October Color Challenge

It’s that time of the month, again! In October the 2018 Monthly Color Challenge team will be exploring Blue Violet.

The 2018 Monthly Color Challenged is hosted by Jen, of Patterns by Jen. Check out her blog to see her block design for the month. Later this month you can join the linkup and enter the prize drawing. This month the prize has been donated by Cherrywood Fabrics. They are giving one lucky winner a $25 gift certificate to use in their shop!

Their fabrics are so amazing in person. I’ve resisted temptation thus far, but I’m sure I will give in any day now.

Be sure to check out my fellow bloggers. Some have original patterns, and others have eye candy. This group is a wonderful source of inspiration.

Jen at Patterns by Jen
Sherry at Powered by Quilting
Dione at Clever Chameleon
Jen at A Dream and a Stitch
Nancy at Masterpiece Quilting

Blue Violet is another challenging color for me. I am happy to report that I have unpacked my color wheel recently. I went through the studio and pulled out things that are Blue Violet on my color wheel. I would have called all of these purple. My color wheel doesn’t have purple. It has violet (because it is pretentious?) Probably because ROYGBIP sounds stupid. Also, why does Indigo not appear on my color wheel at all? I’ll be getting a book on this topic soon.

Moving on. Here is my lovely photo of blue violet stuff, with the three blue violet fabrics that were closest to hand. Sorry for the poor quality – I should have pressed the fabrics first. My styling game is flat today, even if my fabrics are not.

Circle Play

This month we are going to do straight lines again. I need a relatively simple block – it has been a busy month.

Supplies

Clammy 12″ ruler or 6 1/2″ Quarter Square ruler by Betty Crocker Ass
Paper
Add-a-quarter ruler
Square Ruler
Blue Violet fabric in a range of values, light to dark
White fabric for Background arcs
Standard sewing supplies – sewing machine, rotary cutter, self healing mat, pins, etc.

Fabric pull

From your white fabrics, cut a stack of 4 – 6 1/2″ squares. Line them up with your 12″ Clammy, and cut your background arcs.

Prepare your paper templates for the inner arcs.

Trace four copies of the inner arc onto some paper. Make sure to mark the midline notch on your arc.

Draw a line from the midpoint to the corner of your piece.

Measure 1/4″ from the midpoint line along the diagonal line. From that point, draw a line parallel to the edge of both sides of the paper.

Cut out your arcs along the curved line.

If you are following my value arrangement, lay out your arc and note which sections need to light, medium, or dark value.

Cut your purples
Light – 4 – 5″ squares
Medium – 4 – 5″ squares
Dark 1 – 4 – 3″ x 5″ rectangles
Dark 2 – 4 – 3″ x 5″ rectangles

Layer your paper foundation face down, with a light square face up, and a medium square face down.

Flip it over, and stitch along the diagonal line.

Flip back your paper to trim your seam allowance, using your Add-a-Quarter ruler. Double check to be sure you are trimming the correct side. Press open.

Add a dark rectangle to the next section, stitch, trim, and press.

Repeat with the remaining section. Stitch, trim, and press.

Line up the Clammy ruler with the arc, and trim away the excess fabric.

Use your square ruler to clean up the edges.

Repeat three more times, until you have all of your units made.

Pin the background arcs on, and stitch together.

Press your arcs toward the background fabric. (This is the ironing board of a busy quilter. Best Press and starch leave residue. Blech.)

Double check your layout before putting your blocks together. Pin carefully and stitch all of your pieces together.

Enjoy your block!

Thanks for joining the Color Challenge this month! If you make a Circle Play block, tag me on social media! I love seeing how everyone plays with my ideas. I am jenstrauser on Instagram, and Dizzy Quilter on Facebook.

Previous Color Challenge Blocks

January Color Challenge
February Color Challenge
March Color Challenge
April Color Challenge
May Color Challenge
June Color Challenge
July Color Challenge
August Color Challenge
September Color Challenge