I’ve involved myself with two virtual sewing bees. In this process I’ve experimented and learned a few techniques that help produce a quilt with a cohesive look beyond that of the coordinated fabrics. Thought I’d share. Mind you both these quilts are still in process.
My first bee was with Little Blue Cottage and we all shipped our fabrics. I gravitated after much debate toward a structured block with the idea of an improvisational setting with the finished quilt. I didn’t like the idea of sending out a bunch of precious fabric with unknown results, so I cut 2 1/2 inch squares from my scraps. Each sewist received one color scheme. The end result something like a postage stamp block.
I encouraged people to add their own fabrics in the same color if they were so inclined. They are still here in their pile, but will come upon inspiration someday.
I was gifted 12 blocks that I love and the idea worked out great!
The next bee was hosted by Katy of I’m a Ginger Monkey. Her bee was rather clever in design as we pulled from our own stash and then mailed out the finished block in the suggested design and colorway. I couldn’t quite stick to it and popped in the mail some strings of chambray fabric and asked that it be placed through the middle of the block. My thought was this would give the same look to the red and aqua string blocks regardless of prints.
I asked that some strings be sent with the finished block so I could make a few more to tie all the blocks together in the finished quilt.
While I think the chambray through the center helped bring the look together, I learn that next time I would have people not sew the four blocks together to form the final block. Rather I would mix everyone’s up and sew them together myself. I found when I put them all up on the design wall some of the blocks really stood out, while some fell back. So I’m doing just that and here’s the pile of them picked apart.
And an idea of a more “mixed” block.
This is a great post! I belong to several virtual bees and this is all good advice.
You didn’t touch on it in the post, but I see that you made the cutest little packages for sending out your fabrics! I love the stitching that you did to close them up.
Also I’m really glad to see your suggestions on unifying the blocks. I really want to see the creativity of the other bee members, so I’m trying to think of ways to make things cohesive without restricting things too much.
Honestly, I love to see what everyone contributes. I think that’s what makes a bee. Matchy matchy would ruin the fun and creativity. I love being able to recognize and realize another artist’s vision. It helps me open my mind, which is always a good thing. What great groups you’ve joined. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
I’m glad you shared these ideas, because they are just the sort of thing that will work for the charity bee I’m working on. I want everyone to be able to pull fabric from their own stash, to minimize postage and fabric expense, but I want the finished quilt to be cohesive. All great ideas!
Rachel
Stitched In Color
I am so on the fence about what I will send out to my bees when my month comes up….your post was helpful. I was thinking along the lines of small squares also, just to keep it simple…but we will see. I am being really indecisive on this!! I also feel the same way about sending out some of my precious fabrics, it just makes me nervous…..
It is so hard to decide what to do. I don’t want my bee partners to be my personal sewing factory, but so many ideas feel like that. I still have months to decide, thankfully! Speaking of bee blocks, I better get sewing.
I am planning my month in the bee I belong to. It’s not easy, so many things to consider. Thank you for sharing! I like both of your blocks, but must admit the orange is fab – a good old favorite of mine!
; )
Good ideas and things to think about! I just sent out my fabrics for both my bees and it was harder than I thought. I tried to include some of the same fabrics in each block but we’ll see how everything comes out in the end. I’m thinking that I may add some sashing of some sort to get a cohesive look but then again, I may love the spontaneous look of the blocks when I get them back too…
Jennifer 🙂
Another post which reminds me that I am not cut out for bees 🙂 I saw your blue and red quilt on the design wall at Fabric Crush a week or two ago – love that color scheme!
Oh, some great ideas here. Yes, mixing them up is a great idea, because I have noticed in my bees and others, that some of the blocks really stick out as different and don’t blend in well. But dividing them up and spreading them around is a great idea!
i have a hard time with bees…i’m too much of a control freak, i think. 🙂 i LOVE your monochromatic squares. they are lovely!!
your monochromatic squares are so cool. That is going to be a fabulous quilt!
I have had the best luck giving a set of fabrics to everyone and then giving specific parameters (all right angles, all log cabins, etc). I think it really gives everyone a chance to create a one of a kind block. Because they’re in all the same fabrics, they look great together.