Oh Clementine Fabric Dresden Quilt Finish

This is such cheery quilt.... I wish I had finished it before the leaves started falling off the trees.  It reminds me of a summer picnic.  I picked up a bundle of Cluck Cluck Sew's Oh, Clementine fabric and was immediately drawn to Dresdens.  This is my first ever Dresden quilt, so I'm glad to check that off the quilty bucket list.  Everyone has to make one, right?
As excited as I am to have finished this quilt super early (it's a Christmas gift!), I am equally excited to share the pictures of the photo shoot.  I was driving to pick up my preschooler from school when we drove past this field.  I realized what a cool field it was at the same time I realized this day had the perfect lighting for a photo shoot.  The blue sky to the west was just gorgeous against the blue prints in the quilt (shown above).
I decided to make the chubby Dresden Plates so I would only have to sew 12 petals together per flower.  Lazy, huh?  It made the Dresdens go together more quickly, but I was still able to enjoy the process by making 9 blocks.  I wanted to use prints in the background and on the Dresdens.  I am trying to break out of my safe zone that leans heavily on solids.  I couldn't resist just a little sashing in Kona White though.

The family I am gifting this to will be so surprised over the holidays. I can't wait to gift it - and I am in love with finishing something without the stress of binding at the last minute.  ;)

Quilt Stats.
Size: 60" x 60"
Design: Fat Dresdens
Fabric:  Oh Clementine by CluckCluckSew for Windham Fabrics
Piecing:  Me
Quilting: Kathy Balmert (Flutterby - meandering with butterflys)

Moccasin Block of the Month Club 2015 - Subscriptions Now Available!

Today is the day I share with you the details on next year's Block of the Month Club - Moccasin!  This quilt pattern was unveiled at Fall Quilt Market a few weeks ago and has been my passionate endeavor for the past few months.  You all know how I do love BOMs and sampler quilts.  I am super excited about this quilt and I hope you will join in and make one too!

I will be hosting a quilt-along here on the blog for Moccasin Block of the Month Club.  It is so much fun to see others progress and colors choices.  I am bringing you this pattern in print (hard-copy) and PDF.  So you can choose whatever you prefer!  I apologize for the text heavy post - but there is so much to share about the BOM.  Read on!

PDF Pattern: Purchase here.
Paper Pattern: Purchase here.

The Moccasin Blocks.
Most months participants will make 2 blocks - usually one in the yellow and one in the orange colorways.  In addition to working on traditional piecing techniques (half-square triangles, Flying Geese, Nine-Patch, Rail Fence, Diamond-in-the-Square), this BOM will challenge participants to tackle skill building blocks with strings, curves, triangles, and applique.

The Design.
Make classic skill-building blocks, then set them in a fun and funky way.  Instead of setting this BOM in a typical grid, the layout is based on the Japanese X&+ and Sister's Choice Blocks.  Within the framework of the inspiring quilt blocks, we create a stunning asymmetrical starburst to display the individual quilt blocks created each month.  

The center focus of the quilt design, a Dresden plate and pieced on-point Irish-chain square, reminds me of beadwork on a pair of leather moccasins I had as a child.  This inspired the name for the BOM along with the "Southwest" feel of the vibrant RJR Cotton Supreme Solids used in the quilt.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1. The Moccasin BOM will contain:
  • An Introduction - all important information and guide to choosing fabrics (only available in PDF)
  • 12 Block Patterns in 11 months (1 each month, Month 3 has 2 patterns)
  • Instructions for Assembling the Quilt Top 
2.  How long does the BOM run?  This BOM runs for 12 months.  January though November will have block patterns each month.  December will be spent putting the quilt top together and finishing the quilt.

3.  How many blocks are there in the quilt?  There will be 12 block patterns.  We will make 2 of each block during the month for most months.  

