I’ve started ‘The Splendid Sampler’ BOM from Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson, this is the first week and so far I’ve managing to keep up, though if Thursday’s block had been the first one, I might not have been so tempted!!! The block designs are released every Thursday and Sunday…mmm…twice a week, that’s why I hesitated before starting!! On the plus side they are only 6 1/2″ square, so there is a limit to how complex they can be…or so I thought!!
My Splendid Sampler
The first one was fairly straight forward and very pretty, I hand appliqued the heart, I was very pleased with this as it’s my first attempt at applique, good practice I thought for when I start Lynette Andersons latest BOM which arrived this morning!
Thursday’s block involved cutting out 26 1 1/2″squares and another ten slightly bigger ones for the butterflies! All I can say is I’m so glad I bought the die cutter!!!
I’m trying to make a more subtly coloured quilt this time so I decided to go for cabbage white butterflies, which flutter round our garden all summer, so it’s fairly apt! I managed to fussy-cut the birds too. It took me ages to arrange the blocks in a ‘random’ pattern, I do struggle with ‘random’!! It was definitely nor the moment to sneeze, some of those squares might never have been seen again, especially with the state of my sewing room at the moment!
The actual sewing went fairly straight forward, however having 5 seams each way meant the odd fraction out on a 1/4″ seam made all the difference, so my finished square measures nearer 6 3/4″. I felt a bit better having read on facebook how many others had a similar problem. You can see the size issue in the photo!
The pattern called for antenna embroidered with back-stitch. I noticed a few on facebook also added a body using a bullion bar, I rather liked the effect so I decided to do likewise. For some reason I always have to get a book out on how to do bullion bars, I can never quite get it into my head, despite stitching them lots of times! So having refreshed my memory I stitched a bullion bar using two threads of embroidery cotton and about 14 wraps to get the length. The antenna were stitched with a single thread.
Despite the size problem I’m pleased with block two, I’m hoping I’ll be able to make adjustments when I’m adding sashing.
Next block comes out tomorrow 🙂
Linking up with Kathy’s Quilts and Super Mom No Cape, why not have a look what everyone else is stitching?
My Splendid Sampler
thecraftycreek 
Looks good–this quilt will be lovely!
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Thanks for the reminder! I receive your posts in my email, and I rushed to your blog to read the remainder of your message. I have not started my blocks yet! Those bunnies look great fussycut on the heart – good for you! I have not done hand applique either….
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Great fabric choices, looks very pretty!
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Beautiful blocks.
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You’re blocks are wonderful. I’m doing this quilt also. I’ve never heard of the bullion stitch, I’ll have to look it up since it really adds to your butterflies!
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I love the soft romantic look of these fabrics 🙂
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I’m collecting these, too … you did a great job with yours. Your fabric choices are wonderful!! 🙂
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Love your cabbage butterflies! They flutter around my garden too!
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Great job on your first attempt at applique!
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I am so glad that I am not the only person who really struggles with the concept of random. I need to organize my random. I am also glad I am not the only quilter for whom block size is a problem. I am currently working on a quilt whose blocks are not necessarily coming out the “right” size. I decided to go with the flow and make up the difference later if necessary. Your first attempt at applique looks really good and I like the antenna and bodies of your butterflies.
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I like that idea, organised random 🙂
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love those seagulls!
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Love your Splendid Sampler blocks and your blog.
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Your stitching on the butterflies is the perfect touch for this block!
I haven’t joined in on the sampler yet, but might give in eventually!
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I like the pink fabric you used for the heart block.
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Very pretty! Your heart looks great and those butterfly’s are adorable.
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Very pretty! I’m like you where bullion stitch is concerned, I never get them right first time!
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Both blocks look lovely!
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I like both of your blocks. I’d have a hard time being so light with them, but you’ve done very well!
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Is it too late to sign up for the patterns?
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Not at all, the patterns are on the Splendid Sampler website, free to download, I think they are going to be there for over a year, we’re up to about block 28 ish, so not even a third of the way through yet. there’s a great facebook page too if you’re into fb.
http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/blocks-and-bonus-projects/
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