Sunday, May 12, 2019

International Sister Block

I first came across the African queen block in 2017.
The newest one

I hunted for the pattern/tutorial but found nothing. I drafted the pattern.

First scribble
Dimensions
Background

I made a block. It was midnight. I was dying to share it with someone who could share my enthusiasm.

My first sister block

I called Bernie on the west coast, knowing that she was likely to be awake. True to my expectations, Bernie was a mountain of encouragement.
Bernie:  I'd be happy to sell it in my Etsy store.
Me: You are very kind.


Internal Voice: It is not your pattern. You should not be profiting from it.
Me: I drafted it. I refined it. I perfected it.
Internal Voice: Not from scratch. The idea was someone else's.
Me: Profit or not, I want to make more of thee blocks.
Internal Voice: Go ahead.

By the time RSC2019 came along, the design had been modified, several outrageously loud fabrics and been acquired and I was ready to churn out these lovely ladies on a regular basis.
And I did.

The Ladies in Red
I experimented with various skin tones - freckles and age spots too.
The ladies were received with universal appeal. I beamed with pleasure.


Sunshine Ladies

Even the closed palms were met with approval. I danced with joy.


Aqua Maidens
Here is a sample of what you said.

There were several requests for a pattern/tutorial and the internal dialogue began all over again.
One thing was abundantly clear to me - IF I shared the pattern it would be free.

But I still struggled with the question - Do I share it with the world?
An email from Mary and another from Nikki goaded me.




The final decision came after a phone call with Mari.
These ladies are very popular.  There is no way you can keep them all to yourself, said Mari. 
If you don't share this tutorial, someone else surely will. 

The credit for naming goes to Cathy, who very wisely said "your lady blocks have morphed from African women to International Sisters"

So here it is. Without further dialogue, internal or otherwise, I present the tutorial for the International Sister Quilt Block.


International Sister Block
Showing Finished Sizes


Fabric Requirements

Dress
One square 7" side (skirt)
Two rectangles 1.5" by 4" (sleeves)
One rectangle 2" by 2.5" and One rectangle 2" by 4" (headdress)

Face and Hands
One square 2.5" side (face)
Two squares 1.5" side (palms)

Background
Two rectangles 1.5" by 3.5"
Two rectangles 3" by 7"

Instructions
All seams are 1/4". Press all seams open.

1. Fold the two squares (palms) in half, (wrong sides together)  along the diagonal and press to create a crease. Place RST on the top corners (one aligning with the top left corner and one with the top right corner) of the small background rectangles. Sew on the crease. Cut 1/4" from the crease, discard the corners and press seams open.  See pictures below.

Aligned with left and right top corners

Pinned

Stitched

Trimmed

Pressed

This was the trickiest step. It is all downhill from here :-)

2. Add the sleeves to the palms. Press seams open. See pictures below.
Add sleeves

Pressed

3. Sew the headdress to the face. Press seams open. See picture below.

Face and Headdress

4. Arrange all the pieces on the board.
Closed Palms
 If you switch the sleeves (left to right & right to left) you will get the open palms look)

Open Palms
You must decide whether you want palms open/closed before you add the large background rectangles to the sleeves. In this case, I am proceeding with an open palms block.

Almost done

5. Sew the left sleeve to the skirt and the right sleeve to the head.
One more seam to go

6. One last seam and we are done.
Yes, please

Press seams open for a neat flat finish. Square the block to 10.5".
Time for a happy dance.

Of course, if you'd rather rest then please let the world know with the closed palms look.
Another time
Thanks to all my quilty sisters - Bernie, Mari, Nikki, Mary and Cathy.  You made this tutorial possible.  Once again, I will be eagerly watching this space for your quilty hugs (translated into comments) :-D

Should you have questions, please ask in the comments. I will respond here so that all can see.

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, including Angela's Scrap Happy Saturday.  See full list on the sidebar.


107 comments:

  1. Thank you, Mari, for talking sense into Preeti!! Thank you, Preeti, for your fabulous tutorial. Your International Sisters blocks are SEW sweet!

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  2. I have loved your Ladies ever since you first started showing them, Preeti! Thanks for sharing the block tutorial today! I'm just going to have to become part of the International Sisterhood. :)

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  3. Preeti, I love your ladies! Thank you for the inspiration!

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  4. Oh yes, I will be saving this tutorial Preeti. Your blocks are amazing. Thanks for sharing with Oh Scrap!


