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    Home » Quilts » Quilt Blocks

    New Quilt Block of the Month Series

    Updated: Mar 23, 2019 by Melissa Mortenson · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 43 Comments

    To view ALL of the posts in the Block of the Month series, JUST CLICK HERE for the Archive.   That link contains all of the projects posted to date.

    Quilt Block of the Month Series on polkadotchair.com - learn to quilt one month at a time!

    Today I’m very excited to introduce to you a new blog series that I’ve been putting together this year.  To be honest I kept going back and forth trying to decide if this “block of the month” series was something that I really wanted to do.  Many of you that know me, know that consistency is NOT my thing… and committing to something for a whole year… well that’s just a bit terrifying!!

    But after talking to many readers both here, in person, on Facebook and Instagram I’ve decided that there are a lot of you out there that want to learn how to quilt but aren’t sure where to start and are not sure if you want to take on such a big project all at once.

    So if you’ve NEVER quilted before, or if you’re an experienced quilter just looking for a few a fun quick projects I invite you to join me in this new series.

    Quilt Block of the Month Series on polkadotchair.com - learn to quilt one month at a time!

    Each month I’ll share the directions for a new quilt block. For those of you that are new, most quilts are composed of blocks, which are usually square. A quilter constructs several blocks individually then connects all of the blocks into a finished quilt.  If you’ve ever looked a quilt with a bunch of shapes and wondered how in the world they did that… well that’s probably how. One step at a time.

    What’s that saying about how do you eat an Elephant?? One bite at a time… (not that I’d ever eat an Elephant).

    Quilt Block of the Month Series on polkadotchair.com - learn to quilt one month at a time!

    The blocks will start this September and run for 1 year.  Each block will have photo instructions and the blocks will progress in difficulty as the year goes by. The block for September is very simple and will teach you some basic quilting skills. I’ll also pop in here with posts on other helpful techniques as needed during the year.

    Quilt Block of the Month Series on polkadotchair.com - learn to quilt one month at a time!

     

    Before we start we’ll talk about fabric selection, best quilting practices and tools.  If you want to join me but have never quilted before there are a few things you’re going to need. You can go nuts buying quilting supplies, so we are going to start with the bare minimum and you can add from there as you like.

    All of the items are pictured in this post, I’ll list them out here. You can pick all of them up at your local quilt shop, online or on Amazon (I’ve included those affiliate links for you)

    1. Quilting Mat and Ruler.  Get a large mat and a 6″ x 24″ ruler. If you can also buy a smaller ruler too (sometimes the big one is too large)
    2. Rotary Cutter.  Like I told the Doctor at the ER when I sliced off my finger “it’s a pizza cutter for fabric”.  It’s another must, but is sharp (obviously) if you’re worried about cutting yourself get a cut glove too.
    3. Good snips.  A small pair of scissors to use when clipping strings.
    4. Pins. I prefer to use the flower head quilting pins. They are thinner than regular pins and help the fabric lay flat as it’s pinned.
    5. Binding Clips. I bought these a few years ago and they are now a constant “must” have for me.  They come in very handy for more than just quilting.
    6. Sewing machine. I sew on a BERNINA 770QE and I love it.  Any machine you have will work, you don’t need a quilting sewing machine. You do need to figure out how to get a ¼″ seam on your existing machine. Many machines do this with specialty feet. Check your instruction manual for information.
    7. 3 Tips for Beginning Quilters on polkadotchair.com

     

    7. Also helpful, a seam gauge to check your seams are ¼″

    To view ALL of the posts in the Block of the Month series, JUST CLICK HERE for the Archive.   That link contains all of the projects posted to date.

    Okay, that’s it for now!! Our next block of the month post will be next week! Stay tuned!

    In the meantime, check out my Quilt Block Pinterest board for some inspiration.
    Follow Melissa | Polka Dot Chair’s board Quilt Blocks on Pinterest.

     

    More recipes you may enjoy

    • Scrappy Strips Quilt Block and OLFA Anniversary
    • Vintage Quilt Block Inspiration

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    About Author

    Melissa Mortenson

    Melissa Mortenson is a blogger, designer, and content creator. She is the Polka Dot Chair blog founder and has been sharing fresh and creative ideas with readers since 2008. She is the author of “Project Teen, Handmade Gifts your Teen will Actually Love.” Her work and designs have been featured on HuffPost, TODAY, Pioneer Woman, HGTV, BuzzFeed, Better Homes & Gardens, and many other established publications. Her first fabric line, “Derby Style,” debuted in January 2015 through Riley Blake Designs.  Additional fabric collections have followed it in subsequent years. A mom of 3, she considers herself lucky to be living in Kentucky.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Patricia Cash says

      September 02, 2015 at 7:17 am

      Sounds like a good project for me. Thanks for the block of the month.

