Seriously..I think it needs stitches.: Quilt Tutorial for Men: National Beard Day

Hello and welcome to another installment of "Things I Never Thought I'd Make Into Quilt Blocks". This block for my National Days scrap quilt project represents National Beard Day. It's a September block. Here's my interpretation of a fabric beard.

Out of curiosity, I googled beard history at the website Beard Pilot, and found out that scientists believe that in prehistoric times, men grew beards for warmth (duh), protection (apparently they punched each other in the face a lot and a good beard cushioned the blow), and as a sign of intimidation (grrr grunt). Survival of the fittest and all that. A good beard was a hot commodity, apparently.

Beards were also regarded as a sign of honor and could be cut as a form of punishment!

Oh! And Otto the Great swore by HIS BEARD when he had something of great importance to say.

That's probably enough beard history. haha Who knew?!

So this will probably be the only beard quilt block I ever make. Unless I meet a barber that says, "Hey, can you make a beard mini quilt for my Barber Shop?" haha! Then I'd make more. Otherwise, one and done for the scrap quilt. :)

Wait! I just thought of the Fabric Stash quilt pattern I did! haha! Ages ago now. It's lap size.. Not only is this project presenting so many creative challenges, it's also sparking so many memories!

All Riley Blake fabric, the mustache fabrics have tiny mustasches and the border is a print of Polaroid instant cameras. It was so fun to make! Maybe I shouldn't be so shocked to be making a beard block. I made a quilt of mustaches for Pete's sake! haha The pattern is HERE if you know any mustachioed men who might enjoy this lap quilt. :) It's on my list of quilts I'd like to turn into minis just for fun. I hadn't though about that in a long time.

Enough about that, let's get on to this block! Several clip and flip corners and just two fabrics..

Fabric A - Background

(4) 1" sq. (~)

(4) 1 1/2" sq. (*)

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

(2) 1 1/2 x 8 1/2"

(2) 1 3/4" sq.

(2) 2 x 2 1/2"

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

Fabric B - Beard

(4) 1" sq. (~)

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

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

(1) 1 1/2 x 5 1/2"

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

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

Using the simple corner flip method illustrated in the video above, and fabrics and sizes indicated on units (in units that have two corner flips be aware of which size goes in which corner if the two smaller squares are different sizes), make the following:

After making the above units, assemble block as shown below using SCANT quarter inch seams.

You will have an 8 1/2" sq. beard quilt block. (8" finished in quilt.)

I'm getting so close to the 144 blocks needed for this, it's starting to get really exciting. I'll be back in a couple of days with the next block in line.

See you soon!

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!