GAME ON! MONTH 8

Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to almost 20 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

Now we are ready to move on to the larger borders--6" blocks. We are making the LEFT larger border:

The good news for some of you--there are NO PAPERS TO PRINT. This is just machine pieced in the regular manner.

I have a few tips. First, once you make the little four patches, they need to be trimmed to 2 5/8". I always measure blocks from the center BUT what is middle of 2 5/8"?  It's 1 5/16". We don't have a line on our rulers for sixteenths. 

SO, I made a 2 5/8" square of Vellum, so I could see through it. Folding it in half in both directions gave me the middle--I drew a line in each direction with a fine point pen:

Placing the Vellum square on the Four Patch, I used a mechanical pencil to draw in the four corners--this allowed me to see where to place a small square ruler--at the 2 5/8" mark on the outside edge:

I rotated it and trimmed the other two sides for a perfect 2 5/8" Four Patch.

UPDATE: A smart person posted on the FORUM how to make this border without a seam in the green—not as Blocks. Take a look at her idea:  Shirlett P’s good idea

Back to the Block method: I discovered my usual 1/4" seam allowance caused me a problem. Those 2 5/8" blocks are just a smidge too large for me  to make a 6" block accurately. How much too large? Oh, maybe 1/32".  Nothing you can easily measure.

When I made the first set of these blocks, using the precise 1/4" seam allowance I am accustomed to, I found I was going to "cut off" the outside points. You can see that where the brown sashing has been added:

SO, when I made the second set I experimented with using a slightly larger seam allowance.

The blocks on the LEFT were made with my usual seam allowance. The blocks on the RIGHT were made with the slightly larger seam allowance--they are MUCH better. The BLUE squares are now exactly 1/4" inside the edge and won't be but off:

As usual, I know I have to check myself as I go to be sure my borders aren't GROWING as I piece them. Two blocks sewn together should be 12.5" long. Three blocks should be 18.5" long. Four blocks should be 24.5" long. Join a THREE and a FOUR to get the 42.5" length this Border needs to be. Add the narrow brown sashing to each end and you have MONTH 8 done!

HOW MUCH bigger was the better Seam Allowance? Here is a photo of where my 1/4" presser foot was to give me the size I needed for perfect blocks. It's only a few THREADS, maybe 1/32". You might have to play with your presser foot or needle position if you find your blocks are coming out just a tad too large as I did: 

I find it very helpful to trim blocks with a ruler that is the size the block needs to be, 6.5" with seam allowance in this instance.  I put the 3.25" marks at the center in BOTH directions, North/South, East/West. 

This ruler has WHITE lines in BOTH directions at the midpoints that allow me to easily place them all across the middle of the block in BOTH directions. I can check to be sure there is a 1/4" seam allowance beyond the BLUE squares. This block is just right so I can trim it now:

I strive for perfection but can accept "close is good enough" sometimes. Not if you want to enter International Competition--then it has to be as perfect as you can make it. So I won't be remaking the PRINT KIT border--FINISHED IS BETTER THAN PERFECT.

Next month we'll make the TOP larger border.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

GAME ON! MONTH 7

Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to almost 20 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

This month we add the fourth 3" border, the one at the bottom of the center. This is another one of those "good to know" borders, easy to make and interesting to use. Arranging colors makes the border flow.

The units are easy to paper piece. Simply start by figuring out your colors and keep the fabrics organized. 

Becky has a great tip to make it easier to get intersections to match well. After removing the paper, repress the seam allowances of EVERY OTHER BLOCK in the opposite direction they were pressed when paper piecing:

Now the seams at top and bottom will "nest" 

The intersections will be just where you want them with little bulk:

Be sure the 3" borders measure 36.5" long. I "measure as I go". Each pair needs to measure 6.5" wide. Two pairs sewn together will be 12.5" wide. There are six pairs--I check them all after joining them to each other. Finding the mistake as soon as I make it and fixing it then makes it much more likely the border will be 36.5" wide when complete. 

If the border is longer than 36.5",  measure each unit/pair to find the ones that are too wide and snug up that seam allowance. The FIRST PAIR will measure 6.25" when sewn to the next PAIR, allowing for the outside SEAM ALLOWANCE:

The pairs already sewn to other pairs need to be 6". It is very EASY for borders to GROW just a little with each seam. It is best for me to check each unit/pair as I create the border.

Next we make the four SMALL CORNER BLOCKS that will are used as you add the four 3" borders to the center. Becky shows two LOG CABIN options: a Log Cabin with a CORNER square and a Log Cabin with a CENTER square. 

You can use ANY 3" unit you like. I used Nine Patches for mine:

Here are some alternative ideas:

Once your borders are the right size follow the pattern instructions to add a Log Cabin or your choice of block to the LEFT and RIGHT sides of the TOP and BOTTOM borders to complete the center. 

