2022 Monthly Color Challenge - May
Jen Shaffer is hosting a fun Monthly Color Challenge with a Spicy theme for 2022. I signed up to make the May block, which is inspired by the spice African Blue Basil. I've never cooked with African Blue Basil (not found on my local grocery shelf), but I do love, love, love a blue quilt block!
Go to Jen's blog at Patterns By Jen to download the block pattern and to get more information about her Monthly Color Challenge. The block features flying geese units and there are actually two versions to choose from. I chose to make the version that is arranged on point.
The fabric I used is actually one piece of blue ombré fabric that I found in my stash. I cut the background pieces from the lighter end of the gradient and the darker pieces from the darker end of the gradient. I like the texture that the color variations give to this monochrome block.
I will share a few tips for success with this block:
- Starch your fabrics before cutting. This will help make those bias edges behave when you are piecing.
- Trim the flying geese blocks carefully. There are special trimming tools available, but they are not really necessary. Just be sure that the dark triangle is centered and that you leave 1/4" above the triangle point for seam allowance.
- But on the other hand, don't worry too much about perfect points, and really don't look closely at my far-from-perfect points, because it all looks great in the end.
Jen asked us to share a favorite blue quilt. Scrolling back through quilt photos I thought I would share this nautical themed table runner that I made for our sailboat.
May Color Challenge Bloggers ... Visit these bloggers to see more variations on the blue block.