quilting tutorial Archives

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

Make an Ohio Star Quilt Block from Charm Squares

May 15, 2017 by Nanny 1 Comment

Today we will be making Block number 15 in our 9 Patch Sampler, the Ohio Star.

WHAT YOU NEED:

LIGHT: 5 x 5″ squares

DARK: 3 x 5″ squares

OTHER: 1 x 5″ square

LET’S SEW!

Take a DARK and an OTHER and make into HSTs using our narrow 1/8″ seam again
Take a LIGHT and a DARK and make HSTs using our narrow 1/8′ seam again

3. Rule a diagonal across the LIGHT/DARK squares

4. Place the LIGHT/DARK squares on top of the DARK/OTHER squares with the seams on top of each other.

5. Put a pin through where the line meets the seam and then turn it over so you can see that the pin comes through at the same point on the other square

6. Pin along the seam line – the pin will lie across the line you have drawn

7. Stitch either side of the line using our narrow 1/8″ seam and cut on the line (as you do when making HSTs) and you will have Hourglass squares

with perfect joins

6. Trim your Hourglass squares by:

Placing the 2.25″ mark on your rule on the point where all seams intersect

where the unpicker is pointing

8. Trim the top and side .

9. Now turn the square and repeat using the 4.5″ line along the side and bottom and the 2.25″ mark on the centre point again. Trim the other two sides.

10. Organise your squares

11. Sew your 9 Patch and press. Admire your Ohio Star.

Great job! You are a STAR!

We now have one more block to go – can you guess what it will be?

Until next time

Nanny xx

All links to the Blocks can be found here.

Make a Card Trick Quilt Block from Charm Squares

May 8, 2017 by Nanny 2 Comments

Today we are going to make a Card Trick quilt block from charm squares.

NANNYNOTE: If you are following along with me using Charm Squares be warned – today we are going to break the rules! Ooh – ahh! So read the instructions carefully. WE ARE GOING TO BREAK THE 1/4″ RULE – we are going to do our seams only 1/8″

If you are not using Charm Squares you might like to cut 5.5″ squares and be a ‘goodie two shoes’.

WHAT YOU NEED:

LIGHT: 4 x 5″ squares (Spot)

DARK: 5 x 5″ squares (zebra)

OTHER: 5 x 5″ squares (black)

LET’S SEW!

Take a LIGHT / OTHER and a LIGHT / DARK and make HSTs using a 1/8″ seam. Place to the side till later.

2. Repeat step 1 – DONT TRIM

We will now add an OTHER to each of the LIGHT/DARK HSTs from 2

3. Fold the OTHER along the diagonal (I have stitched mine so you can see)

4. Place the OTHER RST (Right Side Together) with the LIGHT/DARK making sure that the diagonals make an X

5. Stitch either side of the diagonal using our narrow seam

6. Cut and press.

7. We will now repeat that process adding a DARK square to each of the LIGHT/OTHER HSTs

8. Sew, cut and press

9. Take the remaining DARK and OTHER Squares and make HSTs using our narrow seam – DONT TRIM

10. Turn these RST so that the OTHER covers the DARK with the diagonals on top of each other

11. Place a pin Through the seam of the top square and check that it is going through the seam underneath as well.

and bring it back through the seam – the pin will lie along the seam.

12. Sew narrow seams either side of the diagonal, cut and press.

13. Admire your perfect Hourglass squares!

14. Time to trim!

Trim the HSTs from 1 to 4.5″
Trim the squares from 5 and 6 to 4.5″ just like when we trim HSTs. Just make sure that the 2.25″ mark is sitting on the join,

Trim the hourglass by

Placing the 45 degree line on your rule (mine is taped) along the seam until the 2.25″ mark is on the centre – trim the right hand side and top

Turn and place the 4.5″ marks along the left hand side and along the bottom. Check the position of the 45 degree line and check the 2.25″ mark is centred. Trim the right hand side and top.

14. Organise your squares – if you have a directional fabric like my DARK (zebra) make sure you choose the right combination. You will have spare squares but dont panic, just put them aside and continue.

15. Sew your 9 patch. Now that is some Card Trick!!

I hope you enjoyed making the Card Trick block. Of course it can be made using different fabrics for the four cards –

this is one I made for my friend Ineke as part of a Block Swap.

I can’t wait to see how they look using your fabric choices!

Until next time

Nanny xx

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Catch-Up Week for the 9 Patch Sampler

May 1, 2017 by Nanny 2 Comments

I have noticed that the number of photos of finished blocks that I have received has declined and so this week I have decided to give everyone a ‘catch-up’ week.

I know what it is like when you have fallen behind and have that dreaded feeling that you are never going to catch up !

I want you to finish this Sampler and so I am giving you a chance to get back on track – so lets do it!

WHAT YOU NEED:

a plan of attack
some time
belief in yourself
chocolate

WHAT YOU DO:

Find where you are up to – all tutorials can be found by clicking on the Block names below.
Print the tutorial if that helps – you will find a green ‘Print Friendly’ sign at the top left of each tutorial – this will print without all of the ‘other stuff’
Complete your block and lodge a photo.

To help inspire you, I am going to share some of the completed blocks (with permission). I love how different they look depending on the fabric choice and I cant wait to see them come together in a few weeks time!

BLOCK 1 – 9 Patch