      Reply
    2. Lesley Gilbert says

      September 02, 2015 at 8:33 am

      Looking forward to your new block series. Thanks for the link for the Dritz gauge. I’ve now ordered one from my Amazon UK site but the item is coming from USA – so cheap and not even available on ebay uk 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 02, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        Oh, I’m glad you found it! I never realized it wasn’t for sale in the UK.

        Reply
    3. Lisa Annette Lee says

      September 02, 2015 at 9:41 am

      I already like your newsletters and look forward to them! Now, I am so excited because I find quilting a daunting task. Cutting straight lines is a problem LOL Thank you!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 02, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        Lots of straight lines!!!

        Reply
    4. Cathleen says

      September 02, 2015 at 9:57 am

      Which sizes or sizes of clips do you recommend to start?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 02, 2015 at 1:47 pm

        The smaller ones. I just bought the bigger ones, and they are super handy but I still use the smaller ones constantly.

        Reply
    5. Phyllis says

      September 02, 2015 at 2:39 pm

      I can quilt, but I am looking forward to your tips. Great idea, this!

      Reply
    6. Melanie says

      September 02, 2015 at 5:32 pm

      Sounds fun! I’m in! Everybody should visit the basics every once in awhile!

      Reply
    7. Scarlet Taylor says

      September 02, 2015 at 9:24 pm

      thanks so much for taking your time to do this!! Im so excited!

      Reply
      • Janet Swallow says

        September 03, 2015 at 8:37 am

        This is just the project I need at this time. Thank you, Melissa, for this awesome “PolkaDot” website! God bless you for your outreach!

        Reply
        • Melissa Mortenson says

          September 09, 2015 at 2:08 pm

          Thank you Janet…. I hope you enjoy the series, I’m really looking forward to it

          Reply
    8. Robin says

      September 03, 2015 at 9:57 am

      I found your blog recently and have been trying new things. I love it! Can’t wait to get started on the Block of the Month project with you! Thank you for your time and devotion!
      Robin

      Reply
    9. Cathy Darrow says

      September 03, 2015 at 10:37 am

      This idea was perfect timing! I need to learn to take the time out of my day helping everyone else to do something small and fun for me (and not just a hey, I should catch up on this, so that this thing for someone else will be easier) Looking forward to it. 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 09, 2015 at 2:07 pm

        I’m all about squeezing a tiny bit of creative time into my day. I hope you enjoy the series!

        Reply
    10. Karla says

      September 03, 2015 at 1:25 pm

      Looking forward to your block of the month series! I’m a quilter newbie!

      Reply
    11. Sherry says

      September 03, 2015 at 1:30 pm

      I am always excited about joining in on a Block of the Month. I have quilted for a little while but always learn new things by following a tutorial. Thanks for doing this.

      Reply
    12. Rebecca says

      September 03, 2015 at 2:36 pm

      I’m in! Thank you. Can’t wait to see what we will be creating. And thank you for committing !

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 09, 2015 at 2:06 pm

        So happy to have you!!!

        Reply
    13. Catrina Woolhiser says

      September 06, 2015 at 11:14 am

      I’m excited to participate. II’m a newbie. My friend and quilt instructor lost her battle with cancer June 25. I’d given up on quilting. She would guide step by step through FB msgs. Thank you for doing this.

      Reply
    14. Catrina Woolhiser says

      September 06, 2015 at 11:15 am

      I’m excited to participate. I’m a newbie. My friend and quilt instructor lost her battle with cancer June 25. I’d given up on quilting. She would guide me step by step through FB msgs. Thank you for doing this.

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 09, 2015 at 2:05 pm

        So happy to have you!

        Reply
    15. Holly Casos says

      September 07, 2015 at 12:11 pm

      I have always found the idea of making a quilt too daunting. But I love this idea of making one square at a time. It is something I think I can wrap my brain around. SO, here I go! I’m in! Supplies are ordered. Well, no fabric yet, but the rest of the stuff is on it’s way.

