{Modern 12} Bee - wonky square string block

I designed this block for my online BEE with the {modern 12} group on flickr. I was inspired by this block from Janesfabrics on flickr and decided to create my own version that could be replicated by the other members in my bee.

This is the block I ended up designing... instruction follow below.



For the center square I decided to use the paper piecing method to make the string block - this was a first time for me!

I decided to make my center square 8 1/2". I cut my patterned aqua, pink & red fabrics into strips ranging from 1"-1 3/4". Mine were cut straight but I think I will cut some wonky for my next set of squares.

I picked my first 2 strips that would become the center and one next to it and stitched them right sides together with the center strip placed wrong side down across the diagonal center of the paper square. The strips should be long enough to go over the edges of the paper square. Align the edges and sew with a 1/4″ seam allowance. Stitch through paper and 2 layers of fabric. *** Important - decrease stitch length so that the stitches perforate the paper square *** This will allow you to easily remove the paper from the back later. My machine is typically set at 2.5 – I’ve found that reducing it to 1.5 works well.

Press the strips flat and choose your next strip to attach.



continue adding strips, pressing flat after stitching until you’ve covered the entire paper square. It will look something like this.



Flip the square over and trim - ( do you liek the scrap paper I used for my block!)



if you want a wonky square, do not cut right angles at the corners



note - top edge - the ruler starts at the corner, angels up to create a wonky square.



paper is a perfect 8 1/2" square, string block is a wonky square.

remove the paper before adding the outer border! If you’ve reduced the stitch length, the paper should appear almost perforated. I fold the paper along the stitch line and then tear away.



To make the block a finished 12 1/2" I next cut solid red kona into 3 1/2" strips and attached them to the edges of the string square. I placed the string square facedown on the red fabric so that I could be sure the seams stiched down properly as I sewed across them.



Press the seams towards the red fabric. Turn over and trim using your 12 1/2" square ruler. I turned the ruler to help create the wonky look I was after.



and you are done!



I plan to sash this quilt in white once my squares have been received. I will keep you posted on my progress!

Do you remember when....

as a child the mere site of a new box of 64 count crayola crayons could set my heart a thumping....cracking it open, selecting that first color....so many colors to choose from. It was heaven!



now... my heart starts beating faster when I catch a glimpse of this....




oh how I wish that this arrived in my mailbox... I would create some amazing new designs .... too bad christmas is so many months away!

Project Quilting - the Final Challenge

I have been playing along a bit in some of Kim's Project Quilting challenges and decided to try the final challenge ... we had to use a large print and a stripe or plaid!

I decided to take inspiration from some of the gorgeous modern quilting photos I have seen on flickr and other quilting blogs and decided to use some of my favorite martha Negley geranium print with kona white cotton. As some of you may know I am new to the quilting world and each foray into quilting teaches me something new!



I originally thought I would create a series of 12" blocks for a table runner... made my first, made my second...laid them next to each other - didn't like the proportions so I sliced one of them in half - or thereabouts, and attached it to the first block!


see..I had just learned something - you don't HAVE to create a quilt in a series of blocks - mine became much more free form .. I sliced and chopped and added new bits and bobs as I went along.


For the stripe requirement, I cut a stripe fabric along the bias to make my quilt binding and I also quilted it using a series of linear lines that created a striped effect on the tablerunner.



more pics can be seen on flickr

and stop by Kim's Blog to see all the entries and cast your vote for your favorite!

Will work for Fabric...

you know those signs you sometimes see people standing at the edge of the road holding...



I think mine should say... "Will Work For Fabric"...because I have been known to do this in the past!



Last year I swapped my labor for the giant roll of batting you see in the photo above. I did some sewing for Roc-Lon Industries for quilt market & in return I got the batting...only problem was, I didn't quilt!

I have long drooled over the new movement in quilting - modern colors, traditional patterns approached in non-traditional ways, the use of solid colors to complement the prints and decided just before christmas that I wanted to give quilting a try and made some table runners for gifts.

Then I stumbled upon a friends blog post announcing season 2 of Project Quilting! This was just the inspiration and challenge I needed to try my hand at quilting!

here are a couple of pics of my work in progress..






and the description of my piece for the challenge - inspiring friendships

20"square pillow cover

named for Friendship, NY

driving through the hills of allegheny ny this summer I passed a roadsign for Friendship NY and thought that would be a great place to say that you were from ... when I spotted this challenge on your blog I thought it would be the perfect place name from which to draw my inspiration.

so... friendship...my online friendship with you brought me to this challenge, the fabrics I used are from other "friends" I have made both online and in real life while pursuing my creative endeavors...Patty Young and I started out together in the same boutique group on ebay, I met Sandi Henderson there as well, Jennifer Paganelli and I became online friends and later met in real life when I visited her home in CT for one of her fabulous home shows(turns out she also has inlaws in my hometown!), and I snuck a little Valorie Wells in there as I had the good luck to meet her at quilt market!

the nesting dolls fabric represents the friends we made while living in Poland too many years ago!

the fabric used for the border came from my stash - the outermost print reminds me of the hills where friendship, NY is located

I started with a log cabin block that I cut into quarters, shifted around and sewed back together, made the stripwork heart applique, added batting & backing and quilted it all free motion (?) ... as I may have mentioned this is one of my first forays into quitling and I don't know all the correct terminology yet! I then added an envelope back to the front so it could be used on a 20" pillow form

thanks for inspiring me!

