Sisterhood Grows

When Juanita (from Canada) asked for my permission to use the International Sister Quilt Block for a charity wall hanging to be donated to "The Love of Africa", my answer was a resounding YES.  I also offered to send one sister block as a starter, which was received with happy enthusiasm.

My contribution block

Accompanying Letter

Juanita promised to send a picture of the finished wall-hangings. I smiled. Folks promise things but then life happens or they forget. So I was very pleasantly surprised when Juanita actually kept her promise.

Juanita's Wall Hanging for "The Love of Africa"

Thank you Juanita

In another part of the world, Raewyn decided to dip her toes in the pool of sisterhood blocks. Surprisingly (or not) she found herself completely immersed in sisterly hugs.  I so appreciate that Raewyn included the link to the original tutorial in her posts, and it is only fair that I return the favor. Do check out her blog and their lovely dresses.



The third story of sisterhood comes from the village of Deurne, located in the south of Netherlands. Some time ago, Mien found the older version of the blocks (African Ladies), drafted it and started making blocks. Of course she could not stop at one and soon enough, she had a quilt. She also modified the design to add feet to the sister's block. I love that the block is open to modification.  Here is her spectacular quilt.

Vlisco on the Catwalk by Mien Boerekamp

The fabrics are absolutely gorgeous. Mien used Vlisco fabrics manufactured in the adjacent town of Helmond - fabrics she had acquired over the years. You can learn more about the Vlisco fabric at https://www.vlisco.com.

I saw these fabulously bold and colorful fabrics at the Philadelphia Museum Art in 2016, and shared on my blog.  Read more about the Philadelphia Museum of Art exhibition including a slide show and
Q&A with Wale Oyejide - one of the designers.



And finally, here are my sisters in purple for September edition of the RSC 2019. Sharing with Angela's Linky Party.

Floral Sister

Tula loving Sister

Garden Sister

Oceanic Sister

Butterfly Queen Sister

Bird Sister

What a Hoot Sister

Woodland Sister

Purple Paisley Sister

Bright Blooms Sister

All of the Purple Sisters

I will be sharing with all my favorite linky parties, see full list on the sidebar.
As usual I'd love to hear from you - my quilty sister (or brother).

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.