The Splendid Sampler™

The Splendid Sampler™ Wednesday
(...skip this part if you're not new here...)

The Splendid Sampler™ is an internet sew-a-long created by Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson. It is an EPIC sew along...

• 83 fabric designers have created specific blocks that feature different quilting techniques. (paper piecing, fused applique, etc.).
• The blocks will be released each week, and are FREE to participants until March 2017. (at that time, they'll use the designs to publish a book).
• You can use whatever fabric you like.
• There will be pictures on their Facebook page, etc.

The new block designs come out twice a week....on Sunday morning and Thursday morning. I'm doing this with my TMBC...and, therefore, it is my pleasure to BLOG ABOUT IT every Wednesday. *******************
The Splendid Sampler™ had been an AMAZING journey. It's hard to believe that it's over -- and even more difficult to believe that a YEAR HAS GONE BY..!!

I first learned about this incredible quilting project a year ago, when I interviewed Pat Sloan for the Inspired To Sew magazine. (here's a link to that issue)
https://issuu.com/schmetzneedles/docs/its28-apr2016?e=10258703/34066416

I am not a quilter -- so the six inch block format seemed like the PERFECT opportunity to learn some quilt techniques. AND IT WAS AMAZING..!!

In the beginning, I was all gung-ho...I didn't keep up, and I got overwhelmed with the pace of TWO NEW BLOCKS every week.  I am very disappointed in myself -- and I didn't even get close to completing the 100 beautiful blocks.

BUT THESE TWO STUCK WITH IT....Sandy and Linda P....as it happens, Sisters-in-law....did EVERY SINGLE BLOCK...NEVER MISSING EVEN ONE DESIGN...NO MATTER WHAT THE TECHNIQUE...they both went week by week...sometimes getting behind, but always managing to catch up.

It has been an absolute pleasure, every Tuesday morning, at our weekly TMBC, to admire their latest creations.  Their quilting skills improved with every stitch...they mastered paper piecing, and nearly rose to the level of expert when you look at their points.  EXQUISITE...

THEY ARE SPLENDID SAMPLER ROCK STARS...!!

Sandy and Linda -- in the beginning...

As the weeks went by, we learned so much...

Their technique got better with each set of blocks.

Sometimes, there were "bonus blocks"...and since Linda was doing TWO sets of everything (for her twin daughters) -- some weeks they had a DOZEN to share.

The Splendid Sampler Blocks became a MAJOR PART OF our weekly TMBC event!!

I think they're both going to miss the tyranny of TWO NEW BLOCKS every week!!

Sandy laid her blocks out on the floor. You can see what a wonderful variety she has...

But -- NEVER FEAR -- this is not the last post I'll be writing about The Splendid Sampler™ !! Even though I didn't do all the blocks -- I have every intention of using my blocks to make a quilt.

We all agreed that we wanted to use a quilt as you go technique to put our quilts together...and THAT is going to be the rest of the story...

Linda already started to prepare her blocks for the QAYG ...

The truth is -- WE THINK WE INVENTED A WHOLE NEW SYSTEM...and you will be impressed. I think...