Facebook Fan Page Specials...

After seeing a variety of promotion ideas on facebook I have decided to try offering some specials available only through my fan page for a special price.

Tonight I posted the first deal....



this dress is a one of a kind - ready to ship in a size XS (4/5/6) for $30 shipped priority in the US

if you are interested in any of these deals on my fan page, message me with your paypal addy and I will invoice you directly!

if that is not your size or style I have listed a couple of new skirts in my etsy shop

Sunny Days




and Mikayla

Wear it Wednesday!

A sweet & funky skirt for valentines and beyond! Hearts and ruffles, a rainbow of colors



available in 12months - 12 years in my etsy shop or leave a comment on the blog or my facebook fan page!

You're Invited....

to the grand opening of my new studio space! It is rather hard to believe that I have moved out of my cave in the basement into such a light airy space.




I have teamed up with a local jewelry designer to share almost 800sq ft in an old fruit factory....we patiently waited about 6 weeks for them to renovate the space

this was about 2 weeks into the renovation work

and we thought it looked pretty good then until we saw this....


now it is a bit more filled up but we are slowly making it our home away from home...



some of my favorite fabrics in embroidery hoops



prints I use at shows



my trusty machines



and maazing cutting table my dad helped me with! the baskets have felted wool sweater parts sorted by color and bolts of fabric waiting to be cut are in the lower cubes. It is all mounted on a solid wood base on heavy duty casters so I can move it around the studio. My dad is the best!

So...if you have made it this far and are still reading I am extending an invitation to stop by our open house tomorrow night from 5-9pm ... email me for more details!

Fishy fun...

just listed some new recycled wool sweater softies! Fish Pillows!! made from wool sweaters and dupioni silk - one of a kind creations....add some color and cheer to your winter days.

Available at gock's frocks on etsy!






and a custom top for spring!

A Pillow Makeover...

....or another case of crafting ADD! Last Thursday I had the brilliant idea that we should have a surprise 75th birthday dinner for my FIL on Saturday. No sweat - 48 hours to clean & cook a dinner for 17!

While cleaning up the house I decided that the cranberry pillows on our couch were too christmasy/wintry and that I needed to bring a bit of spring into the house...so I snuck down to my sewing room to see what I could whip up!


Before:


I have long admired the log cabin squares that Jona of Stop Staring & Start Sewing fame has been working on so I decided to give it a try myself!


attempt #1 - shades of aqua and celedon. Some Amy Butler, Erin McMorris and a touch of the new Oh Cherry Oh! It was so much fun I started in on another...


some green & yellow this time - Heather Bailey, Amy Butler, Oh Cherry Oh!...I was really getting the hang of this & could see how Jona was addicted. So back to the basement I went...


pinks & oranges this time....just needed one more to balance the couch!

I think I saved the best for last! I went through the pile of strips I had cut for the other 3 pillows & started with Heather Ross's matryoshka's in lavender and ended up with my favorite pillow of the day!

I may attack the living room pillows next with Patty Young's Andalucia! Let me know what you think about the great pillow makeover!

Ain't she sweet............

We bought E her first sewing machine about a year and a half ago...I gave her a few lessons but the interest was not really there....until this week















she designed & sewed all on her own a top that doubles as an apron with a big pocket on the front! She also made her 1st stripwork skirt that still needs to be hemmed.

It has been so fun having her sitting next to me on her machine while I sew away on mine.....to have her understand my passion and embrace it is a powerful feeling indeed.

Happy Birthday GGMa!

Today we celebated my grandmothers 85th bithday! Grandma Gocker is the person I credit with starting my love of sewing and needlework...she taught me to handsew when I was 8...we made a patchwork flannel quilt for my soon to be born sibling...Clarke!

Then in middle school she introduced me to her trusty Kenmore and we made a peasant skirt, petticoat and maching vest (am I dating myself yet?)..When I finally decided to embark on my latest sewing adventure I thought it was important to pay tribute to the woman who helped start it all - hence the birth of "gock's frocks" in honor of my grandma gocker!

A toast to you on your special day!

Eily and I spent some time photographing my newest designs for the Material Girls Freshcut launch which starts this Monday....we have all used Heather Bailey's Freshcut line of fabrics in our designs...I had so much fun with these gorgeous fabrics that I went a little crazy and made 4 outfits!

I took inspiration for one from a cute pic of

pants I saw in Garnet Hill...I loved the sailor style so I decided to put my own spin on that and came up with these...

I will post some more sneak peeks of the other pieces as the week unfolds and be sure to check them out on ebay

Here is a peek at the complete set...

well, i seem to have gotten the hang of this Blog thing - thanks for sticking with me this long if you are still reading t this point! I will try to come up with wittier reparte in the futue!

Have a good night all!

Kristen