The Splendid Sampler #2

BookCoverNourishWelcome Splendid Sampler quilters!  I’m thrilled to be participating in  this wonderful project organized by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson.  I’m one of the four designers sharing their blocks today.  The Splendid Sampler 2 book is out now – get yours here.

If you are new here, my name is Debbie Grifka and I am a textile artist, teacher, author and creator of Esch House Quilts patterns.  My main focus these days is using lines and outlines in abstract compositions with a limited color palette.

My Splendid Sampler 2 block is Nourish on page 65.  Bowls have such a beautiful shape and have so much meaning in the context of nourishing food, warmth and love.  I chose to use appliqué (as I often do) for it’s wonderful ability to let you put exactly what you want exactly where you want it.  The block in the book was created using the lovely color palette chosen by Pat and Jane (see right).  Today, I made the block in an alternate colorway.  I’ve been a bit obsessed with black and white for a few years now, so I raided my stash of Modern Background Paper and Ink by Zen Chic for Moda.

 

GoodonRight

I love the drama of a light fabric on a dark background.  However, this can be tricky as the dark fabric can show through and make the lighter fabric look dull.    You can see in the picture above how pale the bowl fabrics on the left look compared with the ones on the right.  I want to share with you today how I deal with that.

 

First, start with the fabrics required for the block.

Supplies

SuppliesAdd

 

 

 

 

You will also need an 8″ x 5″ piece of lightweight fusible (I have used Stitch Witchery in the past, but could not get at my local shop this time, so I used Wonder Under) and an 8″ x 5″ piece of white muslin.  Fuse the fusible to the muslin.

 

 

 

Remove the paper from the fused muslin (if your fusible has paper) and fuse the wrong side of the three bowl fabrics to the muslin (just stack the three rectangles of fabric as shown below).  You will now have the right side of your bowl fabrics on one side and the muslin on the other side.  (Shown prior to fusing below).FabwMuslin

 

 

 

 

 

 

CutApartCut your three bowl fabrics apart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TracedContinue following the directions in the book from here, fusing the traced bowls to the muslin side of the bowl fabric.

 

You may need to fuse the final block a bit longer than usual due to the extra thickness of the muslin.

 

That’s all there is to it!  The extra layer of muslin keeps the whites whiter.  Some might worry that the extra layers make the appliqué less soft and flexible.  They do a little bit, but the small amount in this block is not likely to be noticeable in the final quilt.

 

If you make Nourish, you can enter it here to win a 12 spool box of Aurifil thread!

 

You can sign up for my newsletter here or buy my book here.  Find me on Instagram @debbiegrifka or Facebook page, Esch House Quilts.

 

One more version!

CreamBlock

8 Comments
  • Judi Casias
    Posted at 00:55h, 09 December Reply

    Debbie, I love satin stitch and haven’t been doing it lately, thanks so much for including it in your block. Loved it so much the metallics also came to the party.

  • Lisa A Roddy
    Posted at 23:48h, 07 December Reply

    This is super cool Debbie! Thanks for sharing!

  • Priscilla Cooksey
    Posted at 18:34h, 06 December Reply

    I really love the three bowls… what a great idea. The shape is perfect!

  • Mary Ellen Perry
    Posted at 16:17h, 06 December Reply

    Simple and sweet block. Thank you.

  • Robbie J Farley
    Posted at 12:08h, 06 December Reply

    Thank you for this great block. Love the tip about fusing muslin to the lighter fabric. I’m writing all these great tips in my book, so I will remember later!

  • barbgrandon
    Posted at 11:12h, 06 December Reply

    I have not made my blocks yet but did finally order fabrics to get started right after Christmas. Loving the Sampler.

  • Michele Bender
    Posted at 10:50h, 06 December Reply

    Very cool block. Modern Background Paper and Ink fabrics are my favorite backgrounds too~

  • PatSloan
    Posted at 08:32h, 06 December Reply

    I Love your block Debbie, it’s so gorgeous! Thank you for being part of our sew along!

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