Finally, carefully cut the narrow BROWN SASHING strips to the EXACT size of the center and add them. Good job! The MIDDLE is getting DONE!

The final 6" CORNER BLOCK also gets made this month. I had a little trouble with my first one. I sewed the wrong sections together:

I should have taken my own advice: WATCH THE VIDEOS, READ THE PATTERN! 

The second time was better. And I didn't trim the outside edges of the papers until the star was assembled. This allowed me to be sure my star was 6.5" and I had a 1/4" beyond each star point:

Another thing I tried to do was keep straight of grain on the outside edge of each section. This meant I usually placed the white fabric on the paper first, then added the blue star point:

Whenever I sew seams with ODD ANGLES or more than FOUR FABRICS coming together, I machine BASTE the seam first. It is much easier to remove basting threads and readjust if I need to:

Machine basting, long stitch set at 5.0

Check to see if you are happy with the intersections. If so, set the machine back to normal piecing length, 2.0 for me, and now sew the complete seam. Here I like this basting so I will complete the seam:

This is a good FIVE POINT STAR and a block I like. Paper piecing it works well for me. I use Freezer Paper so I can use the pattern multiple times. 

Next month we get started on the wider 6" Borders. This will be regular piecing--NO PAPERS TO PRINT!

Let's quilt.

Barbara

GAME ON! MONTH 6

 Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to almost 20 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

This month we make another 3" border and one more 6" Corner block. 

This border is comprised of 2 units--A and B--they are Reverse Mirror Images of each other. It is important to keep organized, especially with the white fabrics.

As always there are excellent instructions and Becky's Videos to guide you.

MY CUTTING SUGGESTION: The only cutting change I made was for the white fabrics, large and small triangles. To save time and fabric I cut 6 rectangles of white, 2.5" x 8.5". (You could make them slightly larger for more "insurance".)

Stack in 3 PAIRS. It is VERY IMPORTANT they be RIGHT SIDES TOGETHER.  Using a ruler with a 30 degree marked line, cut from the lower left corner up to the other side:

You now have 6 large triangles, 2A and 2B, 3 Left and 3 Right. And 6 small triangles, 4A and 4B, 3 Left and 3 Right.

After sewing each unit, trim carefully and join the units as shown in the PRINTS photo above. Or the SOLIDS  photo, as I have done with my SOLIDS version:

This Border is a great one--the Blue/Aqua center strips really make it flow and the large colorful triangles add a lot of interest. I liked it so much I decided it was perfect for my Star of Texas I've been working on, off and on, for many years:

The 6" corner block is easy too. Here are my SOLIDS and PRINTS versions. Feel free to use any fabrics you like should you want to make changes to the KIT selections:

Next month we make the final 3" inner Border and another 6" corner block. 

Be sure to Share Your Progress on the FORUM. We love to see how you are doing.

Let's quilt. 

Barbara

GAME ON! MONTH 4

Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to over 18 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

This month we move on to the narrow borders. Becky has used a classic triangle block in a unusual way:

The only cutting change I made was to the white background triangles. Instead of cutting rectangles 2" x 4.5", I cut them 4" x 4.5", in pairs, wrong sides together. Cut them into half triangles starting about 1/2" from the upper left to lower right. This puts close to straight of grain on the outside edge rather than bias:

If using a fabric with a motif you want to center it takes a bit of effort to figure out how to cut it. My  Zebra was carefully fussy cut so it was centered but I forgot about the triangle shape. Here you can see this won't fit without chopping off important parts: 

                                                            

I cut a second Zebra and he fits better though he has lost his hind end: 

The rotation of the blocks just wasn't my favorite so I tried an alternate layout. My original plan to have all the points facing out would have put a lot of bulk at each seam so I tried this instead. It's still fun and different, just not as different as Becky's. This will go on the PRINTS KIT version when I get that made:

For my SOLIDS KIT version I designed a completely different paper pieced border. Let's call it BB's Border. Here it is on the left:

You are welcome to use it if you like. It is simple to draw--I won't be providing it already drawn. This works well using freezer paper so you only need 2 patterns for speedy sewing. Or you can use vellum or newsprint.

Start by drawing a 3" square, add seam allowances all around to have a 3.5" pattern. Draw a line from the top left corner to the lower center. Draw a line from the bottom right corner to the top center. Connect the top center to the left line, connect the bottom center to the right line. That's it, you have your pattern.

