Oh my, we have lots to catch up on! I did get a little behind with the Gypsy Wife quilt-along, but today I’ve made up for it. I have a smattering of blocks to share, plus a peak at my developing Gypsy Wife design wall!

a Smattering of Blocks

Star block is made up of classic hourglass and HST shapes. The placement of color value and fabrics really makes a difference on this block. I’ve seen a bunch of interesting versions in the #2019GypsyWifeQAL photo pool. My Star block is sewn from just two fabrics. I fussy cut the lighter green portions of the print for the center background to give it a subtle glow.

Next on the schedule is Indian Hatchet. This 6” finished block may be the easiest of all the weekly assignments. I’m not super thrilled with how mine came out, but it works. I do like that it’s light and bright. I’m trying to work white/low volume into some of my blocks to give the quilt highlights.

Our last week in February, quilt-alongers are asked to make two little blocks called “Puss in the Corner.” I noticed that Anna Maria Horner’s circular flower stamp fabric is perfect as a fussy-cut 1” shape, so I used it for both blocks. But that’s where the similarities end. Don’t these two look so different? Using dark value on the outside of the warm-hued block gives it a square-in-square appearance. The blue version is a more typical value layout for this block. I like them both!

my Developing Gypsy

With so many stunning versions of this quilt already out there, it was hard to choose a direction at the beginning. I’m so, so glad that I went with a rainbow blend! It’s nice to take my cue from the rainbow when choosing colors and fabrics for the blocks. This quilt is already so complex. Adding a little order suits me.

I’m using the color sheet to keep track of my progress. After I’ve made a block, I color it in on my sheet. Besides the assigned blocks, I’ve also made a fair number of the “filler blocks”. Since each one must follow the rainbow blend, I have to be intentional as I make them and keep things in order!

Here is my design wall so far! Can you see the rainbow blend? It moves from lime green on the left, through blue/purple/pink/orange and ends with yellow on the right.

Today I pinned up some fabrics to fill in the bigger color gaps where March/April blocks belong. Adding these really helps me see how its all going to come together!

If you’re sewing along, I encourage you to lay out your blocks and get a bird’s eye view of how they are interacting. This midway point is a good time to tweak your colors or value emphasis as needed.

February Wrap-Up

With just a few days left in February, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your February quilt-along blocks and enter to win our February Prize, sponsored by Kiwi Fabric! It’s a $50 gift certificate!!

Don’t forget to tag your final February block photo with #Feb2019Gypsies so you’ll be in the draw. The winner must have completed all five February blocks - Crazy Anne, Star Block, Indian Hatchet and two Puss in the Corner - by midnight February 28th, as well as following on Instagram: @StitchedinColor, @ScrappyViolet and @KiwiFabric.

GOOD LUCK!