January started our 2014 BOM project - 6 1/2" unfinished blocks. Vevia started us out with a block from Sally Schneider's book "Scrap Quilts Fit for a Queen.......". She took the cornerstone block from the "Farmer's Daughter" quilt. It did not mention a block name; however, you can also find it in a larger version in the "Quilt" magazine, Aug/Sep 2013. There it is called Dresden Stars.
You can print out your pattern by looking to the right hand side of the blog and under the 2014 BOM section, click on the link that comes up beside January. If you have a browser that ends up showing only a blank page with a bar that says loading - you can still get the pattern by clicking on the word File at the top left of your screen. Then click download and when the dialog comes up on the bottom of your screen, click open - then you can print it out. If you have Google Chrome as your browser, you will get the pattern immediately.
Cut out your cutting guide for A - we will call this the blade. Cut out 4 blades, 2 each from each of your colors 3 & 4 of the 5 1/2" x 5 1/2" fabric squares.
Then cut out the four paper piece patterns. Notice we did not cut perfect; however, you DO want the dotted lines on there - do not cut them off, that is where you square up when you are done.
Then with just a dab of washable glue, we attached the blades right side up to the back of each paper pattern making sure we centered the blades. You sew on the side of the paper where you can see the lines.
You can see here where Machelle held her paper pattern up and made sure she had her blade placed where there was 1/4" seam allowance on both sides of the blade.
Whether you choose 4 squares of background fabric 5" x 5" or you picked 2 colors with 2 squares each - this is where you cut them ONCE diagonally.
Then place one of the background triangles right side to right side to the blade, flip everything over and only sew on the drawn line. It is very helpful with paper piecing that you shorten your sewing stitch. Try a setting of 2 or 1.5. It depends on your machine. Where the blade is pointed, you do not want to sew past that point made by all lines coming together.
Click on the picture above to see the sewing lines better. After you sew this piece on, turn over and press the "wing" open. Sew on the other triangle, right side to right side of the blade, turn over, press the other "wing" open and
your sewn block should look like the picture above. The fabric pieces are made a little bigger for those that have never paper pieced before. No Stress!
Susie used her wooden "iron" to press out her background "wings". A great big THANKS to Mr. B for making each of us a double ended wooden "iron". They were a great help with this project. The next step is to square up your block using the dotted lines to end up with a 3 1/2" square block. Continue this until you have finished all 4 blocks.
Deb shows us how to take off the paper after you have squared up your block. Using the wooden "iron" to press the paper towards the middle. Press over well and then gently tear off papers.
We had some ladies that chose to watch, learn and then do their blocks at home. Lorraine did not get as much crocheting done as she wanted to as she was enjoying watching everyone. Judy brought her fabrics to see first what the finished blocks looked like before she made her choices.
Everyone had fun, some of us more than others. Esther and Donnis showed us what not to do. They weren't the only ones, just the ones that let their picture be taken. This is a very easy block when you take it one step at a time and watch which side is up and which line you are sewing on.
Susie showed us how to square up the block. She had a perfect 3 1/2" square ruler along with her.
If you used more than a dab of glue and have a bit of paper left on when you tear off the paper - don't fret. If you can not scrap it off gently with your finger nail, dampen a cotton ball and blot the paper. It is not a problem if you can not get it off, just a small piece in your quilt. There are antique quilts that still have the papers in them, so you are only keeping up with a long tradition.
When you have all four blocks squared up, sew them together in the pattern shown.
Look at the finished ones shown here and below.
So many color choices.
Dee worked on her applique while listening to everyone laugh, cry and discuss possibilities with this block.
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Susie brought in a sample of the block she is showing next month so that everyone could get an idea of what colors they might want to use. There was another way to put it together, think it was called railroad - but everyone agreed, that setting would only work if you were doing everything on point.
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Show and Tell was done before lunch. Deb had finished the hand quilting of Iowana's quilt. Deb said that Iowana had most of it done, she only helped out a little. Isn't it gorgeous, love all those old fashioned machines. Deb also had a rubber type storage ring for bobbins to show us. She loves her new holder.
Remember when Susie brought in that fabric for all of us - here is a bag that Esther made out of one of those pieces she fell in love with.
And remember the beautiful whole cloth that Esther has been hand quilting - well she had finished it before Christmas and it was the lovely tree skirt for her home. Her husband had a fit though - he thought it was TOO nice to be under a tree.
Esther is now finishing her quilting of the tilted log cabin blocks that Donnis taught us how to do last year. Esther is really starting off the new year with a bang.
Had to take a picture of the sign on Machelle's t-shirt. Imagine finishing your PHD and having a degree.
Donnis is another that is staring the new year with a bang, here are two quilt tops that she has made up. Wonderful to have little ones to enjoy our work.
Donnis had also made some more hot pads.
Books and patterns were a great show and tell also. So fun to see what all is out there, especially when someone else has already bought it and you can look.
It was a great day. After lunch we had a very pleasant time working on hand items and talking. One of the things that came up was the possibility of making this fabric box shown here. Our 6 1/2" blocks do not take all morning, so if you are interested -
Cut two pieces of fabric (outside and lining) and one piece of batting. Cut them all either 8 1/2" square to get the box you see here, or 10 1/2" square, or 12 1/2" square. You can make all three sizes and fit them inside of each other till you use them.
Lay the batting down, place the outside fabric right side up on the batting, place the lining fabric right side down on to the pile. Sew 1/4" inch around the outside edges, leaving about 2 - 3" gap on one side for turning right side out. After you have sewn around the edges and turned right side out, press all flat. Vevia will then show you next month what comes next.
See you in February.
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