Welcome to the Quiltmaker 100 Blocks Volume 11 Blog Hop!
If you're not hopping yet, get thee to
Quilty Pleasures right away to find out what's going on. Don't miss out on giveaways, quilt ideas, fun stuff, giveaways, more fun and more giveaways!
I am so honored and pleased to have my block, ECHO, in
Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 11. It is listed on page 36 as Block 1049. This is only the second time I've submitted a block and also the second time I've participated in this blog hop! So exciting! It's also a bit nerve-wracking to be on the Hop on the very first day!! But, here we go....
I thought it would be fun to see what this block would look like in different fabrics. So, the first thing I did is to change the background to dramatic black!
Those bright colors really become brighter on a black background, don't they?
Next, I wanted to see it with reproductions. Here's a black and tan version that looks like it was made in 1890!
Are you loving a particular version yet? How about a soft modern look?
Did you notice I changed the value placement in the soft modern version? It makes the diagonals look more prominent.
Last but not the least, here is a traditional version that's just a touch patriotic. I did several things different about this block. First, I mixed batiks and regular cottons. I have been doing that more and more these days. You can, too! The quilt police won't come after you for mixing them up. I promise! Second, the color for the arcs and the circle in contrast to the red/blue really pops those arcs and circle. Finally, I just love the transparency between the red and the blue in this one. These 3 fabrics just blend and transition so well!
Making the blocks in different colorways is one thing. But, really, how would they look in a quilt?
So, I designed a 30" square wallhanging with a special sashing strip that creates a secondary pattern for a more cohesive look. Check out the different looks:
So, which one is your favorite colorway? Tell me in a comment below and you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Volume 11! This prize will come from Quiltmaker directly.
Even better, in your comment below, include your favorite quilting tip and you will be entered in a drawing for a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol 11 AND a fat quarter bundle of yummy fabrics from
Quilting Treasures. These fabrics are from the Color Blends collection with which I designed the Surf and Sand Block of the Month program. I will be sending this prize bundle out.
You will find a link at the top of this blog (and on the right-hand side column) for quick directions to make the quilt above - especially those sashing strips. However, these directions are intended for the more experienced quilter who knows how to make flying geese units, hour glass units and make circle appliques. You can substitute a yo-yo for the circle applique, by the way.
Just one more - here's Echo in a table runner.
Have fun Hopping onto the other blogs!
Back to the Blog Hop...
The first day of summer, June 21, is also the first day of the Row by Row Experience 2015. It is an exciting shop hop event where you can visit participating shops and receive a free pattern for a quilt row. Collect at least 8 row patterns, make a quilt and show-and-tell at a participating shop and you could win prizes! There are over 2700 participating shops from all 50 states and Canada with 107 shops in my home state of Pennsylvania. Just amazing! 
The best part about this project, I feel, are the "Arcs" which makes the blocks look like they are circles! They're actually very straightforward to do with a little bit of applique and I feel that a confident beginner can make this quilt easily. Of course, if you would rather not do any type of applique at all, it is easy enough to skip the Arcs.
