The block this month is a departure from our normal piecing; it's paper piecing and I encourage you to give it a try if you haven't done it before. It looks more complicated than it is, but paper piecing can be tricky when you start. Once you get it though, you'll want to do more paper piecing!

We started talking about this one a couple months ago. Here's the link to that discussion: December block discussion

This lotto is open to all and new quilters are encouraged to participate. You will learn much and have fun doing it. Participate in as many or as few lottos as you want, but even if you don't like the current month's block think about doing at least one. The winner will appreciate your efforts!

Here's the drill:
> each month there will be a designated block or theme
> you can send 1, 2 or 3 blocks (
> all blocks must measure 12.5inches x 12.5inches with no more than 1/4" variation, please
> with your blocks include name, mailing address, forum name and $1 to cover postage for the winning blocks (Any money left over at the end of the year will go towards prizes!)
> if possible, either attach your name to the back of each block or write your name in the seam allowance with a fabric pen so the winner knows who made the block (this is not a requirement, just a request)
> all blocks received by the last day of the month will be included in the lotto drawing
> you will have 1, 2 or 3 chances to win, depending on how many blocks you've sent in
> we have a clever way of choosing the winner, with a couple different quilters involved, to keep it fair.

December 2012

For December, our lotto is a color wheel Circle of Geese. Black background and any colors you want for the geese. The rainbow graduated colors look good but it's not a requirement. No juvenile or novelty prints. Please use all cotton fabric, with nicely pressed 1/4 inch seams.

Pattern: Circle of Geese

Excellent paper piecing instructions, with pictures: PP Instructions

I'll only be doing one this month and think that's a good goal for all. Try one and see how you like paper piecing! Here's a picture of my block.

Merry Christmas!
Kate

Sue

Sue, don't trim to any of the outside lines till it's all together. Leaving that extra on outside edges works better for getting it trimmed accurately. Frankly, I wouldn't trim it at all if I had to do it over. I'd let the recipient trim them all herself.

Sue

V.

Good advice on the size. I think the pattern measures 12.5 edge to edge, but there's a solid inner line and a dashed outer line. The inner line is the finished size and the outer dashed line is the block with 1/4" seam allowance. Adding a little extra is a good idea.

Sue, on your smallish block: why not just sew a small black border on it and trim it to size? On this pattern I think it might work.

Lola

SharonG/FL

Best to you,
quiltingfox

The winner is... LOISF!!!!

Congrats Lois! I'll get your blocks in the mail on Wednesday. There aren't a lot of these blocks but we'll be eager to see what you do with them. They are very dramatic!

Kate