Introducing “Eastern Shore”, a 12.5″ by 12.5″ unfinished block, created for the New Block Blog Hop, sponsored by Paintbrush Studio, and hosted today by my quilty friend, Cheryl Brickey, of Meadow Mist Designs.
Paintbrush Studio (formerly Fabri-Quilt) has a new line of solids, called Painter’s Palette. And each blog hopper received six fat quarters of these colors: White, Peach, Coral, Bordeaux, Midnight and Daydream, to create a New Block for the 2016 Paintbrush Studio New Block Blog Hop. The hosts chose these colors, called Ocean Sunrise Palette.
They’re about 40 quilt bloggers who are participating. Today, these quilt bloggers are introducing their blocks. They’re all free patterns.
-
Host: Cheryl @Meadow Mist DesignsKim @Leland Ave StudiosAndrea @The Sewing FoolsCassandra @The (not so) Dramatic LifeStephanie @Quilt’n PartyIrene @Patchwork and PastryAbby @Hashtag QuiltSarah @Smiles Too LoudlyCarrie @The Zen QuilterJayne @Twiggy and Opal
I live in Virginia, and one part of the coast is called the “Eastern Shore.” Do you see the sun rising over the east coast of Virginia, USA?
This is a traditional block. It’s usually in two colors such as red and white. I created this Eastern Shore block pattern (click on link to get the pdf) to show you how to make it, using four of the colors: Peach, White, Bordeaux and Coral, from the Ocean Sunrise palette. Let’s get started with the cutting instructions.
But first, two important tips.
CUT ALONG THE SELVAGE
Why? The selvage side doesn’t stretch as much as fabric cut crosswise. As you sew the selvage-side strips, they will continue to be straight. The crosswise strips tend to bow and you’ll get curves instead of straight strips.
CUT THE LONGER STRIPS FIRST
Why? It’s more efficient. Once you finish cutting the longer strips, you can go back and cut the smaller ones, then the 1.5″ squares.
You’ll notice from the diagram that each strip is 1″ longer as you move up the block. In the diagram, I made the “White” strips in a light gray to make them easier to see.
The color key and exact cutting instructions should help:
ASSEMBLY
CHAIN PIECE EACH STRIP TO THE 1.5″ SQUARE
That means the 1.5″ Bordeaux square is sewn to the 3.5″ by 1.5″ White strip. The 1.5″ Coral square is sewn to the 4.5″ by 1.5″ Bordeaux strip and so on. Follow the diagram. The 1.5″ square is sewn to the strip to its right.
PRESS SEAMS OPEN
This will help you get nice straight seams.
SEW SINGLE STRIPS TO THE LEFT OF THE FIRST BLOCK
The 3.5″ square is first. Sew the 3.5″ White strip to the left side of the 3.5″ Peach square. Use a scant 1/4 inch seam.
SEW THE PIECED STRIP TO THE TOP OF THAT BLOCK.
You should match the seams. You should now have a 4.5″ block.
SEW THE NEXT STRIP TO THE LEFT OF THE BLOCK.
The next strip is the 4.5″ by 1.5″ Bordeaux strip. Then sew the Coral/Bordeaux strip on top.
There are nine single strips and nine pieced strips. Keep sewing the single strips to the left then add the pieced strip to the top until you have a 12.5″ inch block.
Some photos of the process:
This block is versatile just like a Log Cabin block.
I made some additional blocks, using the Midnight and Daydream colors. It’s fun to experiment with the layout.
Let me know which one you like the most.
(Or I could make 30 more blocks and put them together as shown. That would be fantastic).
Wanda
Wanda's Life Sampler 
I really can see the sun rising over the eastern shore in your block. Thank you so much for joining the hop and I am really looking forward to putting the blocks together. 🙂
LikeLike
This block is so interesting! I love the pattern and the name that you chose! Great job!
LikeLike
Great block Wanda! I like the very first layout. I like it because the long outside strips of the blocks break up the piecing in the adjacent blocks.
LikeLike
That would make it easier to assemble. The bottom three make me dizzy.
LikeLike
I love, love, love this block! I have all these strips that are begging to be used – and now I know what they have been waiting for….
LikeLike
Your block is so trippy in the quilt layout! Almost an optical illusion going on!! Beautiful block!
LikeLike
Great block and tutorial, and I love the name. I think my favorite is the Daydream and Midnight block. It makes me think of waves crashing against the shore line.
LikeLike
what a fun block. thanks for sharing and for sharing the tutorial. this will make a fun baby quilt.
LikeLike
It would make a fun baby quilt. And you’d only need 6 fat quarters for a 24 by 36″ quilt top with some leftover for the binding.
LikeLike
This is a very cool block and I love all the tips that you give, especially about cutting along the selvage.
LikeLike
I like all the arrangements, thanks for sharing!
LikeLike
The peach blocks look like sunrise over the water, the blue are the waves.
LikeLike
What a fun block. I like the first layout best.
LikeLike
I like that one too. The last three are fun but they make me a bit dizzy if I stare too long.
LikeLike
Wanda, your block is great and your tutorial is really well done. I like how you provided reasoning for how you did certain steps; such as the explanation for cutting longer strips. Great job!
LikeLike
I like to get the most out of every piece of fabric. Now I wish I had more Paintbrush Studio to make more blocks. Where do I get more? That’s a question I should ask our hosts.
LikeLike
The block you designed is beautiful!
LikeLike
This is so neat – I love the little “jog” it takes and the way it looks like an optical illusion when put with more blocks. this is a great idea and design. Great job!
LikeLike
I was so glad to discover these options. The traditional quilts I’ve seen with this block place the block side by side and there was no hint it could be so fun.
LikeLike
I love this block! It creates such a cool pattern when combined together!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great block! Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I love the visual vibrations that you have achieved when multiple blocks are put together. You have created a great sense of movement!
LikeLike
This is a great block! I love the red square in the upper left hand corner and the simple lines are very appealing…but your layout possibilities are mind blowing.
LikeLike
Thanks, Lisa. Maybe too many options. It makes me dizzy.
LikeLike
Great block Wanda and thanks for the insights into cutting along the selvage. It’s one of those tid-bits I’ve had in my brain before but I learn best through practical examples like this!
LikeLike