If "April showers bring May flowers" what does April rain, snow, frost, heat and cold bring?!
While brown seemed like an odd choice for May in the northern hemisphere, it turns out to have been exactly right. I fully expect Mother Nature to straighten herself out by the end of the month though.
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| Photo credit: ©iStock from Fine Dining Lovers |
I. Love. Potatoes. Russet, red, baby, sweet, mashed, fried, baked. I haven't found a potato I didn't like. We're using the russet for this month's inspiration, from the dark(ish) brown outside to the light inside.
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This block is really super easy and you will have it done in no time! Which means more time for trying whatever awesome recipes the May bloggers share with us this month.
**Reminder! Each set of instructions comes with it's own How-To Video!**
May Bloggers
Bea - Bea Quilter
Sheila - So this is Kentucky
Kathy - Kathy's Kwilts N More
Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting
Andi - True Blue Quilts
Crystal - DayBrook Designs
Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz
Joanne - Everyone Deserves a Quilt
This year two block sizes are offered, you can choose to make the 12" finished blocks or the 6" finished blocks, or both!
Quarter 2 Sponsors
There's a new group of sponsors! The Monthly Color Challenge has a great group of sponsors who have given generously to make this year an amazing year for you. Winners are chosen quarterly; April 1, July 1, Oct 1 and Jan 1, 2022. To enter you simply add your block to the Link Up at the end of each month. One entry per quilter and it needs to be the block from the current month. Finish each month and you will have 3 entries each quarter!
Some tips for successful piecing.
When marking your diagonals don't line up your ruler/straight edge right on the point, but just a tish over.
Now your line will be drawn exactly point to point.
Chain piece when stitching the HST units. Here I drew one line, in the How-To video I show how to use the Quilters Magic Wand™ from Deb Tucker's Studio 180 Design and found in my Etsy Shop.
When adding the third and forth triangles to the Square in a Square unit you should have 1/4 inch overhang on each end. You can see the Purple Thang in the background that I used in the How-To video.
When stitching the block together, sew with the Square in a Square unit on top so you can keep those points.
For this block we are pressing the seams open on our strip piecing. If you are concerned that this process weakens the seam you can shorten your stitch length or simply press to one side. These seams will match up with the corners of the Square in a Square unit and it can get bulky, that is why I recommend pressing open.
After you have set the seam with a hot iron as shown above, finger press your seam open before coming back with a hot iron and pressing them flat.
Trim off as little as possible from one end before rotating and sub-cutting your units to the specified size.
That's it! May is done!
Ready to get the pattern? Go to Payhip and download it now! The block is free for the month of May!
It's too late to have the January through May blocks emailed to you but you can download them from Payhip and get ready to have the rest of the year arrive in your email inbox.
This is a great block! Super easy and I think a quilt made with this block would look amazing!
ReplyDeleteThat block with the hint of blue sure is pretty!
ReplyDeleteI just found this! Thanks!
ReplyDelete