Special thanks to CJ AKA Homesteadmamma
Were starting another block. This one should go easy because you will be doing the same steps you've learnt in the other blocks.
You'll need:
- dark material
- med material
- light material
- ruler
- pencil
- sandpaper
First we need to make sure our material is washed and dried as we did in our other blocks. Once pressed, we then need to cut off the selvage edges on our material, if you haven't already done so. I'm going to give you a link to check out for washing, pressing and trimming instructions so that I don't have to repeat all the pictures again. Please make sure you have done this before starting this block Please check quilting prep 101 and the Nine patch tutorial to read prepping instructions.
http://www.frugalvillage.com/quiltprep.shtml
Again, this block will measure 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 inches when finished, just as all our other blocks.
When finished, the block will look like this:
This block will be done almost the same way as in the previous block, but will be laid out differently. Again, although repetitive, it is needed to get you use to making the triangle squares and to set you up for the harder blocks coming later. I love doing a few of these blocks, because once you've got it down pat, you can do many different blocks with just these few simple rules.
Because this is a tutorial also, I'll be posting some of the same pictures. Please have patience and bare with me okay.
You will need 2 strips of each color to now make the smaller blocks. You can either use the same colors your using in your other blocks, or you can stretch yourself and use different colors.
Were cutting our strips 2 1/2 inches wide. Cut your dark color as in the following picture.
Cut 2 strips - 2 1/2 inches wide of either medium or light color, whichever you've chosen, as in the following picture.
Once your strips are cut, then you want to cut them to make 2 1/2 inch squares.
You'll need the following:
*10 - 2 1/2 inch squares (dark)
*10 - 2 1/2 inch squares (light or medium - whichever you've chosen)
You will now take your 2 1/2 inch blocks (all of them) and sew 2 together each time, making a total of 10 rectangles, measuring 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 inches each.
Sew one dark and one light or medium (whichever you've chosen) together.
Press these (as in the following picture), always pressing towards the darker color unless the pattern tells you otherwise. You'll notice that the material tends to fall towards the darker color. Once these are done, lay them aside. Press the back first, then turn over and press lightly the front.
Please note - I'm using some of the same pictures I've used before so the colors might not match to the original picture of the block at the beginning of this thread
Now we will take 2 of each rectangle and sew them together.
Pick up one rectangle and picking up another one of the same color, turn the one rectangle so that when you go to sew, the pressed sides will be opposite each other. Making sure that they fit together, sew. Once sewn, press as in the following picture.
Do 5 blocks exactly the same way. Once these blocks are done, square them, making sure each measures 4 1/2 inches. The blocks should look like this:
We now want to do the last 4 - 4 1/2 inch blocks for this block.
Now you need to take 2 colors that you'll be using for your triangle blocks.
Please note, in order to save costs, I'll be using some of the same pictures. Always look at the original picture of the block so that you'll know what colors I'm talking about.
Cut a strip of the dark color the full length of your fat quarter 4 7/8 inches wide. Here is where you need to be very careful with your cutting. You might want to practice on a scrap piece of material. Make sure your on the 7/8 inch line. (This is very important!!)
Do the exact same thing with your medium color (or light color if you choose) - the full length of your fat quarter by 4 7/8 inches wide.
Once those 2 strips are done, take your strips and cut them into 4 7/8 inch squares. Again, make sure your exactly on the 7/8 inch line. This is very important!! It is very easy to cut on the 3/4 inch line rather than the 7/8ths. Once done, set those aside.
Before you do this with your material your using for your quilt, you might want to practise with a couple of old pieces of material so you know your doing it right and not using up your good material.
We are now going to make our triangle blocks. Take 2 of your 4 7/8 inch blocks (your light and your dark). Place one on top of each other, making sure they are facing each other the right way. By this I mean the prints are facing each other.
Take your piece of sandpaper and place it on your cutting mat. The sandpaper keeps your blocks from moving when your drawing your line. It is very important in this step. Now place your 4 7/8 inch blocks on top of the sandpaper. Make sure they are matched evenly all around the block. (you might want to measure each of them again just to make sure they are 4 7/8 inches.)
Now as in the picture, take your ruler and with your pencil draw a line corner to corner just as in the picture. I'm using a different ruler than I normally do, but you need to use your regular ruler. Make sure the ruler is lined up properly and then draw a line with your pencil as in the following picture.
Holding your block, I'll post in the next thread what you do next.
Now take your ruler and move it over 1/4 inch from your first pencil line on the right hand side (as in the picture) and draw another line. When that is done, turn your sandpaper around and mark another line on the other side of your first pencil line. You should have 3 lines now (your main line and one on each side of your main line drawn 1/4 inch on each side of your main line).
Take your block to the sewing machine and sew on each outside line, leaving the main line alone. You will have a block that is sewn with 2 lines and the main line will not be sewn!!! Do this so that you have 4 blocks sewn.
When you've sewn the 4 blocks, you will then cut the main line, using your ruler to guide you as in the following picture.
Once the blocks are cut, open them up and you will have your triangles. Press towards the dark side (back first, then front), as in the following picture.
Now that you have your block finished, the next thing to do is to measure it has in the picture below. Each block should measure 4 1/2 inches. This is called squaring up the block.
Tip: Don't panic if the blocks do not measure exactly 4 1/2 inches. First, press again (back first) to see if the block gets closer to the 4 1/2 inches. As long as it isn't out more than a 1/4 of an inch, your okay - otherwise you'll need to start over.
We will now begin to sew the blocks together.
Tip: Always lay your blocks out in the following manner so that you know exactly which blocks your going to sew. Make it a habit and you'll have a lot less frustration and won't be using the seam ripper near as often.
Look at this picture and see how easy it is to get your blocks turned around if you don't practice laying out your block before you sew it.
Take your top 3 - 4 1/2 inch blocks and sew them together. Once sewn, press the seams in.
Take your next row of 3 - 4 1/2 inch blocks and sew them together, pressing towards the outside.
Take your last row of 3 - 4 1/2 inch blocks and sew them together, pressing the seams in.
Once these 3 rows are finished, take your top row and middle row, pin as in the following picture and sew. Once done, press. Take your bottom row, pin to the above and sew. Press the back first, then the front. Your block should measure 12 1/2 inches. As long as its not out more than a 1/4 of an inch its okay.
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
