Hawaiian Blocks

It's supposed to be Spring.  I can't believe it's snowing again!  The temperature dropped this evening and now the snow is falling.  I had my car washed today so of course it will rain and snow!!!  I think that's one of Murphy's Laws.

I turned my thoughts to Spring, despite the weather outside, and leafed through a couple of quilt magazines and my Accuquilt catalog as I drank a cup of coffee.  There are bright, happy colors being shown all over.  I was drawn to the Hawaiian Block dies in the Accuquilt catalog and decided to order the die for the Summer Bouquet block.  This die will cut a 15" x 15" floral design to be appliqued to a background fabric. 

Typically, Hawaiian Quilting is done by folding a solid color piece of fabric several times, cutting out a design (Remember folding paper and cutting snowflakes as a child? It's like doing that with fabric!), unfolding and appliqueing the design to another solid color.  I think the Summer Bouquet block will look nice being cut from a print too,  at least I am going to try it. I have seen some beautiful Hawaiian Quilts made entirely from one applique but I'm going to start with the 15" blocks!!!

As part of my quilt curriculum at school, I read the story Luka's Quilt with my second graders.  It's a cute story about Luka and her Tutu (Grandmother).  Tutu makes a traditional Hawaiian Quilt for Luka and the story describes the entire process rather well.  I think it will be great to have the die and create a Hawaiian Quilting project that I can do with  the students in my class.

I also ordered the Santa's On His Way block die.  It is also a 15" block and is made up of reindeer, bells and snowflakes.  During summer break I can work on creating some new projects for Christmas  (it's only nine months from Friday, you know).

I am anxious to get these new dies and play!!!

Happy Quilting,
Laurel