Patriotic Palette Blog Hop: Streamers

I'm so happy you are here today for the patriotic palette blog hop, sponsored by Paintbrush Studios.

This will be the story of a quilter (me) who had the opportunity to work again with Painter's Palette solids and has had a hard time following the guidelines (also me).

Since I sew primarily with solids, I have worked with solids from nearly every major manufacturer. The Painter's Palette solids are absolutely wonderful and have quickly become my favorite. When I received the fabric, I knew exactly what I wanted to make, and started cutting into the fabric. In the bundle were fat quarters in three shades of red (Claret, Crimson and Tomato), three shades of blue (Patriot, French blue and River) and a fat quarter of White.

All the beautiful fused glass was made by my husband, Mark

Shortly thereafter, I re-read the guidelines and thought, "uh oh." 

Let me explain. A few months ago, I designed a quilt, one which I haven't fully shared yet, but let me give you a sneak peek.

The blocks in the center of the quilt looked like ribbons blowing in the wind, so I thought it would be fun to make a patriotic version.

I quickly realized that one fat quarter of white would not be nearly enough. Fortunately, I had more Painter's Palette white on hand, so I kept going. I really wanted to do the double rows of hour glass blocks all around the outside, but didn't have enough blue. More is on the way. 

For the quilt top as shown, three fat quarters of blue and three fat quarters of red is plenty, but you will need 3/4 yard of white. If you decide to do the double row of blue and white hourglass blocks as shown in the diagram further down, you will need one yard of white, and at least two more fat quarters of the blue.

Cutting instructions are as follows (cutting total for the double hourglass border is in parentheses):

White: 
12 (28) - squares 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" sub-cut in quarters diagonally (each square will make two blocks--see below) for quarter square triangles (QST)
2 - squares 4 1/2 " 4 1/2"
14 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
23 - squares 3" x 3", sub-cut in half diagonally for half square triangles (HST)

Blue:
12 (28) - squares 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" sub-cut in quarters diagonally (each square will make two blocks--see below) for QST

Red:
Color 1 (dark):
           13 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" 
             9 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST
Color 2 (medium)
          12 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
             8 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST
Color 3 (light)
              8 - squares 2 1/2" x 2 1/2"
               6 - squares 3" x 3" sub-cut in half diagonally for HST

To make the hourglass blocks, match a blue QST with a white QST (make sure the same color is on top as you chain piece) and sew down one side. Press toward the dark. Line up the two halves and sew. Trim to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" 

To make the red and white HST blocks, sew as shown below. Trim to 2 1/2" x
2 1/2".

Laying out the red and white blocks proved to be trickier than when I made the single-color version. Each block consists of squares and HST triangle units, as shown on the right side of the diagram. I labeled the blocks in the center of the quilt to correspond with block layouts along the side. If you have any questions, or something doesn't make sense, please email me. I'm happy to answer any questions.

I really like the way it turned out, even though it was a bit trickier than I anticipated. The double hourglass border will be worth the wait. And I have some really pretty red, white and blue variegated thread waiting when it's time to do the quilting.

Even though I made a few blunders when it came to the guidelines, I'm going to be sew happy with Streamers when it is completed. If you haven't been following along, please go back and check out the others who have made a lot of beautiful and varied projects. Thanks to Paintbrush Studio for including me--I love working with this fabric, and to Lisa Ruble for putting this all together. 

6/22: Fabri-Quilt blog (@pbstudiofabrics)

6/23: Jayne of TwiggyandOpal (@twiggyandopal)

6/26: Elizabeth of OPQuilt (@occasionalpiecequilt)

6/27: Stephanie of Spontaneous Threads (@spontaneousthreads)

6/28: Shelley of A Pigeon in Pungo (@shelleybrooksquilts)

6/29: Linda of Flourishing Palms (@flourishingpalms)

6/30: Cindy Wiens of Live a Colorful Life (@liveacolorfullife) YOU ARE HERE.

7/3: Stephanie of Peas in a Pod (@stephiepeterson)

What would a blog hop be without a giveaway? 

*One winner will receive seven fat quarters in the colors used  for the projects in the blog hop. Each blogger is giving away a bundle, courtesy of Paintbrush Studios, so make sure to visit each stop on the hop.

*To be entered here, please leave a comment on my blog and let me know your favorite place to see fireworks, or if there is someplace special you hope to see them. My brother lives in Washington DC and can see them from where he lives--so that is definitely on my bucket list. 

*The giveaway will be open until Monday, July 3. I'll announce the winner here as well as Instagram (@liveacolorfullife).

*If you comment, it is important that I can contact you in case you are the winner. If you are a no-reply blogger, please leave your email address and IG handle in the comment.

*Anyone can comment, but only US residents can win the FQ bundle.

Happy 4th!

Bella Skillbuilder, Month 5

Welcome to Month 5 of the Bella Skill Builder, sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop. This month's skill-building technique consists of two blocks made from half square triangles.

I have tried different methods for making half square triangles, but the one method I have never tried before is Triangles on a Roll.

It is an interesting method, and I'm glad to finally have taken the opportunity to try it out.

You can find all the information for the Bella Skill Builder Month 5, including videos and a list of other quilters participating, on the Jolly Jabber blog.

Even though it's Month 5, it's still not too late to start the Skill Builder. Find all the information here.
Also, if you want to try Triangles on a Roll, they can be found (in multiple sizes) in the Fat Quarter Shop notions section. Happy skill building. :)