4.  What size is the finished quilt?   67" x 67" 
                
5.  What size are the blocks?  9"x 9" finished / 9 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished. 

6.  What skill level is Moccasin?  Moccasin BOM is an Intermediate level quilt pattern.  Moccasin will build skills by working on traditional piecing techniques (half-square triangles, Flying Geese, Nine-Patch, Rail Fence, Diamond-in-the-Square). This BOM will challenge participants to tackle skill building blocks with strings, curves, triangles, and applique (Dresden Plate).

7.  What are the fabric requirements?  
2 1/2 yards Indigo Solid 
1 3/8 yards each Pink and Orange Solid 
1 1/4 yards Yellow Solid 
7/8 yard each Purple and White Solids 
5/8 yard Brown Solid 
1/3 yard Light Pink Solid 


4 1/4 yards Backing 
1/2 yard Binding


8. I like the Moccasin blocks, but prefer a more traditional setting.   Can I still join?  Absolutely!  You are more than welcome to join the BOM.  If you prefer, set the blocks in a more traditional manner.  However, I will only be giving finishing instructions for the modern layout above.

9.  It's already halfway through the year.  Can I still join?  The quilt along has now passed, but you are welcome to start making this quilt at any time at your own pace.

To me, quilting is fun and about interpretation.  I am providing you with the patterns as a guide.  Feel free to adapt them to your liking.  After all, YOU are the person who will keep the quilt or gift it to a loved one.

What do you think?  Sound like fun?  I hope you'll join me in making Moccasin!  I am so excited to be starting this BOM with you.  

Attention Shops....
If you are interested in purchasing the Moccasin Block of the Month Club for your shop, please send me an email [annemarie@genxquilters.com] with the title "Wholesale Order Request".  Please include your shop name, location, and web address.  I will email you information on making wholesale pattern purchases from Gen X Quilters Wholesale Shop.  Also note there is a MOCCASIN SHOP GUIDE to assist you in ordering fabric for the program and cutting monthly kits for your customers.  The Shop Guide is a FREE PDF when you order 5 or more BOM sets.

Quilt Market Recap

I've had a few days to digest and come down from my Quilt Market high.  Things went wonderfully well, however, I've come to understand I am a horrible person at documenting my trip!  I met up with so many talented people and saw so much inspiration there..... but if you look at the pictures on my phone, you only see a small fraction of the creative goodness there.  I guess I lived it and felt the energy, rather than documented it through the lens of my iphone.

I went to Market to present my first Schoolhouse session for my up and coming Block of the Month Club for 2015.  It's called Moccasin BOM.  I've teamed up with the folks at RJR using their Cotton Supreme Solids in this fun quilt.
I'll be posting an official Moccasin Block of the Month kick off post (with all the details) in the next week or so.  I'm getting all my ducks in a row for the big launch after returning from my trip.  You can check out some info here.  {It's already listed in the shop if you can't wait.  I'm offering a print AND PDF version this year!}


I am so sad I only have these two pictures to show you.  And only the second one is mine!  The people are definitely what makes attending Market so inspirational.  We read about them and see their work, but getting to know each other and see the handmade projects in person is unbelievable.  Here is a pic taken in Maureen Cracknell's booth.  She won an award for Best New Exhibitor - with her Wild & Free line for Art Gallery.  Her talent radiated from her booth - not to mention she is a super sweet person.  Well deserved!
From @cuttopieces on Instagram:  Amy, Amy, Maureen, Me, Angela, Pat
I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know designer Jennifer Sampou.  We had a chance to meet at one of the evening events - and we bonded over both of us having 3 boys.  She has been in the industry for many years and had much knowledge to share.  She was debuting her Black & White collection for Robert Kaufman.  I'll be showing you a fun project with this line in the new year!

Top:  Me, Jennifer Bottom: Angela, Amy
I'll be back with details on next year's BOM soon.  I also will be showing some quilting ideas for those of you getting ready to quilt Vice Versa.  It's a flurry of activity here at GXQ (although the blog doesn't show how much behind the scenes there is) and I'm having so much fun talking BOMs all the time.  :)  See you soon!