Gertie Writes: Red Blocks for the January Rainbow Scrap Challenge!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge block

This is Gertie, Terry's inner squirrel. I've convinced her to let me write the Rainbow Scrap Challenge (RSC) posts this year.

Last December, I ran across a Curved Log Cabin tutorial from Said With Love. When four log cabin blocks were pieced together, the result was a circle. I liked the illusion of the circle that was created when there were only straight seams stitched! A bonus of this tutorial was the block was offered in two sizes. I decided that this block in two sizes would be perfect for Terry's Rainbow Scrap Challenge block for the year.

She has always liked log cabin blocks. Terry has used them as a border and has pieced a few into sampler quilts; but, this will be the first time she will have enough blocks for an entire quilt! It didn't take a lot of effort for her to get on board with stitching these blocks this year.

Large block

Our plan is to make one large block which will finish at 22 inches and two small blocks which will finish at 11 inches each month. Other than combining the two sized blocks into a top, I don't have a plan for an end project other than I'd like the top to have a "modern" feel to it. If we need more blocks, we'll extend the project into 2023! After all, I am squirrel.  Starting projects and stock piling blocks are two of my best attributes!

Small block

Again, we're planning a cream/white scrappy background for all of the blocks. I wanted to try piecing the blocks with a complimentary background. Although Terry contemplated long about that opportunity, she didn't take my inner squirrel's suggestion. Perhaps, next year!

We do plan to spend some time cutting background kits for each block so that when Angela releases the color for the month, it will only take the time to choose and cut the color of the month before she can begin piecing.

A red kit for the small block ready to stitch

Miss K, Terry's oldest granddaughter at nine and a half, is interested in making blocks for the challenge. Last year, she pieced a chunk of string blocks to help Terry keep up each month during the 2021 RSC. Miss K's string piecing skills become better with each block she finished. 

This year, Terry thought that Miss K could increase her quilting skills and learn how to cut with a rotary cutter. She was ready to try. Terry plans to cut the strips. Miss K will sub cut the segments as the length will be shorter. A shorter length should equate to less of an opportunity for her to cut herself. Terry introduced Miss K to the Dritz rotary cutter that Terry purchased when she was first introduced to a rotary cutter back in the early 90's. 

It is a pressure sensitive cutter. Although, I couldn't find a Dritz brand one on line so that you could read about it, I did find an alternative brand. Pushing down on the handle exposes the blade. When learning, not having to remember to open and close the blade lets one concentrate on keeping one's fingers out of the cutting path. At least, this is our hope!

Red blocks for January

Miss K did well with the cutting. She sub cut enough sections to piece a small block. She hasn't decided whether she wants to make these blocks, if she wants to piece the RSC blocks she made last year--she has planned a layout--or if she wants to do both! Time will tell. 

I'm linking to Angela and the Rainbow Scrap Challenge for January where red is the color of the month. I'm also linking to Cynthia and Oh Scrap/Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework. This was goal number six on Terry's January list.