Month 8 - February 2014 - A Cold Day in.....

"A Cold Day in ..." 

As I thought about this block, in anticipation of writing the directions, it occurred to me that a traditional snowball would never have this sort of mistake in it.  They are not usually made as a 9-patch.  However, the resulting quilt is too fun to pass this block over.

Traditional "Snowball"

This block is too simple to have a history.  That is to say, how could anyone ever call it unique?  Even so, I did find an interesting article about it's use.  Who would have thought this simple staple of quilting would be so versatile.

This version of a Snowball quilt block, a plain square with triangles at its corners, is one of the most versatile quilt blocks you'll encounter. Snowball quilt blocks can be used as the only block in a quilt, but the design is always one to consider when you're looking for an alternate block -- something to sit beside other designs. Think of the design as a connector -- when the triangles align with the patches of a neighboring quilt block, the combination makes one block seem to flow into another and adds diagonal movement within the quilt.  (read more...)

Having read the article, my respect for the humble snowball is much increased. The variant used for Oops is perfect for a Valentine's Day quilt.

"Paper Doilies"

General Description:

• The Quilt: "Paper Doilies"
• 36, 12" finished "A Cold Day in..." blocks in a 6 x 6 grid
• 2 borders
• 1" finished inner border
• 3" finished outer border
• As described the quilt finishes out at 80" square.

Fabric Requirements rounded up to the nearest 1/4 yard
# Blocks	Finished Size	Red	White	Pink
36 6 x 6 grid	80" x 80" Twin/Full	2 1/4 yard	4 yards	1 yard
16 4 x 4 grid	56" x 56" Throw/Crib	1 1/2 yard	1 3/4 yards	1/2 yards
64 8 x 8 grid	110" x 110" Queen/King	3 1/4 yards	6 3/4 yards	1 yard

 If you choose to make  one of these quilts please take a picture and add it to the Tops to Treasures Flickr Group.  I'd love to see your quilt.

"A Cold Day in...."

• The Block: "A Cold Day in....:
• Finishes at 12" square (actually measures 12 1/2" x 12 1/2")
• 9 patch construction

FQG - This months kit contains Printemps  by 3 Sisters for Moda.  The SKU number is 44036-13.  It is a small red floral on a soft pink background.  This fabric was gifted to me as part of a Moda Bake Shop project and ships to stores in February 2014.  It diverges from our usual Oops patch fabric in that it is not the dominating color in the quilt.  This months fabric is more of a love note written on a napkin than a Shakespearean Sonnet.  I hope you like it.

Please add rich reds and burgundies for the traditional portion of the block (half square triangles), and low volume redwork for the background (snowball).  You can use different fabrics in each patch of the block.

Because of the way this block is constructed you can make two Oops blocks from one kit.  If you would like to make two blocks - go for it!!  I will have an extra coupon to give away in Feb...and maybe a box of chocolates...provided we have enough blocks to make it worth the effort.  Cutting instructions for 2 blocks are in pink.

Cutting Directions:

• Background (low volume red work) Feel free to use scraps of different fabrics.  The scrappier the better.
• 5, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares (if making 2 blocks, cut 10)
• 2, 5" x 5" squares (if making 2 blocks, cut 3)
• Traditional Portion (deep reds and burgundies)
• 3, 5" x 5" squares (if make 2 blocks, cut 4)
• Oops Portion (kit fabric)
• 1, 5" x 5" square

Sewing Directions:

• Corner Patches:
• Gather 
• 2, 5" x 5" squares background fabric
• 3, 5" x 5" squares traditional portion fabric
• 1, 5" x 5" square oops fabric
• Draw a line diagonally on the wrong side of the background and oops squares
• Layer marked squares, right sides together with traditional portion squares.
• Sew 1/4" from each side of the drawn line. - Yes, sew it twice.
• Cut on line  
• At this point you will have 6 hsts, only 4 are needed for this block.
• See why I suggested making 2?!
• Being careful not to warp triangles, iron pieces open to reveal half square triangle (hst) blocks.
• Iron seam allowances open.
• Trim to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" square.

• Block:
• Gather
• 1, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" oops/traditional hst
• 3, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" traditional/background hsts
• 5, 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" background squares
• Arrange pieces on the desk or design wall in front of you.
• Be careful to get the oops block turned around  - you want it to be wrong!!
• Sew blocks together to make rows
• Iron seam allowances towards the background fabric on rows 1 & 3 and away from the center on row 2.
• Sew rows together to make block.
• Iron seam allowances  away from the center row.
• Trim finished block to 12 1/2" x 12 1/2"

FQG: Return your completed block(s) to me by February 25, 2014, or bring it to the general meeting on that night to be eligible to win.  You get one chance for each block completed.