Splendid Sampler Fun

Have you seen the activity over at The Splendid Sampler Website?  It’s amazing to see all the blocks coming in!  Many have been adding their own touch to the blocks, and so many looks are created just from the fabrics alone!  You still have time to get started and remember this isn’t a race to the finish line.  The Splendid Sampler goes on for an entire year and during that time life is going to get in the way.

I sent my newest fabric line off to Moda and then took Saturday to start on my sampler blocks. Once I started sewing I was hooked.  The blocks are so different, and many feature techniques I haven’t used in years.   I’m looking at this as a learning experience, a chance to brush up on my skills and a chance to enjoy the act of sewing for myself.

Choosing my fabrics was great fun.  I’ve had a sampler quilt in my mind for the longest time, just waiting for a group to come along that I could join.  I want a soft, shabby chic look and in the end I want a quilt I can display on a large wall as a focal point in my home.  I have a several charm packs and layer cakes of Printemps by 3 Sisters so I started with those.  Then I added a bundle of Whitewashed Cottage, favorites from the Durham collections, and some of Renee Nanneman’s fabrics.

 Just look at Renee’s Bee fabric!  Don’t you love it?  The background has the softest tinge of pink, just enough to give it that vintage look.   And if you look at her Wickerweave fabric peeking out of the very top, you’ll find that I’m using it as a basic throughout my quilt.  You can see it in block one, “Hearts Aflutter” below.

My heart definitely took wings when I made block two.  I pieced the half-square triangles using triangle paper and Printemps helped me add a bit of a sassy look with its subtle red color.  I’ve decided not to add the butterfly embroidery now.  I may go back and add it later.

Melissa Corey’s Block Three I fell in love with, but I have to admit I made it three times.  If you hop over to her blog, she gives some tips on constructing this block that will help.  After 3 attempts, I ended up pressing all the seams open and here’s my final block selection:

Today is another full day of sewing for me.  I’m going to applique Jen Kingwell’s darling flower vase block, and then I’m working on something that I’ll show you later this week.  It’s for my special grand-daughters who will be visiting me from Germany in just 3 short weeks!

Tell me if you’re attempting to make this sampler quilt and how your progress is coming along.  Are you enjoying this as much as I am?

Have a great day!

Anne