modern sampler quilt along: block G link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag  #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month (or Thursday, in this case!), we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block G from the pattern.

Man, this month's block was a beast. Am I the only one who thought that, or do some of you agree? When it came time to put this block together, I did not have the patience to create small drunkard's path templates and attempt to match seams. So instead, I decided to improvise. I cut each curve freehand, without a ruler, and sewed whatever curve appeared before me.

The result was a bit of a wonky block, and a departure from the original pattern, but I'll take it. I'm curious to see how you each approached this block and those curves. Please share them below!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block G. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.

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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block F link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag  #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block F from the pattern.

We've made it to the halfway point in the quilt along---yay! This month's block was my favorite so far, mostly because I really love the Yoshiko Jinzenji text print I used.

Rather than piecing the curves on my machine, I opted to needle-turn appliqué each of the half ovals to the background strips, and then machine sewed them from there.

Since we're halfway through the pattern, I thought it would be a great time for us to post all six blocks we've completed thus far, and cheer each other on. Here are all of my blocks so far (I haven't trimmed them yet, hence the varying sizes---ha!).

To celebrate everyone who has completed their first six blocks, Zakka Workshop and I have teamed up to create two small giveaway bundles, featuring coin purse kits, cuts of Yoshiko Jinzenji prints, and screen-printed fabric panels from the Salty Oat shop.

Orange + Purple Bundle:

Gray Bundle:

To be in the running for one of the two bundles, simply link up to a photo showing all six of your finished blocks by next Tuesday, March 1, at 11:59 pm EST. I'll select two winners from all of the entries on Wednesday, March 2. You'll still be able to post photos of your Block F until our next link-up on March 29.

UPDATE: Thank you so much to everyone that posted their finished blocks, and congrats to A Quilter's Table and Bespoke Outlaw on winning the prize bundles!

Now let's see your blocks!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Blocks A-F (or just Block F). In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.

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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block E link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag  #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block E from the pattern.

Welcome to our fifth link-up! I found this month's block to be the easiest to piece of all of the ones we've done so far. Do you agree? For mine, I simply pieced a basic nine-patch block, turned it at an angle, and trimmed it down to the necessary block size before adding mitered borders.

Next month, we'll be halfway through the pattern (!), and I want to celebrate everyone's hard work! For February's link-up, post a photo of all six of your completed blocks for a chance to win some fun goodies (including fabric!). If you're just joining us, or still have a block or two to finish, this will be a great reason to get caught up!

Now let's share our blocks!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block E. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.

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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block D link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag  #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block D from the pattern.

Welcome to our fourth link-up! We're now onto the second row of our quilt tops. Have you been enjoying the process so far?

This month has been a busy one for me (we bought a house!), so I'm thankful I had the forethought to make Block D last month, while I had the pattern and my fabrics out on the table. I found this block to be relatively straightforward---especially when compared to the curves we encountered last month!---and I wound up paper piecing each of the rows, to have them remain as accurate as possible.

Now let's see your blocks!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block D. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.

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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block C link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block C from the pattern.

Welcome to our third link-up for the Modern Sampler Quilt Along! This month's block was a bit of a departure from previous months' blocks---there were curves!

Block C features a cup and saucer, and I opted to construct and sew my cup using needle-turn appliqué. I cut out templates of the shapes (adding in a seam allowance), which I used to cut my fabric. I then basted my fabric shapes to the background and hand stitched the edges, turning them under as I went.

How did you piece Block C? And which block has been your favorite so far? I'd love to know!

TIP
If you've never tried needle-turn appliqué before, Carolyn Friedlander's book, Savor Each Stitch, is a great resource to get you started.

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block C. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.

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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block B link-up

The Modern Sampler Quilt Along is an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month. You can follow the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and progress, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block B from the pattern.

Welcome to the second link-up for the Modern Sampler Quilt Along! Thank you so much to everyone who posted a Block A last month; your blocks and fabrics choices were excellent!

Since Block B had a significant number of pieces to it, I opted to use foundation paper piecing to construct mine. I traced the pattern template onto paper (in reverse), and stitched the fabric directly to it. Similar to Block A, I again used out-of-date quilt labels and a Yoshiko Jinzenji print for the background, and this time included a bright pink Kei Honeycomb dot and a sage green print by Umbrella Prints in some of the main shapes.

TIP
If you're new to foundation paper piecing, and would like to use the technique in this or future blocks, Michael Ann has a great step-by-step photo tutorial and simple block pattern to get you started.

Have any tips or tricks or observations about making this block that you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments below.

Now let's see your blocks!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block B. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.
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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along: block A link-up

Welcome to the first link-up for the Modern Sampler Quilt Along, an informal and virtual quilt along where we make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern each month! You can follow the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong on Instagram to get a peek at everyone's blocks, fabrics, and process, as we work our way through the pattern together. On the last Tuesday of each month, we gather here to share the blocks we've made; this month we worked on Block A from the pattern.

