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I’m making lots of quilt blocks!

I think I would be happy just making quilt blocks, forever.  I never get bored of doing it.  Each one is a challenge in its own way.  Picking out the fabric is probably the most fun part.  And then figuring out how I want to piece it together.  Generally, I read over the instructions and decide what technique or ruler I want to use to make the various units.  Then I adjust the cutting instructions to make it work for my method.

Maybe that’s why I like block-of-the-month projects so much.  I get to make blocks to my heart’s content.  Already for January, I’ve made a total of eight different blocks and multiples of some of those.

First up is the Quilter’s Planner BOM Sampler.  These blocks are 12 1/2″ unfinished without the sashing.  I’ve decided to make them 6 1/2″ unfinished, even though I haven’t decided how I’ll put them together.  I’m using my collection of Alison Glass fabric from Andover, which lends itself to a rainbow color palette.

 

This month I challenged myself to make the block smaller than the original, so it became a 6 1/2″ block, and then even smaller still at 3 1/2″!  I love figuring out the math and then I do a little happy dance when it all works out as planned.

6 1/2" block and 3 1/2" block made by Julie Cefalu, designed by Cheryl Brickey for the Quilter's Planner
6 1/2″ block and 3 1/2″ block made by Julie Cefalu, designed by Cheryl Brickey for the Quilter’s Planner

 

January quilt blocks for the Quilter’s Planner BOM

 

I bought a desktop calendar, Heartland Heritage, from Inspiring Stitches and it has also turned into a fun BOM project.  The first month’s block is the Wildflower Block and it’s one of my favorites.

Wildflower Block made by Julie Cefalu, from Heartland Heritage desktop calendar by Inspiring Stitches

 

I’m using a collection of fabric from my stash and much of it started with Nature Walk by Tamara Kate for Michale Miller Fabrics.  I love this group of fabrics!  I think this would make a super cute baby quilt…. and granddaughter #2 is coming in late March!

Wildflower Block designed by Inspiring Stitches for the Heartland Heritage Calendar. Made by Julie Cefalu
Wildflower Block designed by Inspiring Stitches for the Heartland Heritage Calendar. Made by Julie Cefalu

 

I’m co-teaching the Vintage Sampler BOM at The Granary Quilt Shop and we had our first meeting last weekend.  (There’s still a few openings left if you want to join us.)  I completed the first and second month’s blocks, and now I’m ahead of the game.  All of the fabric is coming from my stash, and I’m using a blue/aqua/ gray color palette.  It’s a little more subdued than my usual picks, but I think it will look great in my living room.  Here they are on my design wall.

Quilt block made by Julie Cefalu. From the Vintage Sampler BOM pattern by Barbara Eikmeier

Rolling Stone block made by Julie Cefalu. From the Vintage Sampler BOM pattern by Barbara Eikmeier

 

The rolling stone block, above, is an example of one that I changed the cutting instructions for so that I could use my Square Squared ruler by Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Designs.  I love this ruler because it creates an over-sized unit that you trim down perfectly.  It’s really easy to use and it works for square-in-a-square units in multiple sizes from 1 1/2″ – 6 1/2″ unfinished.

You can see the oversized unit below, with the trimmed (and perfect) unit next to it.

 

Well, I’m off to a good start for 2018.  I know, the honeymoon phase of all these BOM’s won’t last forever, but I’m enjoying the moment!  I haven’t even started my Stellar Stars BOM, yet.  Those instructions won’t be released until Friday, but I’m so ready.

How about you?  Are you starting off the year with any new BOM’s or other projects?  If you missed it, make sure to check out my list of BOM’s & QAL’s for 2018 to get you inspired!

 

Happy quilting (and block making)!

