Quilt Along Archives - Nannycraft4u

9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion

June 19, 2017 by Nanny 1 Comment

Today we will take a look at the processes involved in the 9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion. These are pinning the quilt, quilting and then binding the quilt.

Pinning (or Basting) the Quilt

1. Press the backing well and lay right side down onto your floor or table.

2. Using your tape, tape the backing to the floor or table. Pull it taught but don’t stretch it.

3. Place your batting on the backing

4. Place your well pressed quilt top, right side up on top of the wadding.

5. Pin the quilt.

You will find a detailed description of the pinning process I use here.

Quilting

Decide how you want to quilt –

Stitch in the ditch – where you stitch along the ‘ditch’ formed by the seams.

Straight lines – following seams or diagonals

Free Motion Quilting

I will be using Straight lines and you can see details of the method I use here and here

2. Have fun!

I decided to draw up a plan:

I started at the centre and worked my way out. I decided to use black thread.

Front

and back

Binding

Choose your binding fabric – I have chosen a stripe.
Decide if you are going to apply your binding totally by machine (you sew it to the back first) or if you would prefer to hand stitch your binding (sew it to the front first) . The only difference in process is whether you start at the front or back of the quilt.
Trim your quilt
Prepare the binding
Apply the binding

You will can see the method I use here.

and I have to be happy with the stripe matching in the join at the end!

Congratulations! That is the 9 Patch Sampler Quiltalong Completion.

I hope you have enjoyed our Quilt Along and that you are happy with your new quilt!

Don’t forget to give your quilt a label – I am calling mine ‘9 Patch Sampler in Black & White’ – now that’s original!! I would love to see your 9 patch sampler completed so please send me a photo so I can share the results.

I have had a fun time and am open to ideas for our next venture.

Until next time

Nanny xx

WEEK 1: Make a 9 patch sampler

WEEK 2: Make a Railfence Variation

WEEK 3: Make Half Square Triangles

WEEK 4: Make a Shoo Fly Block

WEEK 5: Make a Friendship Star

WEEK 6: Make a Contrary Wife Block

WEEK 7: Make a Spool Block

WEEK 8: Make a Churn Dash Block

WEEK 9: Make a Formal Garden Block

WEEK 10: Make a Greek Cross Block

WEEK 11: Make a Chevron Block

WEEK 12: Make a Birds in the Air Block

WEEK 13: Make a Double 9 Patch Block

WEEK 14: Make a Card Trick Block

WEEK 15: Make an Ohio Star Block

WEEK 16: Make Your own Block

WEEK 17: Complete the top

WEEK 18: Backing with a Disappearing 9 patch

WEEK 19: Completion of the 9 patch sampler

Complete the 9 Patch Sampler quilt top

June 5, 2017 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Well here we are! Now all we have to do is complete the 9 Patch Sampler quilt top!

This is where we get to see the importance of the accurate 1/4″ seams that you used to sew your 4.5″ squares together. Just as we trimmed all squares of the 9 patch to 4.5″ to ensure that they went together quickly and easily, we now do the same with our blocks. It is by careful measuring, cutting and sewing and then trimming as you go, that you will have 16 blocks that all measure 12.5″ square.

I entered my blocks into ‘Quiltology’ to show you my trials with sashing (the strips between the blocks) and cornerstones (the little squares at the corner of the blocks).

White sashing with black cornerstones:

Black sashing with a white cornerstone:

No sashing:

I decided that I liked the no sashing option best and I am going to add a plain border.

NANNY NOTE: The final layout and construction of the quilt top will be a personal choice and will depend on your fabric design and colours .

If you have decided on the ‘no sashing’ option continue on:

I suggest you take a photo of your layout for future reference and then mark the blocks across the top into rows 1-4.
Following your layout, join the 4 blocks in row 1 matching the seams as we did in making our 9 patches. Then join the 4 in row 2, row 3 and row 4.
Press the seams in opposite directions ie row 1 press up, row 2 press down, row 3 press up and row 4 press down.
Join the rows, matching the seams.

This is mine and I’m thinking ‘Why did I put that one there?’ Don’t worry if this happens, as I seem to see things differently depending on the weather and my pain levels! Will it matter in the long run where you put each block? The answer is No – it will just make it your unique creation!

