As Noted--Unveiled!

Linda H. placing the bass clef

Last summer, I shared the blocks that our members made for the guild block challenge, "As Noted." The rules for the challenge was to make a block with a musical theme. If you used notes or words, these should be in black. The background should be cream, off white. We received 56 blocks which were made by 31 people. These blocks became the opportunity quilt for 2026. (Members choose a 501(3)c charitable organization to support. The ticket sales go to that organization.

Su S. placing the dots

In that post, I also shared how we were sashing the blocks. We pieced various widths of strips of solid fabrics which we cross cut into various widths that we sewed to the blocks. At the beginning of one sew session, we drew the bass clef on freezer paper. Once we had the shape and size we wanted, we cut it out of freezer paper. We then adhered it to our black fabric.

Placing the blocks around the staff

We used round household items to audition the size of the dots we needed. Su S. stitched the dots into perfect circles. Linda H. hand appliquéd the bass clef and the dots. Linda P.  figured out the math needed for the staff.After we had this section of the top together, we began placing the blocks around the bass clef.

Getting closer to a top

We did need to take a few of our four patch blocks apart because our top was approaching 110 inches in length. We then had to add more of the solid fabric sashing. Determining where that sashing was placed to get the blocks to fit together was quite the puzzle! We moved some blocks to another position. We used some solid black, some solid colors and even a musical print to fill in some of the spaces. We high fived one another when we had a "section" together. We totally improv pieced this top!

Sharron B. pressing a section

From the beginning, we planned to machine appliqué two blocks to the staff. Linda P. hadn't done this before; but was game to give it a go. Linda H. stitched the last seam.

Linda H. stitching the last seam

We were gifted a bunch of musical fabrics. From those donations, I pieced a back. You can read the post here. You can also view the label that Su S. wrote.

Finished top: Su S., Linda P., me, Sharron B. and Linda H.

We asked another Linda P. to quilt it on her long arm. We encouraged her to let the blocks inspire her to quilt the top. 

Quilting sample

She did an awesome job. 

There is so much to see on the project. 

Each block is quilted a little bit differently. 

A few of the blocks are included in this post.

Note the musical instruments quilted to the left of the block

She said she went on the internet to capture free clip art of musical instruments which she quilted in the staff.

The detail of the quilting is evident from the back too.

Detail of the quilting from the quilt back

Once the quilting was finished, Su machine stitched the binding to the front. Then Su, Linda H., Linda P. and Sharron B. hand stitched the binding to the back. Sharron B. added the sleeve and made a pillowcase to house the quilt when it isn't being shown at various locales where tickets will be sold. 

Binding

Finished quilt.

Ticket proceeds will go to the West Columbia Humane Society located in Washougal, Washington.

I so enjoyed working with these women. When any thought was on the table, the response was positive with comments about how to fine tune or improve the idea. That they chose one of my ideas as our initial start, was especially touching to me. I hope we will sell all the tickets.

We unveiled our finished quilt at the April guild meeting. We had so many positive responses. Ticket sales will begin late Fall or early Winter.

Sharing this project was goal number four on my May list.

Linking to Frédérique at Patchwork and Quilts and Cynthia at Oh Scrap! Happy Mother's Day to all you moms of two legged and four legged kids!