Greetings and here we are headed into a new year filled with so much possibility and hopefully some great plans for new quilts in the year ahead! I had great visions of getting the block lotto up much earlier than this, but some unexpected work travel, two different bouts of one virus and then another and then it was Christmas! I really do apologize for not being more prompt with this post, but the new year is a time for resolutions so, I guess I already know what one of mine is going to be!
Earlier this year Pantone, the great color trendsetter, forecaster and authority on all things color announced the color of the year for 2020 and it is the inspiration for the January Block Lotto. The color is a classic…literally! Here is Classic Blue.
Classic Blue is their choice for this year’s color of the year, and I love it. There is just something about blue that is both calming and pure, and we are going to be using it in a Half Square Triangle, also known as an HST. For this month’s block lotto we are going to be using cream in low volume visual textures or patterns and SOLID blues to make 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ unfinished blocks.
HST’s are fairly east to make, and there are a number of ways to make them. Below are several links for different ways to make HST’s, but you may already have your own favorite technique. Personally, I like to make mine a little bit bigger than I need to and then trim them down to the unfinished size of 6-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ so I get a nice accurate block.
HST’s also allow a lot of flexibility for design and there are countless configurations for wonderful blocks or quilts! My goal is to have a consistent value of blue and subtle variations of cream patterns and textures throughout the collection of blocks.
I spoke to our friend Gael at Blue Bar Quilts, and she has ordered a Bella Solid, color 19 Royal that was recommended by Moda as match for Pantone’s selection. Last we spoke it should be on the shelf there! If you are going to sew from your stash, Classic Blue is a pure blue and darker than a royal blue, but brighter than navy blue. It is NOT aqua or baby blue or teal.
Please bring your completed blocks to the January meeting, and I hoping that we can fill up the design wall with a fun, spontaneous pattern showcasing this classic choice!
Here are a couple ways to make HST’s:
