Wednesday 17 February 2016

The Splendid Sampler: Block One

On Sunday the first of 'The Splendid Sampler' blocks was released.  It is a very pretty block called 'Hearts Aflutter' and was designed by Pat Sloan



I had a lot of fun deciding which fabrics to use from my scrap box to make the block and, in the end, I made two!!  The first version (shown above) was made using a needle-turn applique method for the heart which I edged with stem stitch to make it stand out further. However, when it was finished, I decided I wasn't sure that there was enough contrast between the light purple squares and the heart applique, so I made a second block using aqua background squares instead.



This time round I used a fusible applique method which I finished using a blanket stitch. I am pleased with both of them but, I am interested to know which version you prefer?  

30 comments:

  1. Love both your blocks! I wonder if a darker floss around that first heart would lift it more? Maybe a darker grey/puple? Mind you I like it fine the way it is and I guess we could duplicate all blocks and end up with two quite different quilts in the end,
    I'm making mine today, I got side tracked yesterday with grandkids and then the notion I should stitch together my small collection of selvedges! No accounting for daftness lol
    AND I had no idea that's the way to do blanket stitch! Shows how I only read half of any instructions because its only now all these years later, that your explanation and pictures have sunk in lol So thank you!

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    1. Thank you Lyn! Good luck with your block and I am glad that my explanation helped with the blanket stitch! Looking forward to seeing what you do with the selvages! Christine x

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  2. Love both versions very much! But I am kind of a blue girl, so I would go for the second version,lol! The steamstich adds a lovely interest!
    Hugs Martina

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    1. Thank you Martina! I liked the stem stitch addition.... still can't make up my mind which block I prefer! Christine x

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  3. Lovely blocks. :) I like them both! It's hard to choose... I'd take the second one.

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    1. Thank you Christiane! I like them both too.... I thought it would be interesting to see which one came out as a favourite overall! Christine x

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  4. Wonderful blocks, both of them. If i had to decide, I'd choose the first one, because I like the harmony of the colors.

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    1. Thank you! It is difficult to choose which one I prefer but I think the first one is warmer! Christine x

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  5. I like both methods of applique, I choose depending on the time I have for my work, and if I want to make something special I do it by hand.
    KATRIN W.

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    1. I like both methods too! It is nice to experiement and not use the same method every time! Thank you Katrin! Christine x

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  6. May I be permitted to sit on the fence over which I prefer? I'm a more-is-better person, so if it were mine I'd use both stitches around the outside of the heart. Yeah, I know - probably overkill.

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    1. You may Mary Anne! I am still not sure myself! Love adding extra details too! Christine x

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  7. Hi Christine they are both lovely but I do prefer the needle turn version,this is going to be so much fun,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx

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    1. Thank you so much Shez! I only learned the needle-turn method recently (with Gail) but I really enjoyed it! Have a great day too! Christine x

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  8. They are both lovely Christine but I like the second one the most..D X

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    1. Thank you Doti! It is just interesting to see how many votes they each get! Beauty being in the eye of the beholder! Christine x

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  9. Oh what a dilemma! I love the stem stitch on the needle turn, because it reminds me of the outline icing on a Valentine sugar cookie (can you tell I'm hungry?), but I love the aqua background and the blanket stitch on the other. I do prefer the look of needle turn. It's why I don't applique - lol!

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    1. Thank you Linda! I really enjoy adding the extra hand stitching and the needle turn method (which is relatively new to me) is a lot of fun! Hope you found a cookie to enjoy! Christine x

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  10. Hi Christine. Both blocks look lovely but I prefer the second one. Not sure why but it just appeals to me. Maybe it's because of the fabrics. The first one does look very effective with the stem stitching around the hear. xxx

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    1. Thank you Christine! It is just a lot of fun to see who likes what... it is all a matter of personal preference! Christine x

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  11. I think they are both lovely! I love the top one (it's the pink, I think); however, I agree the heart stands out more on the blue.

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    1. Thank you Renee! I am still undecided... I really like the needle-turned heart but I prefer the blue colours.... not that it really matters.... I expect I will include them both! Christine x

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  12. Liebe Christine,
    beide Blöcke sind sehr schön geworden, ich finde allerdings bei dem 2. Block wirkt das Herz besser, weil es auf einen hellen Hintergrund appliziert ist.
    Liebe Grüße
    Steffi

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    1. Thank you Steffi! I do think the heart shows more in the second block and I do like the colours. I will probably use them both! Christine x

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  13. Lovely. On first looking I liked the 2nd one, but now looking again the first one is really growing on me!

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    1. Thank you! That is exactly what happened to me... when I had made the first I really wasn't sure and I preferred the second but now I think I am swaying back towards the first! Christine x

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  14. Both blocks are great but if I had to choose it would be block #1 , I think there is plenty of contrast and I like how you did the stitching around the heart

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    1. Thank you Sheila! I think I am swaying back towards the first one too! They were both fun to make! Christine x

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  15. Turned edge applique is my personal preference, but I think both blocks look very pretty! I am trying to resist the Splendid Sampler--I've been sucked into too many sew along's already! We'll see how long I can hold out--lol!

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    1. Thank you Karen! Good luck with trying to resist... with over 17,000 quilters Worldwide signed up for it you are bound to see the blocks all over the place! Christine x

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