Snuggles Quilts

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Block of the Week Begins!

Hi everyone and welcome to my first ever Block of the Week! I thought it would be fun over the next nine weeks to make a different scrappy block and then put them all together into a mini sampler. These blocks will measure 6 1/2 x 6 1/2″. If you do not want to make a sampler at the end, you can use each block as a “mini” quilt by adding a few borders. You can also make several of each block and make table runners or wall hangings from just the one style each week. It’s up to you what you do with them! I will also share some quilting tips each week that will help you while making these blocks. So, here we go!

Block #1 – Braced Star

This is the block we will be making this week. Find the free pattern here: Block of the Week – Block 1. For the remainder of this post, I will share some tips on how to make this block go together as smoothly as possible. 

Measure, measure!

One of the steps in piecing a quilt block that I never skip and highly recommend is to measure the units of the blocks you are making as you go. That’s why I keep these tools by my machine:

A 4 1/2″ ruler, a 2 1/2″ ruler and a wood pressing stick!

In the first step of the pattern, you will see that I have you laying a smaller square on a larger square with the raw edges matched.

As you can see from the photo, the edges of the squares are lined up and I have pinned them so the pieces don’t shift while stitching. Once I stitch on the line I’ve drawn (it’s hard to see on the black fabric in the photo), that’s when the measuring comes in.

You can “finger” press or use the wood pressing stick to press open the small square. Do not cut off the excess fabric yet until you measure the square as I show in the second photo. You want the square to still measure the size it was before you stitched and pressed back the corner. Once you determine your square is not “wonky”…. you can cut off the excess seam allowance and press the unit open with an iron.

This blog post from January, What is Stitch and Flip, has a good detailed explanation of the steps. It’s a good review!

The other unit in the block that may give you a bit of a headache is the one that is made from the quarter-square triangles. I have found it best to use a scant 1/4″ seam when stitching these units together and make sure to line up the seams when stitching the units. The diagram below demonstrates what I’m talking about.

Once that unit is pieced, it’s time to measure and trim a bit. The key to measuring and trimming half-square triangle squares and quarter-square triangle squares is to place the diagonal line on your ruler on the seam. Notice also that I have the 1 1/4″ marking where the four triangles meet. That assures me that I am trimming my square evenly.

I hope these tips help you to make this one block… or several!

What Can I Do with This Block?

If you do not want to make the sampler, here’s a few ideas! The first is to make a small candle mat or wall hanging by adding a few borders.

Put several of these together and you have a small table runner!

Use your imagination and your scraps! Things like this make great gifts for your friends and family.

Enjoy and come back for block 2 next week!

Happy Stitching!
Deanne

Accurate Piecing Tips and New Pattern Inspiration!

Today I want to share one of my newest patterns: Ice Cream Social!

It’s a scrappy set of table runners that are made from small blocks. I love working in a standout element like the black stars to focus in on and then use the scrappy nine patches as a colorful secondary design. Both of these runners are quick projects and will dress up any table in your home! You can do the applique on the one runner by hand or machine. You can also substitute in wool for the fabric applique if you prefer!

The blocks in these patterns are 3 1/2 x 3 1/2″. Accuracy in piecing is important in quilting…. especially when making small blocks. There’s not as much room for error the smaller the block.

First, check to be sure your machine is stitching with an accurate 1/4″ seam. Take 2 scrap pieces of fabric and stitch them together, then measure the seam.

If your seam measures 1/4″ ….. congratulations! You are good for step 1!

If you do not get a 1/4″ measurement, time to take some steps to make sure you are stitching with a 1/4″ seam. First way to get an accurate seam is to use a 1/4″ foot made for your machine. Here’s mine:

When stitching with this foot, the edge of the foot is lined up with the edge of the piece you are stitching. This should give you an accurate seam.

If you do not have a 1/4″ foot for your machine, check to see if your machine’s throat plate has a 1/4″ mark like below. Then you line up the edge of your fabric with the 1/4″ mark when stitching. After the seam is stitched, measure it like I showed above.

If you do not have a 1/4″ mark on your throat plate, you can make one by using a measuring tape and some masking or painter’s tape. Start by laying the measuring tape under your needle at the “0” line.

Lower the needle by hand to make sure the needle matches up with that line. Then, find the 1/4″ line on the measuring tape. Use this as a guide to place a piece of tape on your throat plate.

When stitching a seam, you can now line up the edge of your fabric with the edge of the tape to give you an accurate 1/4″ seam. Once again, use scrap fabric to test your seam.

Now that you are stitching with an accurate seam, the final step in having your blocks measure accurately is to measure each unit as you stitch it to make sure it’s the correct size before continuing. For example, if I am making several flying geese units for a block and they need to measure 2 x 3 1/2″ each so the block comes out the correct size, I measure the geese units (like below). That way, when I am ready to piece the block, I know all the units measure accurately. That, along with accurate 1/4″ seams guarantee my blocks will be the right size!

So, there you have it. With accurate 1/4″ seams and measuring individual units as you go, you will be able to churn out blocks, big or small, that measure correctly and make your quilt go together without a hitch!

Share your secrets on accurate piecing and win a free pattern! My pattern, Ice Cream Social! The drawing will be on Monday, October 29th.
**Congrats Sue! You are the winner of the free pattern!**

Happy Piecing and Quilting!
Deanne