My Favourite Splendid Sampler Blocks

One of my favourite Splendid Sampler blocks

Following on from the little competition last week to guess my favourite and least favourite Splendid Sampler block I can now share with you my favourites:

From top to bottom, left-to right
Wings (2); Coneflower (52); Snug as a Bug (7);
Dedication Rose (55), Happy Happy (4);
Stitch-in-the-Garden (44) and Stitching Fashion (28).

My least favourite block of all was Shell (54) – not because of the design or technique but because of the fabrics I chose.

Block 54 - Shell.  A lovely paper-pieced block but not a good fabric combo.

I also struggled making these four although there is no denying Inchy Hexagon Club looks very pretty: 

From top to bottom, left-to right
Lemonade (34); Inchy Hexagon Club (36);
Pincushion Love (43) and Oval (69).

And the winner of the $30 Fat Quarter Club gift card is Orange Kitty Mom who managed to guess one of my favourite blocks and my least favourite.  Very well done. 

Until next time .......

The Splendid Sampler Finale and Giveaway

The Splendid Sampler has come to an end.  I didn’t make all the blocks as I left some of the embroidery blocks out. But I did make the Birthday Cake bonus block and these final twelve blocks: 

The Splendid Sampler 'Birthday Cake' Bonus Block

The Splendid Sampler Block 85 - Flow

The Splendid Sampler Block 86 - Unity Star

The Splendid Sampler Block 87 - Shining Star

The Splendid Sampler Block 89 - Love from Colorado to the Mid West

The Splendid Sampler Block 90 - Juggling

The Splendid Sampler Block 91 - Double Bees

The Splendid Sampler Block 93 - Tiny Miracles

The Splendid Sampler Block 94 - Skyscraper

The Splendid Sampler Block 95 - Sunshine

The Splendid Sampler Block 97 - First Purse

The Splendid Sampler Block Block 98 - Fleur de Lei

The Splendid Sampler Block 100 - Centered

Next week I will share with you my most favourite and my least favourite block from all The Splendid Sampler blocks I've made.  

But until then, pop over to my Splendid Sampler Pinterest board and see if you can guess which block is my most favourite and which is my least favourite.  Leave a comment below and I shall pick a winner from the correct guesses to win a $30 Fat Quarter Shop Gift Certificate.   (Leave your email in the comment so I can contact you - competition will close on Saturday 11th March 2017.)

THE COMPETITION HAS NOW CLOSED.

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 74, 77, 79, 83 and 84

The Splendid Sampler Blocks

There is a bit of a gap in the Splendid Sampler blocks as I have been busy on other things.  But that is the nature of life so I have just jumped in as and when I could over the last month and managed to complete five blocks .....

Block 74 – ‘Button Basket’ designed by Karen Soltys.  I didn’t quite get the handle in the right place but it is good enough for me.

The Splendid Sampler Block no. 74 - Button Basket

Block 77 – ‘Prism’ designed by Sara Lawson.  I’ve gotta say – this simple patchwork block came along at just the right time.  I needed something quick and easy to help me get back to my sewing machine.  Sara Lawson’s block didn’t disappoint.

The Splendid Sampler Block no. 77 - Prism

Block 79 – ‘Spool of Inspirational Thread’.  I pulled some of my old country favourites out of my fabric pot for this paper-pieced block..  So much to like about this design from Melanie Barrett.  

The Splendid Sampler Block no. 79 - Spool of Inspirational Thread

Block 83 – ‘Minnesota Maze’.  What a versatile block from Roseann Meehan Kermes.  So many different looks depending on your fabric choices and placement.  I was lucky that a very generous Amy had sent me the sweetest little orange gingham that went perfectly with Summerfest.

The Splendid Sampler Block no. 83 - Minnesota Maze

Block 84 – ‘Robin Redbreast’ first edition of ‘Early Bird’ block designed by Joan Ford.  I decided to play with this block a little by patching it with some scraps.  I am not sure it works so I will make it up again following the pattern exactly.  Even so, this robin is a sweetie and may end up on a Christmas zipper pouch.

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 68, 69, 70, 71, 72 and 73

I am making a change of fabric in my Splendid Sampler blocks.  From block 71 onwards I am using Summerfest by April Rosenthal for Moda.  

It is bright and sunny and will make the perfect summer bed runner.  But first the last three blocks in my scrap-happy fabrics from my stash:

Block 68 – ‘Wild Roses' designed by Pat Sloan.  Designed as a wild rose I’ve got to be honest – this rose reminds me a little of a fried egg (I think the USA refer to it as sunny-side-up).  

The Splendid Sampler Block 68 - Wild Roses

Block 69 – ‘Full Circle’ designed by Holly DeGroot.  I am a real newbie when it comes to stitching curves.  I stitched my first earlier in this sew-along (block 34).  So it was no surprise that my circle was more of an oval.  But the block measures 6½” square so it is a keeper. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 69 - Full Circle (or Full Oval in my case)

Block 70 – ‘Bows’ – This block from Quilt Jane was a lot of work – one large bow would’ve been enough for a 6” block but hey – it is good to push myself.  (I turned the bows inwards to reduce the white space.)  

The Splendid Sampler Block 70 - Bows

Block 71 – ‘First Stitch’.  And the first of my ‘Summerfest’ blocks.  This is designed by the wonderful Very KerryBerry so I knew, before I had even seen the block that I would like it.  And I was right.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 71 - First Stitch

Block 72 – ‘Full Circle Star’.  The fabrics in this block designed by VictoriaFindlay Wolfe  look like they belong to my scrappy collection but they are actually from the Summerfest range.  I paper-pieced the four star points and then patched them together.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 72 - Full Circle Star

  

Block 73 – ‘+ Love’.  Aptly named as this is a lovely easy patchwork block from Jennifer Albaugh really shows off the fabrics.   

The Splendid Sampler Block 73 - Plus Love

  

So there we have it.  I am still up-to-date and going strong.  You can see all my blocks to date on my Patchsmith Style Splendid Sampler Pinterest board.  Until next time ......... 

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 59, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66 and 67.

I know, I know - I’m missing block 60.  It is an embroidery block and it will get done but only after my current pattern writing is finished.  So let me show you the blocks I have made:

Block 59 – ‘Circle of Friendship’ designed by Michele Muska.  Lots of little hand-stitched Dresdens - great for using up scraps.

The Splendid Sampler Block 59 - Circle of Friendship

Block 61 – ‘Traveller’ designed by Pat Sloan.  I was just finishing off one of my new patterns when Block 51 popped up so I used scraps I had to hand.   Hence the 'country' look to this block. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 61 - Traveller

Block 62 – ‘Hens and Chicks’ designed by Heidi Kaisand.  I am not keen on stitching small triangles on the bias so I paper-pieced the four units instead and patched them together. It worked well.

The Splendid Sampler Block 62 - Hens and Chicks

Block 63 – ‘The Icing on the Cake’ designed by Kim Christopherson.  I added a smidgeon of raspberry icing and a Patchsmith heart.

The Splendid Sampler Block 63 - The Icing on the Cake

It reminds me of my Cupcake Mug Rug Pattern from my Hobby & Fun pattern book.  

Heart Cupcakes Mug Rug

Block 64 – ‘Rising Star’ designed by Kathy Brown.  This looked tricky but was actually easier than I anticipated.  The secret is to cut accurately and maintain an exact ¼” seam allowance.

The Splendid Sampler Block 64 - Rising Star

Block 65 – ‘Stripes and Flowers’ designed by Siobhan Rogers.  The pattern provided two methods for piecing this block and I chose the paper-piecing option. I'm glad I did as the next block (Block 66) took all my patchwork patience.

The Splendid Sampler Block 65 - Stripes and Flowers

Block 66 – ‘Happy Thoughts’ designed by Vanessa Goertzen.  This is such a good looking block but those little flying geese are so small to patch.  My happy thought was that this block might be better suited to paper-piecing.

The Splendid Sampler Block 66 - Happy Thoughts

Block 67 – ‘Bobbin Chase’ designed by Scott Hansen.  I got the ‘bobbin’ blocks round the wrong way but I think it works just as well this way.

