My first Ice Cream Soda Block, April 2018

On April 12, 2018 I stitched my first Ice Cream Soda quilt block. I was instantly hooked! These blocks are hand-sewn using a technique called English Paper Piecing (EPP), which is a traditional form of quilt making involving wrapping fabric around a piece of shaped paper, basting it in place to the paper, then hand sewing the fabric shapes together. At the time I was already quite familiar with the EPP technique as I had participated in a year-long sew along making hexagon flowers. The idea of working with new and different shapes excited me.

The Ice Cream Soda quilt was designed by Jodi from Tales of Cloth. The pattern and templates are sold here in her shop. She also has a blog post with fabulous photos of her version of the quilt.

I worked on my blocks over the course of 2 years. I would prep my paper pieces ahead of time and have them ready to grab any time I took my kids to piano lessons, tennis, dance class, or whenever we were headed on a road trip, or off to my family’s beach cabin. Not to mention the countless Netflix movies and TV series I watched while stitching this quilt. When I look at each block I can remember where I was when I made it. What a fun trip down memory lane! Unfortunately, once I finished the top I got distracted by another project and I let it sit unfinished for 1.5 years. At the beginning of 2021, one of my resolutions was to finish some of my UFO’s (unfinished objects) and I am so glad I stuck to it!