Sister Sampler Quilts: What are Sister Blocks?

Sister Sampler Quilts looks at sampler quilts with a slightly different eye.  Most traditional samplers use only one of each quilt block in the quilt layout.  Sister Samplers make quilt blocks in pairs - called "Sister Blocks".

SISTER BLOCKS:  For the samplers in Sister Sampler Quilts, all sampler blocks are made in pairs.  You make 2 of each block instead of just one.  Each time we make a block, we learn about color and fabric placement, value, tone, scale, etc.  By making two of each block, we can play, improve upon our selections, or try out something different.
25 INTERCHANGABLE BLOCKS: All 25 traditional quilt blocks in Sister Sampler Quilts are interchangeable.  The blocks are placed into chapters for each sampler, but you may substitute any block throughout the book to make your own unique sampler.  The cutting instructions are given in 2 finished sizes.  You may choose to make smaller 9" finished blocks or bigger 12" finished blocks.  This results in allowing you to choose to make the smaller or larger version of the sampler quilts.  This helps if you are on a budget.
SKILL BUILDING BLOCKS:  The blocks in Sister Sampler Quilts are intended to help you practice skill building techniques that will leave you with a solid foundation in quilt block basics.  Chapter 4 of the book provides detailed step-by-step tutorials with photos on six different quilting basics: Half-Square Triangles, Quarter-Square Triangles, Flying Geese, No Waste Flying Geese, Curves and Strings.  Additionally, there are two more tutorials to help you find the scant 1/4" on your sewing machine and instruction on binding a quilt, both by hand and by machine.  If you prefer to study up on these techniques by watching a video, I have created a new YouTube channel that contains video tutorial versions of all the skills included in the book.

FUN TO SWAP:  One of the coolest things about Sister Blocks is swapping.  Since all the blocks are made in pairs, it's easy to trade with a partner or a "sister".  Whether you swap just one block or decide to trade for an entire sampler, it's double the fun!


2016 BLOCK OF THE MONTH:  If making sister blocks is something that interests you, check out all the details of the 2016 Bonfire Block of the Month Club (BOM).  It all starts here at Gen X Quilters on January 1, 2016.  We will be making the Bonfire Sampler, the third quilt in the book.

Purchase Sister Sampler Quilts here (signed) or here.

Patchwork Auditions Quilt Finish

I am happy to show you today my Patchwork Auditions quilt finish!  I started working on this project back in March or so of this year as a means to think outside the box.  (And a way to use up scraps!)  I wanted to explore the many different ways to color quilt blocks - especially ones we have all seen and used many many times.

This quilt is the result of that artistic exploration.

There are 7 different classic quilt blocks in this quilt.  Most of the blocks were made three times - but each one is constructed using a different coloring scheme.  For example, below is a screen capture that shows all 3 of the Churn Dash blocks I included in the quilt.  Can you find them all in the finished quilt?

The finished setting takes the quilt blocks and sets them into rows.  There are both 12" and 16" finished blocks, and to make the math work out for the 12" rows, I needed to add some flying geese and rainbow blocks to round it out.  Overall, I'm really happy with how it ended up!
I found this little brick hut in the park I was shooting at.  I'm not sure what it's purpose is/was, but I was fascinated taking photos on it's gate door.  Just a little photography fun, but you can't see much of the quilt since it's huge and folded up.


This quilt is HUGE.  It's 80" x 88".  It was really hard to photograph.  It's fun though because I made it completely from scraps and my stash.
There is one quilt we have that everyone fights over in the winter.  It's the only flannel backed one we have.  This year I've finished this Patchwork Auditions quilt for us with this awesome Remix Flannel quilt back.  So soft and warm.  All the colors in the Remix print go nicely with the scrappy front.  Can't wait to use this all winter!

The Patchwork Auditions series is a FREE series here on GXQ.  Go here to try making a block or two - and maybe you'll end up with a whole quilt yourself!  The instructions for the full size quilt are all a part of the series.

Quilt Stats.
Name: Patchwork Auditions
Size: 80" x 88"
Fabric:  Misc scraps and stash fabric with Architextures Handwriting print background
Piecing:  Me
Quilting: LAQ Beany of Quilty Pleasures