Welcome to Quilt Pattern Writers 2024 Block of the Month (BOM)!
We are so glad you are here to join us! Since 2024 is our first full year as Quilt Pattern Writers, this is also our first BOM. To celebrate the year, we have chosen twelve blocks representing our monthly themes for the year.
January's Block 1 samples
We love seeing how people use other colors to make the same block. They look so different! Thank you to Tausha of Freckles on the Side, Tammy of Quilting in the Woods, and Rachel of Quilted Daydreams for sharing your January blocks. Can't wait to see what you do this month!
February BOM - Block 2
For the February BOM, we chose the Dragon's Head block (also called Churn Dash). Last month, we made HSTs using the 8-at-a-time method. This month we are going simple with the 2-at-a-time HST method. We are also introducing strip piecing on a small scale for the sides of the block. We love to use strip piecing when possible instead of sewing individual pieces. It is quicker and can be more accurate when used in a full quilt.
The Dragon’s Head/Churn Dash block is a variation on a 9-patch block (3 squares in 3 rows). Unfortunately, we could not find the reason this is called the Dragon's Head block so if you know why, please share! The Churn Dash block originated in the late 1800's and it represents the humble butter churn, looking down from above. The outer pieces of the block resemble the churn and the center square resembles the stick (or the dash). This classic block is indicative of early pioneer life and some of their utilitarian home items.
The Churn Dash was often one of the first blocks young girls were taught to sew back in the 1800's because it covered all the basic shapes - triangles, rectangles, and squares. Girls could help their mothers sew quilts for the family and move on to more complicated blocks as their skills progressed.
How the BOM works.
Each month, on the last Wednesday, we will send out a newsletter with that month's block, instructions, tips for designers, and the ability to purchase Adobe Illustrator digital images from our store to add to a pattern you are writing. Be sure to sign up to receive our newsletter to get the BOM instructions every month.
The newsletter will include the link to download the block so you can sew along with us. It is written with standardized wording that we use here at Quilt Pattern Writers. That way, if you are a pattern designer, you can use the wording in your pattern. If you are a designer looking for a ghostwriter, you can see some of our work as we use this wording throughout the patterns we write. The digital files will include step-out diagrams, diagrams for standard units and assembly, as well as the finished block. Think of all the time you will save when you start adding these to your library! All for a nominal cost that you can write off as a business expense.
Join Us
We hope you will join in the fun every month and make all twelve blocks. It is so fun to see how everyone puts their spin on a BOM quilt. And we would love you to share your blocks with the tags @quiltpatternwriters, #qpw2024bom, #qpw2024samplerquilt, and #qpw.
"We help fellow quilt designers make their designs into a reality!"
Pattern ghostwriting, quilt pattern tech editing, digital illustrations, and more.
If you are interested in working with our team, including becoming a guest blogger, please send us an email at QuiltPatternWriters@gmail.com.
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