Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

The sewing room is all picked up and the list of UFO's grew substantially in 2019.  All the good intentions...

So what am I doing now you ask?  Writing up a pattern and making a sample for pictures.  I'll tackle UFO's another time.

Today I posted a new page for Links to my free patterns that can be printed, and eventually much more. 

Thanks for stopping by.

Tammy

Another challenge!  Embroidered blocks can sometimes be thick and difficult to piece together, especially if the batting and sashing are already added in the hoop.  Here is one way to get it all together and alleviate some of the extra bulk in the seams.

Putting together blocks that are too heavy (thick) to piece in the conventional 1/4" “quilt top” technique.

This technique forms a 1” sashing and alleviates bulk at seams and corners of thick blocks.

1)  Trim Block, leaving a ½ inch seam allowance all the way around.

2)  Cut Batting to same size. 

3)  Cut Backing 1” larger than Block and Batting on all sides.  i.e., If Block is 6”, cut Backing 8”.

4) Sandwich the Backing face down, Batting, and Block face up.  Quilt as desired, making sure not to extend stitching into the 1” allowance around the backing.  Embroidered blocks may already have backing and quilting done.

5)Place Backing sides of 2 finished Blocks together and sew on the 1”line.  This will be right next to the raw edge of the Block top and Batting, leaving a 1” seam allowance on the top of project. 

6)  Press seam allowance open.  The edges of your block should but against each other.  Press seam allowance edges under ½ inch to wrong side and stitch.  A decorative stitch works well. 

If you don’t want sashing on the quilt top, trim block with 1” seam allowance all around and Backing and Batting to finished size of block.  Place Block tops right sides together and stitch on 1” seam allowance.  This buts the Block edges together and puts the seam allowances on the back of the project.  Turn under and stitch in place. 

Challenged myself today to write up an HST pattern for a friend.  The picture isn't all that great and I've put 2 borders in the pattern to make it a queen size quilt.

        Fabric Requirements and Cutting Instructions for 42" wide fabric:

For the HST Blocks you will need 3 yards each of 2 colors.  Cut 10inch strips and Subcut to 10 inch squares.

For 3" Border you will need 1 Yard.  Cut 9 strips 3.5 inches by WOF  (width of fabric)

For 6" Border you will need 2 Yards.  Cut 9 strips 6.5 by WOF.

      Make HST Blocks:

Take 1 square of each color and place RST (right sides together).  Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the lightest fabric.  Sew 1/4" on both sides of line.  Cut on the line, press and square to 9.5 inches.This makes 2 HST blocks.  Repeat for remaining squares.

      Assemble Blocks:

Arrange in pattern. Sew the blocks into rows, then sew the rows together.

      Border 1:

Sew three 3.5 inch WOF strips together end to end and cut two 90.5 inch strips.  Sew border to sides of pieced top.

Sew two 3.5 inch WOF strips together end to end and cut to 78.5 inch strip. Sew border to top and bottom of pieced top.

Be careful not to stretch when sewing.  It may be helpful to find the center and quarter measurements and match them to help prevent stretching.

      Border 2:

Sew three 3.5 inch WOF strips together end to end and cut two 96.5 inch strips.  Sew border to sides of pieced top.

Sew two 3.5 inch WOF strips together end to end and cut to 90.5 inch strip. Sew border to top and bottom of pieced top.

You are done with the piecework and borders.  Quilt it, bind it, and enjoy it.