The Reveal of the Shapely Challenge took place at the March 9, 2016, meeting, and what an exciting Reveal it was! There were 20 quilts entered. 1st place, Ellen Cox; 2nd place, Martha Ginn; 3rd place, Sharon Barnes.
SHAPELY CHALLENGE: In March 2015 Dianne McLendon introduced our next challenge–called a “Shapely” Challenge. Here is the plan. Participants will pay $10.00 and receive a packet of five fat quarters made up from designers Robert Kaufman, Amy Butler, Kaffe Fassett, and Joel Dewberry. Each packet is different. Use these FQs (fat quarters) to build from, adding any other fabrics you desire. Just be sure these fabrics can be recognized in your quilt.
Beginning in March (Step 1), and every other month (May-Step 2, July-Step 3, September-Step 4, and November-Step 5), we will be assigned one or more SHAPES and instructed to make FOUR DIFFERENT 12” blocks (plus seam allowance). After receiving the shape instructions at these five meetings, we will have FOUR months to complete our project for the Reveal in March of 2016.
Step 1: (March 2015) shape is a SQUARE. Draw a grid and decide on how you want to design your block, remembering that you must use only squares. If some of the background turns out to be in a rectangular shape, this rectangle must be pieced in squares from the grid you have selected. You may use different grids for each of the four blocks.
Step 2: (May, 2015) SQUARE (SQ) + HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE (HST)
For squares, cut your pieces, adding 1/2″ for seam allowances (for a 3″ block, cut 3-1/2″ inches). For HSTs which will fit with 3″ squares, add 7/8″ for seam allowances (for a 3″ block, start with 3-7/8″ squares and cut diagonally). However, you will have more accuracy if you start with more than 7/8″ and then square up your block after making your center seam.
Rules: Make four 12″ blocks; each one different, using SQs and HSTs in each block. Your squares must be one piece of fabric (in other words, four HSTs do not count as a SQ. All triangles must be combined with a corresponding triangle to create a HST. Examples for 2″ grid, 3″ grid, and 4″ grid are shown below.
Step 3: (July, 2015) SQUARE (SQ) + HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE (HST) + RECTANGLE
Must use all three shapes–square, half-square triangle, and rectangle in each block.
Step 4: (September, 2015) Square + Half-Square Triangle + Tri-Rec.
Must use these three shapes in each block.
Step 5: (November, 2015) Square + Concave and Convex shapes (such as in Drunkard’s Path and Orange Peel blocks)
Must use these two shapes in each block. Bring back your completed (quilted, edge finished, and labeled) quilt to the March 2016 meeting.