    (I wonder if they could be sized down for a Tiny Tuesday block. I bet everyone would love to include it in this year's scrap sampler)

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  5. This idea is brilliant... TY for sharing it,, i can just see me putting "eyes" and even perhaps some smiles on these... Again Thank You Hugs.. GB

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  6. Hooray — so pleased that you have created a tutorial for your versions of this block!

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  7. Oh, Preeti! Thanks for sharing your block with us. Now I can make my own Wendy block :-D This would be a fun bee block, if I was part of a bee . . .maybe we should all make a block and send it to you, or something. Anyway, I'm definitely saving this!

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  8. THANK YOU.....THANK YOU.... THANK YOU!!!!!

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  9. Oh, how wonderful! It feels like playing dress up with my dolls - which was my first foray into sewing. Thanks for sharing!

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  10. Congrats on the popularity of your block. Thanks for sharing a tutorial. It's a great block.

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  11. This is just fabulous. I want some African Queens too. Thanks for the tutorial, Preeti. Your ladies are just awesome. Great job! ;^)

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  12. I foresee any more international ladies showing up soon. Thanks for the very clear tutorial.
    Pat

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  13. Thank you for a great tutoria;! I love your "International Sisters" so very much!
    You may are my modern day heroine!

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  14. Thank you so much for sharing this! I just got some African fabrics from Nigeria and they'll be perfect.

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  15. One quilty hug coming right up :) Hope you receive lots of love and enjoy making more "sisters". xo

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  16. Perfect, Preeti! I was able to get mine half made last summer between other projects, but ran out of time, so will finish it up this summer. I know everyone will just eat this right up! Well done!

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  17. I have some lovely aboriginal fabrics my friend got me. Can't wait to make these ladies. Thank you for sharing the pattern with us.

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  18. Thank you, Preeti, for this awesome tutorial. The quilty blogland is a sisterhood of talented, caring and awesome women.

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  19. Thank you for sharing your story and struggle to share this tutorial! You are indeed a courageous and honorable woman! I love your version of this block and am sure it will bless many in the years to come!

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  20. Oh YESSSSSSS!!! Thank you so much for providing this for all of us. You are a rock star! Ladies, start your (sewing machine) motors!!

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  21. Well IMHO, you did the right thing. Selling it would have been wrong, so thank you for sharing your figurings and time with us in the true sisterhood of quilters, and you sure did try hard to find the source, as did your friends, so no one can accuse you of profiting unless they would steal your sister quilters who appreciate this. :-) What a terrific name for it, a terrific block that has certainly become a much-loved and symbolic one. It makes me think so much of Mma Ramotswe, of 'The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency' series) both in style of dress and in generosity of sharing. :-)

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    1. I loved that series, both the books and television and you are right about these blocs. They are so representative of the vibrant spirit of the character portrayed in "The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency" series. Both are lovely works of art. Thank you, thank you for sharing your gift!

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  22. Hi Preeti! I agree with Sandra - you did the right thing before someone else did the wrong thing. I do wonder what Paul's thoughts were on this?? He usually has a conversation with you that you share with us, and he is very wise. International Sister - they perfect name for this block that shall spread like wildfire all over Pinterest. At least you can get credit for spreading the joy! And well earned joy it is. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne

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  23. Sharing your pattern idea as a tutorial is awesome. I struggle with some of the patterns people are selling as "original", but what a great thing to share this with everyone. The sisters are wonderful!

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  24. You're the bomb. Thank you so much for sharing.

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  25. What an amazing block---thank you!!
    I'm in a stash bee and will be the queen in the fall. I've been trying to decide what block to ask for from the hive. With your permission, I'd like to ask for this block! One of our sisters is from Australia(I think), so it would be international!!

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  26. Oh how splendid! I love the sisters! Thank you so much. Helping friends for the next two days, but watch out Thursday, at least one sister will be made!

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  27. Oh Preeti ! I stumbled upon your blog via a link from Molli Sparkles' blog, which led to this brand new post. These blocks are SO darned cute! I recently picked up a bag of smaller cuts of aboriginal-look fabrics from a LQS for a whopping $5 ... I'm pretty sure I can make at least one block from each fabric. I think it will turn out to be a very lovely International Sisters quilt. This couldn't have come at a more opportune time for me. Thank you for taking the time to draft this pattern and sharing it and the tutorial with us. LOVE IT!
    ~Diana from Toronto

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  28. I love how you share your conversations, in your mind and conversations with others. Love hearing your thought process. Such sweet sisters. Thank you for sharing!

