Spectrum QAL Block 6 with Pam Voth: Delightful Collection by Riley Blake

I’m Pam Voth, and I’m back with Block 6 of the Spectrum QAL on QUILTsocial. I’m completing my blocks using fabric from the Delightful collection by Riley Blake.

Block 6 gave me the opportunity to experiment with color. I chose to go ‘off-the-grid’ a bit and not follow my original plan. As I get further into the QAL, I realize that this is all about practicing both my skills and using my creativity to ensure that my version reflects me – my vision and my choices. I love problem-solving and a big part of problem-solving is the ‘think aloud’ part of figuring out what to do. This is where my quilting group jumps in – we talk, we laugh at our mistakes, and we try a variety of solutions. I always get great advice and I value both my time in learning and in building a friendship that seeps far outside of quilting into supporting each other and just having fun together – going out for lunch, taking a quilt-shopping adventure, or even playing a round of golf. I love that my quilting group hardly ever just provides the answer, we work through the problem together and we always talk about what are the hardest parts of quilting…always with a smile and a laugh and an attempt at finding new and better ways to do everything. Remember, there are no mistakes in quilting, only new patterns.

I chose to combine dark fabrics with mediums and lights and to use a few of the colors from the collections that I did not use a lot of, or since a couple of the first blocks I made. While the center block, matches Block 5, there is a great combination of dark blues that pick up the flowers in the other fabrics I used. One thing I learned and this is evident in Paul’s design, is the importance of repeating fabrics and techniques throughout the quilt in order to make it all come together and ‘belong’ to each other when you’re putting together the quilt.

I like the versatility of this pattern and the many opportunities to not only hone my quilting skills but, to use my creativity and look at the options available in each block. It’s helpful to think and talk with my quilting group about the advantages and disadvantages of each option, and to come up with a beautiful solution and a completed block that will join the others to make the final quilt. If you haven’t found a quilting group, look for one or create one. Invite some friends to quilt; you can take your machines to a common location like a community center or meet in each other’s homes…whatever you do, it will enrich your life in more ways than just quilting.

So, please take the time to connect with me, and share your version of Block 6 by posting it with #TheSewGoesOn. Be sure to check out my version of the Spectrum QAL Block 5 as well.