Marblehead Block Winner!

 Back at Quilt Market in October, we handed out packs of twenty-six 3'' Marblehead squares to people waiting in line at Sample Spree. The challenge: stitch a 12'' block from these fun, bright squares and send it us. 

We selected the winning block below, a nine-patch of tiny kaleidoscope units with two borders (keep in mind the entire block is only 12" square!). This vibrant, detailed block was definitely a winner in our eyes. Designer Bonnie Moates received a Marblehead Global Brights fat quarter pack. 

Congratulations, Bonnie!

A chemical engineer by day, Bonnie also quilts, sews, embroiders, makes bags, sews costumes, and owns a quilting retreat. She estimates that she's made about 460 quilts in the last 12 years. Her friend, who owns the Red Stick Quilt Shop in Baton Rouge, LA, brought back the Marblehead swatches for Bonnie to play with. And play she did. Bonnie was also kind enough to share a bit about her block with our blog.

Q. Where did you come up with the design idea?

Bonnie: I had really been wanting to do a kaleidoscope. I'd even printed out a couple pictures and bought a book or two. I kept looking at all those colors (the 3'' squares), and that's where the kaleidoscope idea came in. It's something that'll use a lot of colors and have a lot of pieces.

Q. How did you choose what other fabrics to use in the block?

Bonnie: Many of the swatches read as ''medium''—all the same value. As quilters, we know that you need a light, dark and medium to make your quilt pop. By bringing in black as a secondary color, I'd be able to set off the colors. I wanted to bring in a little more color, and I had a batik that looked really good with all of the Marblehead colors.

Q. How did you decide on color placement?

Bonnie: I wanted to use every fabric swatch I was given. I think I got two kaleidoscope pieces out of each square. I tried to break out of the box and not put the colors in rainbow order. It put me out of my comfort zone!

Thanks for sharing, Bonnie! After admiring your block, we can't wait to see what you make with the Global Brights fat quarters!

How long of a line...

...are you willing to wait in for great fabric deals? The longest one we know of is the line for Sample Spree at Quilt Market.

And speaking of which, hello to all of you waiting in the Sample Spree line! We hope you received one of our sample packs of twenty-six 3" Marblehead squares while you are/were waiting in line. And then used your smartphone to pop onto our blog! While you're chatting with friends and making new ones, enjoy the beautiful colors of the fabric and start brainstorming a block to make using them, because we have a challenge for you.

When you return home from Quilt Market, sated with fabric-y goodness, we hope you'll dig these sample squares out of your suitcase, stitch a 12" square block, and send it to us. We'll sew all the blocks we receive into a quilt(s!) and donate it (them!) to charity. We'll also select a winning block, and the block maker will receive a free Marblehead Global Brights fat quarter pack just in time for Christmas!

And while you're at Sample Spree, stop by and visit us at table #178 and #179. We'll be the tables with towering stacks of fat quarters. :)

Happy Shopping!

p.s. We want to know....what is the longest you've ever waited in line for a fabric/quilt-related purchase or event? And was it worth it? Tell us about it!