I'm officially a Blockhead!
I couldn't really join in the Moda Blockhead fun last year because I had way to many WIPs (works in progress - unfinished quilts) and because I was trying to finish/make quilts for 16 grandkids. This year, my quilt goal is to finish 10 more WIPs. I was hoping to accomplish that this quarter, and that isn't going to happen, but it's possible I might be able to pull it off by the end of the year.
Probably the last thing I need is to start yet another quilt, but this is such a fun way to use up scraps, and that's precisely what I'm using for my Blockhead blocks. It's been fun seeing the fat quarter collections others are using for their projects for the last couple of months, but I have planned all along to stick to leftovers and make my own fabric combo.
I have far more blue scraps than any other color in my stash, and a huge percentage of the blues features snowflakes. I sorted through just the very tip top of my blue box, pulling out only flake prints and solids/tone-on-tone that might work well for snowflake applique. I don't know if I will design a crocheted snowflake for every block, but there are plenty of blues for when an embellishment-worthy quilt block is released. The initial fabrics I've pulled don't make even a dent in the box!!!
I also added in the two-yard cut of Kona Royal I got on sale from Missouri Star Quilt Company quite a while back as a sort of background or unifying fabric. (I buy almost every two-yard solid cut MSQC offers as a Daily Deal because solids can be an awesome way to finish off an abandoned WIP!!!) I thought a common blue might help tie all the different uncoordinated snowflake prints together if I use at least a bit of it in every block. It's kind of funny to me... when I bought that particular two-yard cut, I thought it might be a good background fabric (I ended up not using) for a scrap quilt from my blue floral leftovers (that is now finished!!!).
I really enjoy seeing the different interpretations of the weekly block patterns, especially the ones with fussy cutting and embellishments. It was fun to watch last year without participating, and this year, I get to throw my own interpretations and embellishments into the mix.
When this year's Piece-a-Long/Mystery Quilt was announced, with a combination of blocks in 6-inch, 12-inch and 18-inch sizes, some quilters withdrew. I, on the other hand, am super excited about the puzzle opportunities I will have as I complete my blocks. I might have been tempted to join in even if I'd had another 16 grandkid quilts to make this year. The variety of sizes makes this project even more irresistible to me.
Plus, I don't have to add it to my WIP list until all the blocks are finished, right?
For the first block, which is the Stellar Star by Lynne Hagmeier, I didn't try to match anything. I pulled a blue from the non-snowflake stack, and then I pulled two lights and two darks from the snowflake stack. I selected white thread for the crocheted snowflake on the center of the block because it looked like it would show up nicely on the light blue Cosmos. The crocheted snowflake had to be smaller than 3 inches across, the size of the center block after piecing.
That means another snowflake perfect for the garden, but I don't have to call it Garden Snowflake 27. Ha ha!
The first block resulted in yet another collection of triangle leftovers. They are too small to use in my current triangle leftovers project. I have a feeling the Blockheads blocks will leave quite a few more leftover triangles by the end of the 52 blocks.
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 2.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 10 crochet thread, size 7 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line
Stellar Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (beginning popcorn stitch made), [ch 5, 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made)] 2 times; ch 2, 1 tr in top of starting popcorn st to form 3rd ch 5 sp of Round. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc over post of tr directly below, [ch 3, 3 dc in next ch 5 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same ch 5 sp] 2 times; ch 3, 3 dc in starting ch 5 sp, ch 3, sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 3: [Ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made), ch 5, 1 sc in 5th ch from hook, ch 5, sl st in sc, ch 4, sl st in sc (tri-picot made), ch 3, 1 dc in 3rd ch from hook (dc picot made, sk next dc, sl st in next dc, 2 sc in next ch 3 sp, ch 2, 2 sc in same sp, sl st in next dc] 6 times; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: To applique snowflake to a quilt block, shape as directed below using a fine water mist instead of a glue mixture or other stiffener. Hand or machine applique snowflake to quilt block.
To stiffen snowflake for hanging or other decorative use, tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.
If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch the snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.
Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.
Great when it can get your juices flowing and away you go. That WIP list doesn't need to touch it haha Blockhead on!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Pat! It was fun to find new inspiration for a snowflake!
DeleteSuper cute idea to put a crocheted snowflake in the center. You are very creative.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tu Na! I’m addicted to snowflakes, so I’m always looking for ways to use them!
DeleteSo fun to see all the different versions of the block! That embroidered one is incredible. And so is that snowflake one. ;)
ReplyDeleteGood point about it not counting as a WIP until all the blocks are done!
Such a cute garden-worthy flake too.
P.S. Spiderwort is crazy thick around us this year. It must be liking the weather.
Thank you! Oh, Sue, I can't wait to see photos of your spiderwort!!!
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