Because these are sewn as reverse mirror images, half have blue on the left and half have green on the left. I simply wrote those two colors on the paper--make 6 of each:

Cutting sizes are:

A1-- center diamond 2.25" x 3.75" (3.5" would work but I like insurance) Cut 12

A2 -- white triangles Strip 2.5" x WOF folded in half will make the 24 equilateral triangles needed, the photo below shows just a small strip of fabric to show the process. Start with a 60 degree cut on the end and alternate those cuts all along the strip. Cut 24

A3, 4 --outer colors, 3.5" x 4.5" cut in pairs, wrong sides together, 3 pair of each color, blue and green in my sample. Cut these exactly as shown in the diagram above for the original pattern:

This border has to be 36.5" including seam allowances when complete so it fits the center medallion. The best way to be sure it will be correct is to check as you go. After sewing 6 pairs, check that each is now 6.5" long. You want to find the mistake as soon as it happens, not when the border is done and is too long or too short:

BB’s Border

My variation of Becky’s Border

Then join the pairs into fours--check them--they should be 12.5" long. Join the three sections and check one more time. If the border is 36.5" long you are good to go! Add it to the left side of your center.

The other project for this month is one of the 4 larger corner blocks. I followed the SOLIDS KIT fabrics exactly with no other changes. 

NOTE: You could cut the white background pieces as I did above to put straight of grain, or close to it, on the outside edges. Cut in pairs, 4.5" x 3" or 3.5" (for insurance), wrong sides together, cut across on the diagonal, about a half inch in from the corners:

Set this aside until later when needed:

If you are a symmetrical kind of person, as I tend to be, you can make each of the narrow borders the SAME. It's YOUR quilt, YOU get to decide. For my PRINTS  version that is what I am doing. This is the border we do in MONTH 5, and is one of my Favorites:

IMPORTANT NOTE:  if you are using the Kits, either SOLIDS or PRINTS, be aware any changes you make to the original pattern MAY impact how much fabric there is left for future positions. This doesn't bother me as I can simply add additional SOLIDS or PRINTS in the future when I get there. IF YOU WANT TO BE SURE YOU HAVE ENOUGH: follow the pattern as written by the designer.

Next month we make the top narrow border and another of the larger corner blocks.

I look forward to seeing your progress on the FORUM.

Let's quilt.

Barbara

GAME ON! Month 3

Game On! is the 2026 Block of the Month quilt designed by Becky Goldsmith exclusively for THE QUILT SHOW: find Game On! information here. Join as a Star Member to get all the patterns and all the videos FREE. Membership is just $49/year and provides access to over 18 years of shows and tremendous additional content. Join HERE

This is the BIG month! We will assemble the Center Medallion, the heart of this quilt. 

My SOLIDS center

MY TIPS:

1. WATCH THE VIDEOS: there are 8 of them, less than 35 minutes total. I recommend you watch them ALL first, before you start, as this will show you the process and you will know which videos to return to when you get to that part of the  assembly process. 

2. CUTTING RECOMMENDATION: don't cut the Inner and Outer Sashing strips until the center is complete. If yours is short, you can widen those strips to insure your Center Medallion with seam allowances is 36.5" square. This is VERY IMPORTANT as we move on to the pieced borders next month.

3. I changed a few colors in my Solid Kit. The Corner Circle are not Yellow and White. And outer sashing is not brown. It's your quilt, YOU get to decide.

4. FOLLOW the INSTRUCTIONS: in addition to the videos, the pattern Instructions take you step-by-step through the process with photos. Take time to read them as you work.

4. APPLIQUE: I used vellum to print the two Placement Overlay pages. I could see through it, no need to put marks on the quilt and I didn't have vinyl. Becky's applique technique always uses vinyl, she invented this method, I believe, so if you have it, you can use it. 

5. SETTING the MEDALLION TOGETHER: Step 7 shows how to draw pencil lines on the WRONG side of the corners, right at the edge of the paper pattern. It is important to do this BEFORE REMOVING the PAPER.  (NOTE: for those using Freezer Paper, I wrote on the FORUM last month the need to do this BEFORE removing the Freezer Paper.)

Since I remove the paper before I assemble the center, I drew these lines as soon as the corners were complete. Becky shows doing this AFTER the pointy parts are sewn to the corners.

Mine

In addition, I drew crosshairs 1/4" INSIDE that outer pencil line to show me exactly where the corners are. These lines replace the DOT on the pattern papers--since I removed the papers BEFORE assembling the Center Medallion:

6. TAKE YOUR TIME: the process of adding the 4 points to the 4 corners and then INSERTING the Center Circle takes time, patience, and forgiveness. You might try machine basting as you insert the center block. Go slow, watch the seam allowances you can't see under the needle, take it easy.  BE SURE the center "hole" where the center block is inserted is 6.5" on all 4 sides.

7. HOW TO FIX THE CONNECTIONS: if you are not happy with the "corners" surrounding the center square I have a solution: cover them with a circle.

