Friday, September 5, 2014

A Fun Distraction

I thought I would take a minute to show you something really fun that I worked up during the week.  I follow a blog by Lorna McMahon at Sew Fresh Quilts and the other day she put up a tutorial for a block which looks like a package with a bow on top.  She also showed several items made with the blocks including a really cute table runner.  

I downloaded the information and proceeded to raid my stash looking for some fabrics which would go with a recent purchase at the Buggy Barn Quilt Show of two pieces of Christmas fabric.

The link to the measurements and tutorial is here on her blog at Sew Fresh Quilts.

First, here are the lucky winners of the fabric search.



The two fabrics (red and white backgrounds) on the left are the new fabrics that I picked up at the Buggy Barn.  The other fabrics seem to work great with the new ones.  I will have plenty of the reds and greens to make several of these blocks.

The layout of the block is here.  If you look at Lorna's pattern you will notice that I made one change to her block.  I wanted to use the same fabric for the entire bow but with the center block being the same size as the two next to it the knot doesn't really show up.  Lorna used a different fabric for the center knot piece.  I decided to make the center unit half bow fabric and half background so that the knot portion isn't exactly the same size as the two pieces on either side and doesn't get lost.  I really like this change.


It goes together really fast and easy.  The following picture is the completed block with the borders on around the edges.  Really great don't you think. 



This was a nice distraction and a fun little detour from the other things I am working on.  Definitely starting to have some ideas about the holidays now.  These blocks would be great to use for a special "Birthday" type table runner to use for family gatherings or a special birthday girl or boy placemat on their special day.  What a great gift.  I can think of several fun things to do with this block.  Thanks Lorna.

Please visit Lorna's blog, I think you will enjoy her work.  I know I do.

Until next time, keep stitching.

Robin