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Quilt-A-Long for Charity – Notes – Using Novelty Prints

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If you wish to use novelty prints in your quilt, I would suggest you consider the following:

1.  Is your novelty print directional?  If it isn’t, then you will have no worries.

2.  If it is directional you will need to take care in the placement direction of your squares within the 9 patch block.

3.  There are a variety of ways that you can organise the cut-up 9 patch blocks and so you need to think about the final layout of your quilt to ensure the correct placement of your squares in the original 9 patch block.

EXAMPLES:

1.  This is the layout I will be demonstrating for the Quilt-A-Long.

You will need to position your novelty squares like this for half of the blocks ie 8 blocks
.

and like this for the other 8 blocks:


You may prefer one of these options:

2.  This layout will end up with your novelty print surrounded by a border with corner squares.  If you are using the same fabric for your ‘mediums’ you will have the effect of novelty prints and sashing.


If you like this look, you will have to position your novelty squares in the 9 patch like this:



  
3.  This will have 4 novelty blocks joined and surrounded by a border.  As you join the blocks you will have a double border around each group of 4 novelty prints.


You will need the novelty prints in this direction:


I hope this helps you with your novelty prints!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Quilt-A-Long for Charity – Tutorial 3 – Sewing the Squares (Part 2)

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Hi everyone!  How are you going with your squares? I hope you now have a huge chain of squares joined together . 

Today we are going to cut through the chain thread after every third one – that is, we will cut each set of 9 squares off, keeping the 9 squares chained together.  If you find this awkward, of course you may cut them all apart – whatever works for you 🙂


 Press the seams.  We start by pressing the seams as they were sewn – this way,  then open the fabric and


we then usually we press the seam towards the darker of the 2 fabrics. So on the top and bottom row I will press the seams towards the outside and I will press the seams towards the centre in the middle row. Once again, if you prefer to do it another way, that’s fine – this is just how I did it!

Then press on the right side:

Fold the top row down over the centre row and you will see why we press the seams in opposite directions. This enables us to ‘lock’ the seams together when joining that seam (a bit hard to photograph with one hand…)

Stitch the seam, locking your seam joins together (you may pin it if you prefer).  Repeat with the bottom row and press your seams. 


 and then press the front and admire your 9 patch block!!


Don’t be too hard on yourself if the seams don’t match exactly – like anything you will get better at this with practice and it won’t spoil the overall effect!

I’ll leave you to finish sewing your 16 blocks together!

Until next time
Nanny xx

Quilt-A-Long for Charity – Tutorial 2 – Sewing the Squares (part 1)

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Now we all have our squares and we are ready to go!  
(Please note:  If you are using novelty squares, I will provide you with extra instructions soon so don’t start!)

BEFORE WE START TO SEW:

Attach your 1/4″ foot or general purpose foot and do a check seam on scraps so you can check the distance from the stitching to the edge and make any adjustments.

Take a cutting board or some solid tray (I use an art canvas) and lay out a 9 patch and layer another 9 patch on top  until you have your 16 blocks organised in piles.
I labelled them 1-9


Separate the column 3,6,9 – we will come back to it later.


Turn your board around so that 7 and 8 are now at the top. (I have turned the numbers up the right way too)


  Take number 7 and flip it over to be on top of number 8




We will now sew the seam on the right hand side but do not remove it from the machine.


As you flip the next one just add it and keep sewing:
Repeat this for Numbers 4 and 5




 and then numbers 1 and 2




You will now have a ‘chain’ of joined squares!


Repeat the whole process over and over until you have completed all of those piles, chaining as you go and you will end up with a really long chain of joined squares.  It looks a mess but all of the squares are kept in order by the chaining process!


Now we will take that separated row of 3,6 and 9.


Turn the piles over


Take the chain and starting with the end last sewn sit it beside the column 3,6,9.


This time we will NOT flip but rather we will slide the number 3 square over the one beside it


and sew down the right hand side (keep chaining again)


Repeat with number 6



and then number 9



Continue as you work through the 16 blocks.

Now take a break – you deserve it!!  (and I need it!! )



Until next time

Nanny xx

Quilt-A-Long for Charity – Tutorial 1 Notes

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To prepare for the making of your quilt, you will need to consider the following:
1. Fabric
The fabric for this project should be 100%cotton of quilting cotton weight.  It doesn’t have to be expensive!!  Homespun is fine and if you check the fabric shops in the sheeting section, you may just find some 100%cotton sheeting that you can use for the back of the quilt.
The fabric can be any colour, design etc – just keep in mind that it is for children so try to choose bright, colourful, fun prints!
We will be using 5″ squares. You can cut 12 of these from a Fat 1/4 – a simple way to buy a selection of prints, or,  you will fit 8 across the width of the fabric if you are buying by the metre.

The quilt I have planned measures approx 50″ square.  I say approx because when we get further along, different options will vary the results slightly.

We will therefore need 144 x 5″ squares.  

Choose your feature fabric/s. You will need 64 x 5″ squares. If you are making an I Spy type using novelty prints, try to get a collection of different novelty prints.  You can make your feature squares all the same eg frogs – its up to you, the quilts will all be different and I’m sure they will all be loved!! 
You will need assorted scraps or 105cm of your chosen feature fabric if using the same all through the quilt.

