When I first saw this week's Moda Blockheads 2 pattern, I didn't think it needed a snowflake appliquè. I pulled out a really old snowflake draft I created on Christmas Eve 2011. The draft didn't turn out exactly the way I anticipated, and it joined the pile of flakes I would one day try again. Today is that day.
the 7-year-old prototype
As I worked on the new prototype, trying to figure out how to get all the hexagons to lay flat, I realized I could modify the week 11 Direction block to fit a snowflake a couple of different ways. I was magnetically drawn to an option that would use up more of my leftover triangles from the week 5 Impact block.
This is a totally scrappy version of the Direction block. This block uses up some of the final leftovers from the handkerchief hem skirt I made on Christmas Day in 2012. I used every embroidery stitch on my retired 1982 Viking Husqvarna, one on each side seam. I still wear the skirt every winter, and I usually wear it with that silly oversized snowflake top I bought on clearance in January of 2010. It's about six sizes too big, but it has a snowflake, and it was $6. How could I walk away???
The modified block meant I had to come up with a smaller version of today's flake to fit in the center. I wasn't sure at first if I liked the Round 3 mini version of today's snowflake pattern, so I embellished.
Then I decided there's no reason why the original flake pattern can't be modified with the new center. I've written the patterns for both the appliquéd mini and the original full-size flakes. If you like the popcorn center better than the plain center for your full-sized flake, just swap out the first two Rounds.
Ultimately, I decided to make the scrappy block with no snowflake.
I also tried my hand at the modified Pineapple block option I didn't get a chance to make at the end of July. I am not sure why the triangles in the finished block didn't turn out the way I planned in the pattern I drafted, but I'm not going to complain because I used up 16 more of the Impact triangle leftovers. Some of the triangles in my draft are SO teensy!!!
my inspiration
the pineapple pattern I drafted
Well… at least it uses up some scraps…
my pineapple blocks
I've made extra 12-inch blocks, so making a few extra 6-inch blocks should keep my block numbers in line. We won't know until the end of the 12-month project what the designers are planning for the layout, but I've got an idea of what I want to do with my blocks. If I have enough blocks ahead of the big reveal, I might just do my own thing.
I looked up how many people have joined Moda Blockheads, and there are more than 28,000 members! With more joining every week!
I simply cannot imagine 28,000 identical handmade quilts!!! Can you?!?
I'm enjoying this challenge tremendously. I love seeing all the different interpretations of each block. I enjoy seeing all the different color and fabric combinations. The appliqué work being done by a few members is outstanding. The fussy cutting by some makes me want to do more fussy cutting in my own quilt. The inspiration each week is sensational.
I'm not the only Blockhead wanting my quilt to be different than the other 27,999!
Who knows? Perhaps some of my blocks will become backings when I begin the QAYG portion of my project. Such as that goofy pineapple slush block…
You may do whatever you'd like with snowflakes you make from this pattern, but you may not sell or republish the pattern. Thanks, and enjoy!
Finished Size: 5.5 inches from point to point
Materials: Size 8 crochet thread, size 9 crochet hook, empty pizza box, wax paper or plastic wrap, cellophane tape, water soluble school glue or desired stiffener, water, glitter, small container for glue/water mixture, paintbrush, stick pins that won't be used later for sewing, clear thread or fishing line
Mini Hexie Madness Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through 2nd ch of starting ch 2 and replace loop on hook, pull loop through ch (starting popcorn stitch made), ch 3, * 5 dc in ring, take loop off hook, insert hook through top loop of 1st dc and replace loop on hook, pull loop through top of 1st dc (popcorn stitch made), ch 3; repeat from * 4 times, sl st in top of starting popcorn st. Pull magic circle tight.
Round 2: Sl st into next ch 3 sp, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 3 dc in same ch 3 sp, * ch 1, 4 dc in next ch 3 sp; repeat from 4 times; 1 hdc in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 3: 1 sc over post of hdc directly below, * ch 5, 1 sc in 3rd ch from hook (picot made), ch 2, 1 sc over next ch 1; repeat from * 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Hexie Madness Snowflake Instructions
Make magic ring.
