What is a Virtual Quilting Bee? I think that they probably all run a little differently, but for our group, the NewBees (because we were all new to bees...ha!), each person was assigned a month and during our month we were responsible for picking fabric for a quilt, mailing out fabric to the other members with block instructions, and patiently wait for blocks to be mailed back. During the other months we were responsible for creating at least one block per instructions and fabric provided.
Thoughts about the Bee: I won't go into too much detail since this post will be lengthy enough with all of the pictures, but in short I loved this experience. I was able to create all different kinds of blocks without having to commit to an entire quilt. Plus I have a starter quilt that eleven people contributed to (one member dropped out). The downside was the varying skills of the members--I received one block back that I'll either have to completely scrap or have to unpick and start over because it was so poorly sewn. But overall--the virtual quilting bee was a lot of fun and I'd consider doing it again (one day).
The blocks...
April - Dutchman's Puzzle
Tutorial Provided: Quilter's Cache
Tutorial Used: Trading Pieces (we were given permission to deviate)
May - Wonky Stars
Tutorial Used: The Silly Boodilly
June - Disappearing Nine Patch
Tutorial Provided: Sew Fantastic
Designed from scratch (we were given permission to deviate)
July – Any Design!
Not having a specific design was actually tough!
Tutorial Used: Double Z Block from Quilter's Cache
August – Wonky Log Cabin
Tutorial Used: Quilt Dad
September – Black/White/Pink
Any Design as long as had squares/rectangles
Designed from scratch
October – Ticker Tape
Tutorial Used: Stitched in Color
This one was tough!! I cut material for two blocks but didn't finish the second
November – Square within a Square (my month)
Tutorial Provided: Patchwork of Mini Grey
December – String Quilt
Tutorial Used: Film in the Fridge
LOVED making these blocks!
January –Garden Fence
Tutorial Used: Hyacinth Quilt Designs
February -X String
Tutorials Used: Nittany Block Party and Quiltville
This was one of the most time consuming blocks! Think the quilt will look great (for Clemson grad), but man was it tough!
Whew...I'm exhausted! If you're interested in seeing the other participants' blocks, head over to the NewBees Flickr Group.
Now...if I could just get to working on Scott's quilt. Maybe by his birthday in three months?! Ha!
Wow! I am seriously impressed Trish! They look really good. One day I would like to learn how to do this.
ReplyDeleteThey all look great! As far as designs go, I think I'm drawn to wonky log cabins, string quilts, and maybe ticker tapes.
ReplyDeleteYou sure know how to keep busy! I love them all!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! Love them, but my favorite is the wonky log cabin and string quilt.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea! I wish I knew how to quilt... it looks so fun, and my boyfriend's mom creates the coolest projects! The blocks are all great, but you know I'm fond of those holiday sock monkeys. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the string quilt block! What a great way to use up those extra strips of fabric.
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a lot of fun and you made some really pretty squares!
ReplyDeleteAh! Sorry my month was tough! If it is any consolation...your block was one of my very favorites that I got back. And seeing that ticker tape block is throwing me into a frenzy. I hated that month.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!! I like the Wonky Star and the String quilt styles best. I would love to learn how to quilt someday--even the simplest design would give me such joy to create.
ReplyDelete*Vivienne - Just takes patience! ;) Well, and free time...
ReplyDelete*WordLily - The wonky log cabin quilt turned out really well. I think the string blocks are my favorite as well.
*Anna - LOL! Always doing something...
*Picky - The variety was a lot of fun but I agree about the string.
*Meg - Everytime I see sock monkeys I think of you! And *I* wish I knew how to crochet and knit!! Sewing seems so much easier in comparison.
*Melody - Since I'm still relatively new I don't have a ton of scraps, but it was my first experience with paper-piecing. Enjoyed it!
*Kailana - Thank you! It was a good experience.
*Elise - Ha!! It was just that I had NO idea what to make for your month! Endless possibilities makes for a hard decision. ;) And yes, Ticker Tape was the worst--so hard!