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  29. Love, Love, Love these international sister blocks. Such a "sister" thing to do, to share. Thank you for drafting and then sharing.

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  30. What beautiful ladies! This is a great block, thanks for sharing your tutorial. Now I'm thinking of all the prints I have that would make great dresses for these sisters!

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  31. Love these! I might have to make some up as I have the perfect fabric for them - thanks for the tutorial!!

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  32. Fabulous block and tutorial! I have loved your "international sister" since you first shared making some. Very happy you decided to share the tutorial. Thank you.

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  33. Love the block. Thank you for the tutorial!.

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  34. International Sister is a great name for the block. Love the bright and fun fabrics in the dresses.

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  35. Thanks for the great block. I like how you showed us the whole process of your work, from start to finish.

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  36. Lovely block, thank you so much for sharing the how-to!

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  37. I love the International Sisters, and I am so glad you decided to share them with your quilting sisters.

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  38. What a wonderful block, I hadn’t seen it before. Thank you for so generously sharing your tutorial Preeti, it was kind of you.

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  39. Preeti, somehow I missed this post when it first went up. What a great idea to share as a tutorial. I do think of this block as yours - you have made it so popular and it has your own touch. Love it - the block looks like it comes together easily - wonderful!!!

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  40. Just popped over from Karen's blog.... thank you for the African Queen Block tutorial...

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  41. So very cute! And don't many of us struggle with sharing our work... or not? When we've been inspired by someone else to make something, do we credit them forever? When does the work become our own? I understand your torment. I've been making a quilt with a selvage block design that I came up with on my own. No one's asking for the pattern, but I'm thinking to do a tutorial on it anyway. Just to share. When in doubt, give it away. Right? You're very generous, as we should all be... unless we're making a living from it, which I am not. :-) Linda

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  42. It's a wonderful block, and a wonderful story. This would make great swap blocks for international swapping. Thank you for the pattern and the well-documented tutorial.

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  43. Preeti, your talent is enormous and your generosity is immense. I love your International Sisters and you are sew kind to share your tutorial and pattern. Thank you.

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  44. Beatiful, fun, bright, colorful, inspiring!!!!
    Thank you so much for sharing the design and tutorial!!

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  45. Oh, what a wonderful block! (I found out about it on KaHolly's blog just now. Super, super. Thanks!

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  46. Preeti, Thanks for sharing
    These ladies are going to definitely become international,they have now this moment having found your site and this one .... arrived on the UK shores, and like their beautiful generous Momma will be loved

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  47. Oh my!!!!!!!!!!!!! Came here from KaHolly's blog - I MUST make one of these gorgeous ladies!!! Thank you so much for the great tutorial!!

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  48. O.K. so i don't know what was going on in my life in May because I missed all this! Wonderful tutorial and I think it would be a great quilt along for a guild. Although I'm not proposing it for a least a year as I need a break from organizing. Great job and tutorial.

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  49. I knew you'd eventually share the sisters. You're such a kind, sharing person. Like so many others, I've enjoyed watching you make them and am grateful for the pattern and tutorial.
    Thanks friend!!!

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  50. You are amazing. I would love to do this in my swap group. Thank you for being such an angel and sharing your handiwork

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  51. What a darling block! This would be great for a guild or friendship group swap. Thanks for sharing this, Preeti.

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  52. Really cute block, Peeti!
    I enjoyed reading how you came to make your pattern (came to visit you via Raewyn’s post on the same block).
    It’s a fun block!
    Barbara x

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  53. Oh my goodness, Preeti, these are FABULOUS!! I’m smitten! However did I miss this when you originally posted it?

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  54. Hi, just wondering if you give permission for me to share this pattern in our quilt groups newsletter. I would, of course, add your link back to this post. I have been following on and itis a wonderful way to showcase fabrics that quilters have gathered in their travels.

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  55. I, too, love this block and searched for the 'creator/designer' earlier this year. I found and communicated with the quilter who designed this block. She is in Birmingham AL. If you will check her myquiltingplace.com profile you will see a photo of her with the quilt dated November 18,2014. She offers the quilt block pattern 'free of charge' to anyone who requests it. I did and I have it.
    What you have done is great and will be helpful to anyone who would like to make the block. I just want to share my research on this block with you and those who are loving this beautiful African Princess/Queen block...

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  56. Her name is Theresa McGhee Johnson... thx. hope this is helpful.

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  57. Oh, these beautiful blocks are fascinating! I can hardly wait to try one and give it to my sister. Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful talent.

