The Sewcial Bee Sampler Sew-Along: Block 8!

It's week EIGHT and another block release day of the Sewcial Bee Sampler sew-along! Sharon Holland and I are co-hosting this community sew-along now through early August and as usual, I like to begin each Wednesday by reminding folks just learning about the bee that it's never too late to jump in! We still have quite a few new participants joining us each week, the blocks typically take about an hour, so feel free to join us and play catch-up at anytime! I also love to encourage you all to keep posting to Instagram with #SewcialBeeSampler tagging @sharonhollanddesigns and myself @maureencracknell when you post anything SBS so we can both see and easily keep track of all your wonderful bee posts. We'll continue to try our best to visit with all who join the sew along. We're having so much fun!



Today's free download is for block #8: Clay's Choice. I'll be sure to add this new pattern to my Sewcial Bee Sampler Page, so those of you just discovering our bee can find everything you need to begin right in one place! Simply click on the link or the image below for direct access to this week's new SBS pattern!



For this week's Clay's Choice block I'm using Nightfall Mothlike Shadows Deep as my dark print and the subtle, hand-drawn lace print from my Fleet & Flourish collection, Lace in Bloom Cloud. I snapped the photo below just before adding the AGF Soft Sand Linen framing that I'm using for this first version of the SBS sampler. I really love the contrast of pairing these two prints together, especially how these dancing butterflies pop against the neutral background!

This week's technique, once again, is the 8-at-a-time HST units method that we've already used. I love this method for making HSTs! You can visit the link to find the generous tutorial Sharon put together including extra visuals to help you along. Today Sharon is including some more wonderful, extra info on her blog about using directional prints and understanding how they'll work in your SBS blocks, so be sure to visit her today to see her pretty blocks & post!



My block could still use a good press with steam, this linen really shows the wrinkles in my photos, but for now it hangs with the others on my rack of projects!

I'm excited to see the Clay's Choice blocks you'll make this week! Be sure to stop back for this week's Sewcial Bee Giveaway Friday with our wonderful sponsor the Llama Fabrics!



Happy SBS sewing! ♡ Maureen