Round 1: Ch 2 (count as 1 dc), 11 dc in ring; sl st into ch of starting ch 2. Pull magic ring tight.
Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same st as sl st; 2 dc in each st around for a total of 24; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 3: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * ch 5, sk 3 dc, 1 sc in next dc; repeat from * around 4 times; ch 2, 1 tr in starting sc to form 6th ch 5 sp of Round.
Round 4: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc top of tr just worked, 1 dc in middle of tr, 1 dc in bottom of tr, * sk next sc, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 5 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 2 dc in same st as starting 2 dc; sl st in 2 ch of starting ch 2.
Round 5: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * ch 9, sk 8 dc, 1 sc in next dc (middle dc of 5/dc group); repeat from * around 4 times; ch 4, 1 dtr in starting sc to form 6th ch 9 sp of Round.
If you're not reading this pattern on Snowcatcher, you're not reading the designer's blog. Please go here to see the original.
Round 6: Ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), 2 dc in same st as sl st, 4 dc across post of dtr directly below, * sk next sc, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 5 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 4 ch; repeat from * around 4 times; 1 dc in each of next 4 ch, 2 dc in same st as starting 2 dc; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 7: 1 sc in same st as sl st, * ch 13, sk 13 dc, 1 sc in next dc (middle dc of 5/dc group); repeat from * around 5 times, omitting last sc of final repeat; sl st in starting sc.
Round 8: Sl st in next ch, ch 2 (counts as 1 dc), * 1 dc in each of next 5 ch, 5 dc in next ch, 1 dc in each of next 6 ch, sk next sc, 1 dc in next ch; repeat from * around, omitting last dc of final repeat; sl st in 2nd ch of starting ch 2.
Round 9: * 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in next dc, 5 dc in next dc, 1 dc in next dc, 1 hdc in each of next 3 dc, 1 sc in each of next 3 dc, sk next 2 dc, ch 3; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc.
Round 10: * 1 sc in each of next 3 st, 1 hdc in each of next 3 st, 1 dc in each of next 2 st, 3 dc in next st (middle dc of 5/dc group), ch 1, sl st in top of dc just made (picot tip made), 2 dc in same st (middle dc of 5/dc group), 1 dc in each of next 2 st, 1 hdc in each of next 3 st, 1sc in each of next 3 st, sk next sc, 3 dc in ch 3 sp, ch 3, 3 dc in same sp, sk next sc; repeat from * around 5 times; sl st in starting sc; bind off. Weave in ends.
Finish: Tape wax paper or plastic wrap to top of empty pizza box. Pin snowflake to box on top of wax paper or plastic wrap.
If using glue, mix a few drops of water with a teaspoon of glue in small washable container. Paint snowflake with glue mixture or desired stiffener. Sprinkle lightly with glitter. Wash paintbrush and container thoroughly. Allow snowflake to dry at least 24 hours. Remove pins. Gently peel snowflake from wax paper or plastic wrap. Attach 10-inch clear thread to one spoke, weaving in end. Wrap fishing line around tree branch (or tape to ceiling or any overhead surface) and watch snowflake twirl freely whenever you walk by! Snowflake also may be taped to window or tied to doorknob or cabinet handle.
Linking up with Alycia Quilts and Busy Hands Quilts and Confessions of a Fabric Addict and My Quilt Infatuation.
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haha $6 and a snowflake, can't walk away from that. Goes to show that 7 year old ideas can still work all those years later indeed.
ReplyDeleteI guess I should never discard old ideas, huh, Pat? :)
DeleteI like all the versions of this snowflake! The original prototype has a kind of futuristic vibe.
ReplyDeleteThose are some tiny triangles in that block! I think the reason your draft came out different was that you had different proportions than the inspiration diagram. The center block should be twice the width of the border pieces. (Not sure how to say that so it makes sense - maybe think four patch vs nine patch?)
What lovely snowflakes. I especially loved the 4 color one.
ReplyDelete