For the Inner Squares, choose a fabric to show off, but not detract from your feature fabric.  This might be stripes, spots, etc and not too bold.  You will need 64 x 5″ squares. They do not have to be all the same but can be if you so choose.
You will need assorted scraps or 105cm of chosen fabric if using the same fabric in all Inner Squares.

The centre squares are where you place your ‘zing’ fabric! This is a strong fabric but because it will end up only a small square, it will not take over.  You will need 16×5″ squares.
You will need assorted scraps or 30cm of chosen fabric if using the same in all centre squares

You will also need Backing Fabric for the back of the quilt and Binding fabric, but I suggest you leave that till you have finished your quilt top.

Take a look at the images here if you need some inspiration.

2. Wadding
Once again, it is best to keep with cotton wadding.  Some people prefer bamboo or a mix – they are all fine.  I wouldn’t recommend a polyester for a number of reasons, the main one for this project being bulk.
Don’t purchase your batting yet as finished sizes may vary.
3.  Tools
There are some tools that make life ‘easier’ when quilting but they are NOT essential. They will make great additions to your ‘wish list’ if you intend to make more quilts!! In the mean time, check your ‘sewing’ friends – you may be able to borrow one to try.
a)  Rotary cutter,ruler and self healing mat – these make cutting your squares a much simpler process but in my instructions, I demonstrate using scissors and a tape measure as well.
b)  1/4″ foot – take a good look through your machine attachments box as many machines come with these now:
c)  A Walking Foot (also called an even feed foot)
d) Quilting Pins – some quilters prefer to use a basting spray but as I suffer from Fibromyalgia, I avoid as many chemicals as I can. These pins are just safety pins with a curve!


I hope this helps get things sorted.  I apologise for the distorted beginning – I’m putting this together in between hospital visits and my mind is not as logical as it would normally be.  If you are not sure of anything or if I have neglected something of importance please let me know – I will not be offended!!  We are all trying to work together for the children.

A proposed time table is as follows:

Aug 5th – Tutorial 2 – joining the squares
Aug 12th – Tutorial 3 – cutting the blocks
Aug 19th – Tutorial 4 – working the design
Aug  26th – Tutorial 5 – sewing the blocks

Until next time
Nanny xx

Quilt-A-Long for Charity – Tutorial 1

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I am a member of a FB page ‘Handmade for Charity‘ and a recent post about the first Charity drive of the year for ‘Dress a Girl around the World’ Dress a Girl – Syney & Australia‘

 – 100 days of quilting that ends on the 16th October, 2013, prompted this Quilt-A-Long as a way to support  non-quilters in their desire to participate.


I am not a quilting expert but am happy to share ‘my way’ of doing things!  

So welcome to visitors from ‘Handmade for Charity’ and ‘Dress a Girl Around the World’ – whether you choose just to visit or you decide to become a follower, I hope you enjoy your time here at Nannynotes2u!


To my regular followers, please consider joining us as we Quilt-A-Long for Charity!


Keeping in mind that many of you have not made a quilt before, I have chosen to make this one using 5″ squares. It will be a Disappearing Nine Patch so if you are so inclined, have a ‘google’.


This will work best if you have a mix of Darks, Lights and Mediums. Don’t worry, I will explain any terms I use – like any craft, quilting has it’s own lingo….
If you take some pieces of fabric, squint your eyes while looking at them.  You will be able to see the different values more clearly! Sounds silly doesn’t it – but it works!!  Dark and Light are pretty self explanatory, and while you are squinting, you will be able to see the ones that just don’t fit either Light or Dark – we will call them Mediums.

What you need:

144 x 5″ squares


We are going to use a ‘nine-patch’ block –  a square made up of 9 of our 5″ squares.

We will be making 16  of these 9 patch blocks and each block will need:

4 corner squares
4 inner squares
1 centre square

Take a look at the photo, and this will help you decide on your fabrics and positions.  The red tape shows where we will cut after we have made our 9 square block ( Part of the fun is cutting it up to join it all again!!):

The corner squares are like your ‘feature’ pieces – they remain as a full square. (They do not have to be the same as in my example, they can be all different)
The central square is a good one to make a ‘dark’ or powerful print as it will be cut into 4 smaller squares and so won’t ‘take over’ the quilt.

The inside squares will be the ones that you don’t want left whole, and that are not overpowering – these will be cut into rectangles. Note how I have placed the stripes so that the red line cuts through the stripes – you could have it the other way but I prefer it this way.

So the totals of squares needed is:
1. Corner squares: 16×4 = 64
2. Inner squares   : 16×4 = 64
3. Centre Squares : 16×1 = 16
 .
Let’s look at some ways to get your squares!
1.  You could buy ready cut Charm Packs a selection of co-ordinating fabrics already cut to 5″ square – these are available from any quilting/fabric store:

2.  You could cut squares from fabric you have selected – for instructions on how to cut squares see here


This design can work using just 3 different fabrics as in this quilt top I made – for a child, novelty prints in the corners and brights for the inners and a powerful colour for the centre can be very effective!


3. You could make up the squares by joining strips (Instructions here) – the instructions are not this project specific (my family crisis at present means I didn’t have time to make specific instructions) but I’m sure you will get the idea.


4. You could join scraps (instructions here) – once again, not this project specific.  Please ask if you are not sure!


I will leave you to choose how you collect your squares! They will all work, will all look wonderful and I’m sure will bring warmth and comfort to a little one next winter.

Don’t forget, if you have any questions “Just ask Nanny”!

Until next time
Nanny xx

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