore!


For each block, you will need:

• 8 -- 3.5" x 3.5" squares (in this example, I am using Kona White)
• 2 -- 3.5" x 3.5" squares and 2 -- 2" x 2" squares of each of your four prints

1. The bow tie block is made up of four units.  Concentrating on one unit at a time, place your cut pieces as shown in the picture below.

2.  Making sure right sides are together, sew from corner to corner on the two "partial snowball blocks," either by marking your fabric or by using the center guides on your sewing machine.  Trim middle piece of print fabric to 1/4 " to help eliminate bulk in your block.

3.  Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the four 3.5" x 3.5" squares together as pictured below.  Pressing all seams open.

4.  Repeat Steps 1 - 3 for the remaining three units.  See below.

5.  Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew the four units together as pictured below.  Press seams open.  Your finished block should measure 12.5" x 12.5".

Happy Sewing and thanks Bliss ladies!

Also if you like this overall design, Lee from Freshly Pieced has a great tutorial for some yummy placemats.

xo, Megan

May Bee Blocks.

If you are looking for the giveaway, it is over

*here*.

As of last night, this month's bee blocks are done, done, and done.  Even with a few days to spare!  Cha-ching!

First up, my block for Angela of My Three Sons (banquopack on flickr) in our {Sew} Modern Bee.  Angela sent the most amazing little fabric packages--the colors were yummy!--and asked each of us to make a block of our choice.  Here is the block I sent her way.

I decided to go with a simple bow tie block--which I had so much fun making. Oh and since next month is my "Quilters" month for the do. Good Stitches Bliss circle, I think I will be asking the other members to make this bow tie block in some fun summer colors.  Stay tuned for a tutorial.

Speaking of do. Good Stitches, here are my blocks for May.

WendyLouP asked each of us in the Bliss circle to make two blocks in medium blues and greens using this tutorial from Hyacinth Quilt Designs.  I highly recommend bookmarking this tutorial, it is wonderful!  I am hoping to use this pattern on one of my next quilts.

We have a busy weekend coming up around here.  My little sister, Lindsey, graduates from High School.  Eek!  Sewing time will be limited, as the Boyfriend and I will be spending most of the next few days helping my parents get ready for the weekend's festivities.  

I hope you all are having a wonderful week--especially with all those Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaways going on!  I will be back sometime tomorrow to announce the winner of the Denyse Schmidt Singe Girl pattern.

xo, Megan