Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Portsmouth Star


We are quilting along with Barbara Brackman's
Block of the Month, Threads of Memory.

http://civilwarquilts.blogspot.com


This is how I made my block. it may
differ from the original.  If you want 
to use a fussy cut in the corner units
this is not the method to use.  It is 
best to use a fabric that will blend 
easily for the Fabric B.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Fussy Cut
1 - 4 1/2'' square

Fabric B:  Blue
4 - 2 1/2'' squares
4 - 2 1/2'' x 4 1/2'' rectangles

Fabric C: Green
2 - 3 1/4'' squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.
1 - 6'' square

Fabric D:  Red Print
2 - 3 1/4'' squares
1 - 6'' square

Fabric E: White Print
2 - 6'' squares - Mark a 
diagonal line on back.


Make Half Square Triangles:
Pair Fabric C and Fabric D 3 1/4'' squares
with right sides together.  Sew 1/4'' away from 
each side of the drawn line, cut on drawn line.
  Press seams to the Fabric C and square to 2 1/2''.

Make Corner Units:


Layout a Half Square Triangle and Fabric B
2 1/2'' square as shown and sew together, 
press seam to the Fabric B square.


Layout above unit and Fabric B rectangle
as shown and sew together, press seam to
the rectangle.  Square to 4 1/2''.
Make 4 of this unit.

Make Quarter Square Triangles:


Pair 6'' squares in the following combinations:

1 - E/D        1 - E/C 

The first step is the same as making a Half
Square Triangle:  sew 1/4'' away from each
side of the drawn line, cut on the drawn line.
  Press seams to the darker fabric.  Mark 
diagonal line on the opposite diagonal from the 
seam on the Fabric C/E units.


Take care with this step, you want to pair the
E/C and E/D units with right sides together.
You want the 2 seams to butt up against each 
other and lock in place, pin along the seams.


Sew 1/4'' away from each side of the drawn
line, cut on drawn line.  Press seam open to
reduce bulk.


With Quarter Square Triangles there is a very
specific way to square up.  Place the diagonal line 
on the ruler on the diagonal seam that runs from 
top right to bottom left, also for this size QST, 
place the 2 1/4'' mark on the ruler in the center
of the unit as shown by the arrow.  Now trim the 
top and side.


Rotate the unit and place the 4 1/2'' lines of 
the ruler on the left and bottom edges as shown.
Trim top and right side.
Make 4 of this unit.


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


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

Check out everyone's work on Dustin's Flickr site: