"Flow Zone" Block of the Month Introduction

Up in the second floor of the administration building for Leander ISD, there are a bunch of passionate people working together to do their part to improve student learning. After working up in this office for over four years, I also realized another special thing...these kind people are seriously creative! In fact, one very special lady, Jeananne, is the reason I started quilting! She handed me a pattern and said, try it out. Those three little words are what I am now inviting you to do this year...

Here's how this is going to work:

• Jeananne and I, along with Carol, Shannon, Karen B. and Laura are going to host a "Flow Zone" Block of the Month for any LISD peeps...past and present! We picked "Flow Zone" because it is the nickname for our office space! No, we won't be making quilt blocks during work time...this is purely a night and weekend *on your own time* community building experience!
• Each month a different host (named above) will design and/or pick their own block for the quilt. I'll post a link to every block on this blog tab so you can join in on the fun! You don't have to be a host to participate! By the end of the year, you will have 12 blocks to be made into a quilt!
• Here are the people who will be selecting blocks each month:
• January-Bettina
  February-Jeananne
  March-Carol
  April-Karen
  May-Laura
  June-Shannon
  July-Carol
  August-Bettina
  September-Jeananne
  October-Karen
  November-Shannon
  December-Laura
• Each block will be 12 1/2 inches squared.
• Materials Needed: 12 1/2inch square ruler (for squaring up your blocks), rotary cutter, cutting mat, 6 x 24 inch ruler, basic sewing supplies (machine, thread, seam ripper, scissors, etc.)
• Fabric needed: It's hard to say, but we recommend 1-2 yards of 3 or more of your favorite print fabrics and a few yards of a solid fabric that matches OR a stack of coordinating fat quarters and a few yards of a solid fabric that matches. This doesn't include the back or binding, but you could buy extras for that or you could just make those scrappy.  Here's what I am using:

A stack of fat quarters from Notting Hill by Joel Dewberry

Here's another photo...I also have a few yards of a solid white fabric to match! Comment below to share what fabric you are using or if you have other suggestions.

• Jeananne recommends before beginning: wash your fabric, then iron with a little spray starch (this gives your fabric some body and makes for nicer cutting and sewing)...if you have already cut your pieces for your first block without this step, it's ok...on your future blocks, start with this and see if you notice a difference. 

I will be posting the first block tomorrow just in time for the weekend! ;-) From there, we will post a new block the 1st week of every month. In December, I will link instructions for finishing off the quilt (making a quilt sandwich, binding, etc). We will definitely end the event with a show off your quilt Christmas party! For long distance folks, we will be doing FaceTime at the party!

Okay! We look forward to having fun and learning with each other this year! *2013* We hope you'll join us and spread the word to anyone who might be interested! :)