Friday, January 9, 2015

Let's Eat Cake

 I made a cake for Elizabeth today! She's the January Queen Bee for the Mid-Century Modern Bee. We're beginning our 3rd year of sewing together...saying good-by to a couple of gals and hello to some new ones. I'm looking forward to lots of great projects with this talented bunch of "mid-century" ladies!
 Last year, Carla asked us to make blocks for a whimsical sampler type quilt and Elizabeth enjoyed it so much that she wants one for herself. (I wouldn't mind one either!) I decided to try my hand at paper-piecing a layer cake using this free pattern by Ellison Lane.
 After printing off and taping together the five pattern sections, it was time to sew and assemble each layer of my cake. Elizabeth wanted bright colors along with a type-set background. I found lots to choose from among my stash as these are favorites of mine as well.
 Since type-set fabrics are generally directional, I knew that using it for paper-piecing would be a little bit of a challenge. But, because only two of the sections were triangles, it really wasn't too much of a problem if I laid out the fabric parts ahead of time. For some reason the numbers printed on the pattern seemed upside down to me and I got a little mixed up at one point but, all in all, it was an easy block to create. Wouldn't it be fun to have a whole quilt full of layer-cakes to use during birthday celebrations! Hmm...
 My block turned out a a little small for some reason and I'm hoping that it will work okay since I imagine that Elizabeth will be adding sashings to fit all the various blocks together. For good measure, I couldn't resist making a couple of filler blocks to send along in the mail.
 I'm looking forward to seeing what goodness the other MCM members will be sewing up this month.
 It will be delightful, I'm sure!

10 comments:

  1. Your blocks are adorable, your friend is sure to just love it!

    ReplyDelete
  2. ELizabeth will love her birthday cake, especially as January is her birthday month too! Your siggy block is adorable too!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is a beautiful block - I really like your yummy fabric choices.

    ReplyDelete
  4. How adorable, and such a super piecing job! What about a birthday cake placemat or mats for celebrations? It is a super cute block for sure!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So pretty! Do you know the text fabric?

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh it's just adorable Carla. Great job with those directional prints and the paper piecing. How fitting too, since January is her birthday month. I still haven't decided what I'm making. Guess I better get sewing.

    ReplyDelete
  7. That will be a very fun addition to her quilt. I have my plan, but haven't made it yet ; )

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love these blocks! Since my birthday is in January, the layer cake block has special resonance for me, and will always remind me of you and of my birthday. You are so quick to get these done--I can hardly wait to receive my blocks! Thank you so much!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Super block, Carla! You nailed this one... err, should I say baked it! Great colors, and the perfect touch of whimsy. Enjoy your third year with these great quilters.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Three years together! Well done! I love the blocks you girls make. You take on more challenging things than many bees would.

    ReplyDelete