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21 Comments

  1. Hi Julie, it has been a long time since I have commented but I check out your blog every day. I love your wildflower quilt block, fabric is so soft and pretty, perfect for your new grandbaby. Congrats! I am always interested in your projects and BOM that you choose to do. This year I am doing Pat Sloans In the Summertime. She is using the Charleston fabric that you have ( I do also). I love that fabric. I am also doing Edyta Sitars BOM using her book Patches of Blue. I am curious about the Stellar Stars BOM but I think I am already over my head with projects and all the UFOs that need attention. Yikes! Like you, my favorite part is picking out the fabric and sewing the blocks.

  2. Love all your blocks! Finishing up some 2017 quilts. I also started an old UFO. It is #12 in a challenge. Having fun. Happy New Year!

  3. Some beauties here! I agree about the blocks being fun! I have a fair stash of them. It is nice when I finally get around to actually finishing something, though!

  4. Hi Julie, Congratulations on your upcoming grandbaby! You must be so excited.I love your blocks but the pink and green wildflower is my favorite. I just lost those color combinations.

  5. Hello Julie; Each of your blocks are lovely! Such beautiful fabric choices you have made. I must check out the Square Squared Ruler, it did a fantastic job and I can always use help in trimming my blocks. Right now, I am signed up for 4 BOM, something I have not done before. I am most likely way over my head. But they are so hard to pass up when they look and sound so amazing! I look forward to seeing posts on your blocks and on your class. Have a fantastic day!

  6. Where can we find the information on the BOM for the inspiring heritage quilt along? Do you have to buy the calendar to get the blocks? All links don’t tell you anything. Thanks.

      1. I just ordered the calendar. Just told my husband I needed one upstairs in my quilt room. Wa-la killed two problems with one purchase Got my new calendar and a cute block of the month.

  7. Every year, you blow me away with your beautiful blocks. I’m always enamored by your fabric choices. I love Quilty math, too. So far, this year, I’ve only chosen one QAL, from Ft. Worth Fabrics, and it was a flash decision because I had the fabrics in my bin left over from a long ago project. I certainly look forward to watching your blocks grow! Enjoy your day, Julie.

  8. Hi Julie, Happy New Year! You certainly don’t waste time in starting new projects with the new year I love your fabrics as usual, they show off the blocks so well. We are enjoying two sunny weeks on the island of Tenerife, it’s a different world from snowy Norway. I look forward to sewing again once home. All the best!

  9. Thanks so much for the inspiration!!! I am currently very limited as for what I’m working on. My house has been on the market for 20 months. We never expected it would take so long to sell. I packed up most of my fabric and books thinking that we would be in our new house in a few months!!! I have purchased a kit or two or three (you get the idea) so I have had fun but I’m so ready to get into my new quilting studio so I can do exactly what you have done here!!! I know that one day I’ll be there!! In the mean time, please keep posting your inspiration so I can dream!!!

  10. I too took my first quilting class from you … and you had a convert right there from the beginning. The fact is though that I am still learning from you through your blog.
    Your precision work fills me with awe … and I like the help given by the square squared ruler and so watched studio 180’s video on how to use it. My question is did you get the smaller version?
    I hope it is not too late to wish us all a happy and healthy New Year.

  11. I still have two BOM’s from last year to finish ( one isn’t even started!), so I’m going to limit myself to one BOM this year and that’s fatcatpatterns.com Gnome Christmas quilt. I love what you’re doing, though. Thanks for the close up pics; i’ve been wondering how that tumbling block is done – now that i’ve seen your’s I understand and think I might try it sometime. I enjoy seeing you resize blocks, too, but it’s something that I don’t normally do – I’m LOUSY at math, but can play with my printer to resize paper piecing patterns.

  12. Julie, your blocks are so nice and I love the Wildflower one best. The colors are perfect and it will be a beautiful girly quilt.
    I’m also interested in how you figure to make your blocks smaller. My formulas never work out right
    Have a great weekend!

  13. Julie you do beautiful work. I wish I had even just a bit of your talent. I took my first quilting class from you. Although I don’t just quilt I really enjoy your blog
    Jan

  14. I like blocks of the month also because there’s no time to get bored yet I always seem to fall behind. Doing better so far but got this nasty congestion stuff going around. How do you resize blocks? Love your blog.

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