Dots on dots blog hop and give away

Yey! it is finally the day when I get to show you my contribution to the dots on dots blog hop. First I wanted to thank the ladies at Quilt Taffy and Sew We Quilt for organising this amazing hop.

When I got the email confirming my participation I was super exited, as it is my first blog hop! so started doing a lot of designing, drafting, thinking... It always amazes me the design process, choosing the fabrics, how they "called" me from their shelves... and finally making the block... a little bit of what I wanted to do, a little improvisation, and voilà, here they are. Two rectangular blocks!

So a little tutorial on how I made these blocks now. I started with the wonky lines block. Very simply I knew I wanted 4 squares in the centre, cut by a line somewhere, and then two more stripes on the sides. So cut 4 pieces measuring 5 x 6 each. And strips of a different fabric 2 inches wide.

These blocks are quite improvisational, so no need for templates. Next step is to cut the block in two, where you are going to have the strip. I try not to cut in the middle, to give the block and even wonkier look. The line can be straight or shifted a bit to one side (I have both in the block).

Once that is done, sew a strip of fabric, with a 1/4 inch seam allowance to one side of the half block, right sides together. I usually use a couple of pins to keep the fabric in place, but if you are comfortable without pins, this is the time for a super quick sewing block. Press the stitches to set, and then the seam to one side.

Finally trim the leftover strip of fabric from the block and don't forget to press the leftover fabric again, so you can use it for the cross block! And sew the other side of the block to the strip to complete the first mini block.

I used for of these mini rectangles in my blocks and two strips of fabric at the ends. Make sure you lay them around in different positions until you get a combination that you like and looks really wonky! And after you sewn the pieces together, that's it, fist block finished.

The cross block is very similar, it just has an extra step from the wonky line block. So I started with a finished wonky line block, but this time I made sure the line was more or less in the middle of the block (but a little tilted to the side).

So once I had this, I just needed to cut another line into this one, to make the cross. I again centred the line and tilted it to the side a little bit (approximately a 1/4 inch).

And cut! yes cut... not thinking too much, the wonkier the better!

Then it is just the same steps again, sew the strip of fabric right sides together to one of the halves of the block. I use the same pattern as in the previous line, to make a cross, but it could be a different one, why not? Then press the stitches and the seam to one side.

Sew the second side of the block to the strip of fabric. As a little check, make sure that you are sewing it the right side up, so when all together it makes up a straight block. Otherwise it will be two wonky!

And voilà, finished blocks. Step one, the wonky line block, and a little more work, step two, the wonky cross.

To put the wonky crosses block together I used four cross blocks and then just trimmed the excess on all sides.

I now have two lovely little blocks, do I dare make a dots on dots quilt? Not sure... any ideas of what I should make? I would love to hear your thoughts...

So now on to the fun part for you, the GIVE AWAY! As a little welcome to all the new readers and to the ones that have been coping with me for a little bit now, I am giving away a little bundle of  lovely dotted fabrics so you can give it a try yourself.

In order to participate, you only need to follow my blog clicking on the "join this site" blue button on the right hand side bar. If you do not have an account to follow, you can also like me on Facebook. Please leave a comment saying how you follow me and what you think I should make with these blocks.

For an extra entry you can tweet, pin or share this post on Facebook and let me know that you did so.  I will randomly select a winner on Monday 24 September. Sorry the giveaway is now closed! Don't forget to leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

And now keep on hopping

September 21st 

Bejeweled Quilts by Barb 

Cate's Linens

From This to That

suemacseeds

Marcia's Crafty Sewing and Quilting

Ellie Quilter 
 Rosemary B- that other blog

Bquiltin Studio

Nati's little things {you are here!}
Madame Samm

And if you missed any of the previous days of the blog hop, you can find the complete schedule and links in following the dots on dots button on my side bar.

Thanks for stopping by,