If you choose to add sashing:

Cut strips 2.5″ (or the width you want)
Cross cut strips into 24 pieces 12.5″ long
Cut 9 x 2.5″(or matching your sashing width) squares for cornerstones
Join each of the blocks in row 1 (see instructions above) with a 12.5″ sashing. So Block/sashing/block/sashing/block/sashing/block. Repeat for row 2,3 and 4
Join 4 sashing pieces with a cornerstone between each ( you will have 4 sashing pieces and 3 cornerstone squares – sashing/cornerstone/sashing/cornerstone/sashing/cornerstone/sashing). Repeat two more times.
Matching the seams, join a sashing/cornerstone strip to the right hand side of row 1, 2 and 3
Now join all of the rows to complete your quilt top.

Adding a border and/or a sashing strip (the process is the same)

I am adding a 6.5″ border to mine.

Cut 6 x 6.5″ wof strips
Join strips across the short ends
Measure your quilt top along the sides and through the middle – it will be approx 48.5″ (no sashing)
Cut 2 strips of border to the length of your measurement
Take your border piece and by folding, mark 1/2 and then fold again to mark 1/4 (I use pins)

6. Do the same with your quilt top – marking along both sides.

7. Match up your pins on the border and quilt top and pin.

8. Sew border to quilt top.

NANNY NOTE: I am sewing on the quilt top side so I can see where the seams meet to ensure that I end up with all of my points in tact! We talked about this when we made the Chevron Block here

9. Press.

10. Now repeat from Number 3-8 to add the top and bottom border. This method will result in a nicely fitted border that sits flat.

Congratulations on finishing your quilt top! Next week we will look at preparing the backing.

Until next time

Nanny xx

Be Creative 9 Patch Block

May 22, 2017 by Nanny Leave a Comment

Well here we are about to complete the final block of our 9 Patch Sampler quiltalong! We have looked at some traditional 9 patch blocks and some variations of others. Today it is your turn! You are going to create Block 16 and I am calling it the Be Creative 9 Patch Block!

During the quiltalong, you have accumulated ‘spare’ squares and now it is your turn to make your own 9 patch block using our ‘leftovers’ and/or others of your creation.

Just remember to trim your squares to 4.5″ before you make your 9 Patch Block.

You will have leftovers from:

Railfence Variation

Birds in the Air

Card Trick

Chevron

You do not HAVE TO use the leftovers – if you have already used them elsewhere, don’t worry. Take your scraps and create!

This is my effort. I’m not sure where my top right square came from (must have made that one up) but you can see that I have used the others.

Next week we will join our quilt top so have fun arranging your blocks until you find a layout that you are happy with.

Until next time

Nanny xx

‘Dream to Achieve’ – Binding the Quilt

September 16, 2015 by Nanny Leave a Comment

'Dream to Achieve' I'm Quilting Along With Nanny — ‘

Well here we are at the final step in our quiltalong ‘Dream to Achieve’ – Binding the Quilt!

So let’s get started!

Trim the quilt

Take your quilt, and trim to the edge of your sashing , checking the square of your corners. They should be pretty spot on as we have been checking along the way!

I use my square rule for the corner and then my long one to continue down the sides

2. Prepare the binding

Take your fabric for binding and cut it into 2.5″ strips selvedge to selvedge – you will get 8 cuts from your 0.5m

3. Join the binding strips

Take two strips and place as shown

Stitch along the line shown with my rule, trim and press.

Continue to join all strips in this manner and then press in half

4. Adding the binding

Take the end, open it and cut at 45 degree angle

Now, leaving about 6″ of binding free, and starting along one of the sides (not at a corner),stitch the binding to the wrong side of the quilt (this is to stitch your binding by machine – if you prefer to do it by hand you will stitch to the front)

When you reach the corner, stop 1/4″ from the end and turn and stitch out to the corner (I apologise that my machine light has reflected here but if you see the last stitch the stitches then go up at 45 degrees to the top right) Sort of like this ——–/ Remove from the machine.

Fold the binding up towards the machine (Your angled finish will help get this) The photo I took of that step is not clear enough so will use one from another quilt to demonstrate

Then fold the binding back down along the next side until the fold is level with the side just sewn (I have pinned it to take the photo)

Starting at the edge, you then stitch along this side up to the next corner and repeat.

5. Joining the ends of the binding

When you get about 8 – 10″ from the start, do some reverse stitches and finish off and remove from your machine.

The start is on the left. Open the start end

and lay the other end into the opening

Now mark where they meet – I will mark it with this pin so you can see as this fabric is tricky!

