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.

*****SEW SMALL GALLERY*****

Lillian’s Version

Kelly’s quilt #1

Kelly’s quilt #2

Michelle’s example

Mary Ann tried her own setting…

Your quilt here!