It’s a Bar Hop Blog Hop!!!

Woooohoooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s that time of year again, where Scott over at Blue Nickel Studios puts on his annual blog hop.  I’m so grateful to be included in this great group of designers, and it makes me take a break from my work and get back to my first love…quilting. So, thank you, Scott!

So! This year’s theme is a “bar hop” meaning we must include bars(rectangles) in our design. Here’s a fact that noone’s going to be surprised by: I don’t have a lot of experience with bars… One of the ideas for a writing prompt was, “If you had a bar, what would you call it?” I can honestly say, that thought had never crossed my mind. Don’t misread me here, I’m not opposed, it’s just with raising kids and all the busyness of life? I don’t get out much. I was racking my brain… Then it hit me. I am dependent on bars everyday!! This sketch was my first thought.

Can you see where this is going? Pretty obvious, huh? I posted this on IG, and several people got it right away.   These are the bars that control way too much of my life!

Hahahaha!! Can you relate? And, yes, I hate voicemail. If you want to communicate with me, send me a text. I’m usually better with email, but the last six weeks have been killer. Anywho, enough about me, on to the block!

I wanted to do floating bars, but in my mind I thought who would want to go to the trouble? So I caved and did the user friendly version for my test block. The block is supposed to finish at 12 inches, and I did the math and the five bars and all…and came up with this…

Once I saw that the math worked, I didn’t finish the last two strips. It was okay, but, seriously, who hasn’t seen this block before in some shape or form? SO! This morning(Saturday, I am writing) as I started to cut the pieces for my real block?? I couldn’t do it. I had to go for it. Granted, while I believe it’s completely doable for any skill level, we will be working with 3/4 inch strips, so precision will be key.

I’ve entitled my block “A Good Day.” Oh, yeah, I totally plan on making companion blocks to be called ”Mediocre” and “Crap!” One of the other names I thought of using was “How Many Bars You Got?” ;D Here it is…

 Let’s get down to business. Each blogger on our tour was given four fabrics by Clothworks for their European Taupe VIII collection by Kinkame, and we could add two of our own fabrics, a print and a solid or two solids. These are the prints I was given.

I added one fabric from Nel Whatmore’s line Sleeping Beauty(remember, we used that last year).

Here’s the plan. You’re going to need five fabrics, we’ll call them A, B, C, D, and E.

Fabric A  cut  – 4 – 1.5 x 1.5

                            4 – 2.5 x 1.5

                            4 – 3.5 x 1.5

                            4 – 4.5 x 1.5

                            4 – 6.5 x 1.5

                           16 – 5.5 x .75 When cutting smaller pieces, it’s a good idea to use both your ruler and the measurements on your cutting mat.

Fabrics B, C, D & E  cut one of each (Hint for beginners: cut your 1.5 inch strips, stack those babies up and cut once. You only need one of each.)

                      1 – 1.5 x 1.5

                      1 – 2.5 x 1.5

                      1 – 3.5 x 1.5

                      1 – 4.5 x 1.5

                      1 – 5.5 x 1.5                  and when you’re done, I like to stack mine like this for ease and chain piecing.

Now we do almost everything left to right, but I like to go right to left here, moving away from the machine as I go.

Be sure and press between each step. After setting each seam, I gently finger-press, then press again with the iron.

 Join all for blocks so that you end up with four of these: You are almost done! Now, add your last 6.5 x 1.5 strip to the bottom of each block. (I know I’m horrible with directions…just look at the picture. Ha!)  When you have all four done you’re ready to join them in twos twice. I’d encourage you to play with the positioning of these blocks. You’ve got 4 6.5inch blocks and you can turn them anyway you want, go ahead make the block your own…that’s the fun of it.  Give it a good press and you’re all done!

Our Bar Hop Blog Hoppin’ party started October 1, and continues through the 14th. If you’re late to the party, here’s a list so you can catch up, and not miss a beat!

Oct 1 - Amy Ellis

Oct 2 - Lynn Harris

Oct 3 – Heather Jones

Oct 4 – Jackie Kunkel

Oct 5 – Ashley Jones

Oct 6 – Emily Cier

Oct 7 – Scott Hansen

Oct 8 – You are Here!

Oct 9 – April Rosenthal

Oct 10 – Amy Lobsiger

Oct 11 – Cara Quilts

Oct 12 – Konda Luckau

Oct 13 – Alethea Ballard

Oct 14 – Charlie Scott

Oh! Oh! Oh! Before I forget!! Be sure and subcribe to our newsletter, just over to the right. When you do, all blog posts will be sent directly to your inbox, and you’ll be the first to know about special promotions, giveaways, contests, all events, and news concerning SewSowinLove. Lets keep in touch! Here’s a nugget…video coming soon…all I’ll promise is that’ll it’ll at least be good for a laugh. ;-D

Harmony,    You ROCK!!! xo