Block Lotto - May 2024

As the warm weather comes, we start to think about all the wonderful spring and summer activities: road trips, drinks on the patio, gardening, and picnics in the park....

This month's block lotto is a cute strawberry block inspired by spring and summer fun!

Pattern and Instructions: Skyberries Handmade has an online tutorial to make this scrappy strawberry block. Each block should measure 7.5" x 10.5" Click here for the link to the online tutorial.

New skills: Chain/Web piecing and Nested Seams. If you've never tried chain or web piecing this is a great block to try it out. Also by pressing each row's seams in alternating directions, you can see how satisfying it is to have your seams "lock" together.

Colour Scheme: BERRY - warm berry coloured scraps: pinks, reds, oranges, and warm purples; STEM - green; BACKGROUND - white

Start by gathering all your pieces: For the strawberry, you'll need seventeen 2" squares and three 2.5" squares. For the stem - four 2.5" squares and two 2" squares. For the background, you'll need four 2" squares and five 2.5" squares.

Make half square triangles with the 2.5" squares and trim them each down to 2" squares. At this point, it's a good idea to lay out your block to get a sense of how it will all go together.

To piece your blocks, try out web piecing! Lo and Behold has an online tutorial to show how you can chain/web piece your rows together. Click here for the tutorial.

Here's an example of what a web pieced block will look like from the back. Notice how the seams are pressed in alternating directions? This will help "lock" the seam when the rows are sewed together. This method will help keep your block aligned as you sew together the rows and reduce the bulk.

We can't wait to see the beautiful bounty of berry blocks. Each berry block gives you one entry into the block lotto and one lucky winner will take them all home!

As you finish your blocks be sure to share them on social media using these tags: @calgarymqg #calmqgblocklotto #calgarymqg 

General Block Lotto Rules

1.  Make a quilt block (or many) following the pattern and colour scheme outlined in the lotto announcement blog post. For every block you make and bring to the following month's meeting, you will get one entry in the lotto. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but really want to participate in the lotto, ask a friend to get your blocks to the meeting, but make sure they are labelled with your name so we can properly account for your blocks.

2. The winner gets all the blocks to make a quilted project from them (We may hold a vote to split up the blocks between more than one winner if there are enough entries). If you win, the blocks become yours and you can use them in any way you choose. You may only win one group per lotto.

3. We would love to see your finished project, either in person or in pictures, once you are done.

4. Use modern fabrics that you like or love! If you are unsure about your fabric selection as it relates to "Modern" please ask.

5. Have fun! Keep in mind that (most likely) someone else will be taking home your blocks to incorporate into a larger piece and things must fit together (literally, ...so keeping your blocks true to size is probably the most important thing), but you should also make it yours and enjoy the process.

6. Remember, you must be a member of the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild to participate.