I just can't help myself - as soon as a new sampler quilt challenge or sew along makes an appearance, I simply have to start it! I LOVE sampler quilts. To me, they epitomize the skills required to make many different blocks and layouts, as well as using many techniques.
This new one that I've just started, '182 day solstice challenge', is being hosted weekly by Pat Sloan over at I love to make quilts website. It is her cheerio to get from the Northern Hemisphere Winter Solstice to the Summer Solstice. (Summer to Winter for us here in the Southern Hemisphere).
Here are the fabrics I've pulled from my stash to start the project - an unused FQ, a background that I changed my mind about from a previous project and some gorgeous woven check, plus a linen floral print and a linen red that I simply had to have.....
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| Fabric selection - yum... |
I got stuck straight into making the blocks, the first seven blocks, shown here are all 12in finished. The block sizes will be changing as we progress through the quilt.
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| Block 1 - Churn Dash |
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| Block 2 - Day into Night Star |
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| Block 3 - Tide Pool |
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| Block 4 - Cobblestones |
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Block 5 - Gramma Anna's Basket
- no basket, but a fussy cut flower instead - |
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| Block 6 - The Crosswalk |
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| Block 7 - Tidy Rows |
Each week when the blocks are posted, there are options shown for making an entire quilt out of the blocks as well as some extra challenges along the way.
I really enjoy the little stories of how and why Pat Sloan is choosing her blocks, making this a personal journey with little glimpses into her life.
Winter Solstice Challenge info can be found by clicking here.