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  58. I want to say thank you for sharing this block with us. Like others, I have being looking high and low for this block. The other day I happen to come across your tutorial. I am so excited. My concern is, how did the name change to international sister. The name African Queen was perfect and whoever originally created this block most like intentionally named it that and while he or she is most likely happy that their is so much interest in their original work and glad that you have had the talent and skill to share it. They may be a little dismayed that the name has change. I believe the message this block transmits is that we are all queens. I believe we should honor her original name African Queen, our sister who has ignited this spark of love and ignited in us a fire of creativity. I hope you will honor this lady and call her by her name for she is in the truest sense African Queen. Thanks you for reading.

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    1. Dear Anonymous,
      Thank you for your feedback. I am glad that your search is over and I am thrilled that you like the tutorial. Since you are Anonymous and I do not have your email address, I am responding here.
      A darker skin tone has maximum contrast against a light/white background. This was probably the original designer's thought process. And since darker skin tones are usually associated with peoples from Africa, the name African Queen or African Princess seemed appropriate. I am sure that there are many variations (of skin color) in a single country, leave alone a whole continent.
      When I started making the blocks, I wanted to use different fabrics to show different skin tones, not just the dark brown. I wanted wheatish complexion, freckles, age spots and all other signs we women wear (sometimes proudly) reflecting our origins and our struggles. It was Cathy (http://cathyscrazybydesign.blogspot.com/) who mentioned that these African Queen blocks had morphed into International Sisters. And that statement echoed with me.
      I know that my quilty sisters in the US, Canada, New Zealand and Australia are making these blocks and happily sharing with others. These ladies are truly international.
      Sending hugs and warm wishes to you!!!

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    2. Good morning Preeti,
      I am Theresa Johnson from Birmingham Alabama, I posted the pattern on myquiltcraftsy in early 2001and on Pinterest which started the interest in asking for the pattern I also have forwarded it to anyone my pattern is well documented and hand written. If you look on Pinterest a photo of me standing with the quilt my women are of different colors because in my family we are of different shades . Your name change doesn’t bother me because that’s what you felt as you created your ladies . I don’t sell my pattern and I am pleased with your giving sense to anyone interested. I have documentation of women all over the world who wanted the pattern and gave me their email.
      Much love, Theresa McGhee Johnson

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    3. Thank you for creating this BEAUTIFUL 'Lady' block. I have been fascinated with it since I first saw her on a Facebook quilting group blog. Are you still providing a pattern for this block? If so, please send one to me! Thank you, I am extremely grateful and anxious to get started on this quilt! Thank you!!!

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    4. Sorry, the above 'Thank you' was from Dora, at dorisle@wildblue.net. Thank you.

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  59. Hello, Preeti. I came across your blog on Pinterest and saw that you had a tutorial on this pattern. I just wanted to let you know that there is actually a copyrighted pattern out there from 2014 (not sure if this is when she first created it or just when she published it). The pattern is written by Anne Batiste. I’m not posting to upset anyone. I just wanted you to know this information for contacting her to thank her for creating the pattern that inspired you. Hopefully, you will be able to contact her. Take good care.

    Tanya

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  60. Thanks so much can;t wait to try this block!!!

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  61. I enlarged my block to measure 24x24 for a center panel

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  62. Thanks for sharing the pattern and instructions have been searching for this for months

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  63. Love it so much ! Well done and thanks for sharing !
    Minette

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  64. Just stumbled upon this queen’. Thank you for sharing. I’m new to quilting and made my first block today. Quilt hugs to you.

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  65. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Now it is my turn to work. Thank you so much.

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  66. I absolutely love your quilt and the block! Thank-you so much for sharing the tutorial. Edna

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  67. Anne Batiste is the original designer of this block....The African Queen

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  68. It is Anne Batiste's pattern. https://opquilt.com/2017/10/27/gridster-bee-blocks-catch-ups/african-queen-pattern_front/

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  69. Beautiful block! I've enjoyed reading this post and all the comments and think you have shown real consideration and respect in choosing to put this block out there for those of us that hadn't seen it before - thank you!
    Kate, UK

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  70. Absolutely enjoyed reading the back story on this block & I love the passion in your journey. Thank-you much. Now I am off to see if I can cut out several with the Accuquilt. Again thank-you for sharing

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  71. Thank you for your time and for sharing this lovely block with us. I am a new quilter and find your tutorial very easy to follow. Thanks again

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  72. Absolutely Love these ladies and your tutorial is excellent. Thank you.

