Rain Clouds and Silver Linings

Fellow Quilters,

Guess what day it is?!?!? Yup, that’s right, it’s Quilt Block Mania day 😊, and that means another round of free blocks from 24 generous designers.  Yay!  This monthly event is organized by none other than Carolina of AlwaysExpectMoore.  A shout-out to Carolina for her hard work.

The theme this month is RAIN.  I will admit that an idea didn’t immediately pop into my head.  Now, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.  Rather, it forced me to exercise my creative muscle.  I scrolled through the designs that had been posted by the other designers – there are some waaay creative people out there in designland!  Of course I wanted to do a pieced block, and so my block is mostly pieced with a bit of easy applique.  And I think my block plays nicely with the other blocks – always a bonus – and makes an interesting quilt on its own – also a bonus.  On my last run into Northcott, I snagged some scraps of lovely Toscana texture and also a piece of Canvas for the darkest color in my block for a perfect match.  Here’s my Pouring Rain

Pouring Rain by Patti Carey of Patti’s Patchwork

block.  I’m thinking it looks like driving rain from some very dark stormy clouds above.  I live at the base of a ski hill and we get copious amounts of precipitation (rain or snow) as clouds similar to these come over the hill regularly.

Naturally I tested the pattern (found here) to check the math and the methodology and can share the following tips for the applique.

#1  – From heat-proof template plastic I cut a piece of Template 1 without the seam allowance on the curved edge and used this to press my fabric pieces to a perfectly smooth curve.

#2 – I spray-starched (using MaryEllen’s Best Pressed) the curved seam allowance prior to pressing it so that it was wet.

#3 – I used just the tip of my iron to press the seam allowance up and over the curved edge of the template plastic.  Master appliquer Karen Kay Buckley shared this tip in a workshop that I took.  Side note:  Karen Kay Buckley’s scissors are THE BEST.  Worth every penny. I have 3 sizes of them.

Here are a couple different quilt layouts. 

Straight-set quilt layout with 12 blocks

The first one is straight-set with 12 blocks and the 2^nd option is on-point with 8 pieced blocks. 

On-point layout with 8 blocks

The quilts are roughly the same size, approx. 38” x 50”.  Which layout do you prefer?  Please leave a comment below for your chance to win a bundle of these fabrics – over 2yds of luscious Toscana and Canvas from Northcott.  Comments must be posted by midnight EST April 12 to be eligible.  Good luck!

Here are the links to the other designers’ blog posts and blocks.  Enjoy!
Rainbow of raindrops by Carolina Moore
Raindrops by Perkins Dry Goods
Rainy Day Walk Home by The Quilted Diary
Raindrop by Blockofthemodotcom
I Love Rainy Days by Heidi Pridemore
Petrichor by Althea Gyde
Gray Skies are Gonna Clear Up by Blue Bear Quilts
Rain from Heaven by Faith and Fabric
Umbrella and Gumboots by Duck Creek Mountain Quilting
April Showers by QuiltFabrication
Pouring Rain by Patti’s Patchwork
Spring Crocus by PhoebeMoon Designs
Playing in the Rain by Puppy Girl Designs
Rainy Day by Studio R Quilts
Rain Showers by Slice of Pi Quilts
Rain by Oh Kaye Quilting
Doves in the rain by Sara Flynn
April Showers by Inquiring Quilter
Rain Will Make the Flowers Grow by Devoted Quilter
I’ve Got Sunshine on a Rainy Day
Let it Rain
Splish-Splash by Pretty Piney Quilts
April Showers by Cotton Street Commons
Rain on the Window

Speaking of links, the super-fun Hexie Crush Quilt-along is only 8 days away! During this 10-week online event we’ll be going step-by-step through the 6 different blocks of the Hexie Crush lap or queen-size quilt (you choose your size.  The pattern has both options).  We’ll share our photos using #hexiecrushqal for a chance to win weekly prizes (woop! woop!).   You can sign up for the quilt-along here – I’ll be sending out an email with all the details very shortly.  And don’t forget to grab a copy of the pattern here.

Also, all aboard for the Quilt Bee at Sea 19-day Hawaiian cruise February 2-20, 2022 (that’s next year).

Quilt Bee at Sea February 2-20, 2022

I’ll be teaching 7 classes on this fabulous quilt retreat/vacation.  This is THE BEST cruise for a quilting cruise – lots of days at sea for quilting, and ample time for sightseeing the spectacular ports of call in Hawaii at the perfect time of year for this.  Who won’t be ready for some fun in the beautiful sun by next February?  This cruise is almost completely sold out so please contact Deb Roberts at World of Quilts Travel to reserve your room.  You don’t want to miss the ship!

Last month I offered up a prize if you commented on the Rosebud Wreath block, and the winner from last month is Maggie Khaja.  Congrats !  Maggie wins a copy of Fons & Porter’s Quick & Easy Quilts.

So, what about the “silver linings” part of this post’s title?  Well, some of you may know that my #1 Son has been battling cancer for the past 10 months.  After an aggressive chemo treatment followed by a very major surgery recently, there appears to be no live cancer in his body.  We are over-the-moon elated, so grateful and thankful for the incredible care he received and helping him get back to normal.  Small steps forward every day.  

Enjoy this month’s blocks, good luck in the draw and we’ll see you in the Quilt-along!

Cheers,

Patti