*Christine - The wonky stars were hard for me but the quilt turned out really pretty. And if you can sew in a straight line, you can do this. It really just takes patience.
OMGosh...how fun, fun, fun!!!! Of course, if I ever participated in something like that, that's as far as I would ever get. I *love* piecing, but have yet to actually quilt anything! (I did make Annie a flannel quilt when she was a baby, made from all the flannel scraps I had left from sewing her diapers, but I tied it.) My Mom does a lot of quilting, but she only quilts by hand...I think I'm afraid that if I machine-quilted something she'd disown me or something. :P When we packed up the house, I had a quilt top and a few others I'd started that I finally just threw out because I knew I'd never actually get around to quilting them.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, do you have plans for putting it together after you make Scott's quilt? You'd better share if you do!!! Did you have a favorite block to make? How about a block(s) that you love how it turned out so much that you want to make a whole quilt for yourself now? I love the pattern of the Disappearing Nine Patch, and love everything about the String Quilt!!! In fact, I love that one so much that it's tempting me to give quilting another go. Yeah, sure. :P
AAAANNNNDDDD not for the first time, I wish I could sew. All your quilting is beautiful! My favorite is the string quilt squares. It really really makes me ache to learn to sew. Of course, they are all extra special gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteWow--these are all amazing! I'm so glad you took pictures of all of them. Since you asked which one was my favorite (haha), I would have to say the string and the x string. They're all gorgeous but those stood out to me the most. You are so talented!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful, Trish - sounds like it was a lot of fun, too! I have yet to join a bee (maybe someday!!). Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteI love the string one. Fun post, and lovely way to do a virtual quilting bee! All my quilting supplies are tucked away until my life truly settles down (am wondering if this ever happens)......I like log cabin quilts and that's what I've ever so slowly been working on.
ReplyDelete*Debi - Ha! The handquilting is GORGEOUS but I don't think I have the patience or the talent for it. The handquilters definitely look down upon the machine quilters, though. Hopefully you're mom wouldn't really disown you, though. :) I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU THREW OUT YOUR QUILT TOPS!! You can actually send them out to people who will quilt them for you. And I'm definitely afraid of machine quilting as well but figure I've got to learn if I want to continue this hobby. It's actually a big reason why I haven't finished Scott's quilt yet--the top and bottom are pieced...I just have to sandwich it.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the bee, my favorite block to make was the String block. LOVED it. And I think that an entire quilt from string blocks could be really stunning. Would require a lot of scraps that I don't have, though. And yes--you should start quilting again. ;)
* Heather Sewing is easy!! ;) I wish that I could knit or crochet! I see all of your projects and have envy.
*Meredith - Thank you!! I'm not sure if I'd call it talent or patience. Ha!
*Wendy - I think it'd be really fun to have a book blogger bee. Wonder if we could rally up 10 other bloggers. Ha!
*Susan - Log cabin designs are so beautiful and you can do so much with them based on colors and values. I made a baby quilt for my daughter using log cabin design and I loved the repetition of the blocks. You should pull out those supplies! ;)
Fun stuff, Trish! I'm planning on making a Michigan (U of M) quilt. I'm really excited about it. Not sure when I'm going to start it, but it's fun to think about. :)
ReplyDelete*Joy - I know about thinking about quilting rather than actual quilting. ;) Do you have a design in mind for the quilt? Would love to see progress if you want to share!
ReplyDeleteLOL "Do you have a design in mind for the quilt?" HAHAHAHA That's what I've been thinking about! I have a million designs in my mind. :) I've decided that the fabric is going to guide the actual design. I've looked M fabric up online, but need to see it in person.
Delete*Joy - I have no response except to nod in agreement. ;) And nothing worse than not loving the design you choose...having that issue with quilt I've been working on for Scott. Maybe just buy a small sample of fabric if you don't have a local shop? But I bet your local shops will have M fabric.
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