Bee Sewcial is wrapping up another year of improvisational piecing (our 6th!), and I thought it would be fun to see my year's blocks all together.
January: Radiate for M-R/@quiltmattersM-R asked that we create one or more wedge-shaped blocks exploring what we hope to radiate this year. My thought was 'encouragement,' which translated to 'standing together.' The finished block was 60" long!
February: Improv Color Wash for Karen/@capitolaquilter
Karen asked for a collection of 6" and 3.25" improvisational blocks, using three colors from her palette in each one.... fabric play at its best!
March: The Magic of Molas for Stephanie/@spontaneousthreads
I'll confess I didn't even know what a mola was when I read Stephanie's prompt. I found out that they are handmade textiles of Central American origin. Stephanie's request was that we zoom in on just a portion of a mola to create our block. Interesting! My finished block measured 13" x 23".
May: Improv Wedding Rings for me!
I asked my mates to each create two 12.5" square improvisational double wedding ring blocks with black and white and blue(s) in each block, and gave them the freedom to blur or ignore the lines between any of the typical block components. Here's my 'sample' block.
I was so intrigued with Felicity's prompt! Wonky, ruler-free improv blocks (then trimmed to 12.5") based on traditional quilt patterns using two shades of white for one of the blocks, and two shades of the darkest color in [our] stash for the other. Fun to make and difficult to photograph!
So many feelings when I saw Marci's prompt, asking us to express in our blocks how the pandemic has affected us personally or on a wider scale. My first block (13.5" x 14") represented our family, where connections are still being made, they just look very different. Marci suggested a quarter-Covid block for our second block, and I'm really happy [sic] how that one turned out (12.5" x 12.5").
Ken's prompt based on roadside motel neon signs brought back alot of childhood memories of family travels. He asked for a palette of neon light colors with the background being our darkest black. Both of these blocks were trimmed to 12.5" x 12.5".
October: Shapes for Leanne/@shecanquilt
Leanne's prompt was a celebration of shapes with cool palettes, though we had the freedom to use all of the colors, just no neutrals. My first block (12" x 14 3/4") was a mass of rectangles, where in my second block, I focused on a singular hexagon filled with improv stripes (13" x 15"). That second block may just be one of my favorites of the year.
Love seeing this round up of your bee blocks for the year. The Covid blocks and especially your blues rings are the ones that stand out the most to me.
ReplyDeleteWow, looking back on the January block, your word and meaning really is something after everything we have been through in 2020!!
ReplyDeleteExciting work! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteAll of these blocks are intriguing! I love all of the colors the members chose and how you interpret the prompts from your "bee mates"
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing variety of prompts, Deb. You did a great job on the blocks that you made and your Wedding Ring quilt is fantastic!!
ReplyDeleteI love following along with your bee throughout the year. so much awesome creativity!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great round-up of your bee blocks and quilts. I admire you for keeping up with your commitment to this group of quiltmakers, and for your skill at coming up with just the right design for each prompt. You are extremely gifted and talented!
ReplyDelete