Bella Skill Builder - Block 1

One of the things I wanted to do this year was to find a quilt pattern with a set of traditional sort of blocks with a modern slant to the overall quilt. Then, in my inbox popped an invitation from the Fat Quarter Shop to sew along with the Bella Skill Builder and I was in.

I mean, look at that quilt. A beautiful, modern geometric set of blocks, and a skill builder as well. I love to work improvisationally, but I also love to maintain excellent sewing skills. This 10 month free quilt along met all my criteria. Maybe you will want to join in too - go here for all the details from the Fat Quarter Shop.

February is the start of the quilt along and it starts with Kaleidoscope blocks in two sizes. I am going to order more Bella Solids and I might change the colour scheme a bit, so I started with just one block for now. I have the whole month of February to do the other two.




This free pattern uses a clever approach to kaleidoscope blocks that is fast and stress free. I chain pieced the units.



I did stop to press the units at each addition. Given that these are triangle pieces and thus have bias cuts, I was careful to press, not iron, so as to avoid stretching them.



The units come together quickly!



This is my first block, it will finish at 12" square. I am debating my decision to deviate from the pattern's suggestion of a dark and light fabric of the same colour for this block. I think I might make the other 2 blocks with the coloured background, but we shall see.

You can read all about the Bella Skill Builder and visit the other bloggers sewing along by going here to the Fat Quarter Shop's  Jolly Jabber Blog. Maybe you will decide to sew along too, I share my progress on the other two blocks later this month and will be back at the beginning of March with next month's block too.

Best,

Leanne