Seriously..I think it needs stitches.: Bumble Bee Quilt Block Tutorial for World Honey Bee Day

So the next quilt block tutorial for my National Days scrap quilt project is this sweet Honey Bee in honor of National Honey Bee Day, or World Honey Bee Day. Both are in August. My sister-in-law's dad kept bees and the honey was sooooo good! I'll never forget it! If we were gifted a jar, it was like liquid gold.

When I drew this block, I modeled it after the Quilt Bee from my Sew Chatty fabric that Riley Blake released in 2020. Right around the time the world went into lockdown. What a wild couple of years it's been!

I'm looking forward to stitching this little quilt bee up when I can! I can't wait to get back to sewing! In the meantime, playing with drawing these random blocks is keeping me sane. ha!

Here are his stats:

Fabric A - Background

(4) 1" sq. (~)

(1) 1 1/4 x 2 1/4"

(2) 1 1/2" sq. (*)

(1) 1 1/2 x 2" (#)

(2) 1 3/4 x 3 1/2"

(1) 2 x 2 1/4"

(1) 2 3/4 x 3 1/4"

(1) 2 3/4 x 4"

(1) 2 3/4 x 4 1/2"

Fabric B - Yellow

(1) 1 x 1 1/4" (=)

(1) 1 x 1 1/2" (>)

(1) 1 x 2 1/4"

(1) 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" (**)

(1) 1 3/4 x 2"

(1) 2" sq.

(2) 2 1/4" sq.

(1) 2 1/2 x 3 1/4"

Fabric C - Black

(2) 1" sq. (~)

(1) 1 x 1 1/2" (>)

(1) 1 x 2 1/4"

(2) 1 1/2" sq. (*)

(2) 1 1/2 x 2 1/2" (**)

Fabric D - White (wings)

(1) 1 x 3"

(1) 3 1/2" sq.

--Match the symbol (~,* etc.) in the cutting instructions with the symbol in the assembly diagram.

I'm going to post the corner flip information a little different this time. If you would like a longer explanation, check some of the past posts. But for this one, I'll post a corner flip video, and for each unit, use the sizes and fabrics labeled on each one. For instance, for this one use a 1" sq. of Fabric A and a 1 x 3" rect. of Fabric B.

This video just shows an example of the corner flip process. Even though it is showing a double corner unit, all the units for this bee block are single corners.

Does it make sense this way? Let me know. It's just more concise. But I can always go back to posting the way I've done it for past blocks if it's easier or makes more sense.

After you make all of the corner flip units, assemble as shown below using SCANT quarter inch seams.

You'll have this little fabric Quilt Bee. :)

Here are a couple of different colors. I tried to plug in different prints since these are meant to use up scraps. Now I'm thinking a tiny half square triangle would've been cute, so his stinger would have a point. Hmm...

I love the gingham wings. I also quickly mocked up a scrappy look bee swarm. Happiest bee swarm ever. On their way to pollinate all the things. haha!

Marching in line...

Off set..

Hope you enjoyed this little honey making bee quilt block! I'll be back soon!

OH! I wanted to share this bee info.. I almost forgot! If you like bees, we found some educational facebook pages/businesses to follow when lockdown first started and my son's school shut down in March of 2020 -- one of them was this bee rescuer guy whose facebook page is here: The Bartlett Bee Whisperer. He is in TN, and is the guy people call if there is a hive of bees where they aren't supposed to be.. like say, in your walls or roof or chimney, etc. He safely removes and relocates them to where they can go about their business of pollinating our food and helping local farmers. A bee saving rock star! His photos and videos are both crazy and fascinating. Especially the "heat signature". If you're on facebook and might be interested, go check him out.

That's all for now! Have a great day and Happy Stitching!

xoxo,

P.S. I love to see blocks and quilts that are made with any of my patterns. If you make any and post on social media, please come find me in any of the places listed below, and tag me so I can see! :) If you're on YouTube, check out the short musical video tutorials of some of these blocks. I'm hoping they might inspire kids, or anyone really, to learn to sew. :) Plus, they're just fun to do.

@kellifanninquilts on IG

#kellifanninquiltdesigns

#nationaldaysquiltblocks

FB page

Sew along FB group

YouTube

I'm keeping all of these blocks organized on the National Days quilt blocks page *HERE*, if you're looking for any of the other 90 or so blocks I've posted so far. Getting closer to my goal of 144 blocks! If you know someone who loves Minecraft, Pokemon, and or Harry Potter, check out these free sew alongs, too! :) And if you're looking for any of my print patterns, or other fun quilty gifts, check out my Etsy shop here. Be back soon!