TUTORIAL: Sew Small Sampler Quilt

OK, the name might not be the most exciting, but it is descriptive.  A small quilt with 12 different 3″ blocks and alternating squares.

So, here it is:

SEW SMALL SAMPLER QUILT

13-inches x 17-inches

NOTES

1. This is a  mini-tutorial and assumes that you have a basic knowledge of block piecing and quilt construction.  If more information would be helpful, please ask.

2. All seam allowances are 1/4″.

3. When fabric A, B, C is referred to, that means either a single fabric, or a color range of fabrics.  This is a scrappy quilt and can use small pieces in many different prints and colors.

4. This quilt was inspired by the 2011 Twelve Days of Christmas Sampler Quilt posted by Temecula Quilt Company.  I have changed it up quite a bit and created new blocks, but credit goes where credit is due.

MATERIALS

A good handful of scraps that you absolutely love.  They can be as small as 1″ x 1″, but you do need at least a few around 4″.

1 Quarter yard of background fabric–straight or fat

1 Fat quarter or large scrap for backing

batting scrap

1/8 yard for binding

CONSTRUCTION

1. Build your blocks.

Block 1: Four Patch

Cut 2 2″ squares of Fabric A

Cut 2 2″ squares of Fabric B.

Sew one A square to one B square.  Repeat. Lay out in 4-patch design using picture of the block as a guide. Sew the center seam together to form block.

Block 2: Square in a Square

Cut 1 2-5/8″ square from Fabric A.

Cut 2 2-1/2″ squares from Fabric B.  Cut along the diagonal.  You should have 4 triangles.  These are your corners.

Lay out according to the picture.  Sew the long side of the triangles to the center square.  Opposite sides first. Press.  Now do the other two sides. Trim/square up your block to 3-1/2″.

Block 3: Bowtie

Cut 2 2″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 2 2″ squares from Fabric B.

Cut 2 1-1/4″ squares from Fabric B.

Sew a 1-1/4″ Fabric B square to the corner of a 2″ Fabric A square along the diagonal.  Trim off the corner 1/4″ from the seam.  Press open.  Lay out pieces and sew together like a four patch using photo as a guide.

Block 4: Pinwheel 

Cut 2 2-1/2″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 2 2-1/2″ squares from Fabric B.

Draw diagonal lines on back of both squares of your lighter fabric.

Lay one each of fabrics A and B right sides together and sew 1/4″ on each side of the line. Cut on the line. Press open. Square up half square triangle units to 2″.  Yes, squaring up is no one’s favorite pasttime, but on very small blocks like this, it is worth it.

Using photo as a guide, lay out your block  and sew pinwheel together

Block 5: Double Four Patch

Cut 2 2″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 4 1-1/4″ squares from Fabric B.

Cut 4 1-1/4″ squares from Fabric C.

Sew fabrics B and C together to form small four patches.  Attach one each to a square of fabric A.  Sew the pairs together to form a larger four patch. Use photo to help determine layout.

Block 6: Cross

 Cut 2 1-5/8″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 1 1-5/8″x3-7/8″ rectangle from Fabric A.

Cut 2 1-5/8″ squares, make one diagnonal cut, from Fabric B (corners).

Cut 1 2-3/4″ square, made two diagonal cuts, from Fabric B (setting triangles).

Sew setting triangles to 1-5/8″ fabric A squares.  Sew assembly to the 1-5/8″ x 3-7/8″ rectangle.  Sew one small triangle to each corner. Use photo to help determine layout.

Block 7: Rail Fence

Cut one 1″ x 8″ strip each from fabrics A, B, C.

Sew the three strips together.

Sub cut into  four segments 2″ long.

Assemble like a 4 patch using photo for direction.

Block 8: Log Cabin

1 1″ square from Fabric A.

Six strips 1″ by up to 3-1/2″ from Fabric B.

Five strips 1″ by up to 3-1/2″ from Fabric C.

I found it easiest to trim as I went on this somewhat fiddly block.  So, start with your center square from Fabric A.  Attach a strip of Fabric C.  Press open and trim. Now, attach a strip of Fabric B.  Press open and trim.  Now, attach a second strip of Fabric B.  Then, two strips of C. Continue until your block measures at least 3-1/2″.  Trim/square up to 3-1/2″.

