Chocolatier Block of the Month #7 (Rail Fence and Eight-Pointed Star Quilt Blocks)

Chocolatier Block of the Month #7 2 blocks

Summer is in full swing by now.  Pool, lake and ocean waters lap the cool tranquil blues used for this month's blocks.  Month 7 of the Chocolatier Block of the Month Club is available for you to make at your leisure.  

Today, the Month #7 Block Pattern for Chocolatier is now available.  Check your emails and mailboxes!

2 blocks for this month.  We have the Rail Fence and the 8-Pointed Star this month.  Block #1 is a basic and a classic.  Perfect for adding to our collection.  Block #2 uses simple templates.  In these small blocks, I am simply trying to give you a small taste of these different techniques.  

Block #1 Rail Fence.
Chocolatier Block of the Month #7 Block 2

Block #2 8-Pointed Star.    
Chocolatier Block of the Month #7 Block 1

Fabric is Cotton Supreme Solids by RJR Fabrics for my version of the BOM.  Find my color selections listed here.

SHARE with US!  I'd love to see what you make.
There are several ways to share your participation in the BOM.  I hope you'll join in the fun of quilting along online with us.
#chocolatiersampler on Instagram

**A yearly subscription to Chocolatier BOM is available here.**
When you purchase a subscription, an Introduction Guide AND all the current block patterns to date will be emailed immediately upon payment.

Feel free to join in the fun with us anytime throughout the year.  For all the details on Chocolatier, go here.

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HOOP QUILT Along with me!


HOOP QUILT ALONG LOGO 2017 
Hoop Quilts Pattern now available. (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

I put out some feelers on Instagram to see if you would be interested in a HOOP QUILTS Quilt Along - and I received a bunch of YESes!  So let's have a casual HOOP QUILT ALONG this summer.  Don't worry - it's going to be suuuper chill.  This is basically a mini quilt.  It's a small project - finished slightly different.  It will be fun, new, exciting and made at a relaxed pace for the summertime.

Interested?  Here are some details for ya. Remember relaxed is the goal...

WHEN  July 10 - August 7, 2017 (5 weeks)

This entire project can be made in a workshop setting in 6-8 hours.  So spreading it out over 5 weeks - means low pressure.  Let's emphasize the chillaxed schedule. thumbs up?
2 Hoops copy

WHAT IS A HOOP QUILT? 

Hoop Quilts are a spin on finishing a mini quilt.  They use a large wooden quilting hoop wrapped in fabric to give the project a finished look.  The photo above shows a few Hoop Quilts.

A basic quilt block is framed inside a pieced circle to make the quilt top.  There are four curves to sew.  Don't worry - I'll walk you thru it if you haven't sewn curves before.

Check out the #hoopquilt hashtag on IG to see many HOOP QUILTS I've made. 
(PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

SKILL LEVEL Advanced Beginner - Intermediate

I think participants should have made a couple quilts and be familiar with basic piecing before making a HOOP QUILT.  Curve piecing experience is not necessary.


WHAT YOU WILL LEARN 

  • Half Square Triangles
  • Curve Piecing
  • Continuous Bias Binding
  • Hoop Wrapping
  • Optional: Big Stitch Quilting or Hand Embroidery


MATERIALS NEEDED

  • HOOP QUILTS Pattern (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)
  • Wooden embroidery/quilting hoop (choose 12", 18" or 23")
  • Fabric selections (see details on pattern cover below)
  • Fusible fleece or batting
  • Embroidery floss /perle cotton
  • Glue gun
  • 12" Hoop Only: #4-40 x 1 1/4" brass screw (see note)
NOTE.  The 12" size has an additional supply listed.  The screw that comes with the hoop is not long enough when we add in the layers of the hoop.  You can purchase the screw at your local hardware store.

PATTERN IS BASED ON 5" CHARM SQUARES OR SCRAPS
HOOP QUILTS Pattern Back Cover 

SCHEDULE. (July 10-Aug 7)

Week 1 Gather supplies. Choose fabric.
Week 2 Half Square Triangles
Week 3 Piece Drunkard's Path Blocks
Week 4 Assemble Quilt Top
Week 5 Wrap / Assemble Hoop

WHERE TO QAL 

Instagram will be the primary hub for this QAL. Follow along on IG by following me and use the hashtag #hoopquiltalong to show your progress.  Let's cheer each other on.  I will post progress pics each week and more detailed content on the blog since it's hard to share that on Instagram.

You can still join in even if you are not on Instagram.  You can view my posts and others by going here:  https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hoopquilt/ AND https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/hoopquiltalong/

Feel free to share on Facebook or Flickr or anywhere else you are active!


HOW TO JOIN THE HOOP QUILT ALONG

Subscribe to the HoopQAL emails here.  You will receive an email immediately following subscription confirmation that contains a COLORING SHEET and some TIPS for choosing fabric.  There will be a brief email each week of the QAL to remind you to check the blog for any additional pointers and updates as we move through the project.  Can't wait!  Will you join me?

Pic Hoop Quilt 2

Hopscotch HOOP QUILT

Hopscotch Fabric HOOP Quilt
Hoop Quilts Pattern now available. (PDF Download or the Printed Pattern)

Here is my latest HOOP QUILT project finish.  Every time I begin a new HOOP QUILT, I try to think of ways to make each one just little bit unique.  This hoop was no different...Hopscotch Hoop Quilt Patchwork Close Up
This hoop uses Hopscotch fabrics by Jamie Fingal for RJR.  They are fun, bright and full of energy.  I decided to arrange the HSTs in this pattern to create a star shape.  This is the first time I used a star layout (inspired by a hoop my mom made) - and I love the way it came out.  The bright and saturated prints look great as star points.
Hopscotch HOOP Quilt Embroidery Detail
The embellishments I added to this hoop were sparked by the Deconstructed Dandelions print in Cloud (from Hopscotch).  I wanted the embroidery to look like the dandelions were being blown away by sweet summer wind.  I used colors of DMC floss that coordinated with the HST prints.  Cute!

I also couldn't resist photographing this hoop with Hopscotch fabrics on black top pavement.  Hopscotch and black top - serious memories of youth!

Keep your eyes peeled - the details on the HOOP QUILT ALONG will be released next week. Come back and see me or follow along on Instagram. Yeah!

HOOP QUILT Sample with Hopscotch Fabrics