Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Laurel Wreath

 


 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

This is a block from the 1930's

that is also known as North Carolina.


 
Fabric Requirements:

 
Fabric A: White

4 - 2 1/2" squares

12 - 3 1/4" squares - Mark

a diagonal line on back.


Fabric B: Red

4 - 2 1/2" squares

1 - 4 1/2" square

4 - 3 1/4" squares

 
Fabric C: Green

8 - 3 1/4" squares

 

 
Make Half Square Triangles:

 
Pair 3 1/4" squares with right sides

together in the following combinations:


4 - A/B 8 - A/C

 
Sew 1/4" away from each side of drawn

line, cut on drawn line and press as follows:

 
A/B - press to the Fabric B

A/C - press half to the Fabric A

and half to the Fabric C




Make Corner Units:

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 and press seam to

the top. Square to 4 1/2".

Make 4.




Make Outer Center Units:


Layout units as shown, paying attention

to the arrows showing which way the

seams have been pressed. "Lock" the seams

together before pressing, this will make

your points very precise. Sew together in

2 rows. Press seam in row 1 to the left and

seam in row 2 to the right.




Sew rows together and press seam to

the bottom. Square to 4 1/2".

Make 4.




Layout units as shown and 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 final

seams open to reduce bulk.

Square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Disappearing 4-Patch





Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen


Since the Disappearing 9-patch tutorial
has been so popular, here is another option
using a 4-patch block.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: White
2 - 7 1/2" squares

Fabric B: Pink
1 - 7 1/2" square

Fabric C: Green
1 - 7 1/2" square


Layout squares as shown and sew together
in 2 rows, press seams to the dark fabrics.


Sew rows together and press seam open
to reduce bulk.


Make a cut 5 1/2" in from each side of the block.


Now this is where the magic happens.
Our 4-patch has now become a 9-patch.
Take the left center unit and swap it with
the right center unit, then take the top
center unit and swap it with the bottom
center unit. Then sew together in 3 rows.
Press seams in rows 1 and 3 to the inside
and seams in row 2 to the outside.


Sew rows together and press seams
to the outside.


I made the original squares large enough
so you have plenty of room to square up
at the end. With sewing, cutting and sewing
back together, you want your finished block
to be as accurate as possible. Using a 12 1/2"
square ruler, place the 6 1/4" lines on the
center seams, both vertical & horizontal and
trim top and right sides. Now turn the block
and square 2 remaining sides to 12 1/2".


Quick & easy!


This is how it looks if you put the
blocks side by side.


By rotating every other block
you have this design.


I think it would look great as
a scrappy quilt.

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Balkan Puzzle


 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 


Fabric Requirements:
Fabric A: Yellow
6 - 4 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.

Fabric B: Green
2 - 4 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagoanl line on back.

Fabric C: Light Blue
4 - 4 1/4" squares

Fabric D: Dark Blue
4 - 4 1/4" squares


Make Half Square Triangles:
Pair 3 1/4" squares with right sides
together in the following combinations:

2 - A/C 4 - A/D 2 - C/B

Sew 1/4" away from each side of the
drawn line, cut on drawn line and
press as follows:

A/C - press to the Fabric A
A/D - press half to the Fabric A
and half to the Fabric D
C/B - press to the Fabric C
Square to 3 1/2".

Make Quarter Units:
Layout units as shown, the arrows
show the direction the seam is pressed
for the A/D units, and sew together in
2 rows. Press the seam in row 1 to the
left and the seam in row 2 to the right.
Sew rows together, press seam to the
bottom. Square to 6 1/2".
Make 4.

Layout quarter units as shown,
always keeping the Fabric B in
the center. 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, April 4, 2012

Magic Carpet


 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

I'm in Istanbul, Turkey with
magical carpets all around me.


Fabric Requirements:
Fabric A: White print
1 - 2 1/2" x 12" strip
1 - 4 1/2" square
Fabric B: Blue
1 - 3" x 20" strip
Fabric C: Gold
1 - 2" x 20" strip
Fabric D: Red
2 - 1 1/2" x 12" strips
8 - 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles

Make Outer Center Units:
Sew together Fabric B and Fabric C
strips along one long edge and press
seam to the Fabric B. Square off one
end and cut into 4 1/2" units.
Make 4.

Make Corner Units:
Sew Fabric D strips to each side
of Fabric A strip as shown. Press
seams to the Fabric D. Square off
one end and cut into 4 - 2 1/2" units.

Sew Fabric D rectangles to each side
of above units. Square to 4 1/2".
Make 4.

Assemble Block:
Layout units as shown and 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 final
seams open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".