 Block 9: Nine Patch

 Cut 5 1-1/2″ squares of Fabric A

Cut 4 1-1/2″ squares of Fabric B

Lay out and sew together in 9-patch shape using photo as a guide.

Block 10: Churn Dash

Cut 1 1-1/2″ square from Fabric A.

Cut 2 1-7/8″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 4 1″x1-1/2″ rectangles from Fabric A.

Cut 2 1-7/8″ squares from Fabric B.

Cut 4 1″x1-1/2″ rectangles from Fabric B.

Using the 1-7/8″ squares of Fabrics A and B, create half-square triangles.  Draw a diagonal line across the lighter fabric, stitch 1/4″ away from the line on both sides, cut, press open, square up to 1-1/2″.  Again, squaring up is worth it.

Sew each rectangle of Fabric A to a rectangle of Fabric B.

Lay out using photo as a guide.  Assemble similar to a 9-patch block.

 Block 11: Friendship Star

Cut 4 1-1/2″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 2 1-7/8″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 1 1-1/2″ square from Fabric B.

Cut 2 1-7/8″  squares from Fabric B.

Using the 1-7/8″ squares of Fabrics A and B, create half-square triangles.  Draw a diagonal line across the lighter fabric, stitch 1/4″ away from the line on both sides, cut, press open, square up to 1-1/2″.  Lay out using photo as a guide.  Assemble similar to a 9-patch block.

Block 12:  Sawtooth Star

Cut 1 2″ square from Fabric A.

Cut 8 1-1/4″ squares from Fabric A.

Cut 4 1-1/4″ squares from Fabric B.

Cut 4 1-1/4″ x 2″ rectangles from Fabric B.

Attach the 1-1/4″ squares of Fabric A to two of the corners of each Rectangle of Fabric B by sewing across the diagonal.  Trim off the excess 1/4″ from the outside of the stitch line. Press open.  The photo shows several steps in this process.

Lay out the block using photo as guide and assemble similar to a 9-patch.

YAY YOU!  Your blocks are complete!

2. Background.  Cut from background fabric 6 3-1/2″ squares.  These are your alternating squares. Cut 2 3″ squares and cut once on the diagonal.  These are your corners. Cut 3 5-1/2″ squares and cut twice on the diagonal.  These are your setting triangles. You will use only 10 of the 12 pieces.

3. Lay out your blocks.  Rearrange them several times.  That is OK.  It may take a few tries to get the look you want.  I find that walking away and doing something else for a while, like the dishes, then walking suddenly back in gives me a new perspective.  Also, taking pictures.  Or asking Husband.  He always seems to notice that I have a huge blotch of one color in a corner.

4. Sew together by assembling the rows along the diagonal.  I don’t have pictures of this step but, as with all others, will be happy to answer questions.  Here, too, is a link to a nice tutorial on the subject: http://reannalilydesigns.blogspot.com/2008/09/set-on-point-tutorial.html

5. Sandwich, quilt and bind.  I did find that reducing my stitch length helped me quilt on such a small scale.  There is so much for me to learn about this process, but short stitches seemed to give me more control.

6. And, now that I am not a hypocrite when I say it, Label It!  Just a simple name-and-date is certainly better than nothing.

6. Ta-dah!  You have a great quilt.  Please, share yours when it is done.  I can’t wait to see what you create.

Librarian Quilt

In 2007 the librarian of the school Young Son and Daughter were attending retired.  She had served for over 20 years.  She knew every child in the school.  And what they liked to read. And held special books just for them.  She was the salvation of Young Son during a particularly difficult time and became a friend to us all.

How do you say thank you for that?

With a quilt, of course.

Machine pieced and hand quilted.  It was delivered with love and a few tears washing it ready for use.

Even though this was only a few years ago, my quilting style has changed.  It probably wouldn’t have poly batting in it now, but that was what I had at the time.  Also, I would possibly put a bright binding on it, perhaps from one of the pinwheel fabrics, to give it a stronger frame.  I don’t remember for sure, but I think the back was the same fabric as the wide border.  The quilting and the colors–I love them still!

Husband saw our librarian around town a while back and she mentioned the quilt–still loved and appreciated.  That is great to hear.

Sweet Daughter’s Sweet Quilt

Here is a recent finish by Sparkle Jane, that remarkable 11-year-old quilter.

She designs, cuts, pieces, sandwiches, quilts and stitches down the binding her self.  And, in this case, pieces the back.

When you look at the label you can tell she is 11.

I think it is sweet.  Almost bitter-sweet. Someday very soon we will all look at this and say that it went by so fast.

 You can see more of her work in the DOLL QUILTS FOR SALE tab above.

Finally!

Like much of the United States we have been languishing in a brown, dry winter.  But, no more!

This weekend it finally snowed.

What a relief.  Now life can get back to normal.  Or something like it.

FNSI Report: Alternating Blocks

My focus for the evening was the alternating blocks for my Civil War Quilt.

They are DONE! 

And laid out on my design wall bed.

Along the way, there were a few more four patches finished and tucked away with their friends.  I have 147 so far (not counting the ones mailed off to Regina).  It will take between 400 and 500 for the project I have in mind, so no one should hold their breath waiting to see something happen.

I also laid out the 1951 Hazel Ilene top to relax after being folded for a while.  Hopefully it will be the next top quilted.

So, that is my report.  What all did you get done?

FNSI, And I Really Do Need It!

Tonight is the Friday Night Sew-in.  So, clean your machine, set aside some time, and get in a little (or a lot) of sewing.

That is what I want need to do.

It has been a long week, and some quality time with fabric would do me good.

Civil War Status

Barbara Brackman has hosted a block a week quiltalong for all of 2011 to commerate the 150th anniversary of the Civil War.  Great history lessons.  Nice blocks.  A good variety. The original plan was 56 blocks.  Somewhere along the way I got behind and then tried to catch up and got to 45 and ran out of steam, I guess.

So, I laid out my favorite 42 blocks in a 6×7 on point arrangement.  And have decided to create alternating blocks of four patches from my scraps and sashing.

You can see one of the alternating blocks in the picture.  I am not so sure about it.  Very dark green sashing.  It seemed like a good idea at the time.

But there was also the idea of making two sashings, one light and the outer one dark green.

Here they are side by side.  What do you think? Which do you prefer?

So, I am letting the idea sit (on my “design floor”) while I sew the four patches together because I am more confident about them.

Introducing “Sew Small Sampler”

OK, it is a name more descriptive than creative, but here is…

Sew Small Sampler Quilt

 Pardon me while I smile.  Such happy colors. That, along with the small size, makes it fun to look at. 

But, don’t look too close or you will see my less-than-perfect piecing.  And stitching. Working on such a small scale has its challenges.  But, it also has rewards.  Cuteness is one of them.

And, true to my resolve, it is labeled.

The pattern/tutorial is coming.  Twelve blocks makes for a lot of writing. Thank you for being patient.

And it doesn’t help that Monday night involved a mechanical failure (as yet undiagnosed) on our car, Algebra homework on graphing absolute value equations, and a lost flute (Daughter found it under her bed).  The joys of family life are numerous, but sometimes interfere with sewing. And blogging. But I wouldn’t trade it for anything!  Life is a struggle, and there are no people I would rather struggle along with than the ones I am blessed to have in my life.

Shop Quilt Finished

When I took the top in the owner asked me if I would go ahead and finish it.  While nervous about sharing my limited quilting skills, I said OK.

So here it is in all its scrappy glory.

With a bright binding. And a stripy back.

And some fun blocks.

And done and delivered!  Nice way to spend part of a Saturday.

And Daughter and I got to spend some quality time at the quilt shop.  Not shopping, except for some sashing, but definitely enjoying each other’s company and sharing a love of fabric. Oh, my, I am a spoiled mother.

Twelve Teasers

Here are the sampler blocks for the mini quilt.

It is hard to resist 3″ cuteness. They will be set on point with white alternating blocks. Probably a bright teal binding. All happy scraps from the larger quilt recently finished for the quilt shop.

Right now what I need is a good name for this thing.  Mini Sampler Quilt is descriptive, but not very catchy. Suggestions?

ps–Tutorial coming the first part of the week.