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  73. Thank you so much for this pattern! I created one with 13 sisters and I'm making 12 lap quilts for my sister friends! I wish I could share a picture for you!

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  74. Thank you so much. Just arrived in Africa and all my new friends are making these quilts. Can't wait to share your post and link with my friends at home.

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  75. I too ran across a picture of quilt in this design and have searched for it. Like u i figured I could make a pattern but never attempted to do so. Thank you so much for sharing

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  76. Found this pattern through Pinterest and love it. I'm currently making a lap quilt for a cousin with this pattern.

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  77. Hi Preeti, After all your efforts to discover the author of this block I was most surprised to read on the Facebook account of the magazine Simply Moderne (https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1375901926098189&set=gm.439999363960016) that quilter Martine Segovia mentions this quilt is a personal creation of hers. May be you could get in touch with her?
    I would take this occasion to thank you for your nice blog full of humour!

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  78. found the pattern on Pinterest waiting on my fabric to get here. Can't wait to get started. My only thing is how to quilt it.

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  79. Thank you so very much for this! My sisters host a huge bunco event every year to benefit a girls school in Rowanda and raise about 10K to send much needed supplies. We are going to make this quilt with fabrics they collected while visiting the school and raffle it at the next event. They expect it to be the hit of the party. I hope you get a warm fuzzy feeling knowing something you created will help so many young girls towards a better life. Bless you.

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  80. My sister married an african american man back in the 70's and she bought some african fabric in the 80's. In 2020 I started to quilt so I'm pretty new to quilting. In 2021 she found some fabric that she purchased in the 80's and asked me if I wanted to make her a quilt. African quilts are not my style but I contacted an experienced quilt friend and she gave me some inspiration, and then I found yours and I love them. The fabrics that she sent didn't match but with this pattern they don't have to. I'm now excited to make this for her. Thank you for sharing

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  81. I've taught at mixed schools since 1981 (the first school represented 52 languages!) I belong to a group called Dining for Women that supports a different International Organization that focuses on Women each month-This is a natural! Thank you!

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  82. PM
    I love this quilt block. I want to use the block for a baby quilt and reading pillows for children, however, the 10” square may be too large. Is there a formula that I can use to reduce the size of the block? Thank you. 🙏🏽

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    1. Bobbie, you are a no-reply blogger. So I am replying here. Look for petite sister block instructions in this blogpost - https://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com/2020/09/sisters-without-borders.html

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    2. Hi Patrick my name is Linda and I would love to make this block. I would also like to make it and post it on my Instagram page and teach it if you would allow me. Please get in touch with me and let me know if that works for you and my email is the craftlady.ca@gmail.com

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  83. I can't thank you enough! Well done! You saved my poor brain so much pain trying to figure this out.
    Bless you!
    Deborah

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  84. I can't wait to get started! It looks like a nice project.

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  85. thanks for sharing your block.

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  86. Thanks for sharing. Great instructions!

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  87. What a blessing to be given the directions on how to make this wonderful quilt block. I'm thinking my next project will be a small quilt made of all these ladies, and I'll be using some of my international fabrics for it. Fabrics from the Netherlands (with windmills), Katmandu, Australia, London....what a FUN quilt that will make. One of the African ladies will HAVE to have a building beside her with the sign: 'The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency', which happens to be one of my favorite series of books by Alexander McCall Smith - about Mma Precious Ramotswe. Thank you for sharing with us! Deb E

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  88. Thank you for the great tutorial for this lovely block!

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  89. Would it be difficult to draft this into a smaller size, thinking 6 inch or so? Would be so cute smaller too.

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  90. I purchased "The African Queen" pattern directly from its original designer, Anne Batiste, Pasedena, CA. For $12.00. it was copyrighted in 2014

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  91. It is amazing to see your overall work and especially this block. It is so tempting to attempt! Just loved it. Thank u for sharing the tutorial.

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  92. Nice post thank you Cindy

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  93. This blog post about the International Sister Block is truly heartwarming. It's wonderful to see how people from different cultures and backgrounds come together to support each other. It's a beautiful reminder that unity and solidarity can make a difference in our world. UsePromos

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  94. Merci beaucoup, après l'avoir vu sur le Forum du Patchwork, je mourrais d'envie de le faire, et voilà je suis tombée sur vos explications géniales et le suivi. Je vais retraduire en cms et je pense que je vais me faire plaisir.
    Bonne journée

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  95. Thanks to all of that made this happen

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  96. I made this quilt and everyone falls in love with it! Bless you for sharing 💝

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