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January 2026 Block Lotto

  • Jan 15
  • 3 min read

🧵 Calgary Modern Quilt Guild — January Block Lotto

Crumb Blocks! Dive Into Those Scrap Bins!


Happy New Year, CMQG makers! 🎉

To kick off 2026 with creativity and colour, our January Block Lotto theme is crumb blocks — a spontaneous, scrappy piecing technique that transforms tiny bits of fabric into vibrant quilt blocks! Each block will be 6.5″ x 6.5" and we'll be focusing on our cool colour scraps. Pick a single colour-way for each block - either blue, green, or purple.


Whether you’re new to crumb quilting or have been saving scraps just for this, let’s make some fun and modern blocks!



📌 What’s a Crumb Block?

A crumb block is built from very small fabric scraps — sometimes irregular shapes, sometimes long thin strips — sewn together into a larger piece that you trim into a block. It’s a wonderful way to use scraps that are too small for other projects and make them into something fun!


🧵 Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Gather & Sort

Pull out your scrap bin and sort pieces that are blue, purple, or green — even tiny bits can be used! Sort your scraps by colour. Choose one colour-way for each block you make.


  1. Start Small

Pair two small pieces with at least one roughly straight edge and sew them right sides together with a scant ¼″ seam.


  1. Press & Trim

Press seams and trim edges straight with your ruler so the piece starts to form a usable shape.


  1. Grow Slowly

Continue adding scraps to your piece — sew more on the edges and keep trimming straight edges as you go. Build up to a patchwork panel that’s a bit larger than your block size.


  1. Square Up

Once your scrappy patch is big enough, use your 6.5″ ruler to trim it into a 6.5″ square block.

Repeat! Make as many blocks as you like. They don’t all need to look the same — that’s the beauty of crumb piecing!




🎥 Online Resources & Tutorials

If you want visuals or more crumb-piecing tips, these online resources are super helpful:


📹 Crumb Quilting Basics & Inspiration


📖 Written Tutorials & Tips


These resources are all freely available and great whether you’re a beginner or just looking for new ideas!


🎉 Block Submission Details

📅 Deadline: February Guild Meeting

📐 Block size: 6.5″ square

🎨 Colours: Blues, Purples, Greens - one colour-way per block

Let’s fill this month with scrappy improvisation, brilliant colour, and creative fun! Can’t wait to see your crumb magic! 💙💜💚



General Block Lotto Rules

  1. Make a quilt block (or many) following the pattern and colour scheme outlined in the lotto announcement blog post. For every block you make and bring to the following month's meeting, you will get one entry in the lotto. If you are unable to attend the meeting, but really want to participate in the lotto, ask a friend to get your blocks to the meeting, but make sure they are labelled with your name so we can properly account for your blocks.

  2. The winner gets all the blocks to make a quilted project from them (We may hold a vote to split up the blocks between more than one winner if there are enough entries). If you win, the blocks become yours and you can use them in any way you choose. You may only win one group per lotto.

  3. We would love to see your finished project, either in person or in pictures, once you are done.

  4. Use modern fabrics that you like or love! If you are unsure about your fabric selection as it relates to "Modern" please ask.

  5. Have fun! Keep in mind that (most likely) someone else will be taking home your blocks to incorporate into a larger piece and things must fit together (literally, so keeping your blocks true to size is probably the most important thing), but you should also make it yours and enjoy the process.

  6. Remember, you must be a member of the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild to participate.


 
 
 

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