I’ve been busy with block making lately. I am participating in two block of the month quilt alongs as well as the Sewcialites 3 sew along, so today I’ll show. you my progress on two of those, and then give you a peek at a squirrel that buzzed in to play for a bit.
We are at Block 16 of the Sewcialites 3 sew along. This is a free sew along offered by various quilt designers through The Fat Quarter Shop. There are three sizes available for each block, 3-inch, 6-inch or 9-inch. I’m making the 6-inch (finished) blocks. The blocks are released each Friday and are quick and fun to make. I’m using leftover fabric from my Firm Foundation quilt. I’m almost out of fabric that works for the background of these blocks, so pretty soon I’ll have to get creative.
Along with that block making, I’m also participating in A Quilting Life’s 2026 Block of the Month. This is another free sew along. Each 12″ (finished) block pattern is released in the first week of the month. These blocks are also quick and easy.
I have a stash of reproduction/primitive type fabrics that I’m trying to use up. For this block of the month, I’m using my repro reds and greens along with leftover creams/tans. I’m hoping to finish up with a cozy Christmas quilt with these blocks.
My other block of the month is with Patterns by Jen, and I’ll be sharing those blocks in another post. For those of you who have followed my blog for a bit, you know that I have a quilting friend, Eva, who lives in Germany. She is particpating in Jen’s block of the month, too, so I’ll be showing you her blocks as well. That post will be coming up soon!
My little squirrel that buzzed through my studio came from an IG post by Victoria Findlay Wolfe. She was showing blocks she had made with her “Snack Sets”, a set of seven little 4″ (finished) blocks. Each block has its own set of templates, which can be used for traditional piecing, hand piecing, or EPP. I had to pull out my set, and decided to make a block or two using my solid scraps. I picked an easy block to cut and sew. Twenty blocks later . . .
These were very fun to make, and faster than I thought they would be. I started with the block in the upper lefthand corner, the yellow with the blue center. The blue center fabric was used for the next block’s blades (the block below the yellow), the center fabric for that block was used as the blades for the next block, and sew on. It was an easy way to choose fabrics. I don’t have any plans for these blocks yet. I might make more of this design, or I may make some of the other blocks. Meanwhile, these are patiently waiting while I get distracted with other quilty things.
Along with that, I’ve just finished up a fun improv piece that I hope to share soon. I need to get some good photos taken, and a post written. The quilting squirrels (a/k/a distractions) have been strong lately. Meanwhile my backyard aquirrels have been eating my hibiscus. One set of squirrels is a delight – the others, not so much!
So just catching you up a bit on my block making and fun here at Pieceful Thoughts!
Wendy
It’s fun to see your block collections, Wendy. Which method are you using for the X blocks?
Wow, I love all the color in those blocks. Interesting using the polkadot as a background in the top one. It makes those blocks so playful and fun.
Lots of fun things going on in your sewing room, Wendy! I love seeing your progress on both QALs – interesting blocks and such pretty fabric. The squirrel project looks neat, too! Are you machine piecing those? Great color in them!
Your Sewcialite blocks are really pretty! I am enjoying Quilting Life’s SAL too but need to make the block for this month. I love your fabrics – they should make a very nice Christmas quilt. I’m looking forward to seeing Eva’s blocks!
Love the squirrel piece, very attractive!
Can Wilbs see the squirrels from the window?
You sure are having fun jumping from one project to the next! Good thing you played with the squirrel because it is really pretty.
It sounds like you are doing great at keeping up with so many different WIPs at once! I really love how the center of each of your squirrel project became the blades for the next block. I look forward to seeing how you puzzle through what to do when you run out of background fabric Sewcialites sew along.
So many cool projects Wendy. Looking at this post makes me
Think how diverse you are- each of these projects are so different from
each other. I like that! Not sure how you keep it all organized (physically in the studio as well as in your head)! Very impressed!
You’ve got 3 fun sets of blocks in the works. It’s fun to play with different fabric palettes for those sampler projects. Looking forward to seeing what else you’ve gotten up to.
These are sooo cute!
Love this blocks from sewcialites… its a tongue twister for me ladies! It will be really unique if you go a little bit out of the box because of run out of background fabric. It will turn out fantastic, I am sure. The blocks are cool!
The christmas blocks are more silent, but this is the winter time. Cosy and silent.
Same question here, how you did the blocks with the X.
Fantastic colour choise.
Thank you for sharing all these projects and it will be fun to see the frogs!
Quak quak … eva
🐸🐸🐸
I had to put the Sewcialites quilt blocks aside for now, what with running back and forth to the hospital right now I just don’t have time, I had been printed out the block patterns and then forgot about it and will need to look at the site again
Oh wow, look at you go, sewing circles (blocks?) around the rest of us! Do you think you’ll have the Christmas one done for the upcoming holiday? (that’s right, I went there! Just 7 months…less if you go by decorating for it!)
You have been busy. The sets of blocks are different but equally beautiful. Such impressive piecing
Those little X blocks reminds me of the incredible SAHRR from this year (still a favorite)–you really do color well. Congrats on all your making: from small blocks to large, you will have several quilts at the end of this year. Looking forward to your improve piece, too!
Those blocks are awesome in both colorways/fabric sets! The Xs are cool in your squirreling adventure 🙂
I love all these blocks! You are doing a fabulous job with them. Fun to see the switch ups in the second set…and I can see why that squirrel tempted you.
Oooh I love all those blocks! They are all so pretty! Love the Sewcialites blocks – such pretty fabric, and your quilting life blocks are great too – I love how different they are to mine with your fabric choice! xx