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 09, 2015 at 2:04 pm

        Oh, I’m so glad you’re “in” Holly! It always is nice when I can picture a person I know when I’m writing this stuff up!!

        Reply
    16. Char says

      September 09, 2015 at 1:27 pm

      So how do I sign up to your sight? I think I am missing something.
      I don’t want to miss any blocks.?

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 09, 2015 at 2:01 pm

        over on the side bar right under the first 2 ads is a box that says “be in the know” enter your email address and then click “verfiy” in the email you get. You’ll then get an email reminder each time a new post is added (a few times a week). So glad to have you!!

        Reply
        • Char says

          September 09, 2015 at 3:21 pm

          Cool, thank you.

          Reply
    17. Jana Oglesby says

      September 10, 2015 at 7:01 pm

      What day will you start?

      Reply
    18. PicklePie Mama says

      September 11, 2015 at 8:05 am

      I wonder if I can get my bum in gear to join in…
      Sounds like it will be a good project for me as it is only a bit a month ☺

      Reply
    19. Jan Holland Hailey says

      September 12, 2015 at 10:47 am

      I have asked my sister to join me in your BOM; I think it is the perfect project for us. At this point we are planning to do the blocks from each of our stash and maybe do some swapping. We don’t live in the same city but at times we can get together to compare notes & blocks. We both sew & quilt but everyone can improve skills & learn new tips — right?! Thanks for leading this.

      Reply
    20. Pam says

      September 22, 2015 at 12:09 am

      I don’t see the block yet, am I missing something or is it yet to come. Thank you I am new to quilting, teaching myself, this will be perfect. Thank you

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 22, 2015 at 9:59 pm

        Friday!

        Reply
    21. Flo says

      September 22, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      Looking for September block of the monthand more information. Just starting quilting and didn’t want to miss out. Thought this would be a great way to learn

      Thanks

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 22, 2015 at 9:58 pm

        The first block in the series posts this Friday (9/25).. So glad to have you on board!

        Reply
    22. Patricia Polmanteer says

      September 24, 2015 at 1:11 pm

      Where do I sing up for your bom? I have been remiss in checking my emails (last count was 1124 .. oh no) and I seem to have missed the post for this. Thanks for the chance to try quilting’s for everyone.

      Reply
    23. Margaret Gauthier says

      September 26, 2015 at 6:34 pm

      I can not find out how to download the blocks.
      Just wondering if this can be done.
      Thanks

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        September 26, 2015 at 9:33 pm

        At the top of the post there is a link that says “to view all the posts in this series CLICK here”. It will take you to the index. So far one block has been posted.

        Reply
    24. Cathy Hanlin says

      June 02, 2016 at 1:30 pm

      June of 2016.I am so excited to do the Block of the Month(2015) Keystone Quilt (of Bunnies) Thank you it is so easy because of the sizes; as I have tried other Block of the Month and the measuring of 7/8″ on some of the pieces was hard to follow beginning quilting so I did not finish them but wanted to learn the block pattern.
      My question; did you just duplicate two other blocks for July and August? or am I not finding them? Thank you and such a easy to follow project and I want to order the “Sister Sampler Quilts” so exciting and a little challenging book of projects!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        June 06, 2016 at 11:34 am

        Nope, July and August are new blocks, they have not been shared here yet. They will be in July 1st and August 1st.

        Reply
    25. Jo Langlois says

      August 05, 2016 at 10:43 am

      1. My sister is in Europe now. She was told to watch out for pick pockets. She took a money belt.
      2. About the piece of furniture. Not grey, white or ivory. Something medium to bold to make a statement. The could be the color that ‘ I love that color, but what would I use it on’. Sesr through Pinterest.

      Reply
    26. jenn says

      March 16, 2018 at 12:19 pm

      What is the finished size of this quilt?

      Reply
    27. Toni Lerch says

      July 06, 2022 at 5:40 pm

      Hi,
      I know I’m a few years later for this BOM, but I want to do it anyway. But I was not able to find out how much fabric you actually need for al 12 blocks…
      Any idea on this?
      Thanks!

      Reply
      • Melissa Mortenson says

        July 13, 2022 at 2:29 pm

        It’s a few years old, but the project was designed as a stash buster so we didn’t have specific fabric requirements

        Reply

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