the New Leaf fabrics are 100% GOTS certified organic fabrics, which is a plus for me. we try to do what we can to be environmentally conscious around our house... from conserving resources to being careful about what we put into (an on) our bodies, so i'm always up for an opportunity to support those goals in my sewing as well.
want more info on organic fabrics? you can find links and resources about organic fabrics here on Jan's blog, or read about reasons to love Daisy Janie organic fabrics. if you're looking to buy organic, might i also recommend my friend Stephanie's organic haberdashery, Stitch Organics, where you can find organic fabrics, buttons, thread, and more.
and now... on to my block!
this block came about a bit backwards... i spent a lot of time just staring at the fabrics, unable to decide what to do with them. i had a fat eighth of each print, and i found myself slightly petrified that i would cut the wrong thing or completely screw up. so i knew that i had to just decide on an idea, start cutting, assume it would work out, and let the rest stem from there.
luckily, i happened to remember this block that i had pinned ages ago (by Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio):
i decided to use this type of piecing, but to take advantage of the prints to create more the look of a braid than a chevron. and i chose two of the lightest value prints for the background to provide a contrast with the darker colors in the braid.
i like to think that the prints braided together form a path, a path that shows that every new beginning draws on the beginnings and endings of everything that exists in your past. that all of our new leaves depend on the older leaves in order to exist. that when woven together, these leaves form our total path.
want to make your own braided path block?
for background, you'll need to cut four strips 2.25" x 9" of one pattern and three of a second.
stitch together with colors alternating and press seams open. cut (across sewn lines) so that the remaining pieces measure 3" and 6" across. this is a bit larger than you need, but will leave some extra space for squaring up block at the end.
for the path, cut strips of each of three fabrics ranging from 2" to 3" wide, each about 4" long. also cut a piece of paper measuring 5" x 12.5".
place the first strip right side up at an angle so that it covers the entire top edge of the paper. place the second strip right side up at an alternating angle to the first strip to determine placement. noting stitch line (don't forget seam allowance!), flip second strip to place right side down on top of first strip and pin to paper. stitch through both fabrics and paper along raw edge of second strip. press second strip away from seam. repeat this process with remaining strips, maintaining pattern order ABCABC, until entire paper is covered.
stitch background sections to either side of the path section. remove paper from the back of path section by tearing carefully away along seam lines. square up block to 12.5".
want your own New Leaf to play with? Jan is giving away a fat quarter bundle to a lucky bee block blog hop follower, you just need to collect the scramble letters! my letter is "T"... now go check out the other amazing blocks in this series, collect the other letters, and go here to find out how you can win.
New Leaf Bee Block Blog Hop Schedule
Mon, 1/14 - Becky Moyer, My Fabric Obsession
Tues, 1/15 - Lynn Harris, The Little Red Hen
Wed, 1/16 - Candy Glendening, Candied Fabrics
Thurs, 1/17 - Holly DeGroot, Bijou Lovely
Fri, 1/18 - Melanie Thornton, Melanie Dramatic
Mon, 1/21 - Emily Cier, Carolina Patchworks
Tues, 1/22 - Rachael Gander, Imagine Gnats
Wed, 1/23 - Maureen Cracknell, Maureen Cracknell Handmade
Thurs, 1/24 - Leanne, She Can Quilt
Fri, 1/25 - Cindy Wiens, Live a Colorful Life
Mon 1/28 - Cheryl Arkison, Dining Room Empire
Tues, 1/29 - Jacquie Gering, Tallgrass Prairie Studio
Wed, 1/30 - Shanna Bailey, Fiber of All Sorts
Thurs, 1/31 - Katy Jones, Monkey Do
happy stitching!
want more info on organic fabrics? you can find links and resources about organic fabrics here on Jan's blog, or read about reasons to love Daisy Janie organic fabrics. if you're looking to buy organic, might i also recommend my friend Stephanie's organic haberdashery, Stitch Organics, where you can find organic fabrics, buttons, thread, and more.
