Adventures in Quilting - 2018-2019 Block of the Month Club - June 2019 - Block 12

Quilter's Haven 2018-2019 Block of the Month Club - June 2019

Sew Simple Northern Lights Sampler

One Star Burst Block

The last square was the hardest. Looking at the photo, it doesn't look like it would be that hard. I swear it shouldn't be. I cut out all my pieces. I read through the instructions at least a dozen times. I used my Google-Fu magick to try to find a video illustrating this particular Star Burst block (unsuccessfully). No matter how I turned the pieces, it just wasn't coming out right. I was a stumped.  While searching Google for videos, I happened upon a video for a similar but not as elongated version of the center starburst. The block is called a Sawtooth Star block. The video I found was by Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims from The Quilt Show. They used a really nifty reverse technique to complete the design so that there was less cutting and sewing of individual triangles. It reminds me a lot of how you use Thangles but different in execution. You can watch the video on their YouTube channel here.

It's not exactly like the original, but I thought it gave the same overall design element. I did follow the dimensions given in the video, so the finished central square ended up smaller than what I needed for the finished block to equal our standard 15 1/2 inches. To solve this problem, I added a border around the edge of the center block before adding my trim pieces. I was using small scraps, so I had to really piece areas to be able to complete the design, but I do not think it turned out badly at all. I was so mad at this piece that I was afraid I'd never like it. In the end, I think this square is one of my favorites. I look at it and smile because it reminds me of the Funshine Bear Care Bear that I had as a kid.

I know once I have someone show me how to do the technique for the elongated points on the original inside star, it will all make sense. Until then, I say screw that. I am happy with how this one ended up.

Adventures in Quilting - 2018-2019 Block of the Month Club - May 2019 - Block 11

Quilter's Haven 2018-2019 Block of the Month Club - May 2019

Sew Simple Northern Lights Sampler

One Hour Glass Block

Two Geese Blocks

We are nearing the home stretch ... so close to finishing all of the individual blocks! I really like the design of this month's larger block, and I like how the color turned out against my lighter background better than the way it looked against the black. It was so ORANGE, but now it is softer. The design was pretty easy and used techniques that we have already incorporated into other blocks. Easy-peasy!

The small blocks is where the trouble came in. I The green one turned out okay over all, but the second dark magenta block was a thorn in my side! I took it apart at least four times because every time one piece just didn't line up. So frustrating. I measured the seams. I measured the pieces. Everything measured out correct, but for some reason I just could not sew this piece correctly. 

I ended up setting it aside for a month before I came back to it. As I was about to start my fifth go-round, I also decided that I'd rather change the color to the brighter pink with purple flecks that we used for the nine-patch blocks. This one is still not lined up perfectly, but I decided I am either just going to have to live with it or I am going to have to do a different block for this one. I hung it on my wall, and I am going to look at it for a while to see how much it bugs me every I walk by it. If it irks me too much, I will change it to a different block. If not, I am putting it in as-is.