Modern Japanese Block of the Month @ Sew What’s Cooking?

I’m so excited to start this Modern Japanese Block of the Month. The blocks are from a really great quilting book by Susan Briscoe called Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix and Match.  There is a little of everything in the book: patchwork, paper piecing, applique, and embroidery (sashiko) and Ms. Briscoe’s instructions are really well written.  She has another book out with more great Japanese blocks called Japanese Taupe Quilts.  I’ll have to check it out.  I really love the blocks because they are so different from what I’m used to seeing.

I think I’ve chosen a good mix of simple to more difficult blocks but I’ve left out the applique, paper piecing and sashiko.  I will be posting a detailed, step-by-step tutorial each Tuesday, alternating between piecing the block and quilting the block.

We will do the quilt as you go method and attach the blocks with binding strips as shown here by Leah Day . This way we end up with a finished quilt instead of another quilt top in our WIP pile.  To learn about – or learn more about – free motion quilting, you’ll want to visit the websites of Leah Day and Angela Walters.

I’ve also set up a Flickr group, Modern Japanese Block of the Month, so we can share our blocks, get to know one another, and get help.

I’m stepping out of my comfort zone with the colors I’m using but thought the fabrics were so pretty! I have included a blank coloring page of the blocks as well as one of the individual block so you can play.

As far as the fabric requirements – there are so many different types of blocks – and fabric choices – I really wasn’t sure how to go about it.  I’ll post the requirements each block for the piecing, sashing, batting and backing as we go along.  I can tell you that these blocks are great for using your scraps, too, as I did the first time around.   I purchased some half-yards of coordinating fabrics to use and plan to do a black and white patchwork on the back to use up what I have.

The quilt along starts tomorrow, Tuesday, February 12th and will wrap up on December 3rd!  I hope you will join in the fun!

Full Coloring Page

Block 1 Coloring Page