February Block of the Month!

Just a little more Valentine inspiration.

Are you ready for the second block in our 2012 Block of the Month project? Let me know if you’re sewing along with me and what fabrics you’ve chosen. As a  teacher and designer, it’s always so interesting to see how distinctive a pattern can look depending on fabric selection.

A couple of years ago, I was teaching a holiday wallhanging class. As the students were getting settled, I mentioned that I was looking forward to seeing their fabrics. One by one, each of them brought out the same kit they’d purchased in the shop – so much for diversity!

Here are my two samples of the February block. Click here to download the instructions for Block 2 or click to visit our pattern library. I’ve added a Setting Diagram for anyone who is interested in a preview of the finished quilt. If you’re just getting started, all of the monthly block instructions will be available in our pattern library.

February Block - Sample 1

February Block - Sample 2

For my February blocks, I used three fabrics, alternating two fabrics for the center two-patch units and the third for the side strips. If you decide to do the same, you can save time constructing the center units by sewing a 2½” x 40″ strip of both fabrics together, and cross-cutting the strip set every 2½” to yield the 15 two-patch units needed to complete the three blocks.

Have you noticed that I’ve kept the values of my fabrics fairly consistent within the blocks? I plan to continue this for the entire quilt. Having said that, I’ve seen similar patterns done very successfully with lights, mediums, and darks within the same block.

I’ve chosen to use the same fabric combination for all three of my blocks each month. You certainly can mix them up and make each block unique, especially if you’re making a scrappy quilt. Another option is to limit a block to one color. My friend Allison chose a jelly roll in Moda’s Hometown line by Sweetwater, which features grays, reds, taupes, yellows, and creams.  Since she’s chosen cream for her sashing, she’s going to save the strips that read cream for another project, and feature a single color per block. This is another very appealing design option.

Congratulations and Happy Valentine’s Day to Deb Anderson! You’re the winner of my January 31 post giveaway – Alex Anderson’s book Neutral Essentials.

Happy Valentine’s Day and Happy Sewing!

#blockofthemonth #freepattern #quickandeasyquiltpattern #quiltblocks