Wednesday, September 14, 2016

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

33 comments:

  1. Bold and graphic! I love it! I really love the setting on the layout with more negative space. :-)

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  2. I really like this block idea!! It would work with a scrappy lay out as well!

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  3. This is such an eye catcher. It will be beautiful with all of the other blocks I've been seeing. Thank you.

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  4. Neat block idea! Just love the colour combo.

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  5. It's great and I really love all the different layouts you show with it. Very effective block - well done.

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  6. Gemstone is a gem! The possibilities are endless! Think of the colors you could use!!

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  7. Love your block-so different & the name says it all! Thank you, Susan

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  8. I love that you used purple as your negative space / background color, Jess. And the elongated crosses play tricks on my eyes, they seem to tilt on me which is really neat (or maybe I just need some caffeine this morning). Thank you so much for participating in the hop again and I can't wait to hear more about exciting things happening with you. :)

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  9. I love the layout with the negative space! I can just imagine all the quilting possibilities. This is such a great modern block!

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  10. What a fabulously interesting idea for a modern repeat. The idea to leave a lot of negative space is great. =)

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  11. I really like this block, Jess, and the elongated plus layout is really fun :)

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  12. I am so impressed with your block, I just have to get some of this fabric too. crystalbluern at tds dot net

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  13. Cool block - I like the alternate color schemes and the quilt layout with all the negative space. Really cool!

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  14. Very nice block Jess. I like the different layout possibilities, and the different colour combinations.

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  15. Awesome block, I also like the different layout combinations. It has a lot of potential!

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  16. What a fun block!Lots of fun negative space to play with.

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  17. Great block. It's on my list to make.

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  18. Fantastic block and love your layout.Great design!!

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  19. Great block, Jess! I love all of the layouts you suggested! You know it's a great block when it works with many blocks all together or with lots of negative space!

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  20. oh I love the berry as the background colour :)

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  21. So many possibilities with your block! Great design!

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  22. I love the boldness of this block!

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  23. Lovely block Jess, simple and elegant. I really like your mock ups too.

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  24. This is a really fun block! I love seeing it in all the different colors. Beautiful work!

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  25. It amazes me that with all the bloggers designing blocks, they are all very different. These Cloud 9 colors are gorgeous together and the individual blocks are awesome. Can't wait to see the finished quilt!

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  26. Beautiful! What a great design to show off those wonderful colors. And yes, they do glow!

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  27. Amazing Jess. I love that second quilt layout. Your block is really cool😀

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  29. This is a gorgeous striking block Jess!! Somewhat late to the last blogs after a hectic week last week but very glad I popped by - definitely on my to do list!

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  30. This block is so simple, but makes such a big statement in the alternate layout! I totally want to design a block like that someday, great job Jess!

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  31. Very interesting block! Love how you outlined the smaller rectangles. They almost glow!

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Let's start a conversation! I love comments and I'd be happy to reply to all who have an email address accessible. Thanks for commenting!

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