Monday, 29 September 2014

Modern Block Monday - The Trials and Tribulations of the Union Jack

A new week! A new block! Janet from my Canadians Quilt Bee asked for this Union Jack block by Tracyjay Quilts (this free pattern is available on Craftsy). This is a combination paper pieced and pieced block. Boy, did this one test my patience! With myself -- the pattern is just fine!

Untitled

First, I agonized over the fabric selection. Janet wanted red, white and blue fabrics that read as those, but had some of the other colours in them. For a solids girl like myself, this was a big stretch (This isn't a complaint -- I like doing bees for exactly these reasons). I started with a different white and blue, but realized midway through that I didn't have enough of the white. Seam ripping. A piece of red fabric was too short for one of the paper piecing sections. Seam ripping. Did it again -- same piece! Seam ripping.

This block did not like me. And I didn't like it...until it was done. I wasn't sure about the lighter blue either, but I think it works. Hopefully Janet thinks so too!

P1070309

Happy Monday, all!

17 comments:

  1. In spite of your troubles, you made a fabulous block, M-R!

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  2. I love your fabric choices. This is one of my favorite blocks. Been making pillows out of them all year!

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  3. I'm sorry the block gave you such a hard time, but the finished block looks great.

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  4. I think the light blue is fabulous! And at least yours is done... Oh no, I feel I am going to have some one-on-one time with the Union Jack. Thanks for the warning, though... I will be mentally prepared!

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  5. I love the fabrics you chose!!

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  6. I love the pins! And the light blue does work really well with the white-on-red print, if it was much darker it might overwhelm that red.

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  7. I love the pins too. Such a great block!

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  8. Ta da! Your block is great. I made one of these today. I'm happy it's done too

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  9. Great fabric choices - works really well. xx

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  10. Oh it is fabulous MR. Great Bee!

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  11. And I think it is perfect. Which is what matters, right? :)))

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  12. I love the colours! The lighter blue is wonderful - just soft enough but not so shy that it doesn't hold its own in the block.

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  13. This block and I could not be friends... we ended up breaking up. She practically killed me. I made every mistake known to man - not a paper piecer. One of our mod guild members, a lovely Brit, had asked us to each make her one of these. Many of us had a great deal of trouble, but persevered. I gave up.... It's a very cool block though and I love your version.

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