Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks Vol. 12–Blog Tour, Day #1

 If you’ve been following my blog, you already know that I test blocks for Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, which is published twice a year (Spring & Fall).  The testers are divided into groups of 4 and given a block to test every 2 weeks or so.  We make the block, following the directions, and submit our evaluations, comments & suggestions along with a photo.  This is just one step along the way to help ensure that the patterns are accurate.

The only problem is that while we are testing the blocks, we must keep them to ourselves until the magazine is released. Quiltmaker’s 100 Blocks, Volume #12 is set to be released on newstands tomorrow, November 17th and will also be available in print & digital editions online.

To herald the release of the magazine, Quilty Pleasures, Quiltmaker’s Blog, holds a Blog Tour which features some of the Designers & their blocks, along with free giveaways.

Well it is finally here!  Join me and the Quilty Pleasures Blog as we get a sneak peak of some of the blocks, find out about the designers and much more.  There are giveaways, plus several new Blog Features this year, including Bitty Blocks and Tips.

Today’s Tour Tip: Did you know Stitch Length can affect your piecing?  Check out the reason why and the length that is suggested.

Bitty Blocks: Bitty Blocks are cute, little (tiny) blocks.  Quiltmaker has been offering free Bitty Blocks on their Blog all year and as a new feature of the Blog Tour, they asked Designers to create some special Bitty Blocks.

See Morning Star is the 3” block by Anne Wiens of Sweetgrass Creative Designs. Included is a tip for accurate Quarter Square Triangles. Anne Wiens is one of today’s featured Designers. 

Highlighted on the Blog are two blocks:

• Spring in Bloom by Cheryl Almgren Taylor

• Spotlight by Kay Gentry

Today’s Featured Designers:

Please follow the instructions on their posts to be entered into their giveaways.

Note: *** indicates the blocks that I tested.

1. Kelli Fannin
2. Cheryl Brickey
3. Melissa Corry
4. Anne Wiens
5. Jessie Kurtz
6. Jennifer Schifano Thomas
7. Belinda Karls-Nace
8. Dodi Poulsen

My Tested Blocks –

Our group randomly received patterns and didn’t know (and had no choice) as to which techniques we would be testing.  Each block finished to 12” square (12-1/2” unfinished).

Unfortunately I can’t share any of the blocks I made, because I didn’t test any of the ones featured today.  But join me for the tour and I promise to share all the blocks I made.

Let me know which of today’s Designer’s blocks you like!

There is so much more to share, but for now, why don’t you check out the Featured Designers.  Maybe you’ll find a block you want to make!  Remember to comment on Quiltmaker’s Blog and the Designer’s Blogs for a chance to win a copy of this issue or some of the other prizes!

Join me tomorrow and, hopefully, I’ll be able to share some of the blocks I’ve made.

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse