Month One for River Heritage Block-of-the-Month Mystery Quilt block progress is well underway!
Before we look at the next block in the series, let’s see the guild’s quilt block progress so far on the first block!
Importantly, these Paddle Wheel blocks use dark, medium, and light fabrics.
Specifically, it’s wise to audition your fabrics all together since values can change depending what it’s near. Click here for more information about The Tricky Traits of Value.
Additionally, the Paddle Wheel block is made of squares and half-square triangle units.
See the Introduction HERE for more information about the quilt, including the general setting guidelines.
I think a fun way to gauge the progress is by taking a look at the blocks shared so far with the hashtag: #riverheritage
The Paddle Wheel block is your first fun project for The River Heritage Mystery Quilt!
An iconic symbolism itself, the Paddle Wheel block is a fun way to start a quilt depicting life along the river.
Month One – Paddle Wheel Block
pad*dle wheel /‘padl ,(h)wēl/ a large steam-driven wheel with boards around its circumference, situated at the stern or side of a ship so as to propel the ship through the water by its rotation.
Month One – Paddle Wheel Block
See the Month One Instructions link below.
The quilt block is made with dark, medium, and light fabrics. I’ve decided to make this sample quilt as scrappy as possible. However, for this block, I choose to keep consistency in the actual wheel design. Moreover, this particular block has a very central placement in this overall design. Therefore, a bold Paddle Wheel statement will work nicely. Future blocks will accommodate a more scrappy look.
In addition, this is a very balanced block, although not necessary symmetrical, depending on the contrasts in your light and medium valued fabrics.
Paddle Wheel – Month One River Heritage
The Units
Overall, this design is made using half-square triangle units and four-patch units, along with a center square. It is an easy block to make. Oftentimes, it is confused with a similar design called the water wheel.
Additionally, you’ll want to make sure the fabrics of your paddle wheel have a stark contrast by using a dark value. To learn more about value, click HERE.
Have fun making your Paddle Wheel block! In addition, each month of this mystery will be presented to you with photos, adventures, and more about life along the river. Firstly, above is a photo of a very frozen Mississippi River.
SHOP more than 50 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE!
Here is the introduction to the FREE Mystery Quilt Patterns for Block-of-the-Month.
First, this is a collection of blocks for free mystery quilt patterns which are originally revealed monthly for my quilt guild. Anyone can start and finish this quilt any time!
When I agreed to head up the Block-of-the-Month program for my local guild, I decided to make the quilt a collection of free mystery quilt patterns. I have to say, while the first reveal is yet to come, I’ve had a lot of fun already!
After an exhausting online search a set of patterns, I decided to create one myself. Since my guild is called River Heritage Quilters’ Guild, I thought a quilt depicting river life would be appropriate.
Here is an over-view of what to expect.
While this quilt will have special meaning for those who live near river life, and especially for those near the mighty Mississippi in southeast Missouri, it can be appreciated by most as a beautiful sampler of blocks in a lovely setting.
River Heritage free mystery quilt patterns will feature nine traditionally-pieced blocks in a lovely setting which will finish at 66 x 66 inches.
Most of the quilt blocks have a common river-life theme and a couple of them have regional and local references.
This will be a nice quilt for gifting to a loved one (you’ll see why when we get to that block) or to have as a keepsake, especially if you are a member of River Heritage Quilters’ Guild. While members of the RHQG will recognize that the names of the blocks have a connection to our guild and the general region of our country, the quilt itself is very appropriate for anyone around the world and would be considered a sampler quilt in a beautiful setting.
I suggest hitting your stash for your light, medium, and dark fabrics in three colors. You’ll also need some light neutrals (ranging from white to light beige and gray). The blocks themselves can be scrappy, so you can add to your collection as the mystery and the year unfolds!
The setting for this quilt will be striking and yet easy to put together. Instructions and specific fabric requirements for the setting and borders will follow the last block instructions. In general (in case you want to plan ahead), one yard for the dark border and 1 ½ yds. for the three light, medium, and dark setting pieces and binding will be sufficient. (Your nine mystery blocks will be in the light gray squares.) This picture is very similar but not exactly how your setting will look (it is a MYSTERY, after all!).
Note: Seams are ¼ inch unless otherwise noted. When piecing rows, alternate pressing direction. (For example, I press row one to the right, row two to the left, etc. for easy nesting of seams.)
Fabric selections, blocks, and quilts are shared using the hashtags, #mysteryquilt and #riverheritage on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest.
Therefore, this is a spoiler alert for those who wish this to remain “free mystery quilt patterns”!
SHOP more than 45 quilt patterns that use BOTH beautiful sides of fabric HERE! Follow and share Creative Bee Studios on Facebook, Pinterest, & Instagram
