Block Three

I do not usually work with brown colour fabrics.  These brown tones are too 'vomit sick' colour for me.  But these brown fabrics are part of the fat quarter bundle so I feel that if I do not use I will never use them. 

I will make some more block using these brown fabric to see if I can begin to like them.  I think the brown fabrics are needed to be incorporated in the quilt to enhance the overall design.

Anyway that all folks until next time.

Block Two

So now have make block two of my new quilt BOM.  Again this block is six inches finished.  I love the colours of this block.

 So here are both blocks.

I am writing up the instructions for Bon Couture Designs as a quilt pattern.  I have yet to decide a name for this new quilt pattern.  Any suggestions? 

New Year, New Quilt..

I have been designing a new quilt to teach at my classes. Jan - June all the blocks are pieced and July to Dec the blocks are appliqué.

I am using a fat quarter bundle that I have had for several year now. There are about twelve fat quarters. They are not my usual colours or tones but as I am trying to reduce my enormous stash.

The blocks are all six inches.  So I am going to have to make lots of blocks to use all the fabric. I love working on small blocks but I know it is going to be a challenge for some of the ladies.

Would you like to see some the finished blocks made by my lovely ladies...

Friendship Star Block

Friendship Star

This tutorial will make a 6" Friendship Star Block.  I used only two fabrics.  A cream tone on tone fabric for the background and a pattern blue fabric for the star block.

Background  

Cut two 3 1/2 inch squares

Cut four 2 1/2 inch squares

Star 

Cut two 3 1/2 inch squares

Cut one 2 1/2 inch square

Layer one background and one star 3 1/2 inch square right side facing and pin.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Then draw a line quarter inch either side of diagonal line.

Sew on the outer lines.  I like to use an open toe foot on my sewing machine for sewing when using this method.  I like to be able to see the line where I am sewing.  If you wish you could hand stitch the lines.

The cut on the centre line. Repeat with the other pair 3 1/2 squares.

Press towards the darkest fabric.  PRESS, please do not iron, and treat with care as this is a bias seam.    Now trim the half square triangle squares to 2 1/2 inches.  Remembering to place the 45 degree line on your ruler along the stitched seam.

Arrange your squares as shown above.  Watch out for the correct placement of your half square triangle squares.

Sew into three rows using a quarter inch seam allowance.  Press the top and bottom seams away for the centre square.  Press the middle seams towards the centre square.  This will make it easy to stitch the three rows together.  Please remember to match up all your seams.

. 

Now give your finished block a press.  The block should now measure 6 1/2 inches.  Once sewn into a project or quilt it will a 'finished' 6 inch square

Friendship Star

This tutorial will make a 6" Friendship Star Block.  I used only two fabrics.  A cream tone on tone fabric for the background and a pattern blue fabric for the star block.

Background  

Cut two 3 1/2 inch squares

Cut four 2 1/2 inch squares

Star 

Cut two 3 1/2 inch squares

Cut one 2 1/2 inch square

Layer one background and one star 3 1/2 inch square right side facing and pin.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner.  Then draw a line quarter inch either side of diagonal line.

Sew on the outer lines.  I like to use an open toe foot on my sewing machine for sewing when using this method.  I like to be able to see the line where I am sewing.  If you wish you could hand stitch the lines.

The cut on the centre line. Repeat with the other pair 3 1/2 squares.

Press towards the darkest fabric.  PRESS, please do not iron, and treat with care as this is a bias seam.    Now trim the half square triangle squares to 2 1/2 inches.  Remembering to place the 45 degree line on your ruler along the stitched seam.

Arrange your squares as shown above.  Watch out for the correct placement of your half square triangle squares.

Sew into three rows using a quarter inch seam allowance.  Press the top and bottom seams away for the centre square.  Press the middle seams towards the centre square.  This will make it easy to stitch the three rows together.  Please remember to match up all your seams.

Now give your finished block a press.  The block should now measure 6 1/2 inches.  Once sewn into a project or quilt it will a 'finished' 6 inch square.

Work in Progress

I have been working on some new workshop samples that I will be teaching next month.  I cannot show you the projects until I have taught the workshops.
I have been layering up some previous workshop samples ready for quilting.  When I teach I always have several finish samples and some 'blue peter' samples.
The first photo is a disappearing nine patch cot quilt top made using only three fabric for the blocks.

The second photo is a simple large block quilt top using one pattern fabric and plain fabrics for for blocks and borders. 

I have tried several methods for layering up my quilt tops from using curved pins, large stitch tacking with thread to using tiny plastic tacks over the years. The method I use now is spray glue 505.  I lightly spray the wadding and apply the backing.  Then I spray the front of the wadding and apply the quilt top.  I use a large ruler to make sure that my blocks and borders are straight. Always spray in a well ventilated room. I can layer up several large quilt top or lots of small project with one small can of 505 spray.  If you can feel the glue on the wadding you have too much glue, spray very lightly.   

I love this method because the layers do not move as I machine quilt.  I always put a new needle in my sewing machine at the start of a new project and replace it after only eight to ten hours of sewing.  This is really important.  A new needle is the cheapest part of your sewing machine and can cause the most damage if neglected.            

I will leave these quilts hanging over the back of the sofa until I get time to quilt them, which will be after the exhibitions and my holiday.   



Disappearing Four Patch

I first posted the instructions for the Disappearing Four Patch on the sister blog called Cupcake Quilter in March 2011. I am going to copy and paste the post here today.

Recipe

You will need the following to make one block:
A) One 5 x 5 inch blue plain/tone on tone.
B) One 5 x 5 inch red plain/tone on tone.
C) Two 5 x 5 inch white on white.

Sew together as above to form a four patch block. Press the seams open.

Cut 1 1/2 inches from the centre seam. With each cut turn the board not the fabric, this will help to keep the fabric from moving. Do not be tempted to move the pieces after each cut. Once you have cut four times then check to make sure you have cut properly.

Leave the four corners and centre blocks and turn the four outer middle blocks to form a new nine patch block.

Once you are happy with the new block sew the block back together. Pay extra attention to matching all the seams.

Next time you could vary the width of the cut from the centre seams. It will give a different feel to the block.
Well done.

Daisy Quilt

I made these daisy blocks at a workshop taught by April Twigg and organised by Quay Quilters over ten years ago.  It appears that I am the only member left in the group that attended that original workshop with April.  This pattern never dates only the fabrics.  I used very bright fabrics that I still love.  I started joining the blocks to make a quilt top whilst on holiday last November. I had only just finished due to my dislocated clavicle.    

 I am the workshop member for Quay Quilters, meaning that I organise all the workshops for the group.  April and I will be holding a workshop for members to make some daisy blocks in March. 

This is one of those workshops were I do not have to worry about members getting a perfect quarter inch seam allowances or cutting accurately.  I have stitched borders onto my top. Now I have to layer, quilt and bind it!  It  may be some time until I finished this project as I am still in a lot of pain with my shoulder injury. I am working on much smaller projects which I will share with you in the next few days.