More Bee Blocks...

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After a nice Sunday afternoon in my sewing room, I've finished a couple more blocks for my quilt bee.  These are part of the Quilt in a Box project we're doing throughout the year, where we trade boxes and make a block from each participant's fabric.  Today I made the same block for both Janet and Jan, but out of very different fabric choices...

Janet's Block

Jan's Block

After making a number of these blocks now, I've become much faster at it.  I start by creating a little cheat sheet that corresponds to the pattern...

I use Thangles paper to create the HST's and Monique Dillard's Fit to be Geese ruler to create the flying geese units (love this ruler!)  The center unit is a Square in a Square block that I just make the old fashioned way.

All the units for one block

Once I have all the pieces made, I lay them out next to my machine and start putting the block together.  Then it's just a matter of matching up points and pressing seams in the right direction.

A block ready to sew together

From the first block I've sewn to the most recent, I've probably cut my sewing time in half.  Although to be honest, it's still not a speedy block to piece, but I'm having a lot of fun with it!  I love working with so many different fabric combinations - including some I wouldn't normally choose.

By the way, does anyone know what the name of this block is?  It's one of the blocks in the Paris in the Fall Block of the Month pattern, but I don't see another name listed for it.  Just curious if anyone knows what it's called.

Sam joined me for a little bit, but I think she was just trying to tell me her bowl was empty.  She was rather cranky until I took a break and fed her.  (She's on a little bit of a diet and she's not very happy about it.)

A slightly cranky, hungry Sam

Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you. 

Psalm 9:10 (NLT)