The Splendid Sampler Block 67 - Bobbin Chase

You can see all my blocks together over at my Splendid Sampler Pinterest Board.  But for me it is time to get back to pattern writing.

Until next time .....

The Splendid Sampler Blocks 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58

We are over halfway through The Splendid Sampler sew along and the blocks are as good as ever:

Block 53 – ‘Whirling in Circles’ designed by Deb Roberts.  A double pinwheel patchwork block – quite a lot for a little 6” block but good fun nonetheless.

The Splendid Sampler Block 53 - Whirling in Circles

Block 54 – ‘Shell’ designed by Jane Davidson.  A paper-pieced block I wasn’t sure about until I made it and then I loved it.

The Splendid Sampler Block 54 - Shell

Block 55 – ‘Dedication Rose’ – a Lisa Bongean block.  I love this block so much – one of my favourites from all the blocks so far.  It harks back to the traditional applique blocks of the 19^th century.  

The Splendid Sampler Block 55 - Dedication Rose

Block 56 – ‘At Home Anywhere’.  I wasn’t sure about this block design by JenniferKeltner.  And I wasn’t sure my fabric choices were good.  However, the Splenderettes in the Facebook group got me thinking otherwise and now I see a pink cloud, raining flowers.  I love living in a fabric world.

The Splendid Sampler Block 56 - At Home Anywhere

Block 57 – ‘Starting Point’.  If block 58 showcases the paper-piecing method then this block showcases patchwork.  A traditional, simple block from Lissa Alexander which brings it down to fabric choices and placement.

The Splendid Sampler Block 57 - Starting Point

Block 58 – ‘Homeward Bound’.  This block design by Kelly Liddle epitomises why paper-piecing is such a good method for some designs.    It is an easy block to paper-piece but would be a horror if using any other method.

The Splendid Sampler Block 58 - Homeward Bound

So there we have it.  I am still up-to-date but only just. If you want to see all my blocks together pop over to my Splendid Sampler Pinterest board.

Until next time ......... 

The Splendid Sampler blocks 48, 49, 50, 51 and 52

Courthouse Steps Sidebar meets The Splendid Sampler block 52.

I have been having even more fun with The Splendid Sampler blocks:

Block 48 – ‘Whim’ designed by Faith Jones of Fresh Lemon Quilts. This 6” block is a lovely quick paper-piecing block – perfect for beginner and experienced paper-pieces.  Great for using up some charm squares and scraps.

The Splendid Sampler Block 48 - Whim

Block 49 – ‘Summer’s Gift’ designed by Karla over at Sweetwater Fabrics.  This is a cut-out applique block.  The background is simply patched from four HST and the applique is laid over the top.  And what is more, it doesn’t matter if the seams don’t match on your patched background – it won’t show. 

The Splendid Sampler Block 49 - Summer's Gift

Block 50 – ‘Flights of Fancy’ – a Fig Tree & Co block.  There are quite a few pieces in this 6” block so I took a shortcut with the middle.  I patched it using four 2.5” squares and then cut it on the diagonal to create the quarter-triangle middle.  Cool eh?  

The Splendid Sampler Block 50 - Flights of Fancy

Block 51 – ‘Bee Happy’.  I had great fun with this English paper-pieced (EPP) block if you ignore that pesky little hexie flower!   I EPPed the bee but the sides of the large hexie weren’t straight enough for me, so I undid the outer seams and machine pieced it in place.   

The Splendid Sampler Block 51 - Bee Happy

Block 52 – ‘Coneflower’.  This was an easy-peasy applique block designed by Pat Sloan.  So easy I had plenty of time to add a Courthouse Steps sidebar from my One Block Mug Rugs book and turned it into a mug rug.  It is nesting my coffee cup as I type.   

The Splendid Sampler Block 52 - Coneflower

If you want to turn some of your Splendid Sampler blocks into mug rugs for yourself or for gifts then check out my One Block Mug Rugs book.

JUST $9.99

And if you want to see my Splendid Sampler blocks together just pop over to my Splendid Sampler Pinterest board.

Until next time .........