When I got the Solid version together it wasn't that great. It had been a long day so I stopped. The next day I "fiddled" with all those places, re-doing as necessary, until I was satisfied enough with the result.

BUT laying in bed that night I thought "What am I going to do if I can't get this right?"  The "cover up my mistakes" method was born!

I use Karen K Buckley's Perfect Circle method. This is about the size of a dime. It is the same color as the top circle I used in the outer corners.  I have shown this to many friends and all agreed this is a good solution. It looks like it is part of the original design, in keeping with the other circles in the Center Medallion and no one but you knows what it looks like under there:

Now that I have made two of these Center Medallions, I can tell you it isn't easy to get those corners nice and pretty but it can be done. Becky says inserting the center block into the middle is the most difficult part of this whole quilt--I quite agree. You get to decide how perfect your quilt is. 

8. BE SURE the CENTER MEDALLION IS 32.5" square once assembled. Becky has excellent instructions and a video to help you. Once it is, cut and add the two sashings. If it is short, you can increase the width of one or both of the sashings to get the FINAL size correct--it MUST BE 36.5" SQUARE, including seam allowances when Month 3 is done. 

9. CELEBRATE the completion of MONTH 3! You earned it. Now we move on to the most fun and easy parts--adding borders.

10. PLEASE add your PHOTOS to the FORUM--we want to see all the progress. If the photo doesn't upload, it's too large, resize it smaller and try again. Google taught me how to do that.

My Prints version, through Month 7

Let's quilt.

Barbara

THIS AND THAT

Blissfully at home much of this winter, I am getting a lot done with little concern for cold weather.

Here is what has kept me busy this week:

1. Angela Walter's Arcs, Curves, Points with Rulers Free-Motion Challenge Quilting Along. I bought both the smaller and larger panels, so easy to work with for this class. This is the small one:

A variety of rulers for free motion quilting

My progress for weeks 1 and 2 

2. Natalia Bonner's free class, 99+ Strip Designs. This just started. These are the first 3 designs and one of the added Bonus designs, all to fit 2" finished strips. To start, I am just using scrap fabric with 2" lines drawn in. When I perfect a few of my favorites I will use them on a Quilt of Valor I am making for a specific Marine.  I really want to perfect my Ribbon Candy, so not there yet, but her tip to draw around a penny or dime to get started was a good one. Half way across I switched to no drawn lines as I was getting in the rhythm of the design. Lot more practice is needed:

3. The Sunday Sew and Sews came over, a small group due to illness, a broken hip, family obligations. But look what they brought for Show and Tell:

Susan is on a mission to complete  a lot of UFOs

Susan made this for her husband, a coffee lover

Another from Susan

Susan's Sizzle, the BOM from 2019, designed by Becky Goldsmith

Susan made this throw size from the leftovers of a king size Ocean Waves quilt

Pam finished her Laurel Ridge in William Morris fabrics. She says she has MORE William Morris fabric now than when she started. How does that happen?

Cyndi is making these delicate Log Cabin blocks from a kit, I think that ships monthly. It's pricey because they are Liberty of London lawn fabrics and she added on the "fussy cut centers" package. The blocks feel so good!

Cyndi is very talented with EQ8--she often redesigns Block of the Month patterns to suit herself. This is her version of Game On! She calls it Parchisi. 

These women are very talented, giving and fun to be around. I look forward to their visits.

This week I got a package--the PRINTS KIT for the 2026 Block of the Month for TheQuiltShow.com, Game On! designed by Becky Goldsmith:

It is a beautiful collection of contemporary fabrics, the kinds I don't have a lot of. It is 17.625 yards, mostly fat quarters, and would be an excellent way to freshen up your stash--or call it your "collection".

The BEST phrase I ever heard about your "stash" vs "collection" is this:

"I am the Curator of an extensive personal TEXTILE COLLECTION". Now doesn't that sound impressive?

Available for purchase by anyone, you don't have to be a Star Member to shop in the "Store". See it HERE for a full list of each fabric in this package.  

I cut out Month 1 and 2 so I can make and use them for demos on my LIVE:

Month 2 ready to sew

Month 1 ready to sew

It's been cold and wet here but we have power and no where we have to go most days. I remember the 35 years I worked for H&R Block and HAD to go to work when the weather was awful--I was the office manager and those would be busy days--if people couldn't go to work because of snow they would come to us to get their taxes done. I am so glad those days are behind me! 

Now I can bake bread when the weather is cold. Find the recipe for this and my other favorites up top here in the tab RECIPES:

Cranberry Pecan Artisan Bread

There are a few more things to keep me busy, like working on my own taxes, but there's nothing to show for that.

I hope you are dry and warm and enjoying some good times.

Let's quilt.

Barbara