I'm Swooning!

I finally finished my blocks for the 3x6 Bee.  In this bee you make 6 blocks of the same design in the colors your hive-mates choose.  I had done the test block a few weeks ago, but just now got back to making the blocks. 

I cut the pieces all at the same time and put them in little baggies to keep them straight.  I think it helped me NOT procrastinate because the pieces were all right there, ready and waiting.  One thing that threw me - the center square is not Color 1.  Let me say that again:  THE CENTER SQUARE IS NOT COLOR 1, WENDI!!!  (Can you see me thumping my head ala the old V8 commercials here?  Yup!  That's me.  And I had already made the test block and STILL didn't get it!   Why would I naturally assume that the largest block - the center block, even - would be called Color 1?  And do I actually READ directions?  Apparently not.)

As you may have guessed, I cut all the center squares from Color 1 and had to re-cut them.  ALL of them.  Oh well, 3-1/2 inch squares are pretty useful.  I'll find something to do with them.

There is nothing really difficult about the Swoon block.  Lots of tediousness though.  A ton of HSTs and flying geese and then putting all those together.  I'm ready to make some of these in their original size.  I'm wondering if they are less tedious.

The results are worth it, though.  This is a very dramatic block.  I really love the way they turned out.  This one is for Allison.

This one is Krista's.  I'm hoping to get to deliver this one in person when I go to Seattle next week.  We're going to have a meet-up.  We've been emailing, and now texting, so I can't wait to see her in person.  So fun!

This one is for Lisa.  I really like the aqua and purple together.  Who knew?

And this one is for Marian.  The aqua and gray is an interesting combination too.  I quite like the gray in this block (and we all know about my aversion to gray - but in this case, I admit that my prejudices might be too general).

 This block is for Melissa.  I didn't really care for this one at first, but it's growing on me.

This one is for Sarah.  This is such a dramatic color combination, don't you think?  I think I'll be doing more of this raspberry and mustard combination, although probably not with gray, although the gray works fine here.  Oddly, BD#2 picked raspberry and mustard for her wedding colors until DSIL#1 said it reminded him of hot dogs.  I'm now convinced that the raspberry and mustard would have been lovely, but the teal and orange was truly beautiful.

So, that's one more project completed.  They are not perfect by any means, but I'm not unhappy with the way they turned out.

Slightly Swooning... Making a 12" Swoon Block

A couple of weeks ago, BD#1 called and asked me if I would be willing to make her a Swoon Quilt if she provided the fabric and pattern.  Hmmm..  Was this a test of my love?  Of my willingness to do anything for my eldest daughter?  [I'm wondering now because I think she's decided to make the quilt herself.  Honestly I'm slightly disappointed - I was kind of looking forward to it.] 

And frankly, I readily agreed to her proposal.  I've been wanting to make a Swoon quilt ever since I first saw them months ago.  I've seen the blocks and they are amazing.  I've seen the quilts, and they are exciting and fresh.

What I hadn't seen was the pattern.  So in a fit of excitement, I promised to make Swoon blocks for my 3x6 Bee partners this round.  Then, I looked at the pattern....  These are huge blocks -- 24-1/2 inches square!  Not exactly the dimensions needed for the 3x6 Bee.


If you're not familiar with the 3x6 Bee, there are 7 members in a "hive" and everyone has 3 months to make the same 12-1/2" block in different colors for the other 6 members of the bee.  Somehow the Swoon in its original dimensions just won't fill the bill here.

There is a great Swoon Along on Flickr with lots of hints and tips and lots of helpful quilters (more than 1000) who are Swooning at every turn and helping each other create gorgeous Swoon quilts.

There are even blocks in different dimensions - a 16" block, and an 18" block and I think I saw a 36" block.  But no 12" blocks. That meant the math was up to me.  Hmmmm...  I had to put on my thinking cap for this one.

So here are the measurements I came up with to create a 12-1/2" Swoon block.  Amazingly enough, my block actually measures 12-1/2".  {Miracles never cease!}

I'm posting the pic again so you can follow along with the colors.  (I kept getting the colors mixed up when I was cutting, so I hope this helps.) 

EDIT:  I'm making the block again and I'm still getting the colors mixed up.  I think what is confusing me is that the center square is COLOR 2.  My mind thinks that it should be color 1.  If you try this and find something wrong, please let me know.  I think I've fixed it now, but if not, I'm sorry.

Per block, you will need:

(8) 3-1/2" x 2" rectangles color 1 (blue)
(8) 2-1/2" squares color1
(1) 3-1/2" square color 2 (yellow)
(12) 2" squares color 2
(6) 2-1/2" squares color 2*
(12) 2" squares background  (white)
(6) 2-1/2" squares background (white)*
(8) 3-1/2" x 2" rectangles background (white)

*NOTE:  Camille's original directions call for  7/8" seam allowance added for the HSTs made in the sew-on-the-diagonal-and-cut-apart method.  This doesn't work for me.  I add a full inch and trim if needed rather than take a chance on making HSTs that are too small.  If you're good with the 7/8" seam allowance, by all means, cut these at 2-3/8".

So there's my contribution to those who just want to Swoon slightly.

Enjoy!