Take that end away from the quilt

Open it up and using your 45 degree on your rule

Mark along the rule

Then put another mark 0.5″ to the left of the first mark (this is the seam allowance)

Cut along that line – the one closest to the end (you will still have the first line on your binding)

Now join the ends, finger press, fold in half and it will fit perfectly!! Complete sewing the binding.

6. Press

Press the binding away from the quilt.

7. Finish the Binding

Fold the binding to the front of the quilt so that it just passes the stitching. To work out how far over the stitching to put the edge, pop a pin in where you are going to stitch close to the edge and it should show just next to the binding on the back.

At the corner, fold right through

and then fold the next side up forming a mitre – You will find it easier to handstitch a little stitch in the corner to hold it for you rather than pinning

Stitching close to the edge, work your way around the quilt. When you reach a corner, leave your needle down, lift your presser foot and turn the quilt. Lower your presser foot and continue.

Repeat until binding is complete.

Nanny note: Don’t worry if your stitching isn’t perfectly positioned on the back – this is something that improves with practice and like I have said before, just step away a bit and it will not even be noticeable!!

Congratulations!! That is your quilt finished! What an achievement!! It shows that you just need to Dream to Achieve!

Don’t forget to give your new quilt a name – I’m calling mine ‘Butterfly Dreams’ ! I will include this on my label when I find its new home!

Thank you for joining me in this Quiltalong. I hope you have enjoyed making your quilt and that you will share a photo . I would also like to thank our sponsors Alan’s Pen Making and A1 Craft and Quilting for providing the gift packs along the way!

What to next?

Until next time

Nanny xx

‘Dream to Achieve’ – Quilting the Quilt

August 2, 2015 by Nanny 2 Comments

Today it is time to get to ‘Dream to Achieve’ – Quilting the Quilt!

Prepare your machine:

We will be using a walking foot:

To attach the walking foot, you need to unscrew the foot screw and remove the foot on your machine. Attach the walking foot making sure you put the white handle ABOVE the needle screw .

Select your thread – I am using a variegated thread (Wonderfil Silco)

Fill some bobbins and thread the machine.

I use a stitch length of 3 and if your machine has a needle down switch, this is a good time to use it! You can see mine lit up:

If you don’t have this, that is OK – just remember to turn the needle down before stopping to remove pins etc.

Do a test sew along one of the edges to check your tension and adjust if necessary.

Let’s Quilt:

Nanny note: This is not the only way to quilt this quilt – this is how I have chosen to do it. By following my example, you will be stitching either side of all sashing strips which will in effect, divide the quilt into sections and stabilise the quilt sandwich for further quilting.

1. I am starting by stitching down the edge of the feature strip. I will stitch in the ditch. Now because I’m not starting from the edge of the quilt, I want to tie off the threads (I will bury them later). When I bring both threads to the top, I avoid ‘bird nest clumps’ happening on the back. I start by lowering the needle in the corner of the sashing strips and holding the needle thread:

Then I pull on that thread to raise the bobbin thread – my finger is showing the loop:

Pull the bobbin thread to the top:

Lower the needle again into the corner spot

Take both threads to the back and lower the foot and start stitching in the ditch. Don’t be too worried about being ‘exact’ here – you may run onto the edge or out a bit from the edge – that is OK! It will not be visible in the overall finish. If you don’t believe me, step away from the quilt a bit and see if it is obvious! Like any skill, this takes time and practice to get it so don’t be too hard on yourself!

If you find yourself coming to a pin, stop and lower the needle by turning the wheel by hand

Remove the pin and keep going

When I get to the end of the row, I want to save my thread ends to finish off later too, so I sew to the corner and go one stitch over

Cut the thread and bring the bobbin thread to the top as before

Nanny tips:

a) Remove the pins when you have sewn both sides of the sashing – this will make your quilt lighter!

b) Roll your quilt on both ends, to make turning and stitching easier

2. Now turn the quilt and sew down the other side of the sashing, starting at the end you just finished on.

3. Repeat so that both sides of the feature strip are stitched.

4. Now roll your quilt from both ends (as above) and go to one of the central strips and starting at the sashing line we just sewed, stitch from the feature strip to the outside of the quilt. Turn and go back up the other side of the sashing.

5. Repeat this until all sashing strips have been stitched. This is my back showing the sashing lines joining:

We have now secured the quilt sandwich in sections and it’s time to decide how to quilt those sections!

Well I’m off to finish off those threads and give my back a break! You can see how I do that here.

Until next time

Nanny xx

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