Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Disappearing 9-Patch Variation

Disappearing 9-Patch Variation



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This is another way to transform
a 9-patch block into something
more interesting.


Fabric Requirements:

Block A:
4 - 5" squares of dark fabric
5 - 5" squares of light fabric

Block B:
4 - 5" squares of light fabric
5 - 5" squares of dark fabric


Layout squares as shown as
sew together in 3 rows.  Press
seams in rows 1 & 3 to the outside
and seams in row 2 to the inside.


Sew rows together and press
seams to the outside.


Now here comes the interesting
part.  Measure the center block,
in this case it is 4 1/2", now take
half of that measurement which
is 2 1/4" and cut 2 1/4" off both
sides of the blocks as shown.
Set aside strips.


Now take the inner section and
cut 2 1/4" strips from the top
and bottom.  Set strips aside.


Swap the smaller center strips
from each block, layout as shown
and sew back together.


Swap the longer side pieces from
each block and sew together taking
care to match the intersections of the
seams.  Notice there will be extra
fabric at each end.  Square to 13".



And there are your two finished blocks.


These blocks would make
a very interesting quilt.

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Old Maid's Puzzle


 
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This may be called the Old
Maid's Puzzle but there is
nothing old-fashioned about it
when it is made with modern fabrics.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Light (White Print)
5 - 4 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on the back.
4 - 3 1/2" squares

Fabric B: Dark (Dark Pink)
3 - 4 1/4" squares

Fabric C: Medium (Green)
2 - 4 1/4" squares
2 - 3 1/2" squares


Make Half Square Triangles:

Pair the 4 1/4" squares with right sides
 together in the following combinations:

3 - A/B          2 - A/C

Sew 1/4" away from each side of drawn
line.  Cut on drawn line.  Press seam to
the darker fabric.


Make Unit A:
Layout units as shown and sew
together in 2 rows.  Press seam
in row 1 to the left and seam in
row 2 to the right. 


Sew rows together.  Press seam
to the top.  Square to 6 1/2".
Make 2.


Make Unit B:
Layout units as shown.  Sew together
in 2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left
and seam in row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together.  Press seam
to the bottom.  Square to 6 1/2".
Make 2.


Assemble Block:

Layout units as shown and sew together
in 2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left
and seam in row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together.  Press final
seam open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Broken Dishes


 
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Broken Dishes is a very easy quilt
block dating back to the 1790's.  It is
 one of the most common quilt patterns.
Also known as:  Old Tippecanoe, Bow Ties,
Hour Glass, Whirling Blade & Yankee Puzzle.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Dark (Brown w/dots)
1 - 7 1/4" square

Fabric B: Medium (Blue w/leaves)
1 - 7 1/4" square - Mark
a diagonal line on back

Fabric C: Dark ( Brown floral)
1 - 7 1/4" square

Fabric D: Medium ( Pink)
1 - 7 1/4" square - Mark
a diagonal line on back


Make Half Square Triangles
Pair Fabric A and Fabric B 7 1/4"
squares and pair Fabric C and
Fabric D 7 1/4" squares, right sides
together and sew 1/4" away from
each side of drawn line.  Cut on
drawn line and press seam to
the darker fabric.


Square to 6 1/2".


Layout as shown and sew together
in 2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to
the left and seam in row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together.  Press final
seam open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Rail Fence

 
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there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
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The Rail Fence is a very simple block
that you can use to make a quick quilt.
It also has many ways to put it
together to make a variety of patterns.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A, B, C and D
1 - 2" x 28" strip of each fabric




Strip piece the 4 strips together by
sewing together along the long edge
of the strip.  There are 2 things to
remember when doing this, check
your fabric placement before sewing.
And, the most important hint:
When strip piecing you should always
start your seam from the opposite side
of your previous seam.  I leave the
beginning thread tails on when I
strip piece to show me where I started.
This will give you a very tight and
straight strip set.  If you were to sew
all the seams by starting on the same
side, your piece would bow and arc
and you will not be able to cut it easily.


Once you have sewn all your strips
together, square off one end and then
cut 4 - 6 1/2" squares from the strip set.


The way you layout your squares
will determine the pattern of your
quilt.  Here are a couple of options, if you
lay them out as shown above you get:


A quilt that looks like this.


If you lay them out like this,


you get this quilt.


Decide which way you want to
layout your squares and then
sew together in 2 rows, press
the seam in row 1 to the right
and the seam in row 2 to the left.


Sew rows together and press final
seam open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Ohio Star


 
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there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
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is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

The Ohio Star has been
around since the early 1800's.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Small Green Print
1 - 6" square
4 - 4 1/2" squares

Fabric B: Pink
2 - 6" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.

Fabric C: Blue
1 - 6" square

Fabric D: Large Green Print
1 - 4 1/2" square


Make Quarter Square Triangles:

Pair 6" squares, with right sides
together in the following combinatons:
1 - A/B           1 - C/B


Sew a 1/4" away from
each side of drawn line.
Cut on drawn line, press
seams to Fabric A and
Fabric C. 


Draw a diagonal line on back
from the opposite corners than
the sewn seam.  Pair the B/C
combination and the A/B combination,
have the seams meet but the Fabric B
triangles should be on opposite sides.
Sew 1/4" away from each side of drawn
line.


Cut on drawn line, press
seam open.


Square by placing the intersection
of the 2 1/4" lines on the center of the
of the block, have diagonal line on
ruler on top of seam, trim right side
and top.  Turn square, rest 4 1/2"
lines on cut edges and trim again.
You should end up with 4 quarter
square triangles.


Layout units as shown and sew
together in 3 rows.  Press seams
in rows 1 and 3 to the outside and
seam in row 2 to the inside.


Sew rows together and press
final seams open to reduce
bulk.  Square to 12 1/2".