and now... on to my block!
this block came about a bit backwards... i spent a lot of time just staring at the fabrics, unable to decide what to do with them. i had a fat eighth of each print, and i found myself slightly petrified that i would cut the wrong thing or completely screw up. so i knew that i had to just decide on an idea, start cutting, assume it would work out, and let the rest stem from there.
luckily, i happened to remember this block that i had pinned ages ago (by Jacquie of Tallgrass Prairie Studio):
i decided to use this type of piecing, but to take advantage of the prints to create more the look of a braid than a chevron. and i chose two of the lightest value prints for the background to provide a contrast with the darker colors in the braid.
i like to think that the prints braided together form a path, a path that shows that every new beginning draws on the beginnings and endings of everything that exists in your past. that all of our new leaves depend on the older leaves in order to exist. that when woven together, these leaves form our total path.
want to make your own braided path block?
for background, you'll need to cut four strips 2.25" x 9" of one pattern and three of a second.
stitch together with colors alternating and press seams open. cut (across sewn lines) so that the remaining pieces measure 3" and 6" across. this is a bit larger than you need, but will leave some extra space for squaring up block at the end.
for the path, cut strips of each of three fabrics ranging from 2" to 3" wide, each about 4" long. also cut a piece of paper measuring 5" x 12.5".
place the first strip right side up at an angle so that it covers the entire top edge of the paper. place the second strip right side up at an alternating angle to the first strip to determine placement. noting stitch line (don't forget seam allowance!), flip second strip to place right side down on top of first strip and pin to paper. stitch through both fabrics and paper along raw edge of second strip. press second strip away from seam. repeat this process with remaining strips, maintaining pattern order ABCABC, until entire paper is covered.
stitch background sections to either side of the path section. remove paper from the back of path section by tearing carefully away along seam lines. square up block to 12.5".
want your own New Leaf to play with? Jan is giving away a fat quarter bundle to a lucky bee block blog hop follower, you just need to collect the scramble letters! my letter is "T"... now go check out the other amazing blocks in this series, collect the other letters, and go here to find out how you can win.
New Leaf Bee Block Blog Hop Schedule
Mon, 1/14 - Becky Moyer, My Fabric Obsession
Tues, 1/15 - Lynn Harris, The Little Red Hen
Wed, 1/16 - Candy Glendening, Candied Fabrics
Thurs, 1/17 - Holly DeGroot, Bijou Lovely
Fri, 1/18 - Melanie Thornton, Melanie Dramatic
Mon, 1/21 - Emily Cier, Carolina Patchworks
Tues, 1/22 - Rachael Gander, Imagine Gnats
Wed, 1/23 - Maureen Cracknell, Maureen Cracknell Handmade
Thurs, 1/24 - Leanne, She Can Quilt
Fri, 1/25 - Cindy Wiens, Live a Colorful Life
Mon 1/28 - Cheryl Arkison, Dining Room Empire
Tues, 1/29 - Jacquie Gering, Tallgrass Prairie Studio
Wed, 1/30 - Shanna Bailey, Fiber of All Sorts
Thurs, 1/31 - Katy Jones, Monkey Do
happy stitching!
Beautiful design!
ReplyDeleteso far yours is my favorite!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletelove this!
ReplyDeleteI love your block!
ReplyDeletePretty and unique! Nicely done-thank you for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteLove the block. I'll have to attempt to make this one at some point since it looks different.
ReplyDeleteSuch a cool block!
ReplyDeleteI super love this block. It's really pretty Rach!
ReplyDeleteI love this block. I too was really scared to mess up and took a long time to start.
ReplyDeleteI love this, Rachael!! And, your idea behind it makes it all the more special!!
ReplyDeleteRad Block. Very Cool. I think I will need to try one.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I really love your block. Wonderful job.
ReplyDeleteThat is a super block, thanks so much for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteOh, so great! I am loving all the different blocks from the same inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI like the braiding, Rachael! Cool block, TFS
ReplyDelete