Saturday, December 27, 2008

Monday, December 1, 2008

December Block of the Month


Hope you are all doing well out there and enjoying your holidays.
Are you ready for another? Here goes: This month's block is called Dutchman's Puzzle. You only need 2 fabrics. A background and another color for the flying geese triangles.

1.) Cut out 16- 3 1/2" squares of the background fabric you chose.

2.) Cut out 8- 3 1/2" x 6 1/2" rectangles for the "flying geese" out of your focus fabric.

3.) Place a square right sides together onto a rectangle in the corner and draw a diagonal sewing line.
4.) Trim the fabric on the left side of the sewing line a quarter inch away and press back the background fabric.


5.) Place another square on the opposite corner and repeat last step (trim opposite side of course) until you get a block like this.

6.) Continue this process until you have 8 flying geese blocks. Assemble this way:

Saturday, November 1, 2008

November Block of the Month



This month's block is called "Country Roads". This one has a few more pieces but follow along and you should be OK. As always, if you have any questions feel free to email me. You will need 4 fabrics. Or if you plan on using a different fabric for your center, then you will need 5. Here's how to assemble:

1.) For the 4-patch blocks in each corner, cut one strip each 3" x 12" from 2 of your fabrics. And 2 strips 3" x 12" of your lightest fabric.

2.) Make 2 strip sets. One set each using the lightest fabrics with the other two fabrics.

3.) Subcut strip sets into 4 - 3" sections.

4.) Take one section from each set and sew together alternating the light and dark fabrics. Make 4 - four-patch blocks.

5.) Cut four strips 2 1/2" x 5 1/2" from a different fabric. This fabric will be used as the "cross" between the four-patch blocks.

6.) Cut a 2 1/2" block using one of your fabric choices. This is your center block.

Assemble this way:


Have fun!!
:)

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October Block of the Month



This month's block is called "Rail Fence" or "Split Rail". I've seen it called both of those. This block should also be fairly easy to do. You will need 3 matching fabrics. One dark, one medium, and one light. You can put them together however you want. Again, make it as organized or as scrappy as you want. Here is what you do:

1.) Measure out and cut strips from each fabric 2 1/2" x 26".

2.) Sew strips together to make a strip set in the order you like best.


3.) Subcut your strip set into 4 blocks measuring 6 1/2" each.


Assemble this way:



Again, if there are any questions, please email me. Have fun!

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

My September result



Well, here is my first block. I love this sheep fabric. Hope you all had some nice blocks come out. If you have pictures of your block and want to share, email them to me and I will post them.

melaniewelanie1@gmail.com

Monday, September 1, 2008

September Block of the Month



This month's block to start us off is a nice and easy one. This block is known as "Churn Dash". You will need two colors of your choice. A background and a dark or medium, solid or print pattern. I am posting the example patterns in black and white so you can let your own imagination go with it. You can make this as scrappy or as organized as you want. That's the best part about quilting. You put your own personality in it.

OK, here are your instructions. If you have any questions, email me at melaniewelanie1@gmail.com.

1.) Cut 2 background squares and 2 dark squares 4 7/8".

2.) Take 1 background square and 1 dark square and put them right sides together. Draw, with a pencil, a diagonal line from one corner to the other on the back of one side of the squares that are together.


3.) Sew 1/4" away from each side of the drawn line ( with both pieces still right sides together).


4.) Cut on the drawn line, open squares and press seam allowances toward the darker fabric. Your finished block size should be 4 1/2". Repeat with the other set of squares to make a total of 4 half-square triangle blocks.


5.) Cut 1 strip of each color 2 1/2" x 18" long. Sew together to make a strip set.


6.) Subcut the strip set into 4 squares 4 1/2" each.


7.) Cut 1 square of background fabric for center 4 1/2".

Assemble this way:


That should complete your block for this month. Remember, if you have any questions, please email me at the address above. Hope this is something we can all enjoy. Happy quilting!

Wednesday, August 6, 2008

Some starter items...

There are a few items you will need to start quilting. Here is a general list:

1. Needles-Quilters use "Betweens". I suggest getting a multipack of sizes. Start out using the biggest needle (usually the smallest #) and work down to the smaller ones the better you get. Of course if you are machine piecing, make sure your machine needle is good to go. Just a multi-purpose needle is fine.

2. Thread- Have a nice varied color supply. I suggest a poly/cotton blend. There are different types of thread depending on whether you use a machine or quilt by hand. The hand quilting thread is coated to make it stronger for the many times it goes in and out of the fabric. This thread does not work well with your machine as it is a bit thicker than multi-purpose thread.

3. Rotary Cutter & Mat- These tools make it easier for cutting your fabric and keeping things precise. I suggest getting a good cutter that feels comfortable in your hand and a self-healing mat. You can use scissors to cut if you would rather. After all, how did they quilt before these cool tools came along. Just make sure you are accurate.

4. Ruler- In the notions section of your store, you will find the rulers. A good all purpose size to get would be the 6"x24". Make sure you will be able to see the fabric through it to measure. Some have thick yellow lines and some don't. Get whatever is easiest for you.

5. Pins- Straight pins for keeping pieces together while sewing them. The pins with the flowers on the ends or the ball ends are easy to grab while working.

6. Thimble-I have often heard that buying a thimble is like buying a bra. You have to find the right fit and what is comfortable for you. The ones that are leather and soft are good for piecing and the ones that are all metal are good for the actual quilting. Don't use a leather one to do the quilting. Even the ends of the needles are sharp enough to go through them. Yea, it hurts! You need some strength behind the needles when they go through all three layers.

7. Template plastic-This is good stuff to have so you can mark your fabric for cutting out all your pieces. It is sold in sheets by the quilting notions.

8. Iron & Ironing Board- It is good to have an iron and ironing board close by to press as you go. It helps with accuracy and keeps things nice and tidy.

Of course you will need fabric. But I will let you know how much you need in the first month of instructions.

These should have you prepared for the fun ahead. Remember I will be posting an email address pretty soon for more detailed questions if you need more help.

Saturday, August 2, 2008

Welcome!




This is my own little spot to post quilty related things. I am going to start up some block directions soon and thought that it would be better not to put all my stuff all over the family blog. Plus since I am not real computer saavy, this seemed easier than trying to figure out how to upload documents and add URLs and whatnot. It saves some steps. Less is more, right?
As you might have noticed on the family blog, I do have a couple of links to websites with free block patterns. I will put them on here too so you can go there from here. I really recommend the Quilts Galore website. They have a TON of block instructions and lovely music playing in the background. Easy to print out and colorful too. Very nice. Also, over on About.com, there is a nice lady's blog with instructional videos on quilting techniques and lots of good information. Her address is http://quilting.about.com/ if you want to go there. If I come accross anymore websites I will pass them along.
Well, for now I am going to try to get a plan going for a block-of-the-month pattern. It may take me a bit to get my stuff together, plus we have some vacation time up ahead, but check back in a few weeks to get started with us. Until then, get your supplies ready, head to a fabric store and we'll see you in September.