Thursday, May 07, 2009

Help Wanted: Hope is a Four-Letter Word

The other day I had such a good conversation with Brenda of Scraps and Strings. We've been e-friends for a couple of years and it was wonderful to finally put a voice to the words. She really helped me think about my whole book plan and how I need to simplify. Completely right about that. Not that Brenda herself is sticking to simple - look at these fantastic BOOs she made for Slither Eek Boo (aka Halloween Noises).

Talking about a simpler project... I was hoping a few of you would help me by making blocks for a much easier quilt. If you haven't make letters before then the Halloween font sampler is incredibly intimidating. I understand that. So here is a much easier project. I'm hoping that a few of you who've never made words before will dive in and play. I'm looking at you, Ms Jan - this is a very doable block. 

Here's the deal. For this quilt we're sticking to the Brick format. All the words that get sent have to be finished off into a block that is sized 6.5" x 12.5" unfinished. (If yours is too small or a bit too big, no worries, I'll play with it.) I've used the Brick setting before to make this quilt, but that time I wasn't making the blocks all the same size like I want to this time.

Using the free-pieced letters, make a happy, positive, wonderful four-letter word such as hope, home, live, love, life...  Fabric should be bright and happy. If you're using repros then think double-pink, poison green, cheddar, red, chrome yellow... The fabric doesn't have to be bright bright, see?

I'm hoping I'll get 13 blocks from ya'all though I can certainly play with more or less. Since folks like a deadline, how about June 15th. And if you signed up for Halloween Noises and would rather do this instead, that's a-okay. you can do both too. This one isn't a fancy font sampler though, it's a bit more rustic and straightforward.

Just jump in and start making letters or get out the graph paper. I played around with Hope yesterday.

For making the word this size, I discovered that I'd cut the letter fabric 1" and 1.5" wide. The background fabric would be cut 1", 1.5" and 2"  

That 2" cut would only be used to make letters in that big area of the P. When you know that you have a limited amount of space to make a word, then you want to use your skinny strips in the middle of the letter. That gives you lots of room to cut down the sides (or the top) if you need to. So make your H more like the top figure in this illustration, not the bottom one.

In my drawing, I placed the letters half an inch apart (when finished) although when I work I usually make the space half that size. Additionally, if you make each letter in a different, contrasting fabric you can butt them up against one another.

Okay, this is your chance to play with letters. Don't figure you'll get the letters exactly how you want them on the first go. You might have to experiment a little. Remember, I like letters wonky and imperfect - these letters aren't for you, so they don't have to be as perfect as you might want them for yourself.

If you get into a jam, or just have a question, please ask away.

To sum up, unfinished block 6.5" x 12.5"  four-letter word in happy fabric due on June 15th.

Please, please, please, I hope someone will do this. Oh, and I'd love to hear if you had any problems along the way, any kind of advice you'd give to others. 

I was thinking about doing a Lily brick quilt before I changed to this one. Had to get a pic of Lily with her name.

ya'all take care....

26 comments:

Kim said...

Hi Tonya,

Okay this sounds like fun too.

I'm gonna make LOVE in cheddar since I have some strips already cut.

(My granddaughters name is Lily Kate...two four letter words.......no I won't do them :0).)

Happy Sewing,
Kim

Jennifer D said...

Hi Tonya, I am a new to your blog and I am enjoying it so much. I am a new quilter as well (never finished a whole quilt). I wanted to join in on the Halloween noises but I WAS intimidated. Now I can't wait to try a block for your Happy feel good brick quilt. I would like to make my favorite four letter word, FREE! Will that work for ya?

laura said...

This is me jumping up and down saying me too, me too, me too!
How about F-O-O-D?
S-C-R-A-P?
Hmmmm- I know-
W-A-R-M, sound ok?

ilovebabyquilts said...

Is this for charity? It wasn't clear from the post. I'm considering joining but weighing out my other committments before I join.

ilovebabyquilts said...

Meant to say, sounds like fun!

Twisted Quilts said...

I would love to make a block! I need to think of a word. I was thinking JOY but it is only 3 letters. I will think of something. I am going to have some free time soon and this will be fun to do.

Kristin L said...

Cool idea! Do my pillows count?

Sara said...

Me, me, me!!! I'd like to make a block, too.
I have not thought of a word yet but I will.
sames5 at verizon dot net

Cherie in St Louis said...

Tonya, I made my first free pieced letters in March and had a ball. Hey, "ball", maybe that's my word! Anyway, I will make one for you :) izoofan2 AT hotmail DOT com (here's the link to my first free pieced word: www.quiltedjonquil.zarius.com/2009/03/23/mountain-quilting/)

Chris Daly said...

I've been wanting to try my hand at this. Do you have room for one more?

YankeeQuilter said...

The first word that came to mind was cake...go figure (started a diet this morning so of course lots of folks showed up at quilt bee with cake!)

I'll hold off mailing the Halloween block until Monday when I should have this one done (DH is golfing all weekend...woohoo!)

Anonymous said...

I just made the word "grin"
and now I am emailing you with
questions....
Julie Anonymous (I'm not sure how
to be anything else, yet)

Beena said...

I love the "brick" style quilt! Nice. Very nice!

Even though I'm a novice, I'm going to stick with doing just the "moan" right now (if that's okay). I've already set aside the fabric for it. If that goes well, and I'm not too pinched for time, I may jump in and do one of these other more "hopeful" words.

Lily is awfully cute there, reading her name! The paper looks almost as big as she is!

Magpie Sue said...

Hey, how about if I do 'Play'?

Anonymous said...

Wonderful idea. I am going to do Cats. I love seeing everyone's quilts and its a bonus to see their kitties.
Mary C.

Sara said...

"Okay" Tonya, I want to "play" and fiddle and think and "make" a four-letter "word".

Since I am a "bass" in a women's chorus, I want to do the word "SING". That gives me lots of joy.

homeyer44@comcast.net

AnnieO said...

Hi Tonya, I like your word projects and would love to jump in. My word will be "soar".

Thanks for inviting strangers into your projects!

(Hi Pokey)

Clare said...

Going to have to duck out of this one I'm afraid. Are you doing this for AAQI? I've got a challenge going on on Lib Quilters for them too, using the words FREE or MIND. If I do get time I'll do one of those words for you, but deadline is a lot nearer than 15th June so can't promise.

Unknown said...

In for a penny, in for a pound! I'm working on squeeeak for the Halloween quilt and while it was intimidating at first, I'm getting the hang of it. So, while I'm at it, I would love to contribute to the brick quilt too. I've got to think of a good four letter word though, but in the meantime, count me in please.

Unknown said...

Further to my previous comment, I just thought "wish" might be a good word for this quilt.

Millie said...

I want to do a word too! I'll send it with SLITHER... Hmm, what word?

I shall think about it.

Mary said...

Hi,
I am doing "care" instead of "cats." This is going to be really. I've never done letters.
Mary C.

Diana said...

I would like to do one if they aren't all taken yet. How about glee or folk?

John said...

Hi Tonya! I'd love to play ... in fact, I'd like to make the word "play" if that fits in to your vision! Please let me know if you still need people and would like me to make this block. (I'm also interested in hearing what the quilt is for, like other comments have said). I've been wanting to try your letters but have been intimidated ... this seems like a great way to jump right in!

Kathy in FL said...

I'd like to join in, if it's not too late. Since my favorite saying is "There's no place like home.", I'd like to make "home". Let me know.

Kathy in FL
roslasky at comcast dot net

Julie @ Jaybird Quilts said...

i just found out about this but i like the idea and i'm going to try and make one!