For my quilt, I'm using the Superbuzzy Yoshiko Jinzenji bundle as the starting point for my fabric selection, and I've pulled a number of complementary fabrics from my stash to round it out, adding in pops of pink, yellow, and aqua.

For my Block A, I used out-of-date quilt labels, a vintage daisy print (I love the pop of neon coral in the flowers' centers!), solid aqua, an Ikea text print, and a Jinzenji print. One of the things that I really like about this pattern so far is that Jinzenji doesn't specify what types of fabrics to use (lights versus darks, colors versus neutrals) or where to place them, which I found quite freeing. I had fun experimenting with the layout.

TIP
In case this is your first time doing mitered corners on your borders and you'd like a bit of help, Craftsy has a step-by-step photo tutorial that shows you how to sew them, and the Fat Quarter Shop has a step-by-step video that walks you through the process as well.

Have any tips or tricks or observations you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments below.

Now let's see your first blocks!

HOW TO LINK UP
1. Click the "Add your link" button below, and link to a blog post or Instagram photo of your Block A. In the "Link Title" field, enter your blog name or Instagram handle.

2. If you're linking to a blog post, please link back to this post somewhere in your post. If you're linking to an Instagram photo, be sure to tag your photo with the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong.
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An InLinkz Link-up

modern sampler quilt along

Happy September! Today, I'm so excited to announce the launch of the Modern Sampler Quilt Along, which I will be hosting and organizing here on the blog! Each month, we'll make a block from Yoshiko Jinzenji's Modern Sampler Quilt pattern, working our way through the entire pattern together for the next year.

Yoshiko Jinzenji is an accomplished quilter from Japan whom I've long admired, and I was quite smitten with this pattern she designed when I first saw it---it's such a unique take on a sampler quilt! I thought it would be the perfect project to sew alongside friends (a.k.a., you, my dear readers!), which is what inspired me to put this together.

SCHEDULE

On the last Tuesday of each month, I'll post my completed block and include a link-up for you to post your finished block as well. Our tentative schedule for the quilt along is below. I'll update each date with links to the finished blocks as they're completed.

Tuesday, September 29, 2015: Block A

Tuesday, October 27, 2015: Block B

Tuesday, November 24, 2015: Block C

Tuesday, December 29, 2015: Block D

Tuesday, January 26, 2016: Block E

Tuesday, February 23, 2016: Block F

Tuesday, March 29, 2016: Block G

Tuesday, April 26, 2016: Block H

Tuesday, May 31, 2016: Block I

Tuesday, June 28, 2016: Block J

Tuesday, July 26, 2016: Block K

Tuesday, August 30, 2016: Block L

Tuesday, September 27, 2016: Assemble top and appliqué pieces a-l.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016: Post finished quilts for a chance at prizes!

PATTERN

The quilt pattern can be purchased online through Zakka Workshop, the pattern's publisher, or check with your local quilt shop to see if they carry it.

To help you get started, Zakka Workshop has kindly provided a coupon code for Salty Oat readers to take 20% off all Yoshiko Jinzenji patterns in their online shop. Simply enter the coupon code QUILTALONG at checkout to receive the discount. 

FABRIC

An assortment of scraps from your stash will work well for this quilt. Alternatively, Superbuzzy, a fabric store based in Ventura, California, which specializes in imported Japanese fabrics, has put together a special fat-eighth bundle of Jinzenji's fabrics and coordinating Kona solids, just for us!

DETAILS

The quilt's finished size is 52" x 65 ¾" (132 x 167 cm), so it will make an excellent throw quilt.

Use the hashtag #modernsamplerquiltalong for any images you post online, so that we can all follow your progress for the next year. And if you'd like to add a button for the quilt along to your blog, simply copy and paste the code generated below into your blogging template.

<div class="modern-sampler-quilt-along-button" style="width: 150px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://saltyoat.blogspot.com/2015/09/modern-sampler-quilt-along.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7hn2KGaBeBeomJOTwPX2O4HUDOdFBZj9KBj9uwFO0BASEQjHUOnLjSceUVxYidiw6ISnupm5XKBwSHbdRDOCiIkR8-_5UMmYg8Ou68wr9DuZKi3VJr7QY0QBH5_Dp7IWFOp-hGSuVxzM/s150-Ic42/Modern%252520Sampler%252520Quilt%252520Photo%252520150x150.jpg" alt="Modern Sampler Quilt Along" width="150" height="150" /> </a> </div>

I'm so excited to work on this quilt, and I'll hope you'll join me (at any time)! Excited? Questions? Let me know in the comments below. I can't wait to see your first set of blocks at the end of this month!