Happy Friday! First of all…I wanted to let you all know that I’m starting a newsletter. This has been on my to do list for quite some time. I won’t be writing so often that you’ll want to unsubscribe either…I promise. I will post once or twice a month and will be highlighting blog posts, links I find helpful, and new patterns and fabrics.
The newsletter will give some subscriber-only benefits like sales codes for my Etsy shop and free PDF patterns. Also, I will be offering pre-order kits for some of the new patterns I have coming out at quilt market in May, so there will also be information about that in an upcoming newsletter. To sign up, scroll down and find the “Subscribe to our Mailing List” box on the right hand side of the sidebar. You’ll have to reply to a confirmation email as well (be sure to check your spam/junk folder for that…I was trying it out this week, and my confirmation email ended up in the junk folder).
Okay…now for some quilty goodness…I’ve almost caught up on my Splendid
Sampler quilt blocks and thought it might be fun to share some tips for them. Yesterday’s Checkerboard block by Pat Sloan was fast and fun, and it offers a great chance to highlight a favorite fabric.
I’ve always loved this vintage cherries print. It’s soft and beautiful, and I thought it would make a terrific checkerboard block.
I flipped the seams in all of my four-patch units, and then by pressing seams open between the units and the rows I was able to get my block nice and flat.
Since a number of block patterns have now been released, it’s a good time to start evaluating fabric choices to make sure you end up with a good mix in your sampler quilt. This is especially important if you plan on making a smaller quilt with just some of the blocks.
I like to make sure I have a good mix of color, scale, and patterns. I also like to repeat some of my favorite fabrics. You can see that I have already used the vintage cherries fabric in my Quilt Shoppe block.
The red daisy print was used in my hearts block and in my Iowa block…
and the delicate polka dot background was perfect for the applique block and will also make a nice contrast for the embroidery (or whatever I decide to add to the center of the block on the right).
Getting out the previously-made blocks and reviewing them for fabric, color, and pattern is not only fun, but will help you as you piece the rest of the blocks. When I was taking these photos I realized I need to incorporate a little bit more of the soft black floral I used in one of the blocks.
And using your camera or phone to take pictures of your blocks is a great way to notice things you might not catch otherwise. This sew along has sure been a lot of fun! Hope you are sewing along!
P.S. Craftsy is saying a sweet farewell to National Craft Month by offering you the chance to get any online class for $19.99! Check out all the classes on sale before the offer ends on Monday.
Thanks so much for stopping by!
Hildy says
I've subscribed to your mailing list and can't wait for the first newsletter from you!
Love your checkerboard block and the cherry pirnt is one of my favorite Figtree prints, too. Perhaps you can convince Joanna that she reprints it in another line? Would love to have it in pink (just saying;-)
Pam McDonald says
Thank you for this. Sometimes the Splendid Sampler gets a little overwhelming. But I love it 🙂
Judy says
Your blocks are always so nice. I try to press my seams open too. I learn a lot from your blog and making nice blocks is my goal. Thank you for being an inspiration.
Lara B. says
All you blocks just make me ooh and ahh Sherri! the colors and choices you made for where to use fabrics are perfect. Great tip on using photographs to help you see things you might not notice just by looking!
I signed up for your newsletter! Looking forward to reading them! 🙂 We're so used to having spam protection ask us to prove we aren't a robot, but this time it said "Prove your humanity" which made me crack up laughing.
Paula says
Congratulations on the newsletter. I just signed up. I love the latest block, but have a question for you. I know that sometimes open seams work better for some blocks. I just made a quilt using strip-piecing and when I pinned the cut pieces together, the seams were already coming apart. I shortened my stitch length significantly, which helped a little, but did solve the problem. Do you have any suggestions to alleviate this?
Rosemary B❤️ says
Oh I will be subbing to your news letter!!
I like the way you iron your seams, I do the same….
Happy Easter
Kathy H says
Thanks for the tips. I am working on the sampler and hints are always welcome. I signed up for your newsletter. Looking forward to it.
gailss says
A really great tip on using a camera and taking a pic….I now do that and find it so helpful seeing in a different "eye"….thanks Sherri
Debra G says
I already subscribe to your blog. Do I need to subscribe again to get your newsletter? Looking forward to it!
Janan Doster says
Congratulations on starting the newsletter. I will be looking forward to getting and reading. You always share nice things with us. Your splendid blocks are coming along great. Love the scappiness that is happening too!
I like the way you pressed the seams. It is always hard to work with such tiny pieces in blocks, I find that pre-starching the fabric before cutting helps, and I usually stitch with 2.0.
Have a blessed and happy Easter.
Julie Cefalu says
I'm looking forward to your newsletter, Sherri! Your splendid sampler blocks look wonderful. I'm using Fig Tree fabrics as well, I should follow what you do and then I won't have to spend so much time picking out colors! Julie@TheCraftyQuilter.com