Author: Life of Momma B

RBD Block Challenge: Block 6, Bloom Where You Are Planted

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The RBD Block Challenge continues.  If you are keeping track we are up to block number six, Bloom Where You Are Planted.  This block was designed by Jennifer Long of Sew A Story.  And I think it is my favorite so far.

While the design seems complicated, Jennifer did a great job of breaking it down with step by step instructions. I am always amazed how a few rectangles sewn together with a couple of stitch and flip corners can create a stunning block. I can see a quilt made completely from this one block. It could even be done in a scrappy version.

One thing I dislike about stitch and flip style blocks is the waste. I want to share with you one thing I do to minimize the waste.  Whenever I have a large (which is a relative term), I sew an additional line 1/2 inch from the required line to create and extra square that can be used in another project.  Here let me explain. When creating the leaves in the flower, two wonky looking square are sewn together on a diagonal.   

Step 1. Per the block instructions, draw a line diagonally (Line 1).
Step 2. Draw a line 1/2 inch away from the required line (Line 2).
Step 3. Sew on lines 1 and 2.
Step 4. Cut between lines 1 and 2. (Line 3)
Step 5. Press the blocks open as usual.

Here are the two squares that this creates. The first square is used in the Bloom Where You Are Planted Block, and the extra square can be used in other blocks. This smaller block is 2.5″. I find that I can use a small square in a scrappy block easier than I can two odd triangles. I hope you find this tip helpful.

Until next time, take life one stitch at a time.

Momma B

RBD Block Challenge: Block 5, Dazzle

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Are you keeping up with Riley Blake’s 2024 Block Challenge?  We are up to Block 5.  This block was designed by Kristy Lea from Quiet Play Designs.  If you are not familiar with her work, she designs mainly Foundation Paper Piecing Patterns.  I have been following her work for some time and signed up for her recent FPP Fussycutting Challenge, where she featured tiny 4″ televisions that I hope to sew up in the near future.  

Now back to the quilt along… I have to admit, at first glance I was not overly impressed by this block. But when someone from the facebook community described it as four fish, I was finally able to appreciate the block.  It came together quickly and easily, my favorite kind of block.  

Until next time, take life one stitch at a time,

Momma B

RBD Block Challenge: Block 4, Framed Star

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The RBD Block Challenge continues.   As I see it, the purpose of this type of challenge is 1) help you improve your skills,  2) introduce you to different pattern designers and 3) allow you to create a stunning quilt that is broken down into bite size pieces.   

This weekend I completed the fourth block in the series, the Framed Star, designed by Fran of Cotton and Joy. I have to admit that I am not very familiar with her work so I spent a little time checking her out.  If only my kiddos were little I would definitely be making the Annabelle quilt, and I still might because it looks so fun.  If you are not familiar with her work head to her website and check it out.  

In addition to completing this most recent block,  I was also able to begin cutting the fabric for all of the remaining blocks.  At the request of many of the participants, Riley Blake has now released the complete cutting instructions for the quilt.  This allows me to cut the fabric more efficiently.  All the information can be found here. 

AHG Badge Help – Dawn of Our Country, Tenderheart #4

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As promised, I am working on updating many of the American Heritage Girls badge helps that I previously posted.  I thought I would start with Dawn of Our Country.  My goal in updating them is to reflect the current badge number and requirement. And because the first badge help was written more than 10 years ago, some of the links may have changed. 

Today we are looking at Tenderheart requirement #4.  We all know the legend that Betsy Ross designed and sewed the first American Stars and Stripes flag.  In May of 1776 three members of the Continental Congress came to her is secret and asked her to make a flag.  The sketch they provided her included six-pointed stars.  She was able to convince them to use a five-pointed star instead because it is easier to create and can me made with only one cut. (More details about can be found here).  While there is little historical evidence to support this legend, it has been repeated so many times that it is accepted by many as fact. (more information available at the Colonial Williamsburg.org site).

To assist you in learning how to cut a five-pointed star, I am sharing the link to US History.org webpage (here)l that I shared the first time I posted this badge help, but I am updating the YouTube video.  The Crafty Mom does an excellent job of demonstrating cutting a star.  Unlike many other videos, she talks you through each step making it super easy to follow.  Check out her video here. 

NOTE: The requirements have been simplified here. Please be sure to read the full text in the American Heritage Girl Handbook to make sure you fully understand the requirements.

Her Quilt of Many Colors

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January has come and gone, and I realized I did not share with you the quilts I made for Christmas. Before I tell you about them, let me take just a moment to freak out…  NOOOOOOOO!!! …  OK, sorry about that,  I’m back and ready to share the first quilt I completed for Christmas 2023.

I began with a Beyond Basics jelly roll. This fabric line was designed by Annie Brady and manufactured by Moda.  The jelly roll contains 30 different colors,  so there were some duplicates.  But, it did give me a lot of variety. I also set aside the browns, blacks, whites and grays for another project.   

So many of the patterns I found would not allow the fabric to shine.  After countless hours of searching I found the perfect pattern on the Robert Kauffman Fabrics website. And the best part, it was a free pattern.   Since I didn’t have enough strips, I did have to adjust the pattern a little bit. 

It came together fairly quickly.  I used my walking foot to quilt slightly wavy lines diagonally across it. It finished as a decent size lap quilt.  Sorry I forgot to measure it.   I hope you like it as much as my niece did. 

I can see using this pattern again,  so I will be keeping it in the files. You can get a copy of the original pattern here. 

Take life one stitch at a time,
Momma B