Gemstone Block: 2016 Cloud9 New Block Blog Hop

Hi, I'm Jess, a quilt maker, teacher, free motion quilter, and serial quilt blogger. I'm thrilled to be a part of the New Block Blog Hop for the third time today! Just a heads up - make sure you peek back here on the blog tomorrow and sign up for my newsletter, The Wonky Press - there are big giveaways/celebrations right around the corner!

In the past, I've always aimed to created easy-to-piece, graphic blocks that make a statement {Inverted Wonky Diamond/Spool} {Strippy Sunrise}. Here's the Gemstone block, which was inspired by the motion of making a log cabin, and the look of a baguette/rectangular gemstone cut.

The Gemstone block has many customization options. You can make it in many colors, or just a couple. You could take out one section of the block. Any way you make the block, it will have a graphic, striking look. Below, I've used the shimmery Cirrus Solid fat quarters that Cloud9 Fabrics generously provided us with (Amazon, Sky, Shadow, Lilac, and Iris) to show color and quilt variations:

Here's a traditional layout. They look like elongated crosses - don't they just glow?

 I love the negative space that this layout presents. So modern with endless quilting possibilities! Now I want to make this. So many quilts, not enough time.

Thank you so much to Cloud9 Fabrics for donating the fabrics for this blog hop, and to Yvonne, Stephanie, and Cheryl for organizing. Let's get to it!

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Gemstone Block Instructions

All seams are 1/4 inch

Unfinished block: 12.5"

 Finished block: 12"

Cutting
Background (dark purple):
(4) - 5" squares
(1) - 3.5" square

Middle of Gemstones (teal):
(4) - 2.5" x 4.5" strips

Border of Gemstones (light blue):
(8) - 1" x 4.5" strips
(4) - 1" x 3.5" strips

Piecing 1 Gemstone

1. Sew (1) - 1" x 4.5" light blue strip to either side of a middle. Press seams open.

2. Sew (1) - 1" x 3.5" light blue strip to the top of the unit. Press seam open.

3. Repeat 3x more times to make 3 more gemstones. You will have 4 total for the block.

Block Assembly:

4. Sew together the pieces in rows as shown below. Pay attention to which direction your gemstones are facing (feel free to experiment!). Press seams open.

5" square + gemstone + 5" square

Gemstone + 3.5" square + gemstone

5" square + gemstone + 5" square

5. Using pins, match the middle row with the top and bottom rows. Sometimes I "nest" seams by pressing them to the side first, but this time I placed pins directly through the seams on both sides. It has the same effect (your goal is to line up your pieces exactly); sometimes, with bulkier seams, it's easier to press to the side.

 6. Sew rows together and press seams open.

There you have it! If you make one or a quilt based on this block, please email me - I'd love to see it! Please make sure to hop around and check out my fellow Wednesday new block bloggers below. You can see the full list of ALL the new blocks right here. 

Wednesday, September 14th

Host: Stephanie @Late Night Quilter

Kathy @Kathys Kwilts and More
Paige @Quilted Blooms
Mary @Strip Quilts Pass it On
Allison @Woodberry Way
Seven @The Concerned Craft
Olusola @Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.
Ann @Brown Paws Quilting
Jodie @Persimmon + Pear
Vicki @Orchid Owl Quilts
Kitty @Night Quilter
Francine @Mocha Wild Child
Shelley @The Carpenter’s Daughter who Quilts
Jayne @Twiggy and Opal
Geraldine @Living Water Quilter
Shannon @Shannon Fraser Designs
Lisa @Sunlight In Winter Quilts
Jessica @Quilty Habit
Cassandra @The (not so) Dramatic Life
Deanna @Stitches Quilting
Denise @Craft Traditions