My Block for the Quilt Block Contest

Several months ago I wrote about the annual QBC (Quilt Block Contest) where you receive some fabrics and create a quilt block and then the quilt blocks that are entered are judged by the teachers who are teaching during the week before the Sisters (Oregon) annual Outdoor Quilt Show. All of the quilt blocks are displayed at the quilt show and the winning blocks will have a ribbon pinned to them. This year's fabric line was designed by Tula Pink and Tula is also one of the teachers. You can see the 7 fabrics here.

I had a hard time trying to figure out what to create. These fabrics were a challenge to me because they were all nearly the same tone and nothing really popped. I decided to do something a bit abstract. I used a flexible curved ruler to draw some shapes and fused the shapes onto the gray background fabric. I thought it would be fun to use a lot of my decorative machine stitches. While I like these stitches, the only one that really showed up was the satin stitch design and in hind site I really should have used more dark colored embroidery threads to make the stitches pop more and to give the block some dark tones, which it lacked.

The deadline for turning in the blocks is today, June 15. The judging will be about 5 days before the quilt show in July. The top winner will receive $50, some fabric to complete the quilt top, and a number of the the non-winning blocks. There will be a few honorable mention winners, who will receive the same things, except no money. I am not sure how many blocks were entered this year, so the number of blocks the winners will receive will depend on the number of blocks received overall and then they divide up the non-winning blocks to give to the winners. Have to wait until July to see what top blocks won.

Here is the block I entered for this year's contest:

My block entry was abstract.

I used decorative machine stitches and some hand embroidery stitches too.

I added several buttons for embellishment.

The turquoise satin stitch pops the most because it's darker and a thicker stitch than the other stitches. I should have used more satin stitches like this one.

Using the alphabet on my sewing machine, I embroidered :Sisters" on one corner of the block.

On the opposite corner of the block, I machine embroidered "2015".

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2015 Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show Quilt Block Challenge

The quilt block challenge this year for the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show (which is also the 40th anniversary of the show) is featuring fabrics designed by Tula Pink, called Moon Shine. Tula is also one of the Quilter's Affair teachers, who teach classes the week prior to the Outdoor Quilt Show. The fabric is presented by FreeSpirit Fabrics. You can find more information, including the contest rules here. The deadline for receiving the blocks is June 15, so you have plenty of time if you would like to enter the contest.

I have entered the contest myself  the past several years and I won an honorable mention 2 years in a row (2012 & 2013). It's a fun way to stretch your creativity by creating a quilt block. You never know if you will be one of the winners. You must use only the fabrics that are sent to you, but you can embellish with all sorts of things like buttons, beads, lace, trim, embroidery stitches, etc. The block can be appliqued or pieced or a combination.

Here are the 7 fabrics that were sent to me. Right now I am just looking at these until inspiration strikes and then I will create my quilt block. How about you? Want to join in on the fun and create a block too?

These are seven fabrics from the Moon Shine line designed by Tula Pink for FreeSpirit Fabrics. These are the fabrics for the quilt block challenge. You might receive these fabrics or some others from the line, or in a different colorway. They mix up the colors sent out, but you will receive a large solid for using as a background fabric if you do applique.

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