Snuggles Quilts

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2021 Block of the Week Begins!

Hi everyone! Since we enjoyed the block of the week so much in 2020, I decided to run another series starting today. I plan on presenting a new block each week for the next 9 weeks and then have instructions to finish a fun wall hanging from the blocks. Of course, the finishing is optional. If you like a block, feel free to make a whole quilt out of that one block! Since this is a scrappy project, I am not giving any overall fabric requirements. This is meant for using up scraps and small pieces of fabric in your stash. When I give finishing instructions in week 10, I will have fabric requirements for any fabric needed for borders, etc that might not be found in your stash.

Added bonus! For participating and commenting on the blog each week, you will be entered into a drawing for a give-away. There will be one each week and then, at the end, a grand prize! But we’ll talk more about that later. For now, let’s get started with block #1!

Block #1 – Combination Star

For the instructions to make this block, find the pattern here: 2021 BOW Block 1. 

So now onto this week’s tips. I will show you the steps to make fast quarter-square triangle squares or fast QST squares as I will refer to it throughout the remainder of this post.

How to: Fast QST Squares

As I show in the pattern, the traditional way to make a QST square is to cut two different print squares into quarters by cutting diagonally and then sewing them together, carefully because these are sewn on the bias. But, there is what I think is a simpler way that make two QST squares at the same time.

Step 1: This step starts out having you make two half-square triangle (HST) squares. Take two squares of different colors, lay them right sides together – lining up raw edges, and draw diagonal lines in both direction on the wrong side of the top square (first photo). Next, stitch an accurate 1/4″ on each side of only ONE of the lines. Cut the unit apart and press the pieces open for two HST squares. 

Step 2: Now comes the twist! Layer the two HST squares right sides together with the tan print of the top square over the color print on the bottom. You do not want the same color print sides on top of each other.

Be sure to line up the seams of the HST squares as shown and pin so the pieces don’t shift while you move on to the next step.

Step 3: Extend the line from the tan print as shown to give you a guide and once again, sew 1/4″ on each side.

Finally, once the stitching is done, cut the unit apart on the drawn line and press open for two finished QST squares!

So, if you have a lot of QST squares to make, this is a slick way to make two at a time without having to sew on an already cut bias seam.

This method also works when you need QST squares with 3 or 4 different colors. See the examples below.

I hope you will join me in this Block of the Week adventure for 2021! The grand prize at the end of this project will be a copy of my book, a Quilt in a Day Triangle Square-up ruler, and an assortment of my latest patterns. Commenting on one or all of these Block of the Week posts not only enters you for the prize that week, but enters you in the grand prize drawing!

Leave a comment below and be entered in the drawing this week’s give-away, my Mill Country Sky pattern, which will give you some practice with QST squares!

This drawing will be on Monday, April 19th. I’m excited for this project and I hope you join me every week! Let’s get sewing!
Happy Quilting,
Deanne

Scrap Quilting: Building a Stash and a Scrap Quilt!

Scrap quilting is so much fun. It’s even more fun when you have a stash to work from. It’s not hard to build one, especially if you quilt a lot. Scrap quilts are my favorite because since they use so many different fabrics, I don’t have to have a lot of one particular fabric. I can even make my background fabrics scrappy! Let’s talk about building a stash and a scrap quilt so you can get started.

Building a Fabric Stash

One of the keys to successful scrap quilting is to have a stash of a lot of smaller pieces of fabric to choose from when making these quilts. I often buy fat quarters at the quilt shop for this purpose. But I also achieve this by cutting down larger pieces of fabric into assorted smaller pieces, so that color print I like so much is represented in every size in my stash. There have been fabric pieces I have had in my stash for a while and haven’t used until I cut it up into smaller yardage!

So here is my mini tutorial on cutting up a yard of fabric:

Below are the tubs I store the different cuts of fabric in. I like to keep them separated by size and color so I can just grab a tub and find the colors I want.

And this is how I store the fat eighths:

See how easy it is to move around the fat eighths without any getting lost?

Finally, strips! I like to save lots and lots of strips. I will cut and keep 2 1/2″ and 1 1/2″ strips any time I have less than an 1/8 of a yard of fabric left when cutting pieces from a larger piece of fabric. Here’s how I store those:

I cut pieces of acid free cardboard to make separators between stack of strips. This is a lot better than the way I used to store them:

LOL! It was pretty hard to find the strips I wanted in this mess. Also, they would get tangled and frayed this way.

Building a Scrap Quilt

You can actually turn any quilt pattern into a scrap quilt with a little thought. I’ll use a simple 3 color quilt as an example. To make it easy, let’s say this quilt takes a yard of each color fabric (not including the background) and has 12 blocks. Here’s the 3 colors:

These fabrics would certainly make a pretty quilt:

However, you can turn this into a scrappier quilt by substituting three 1/3 yard cuts for each yard of fabric from above. I’ve done that here:

The red, blue and yellow fabrics served as a jumping off point to add in 6 more colors. So here’s how that quilt from above looks now:

It really does make a difference! And like I said earlier, you can also make the background fabrics scrappy by using different tan prints with each color.

Another way to “scrap it up” is to use several colors in one block.

You can alternate which colors you use in the center and for the star points and end up with a really fun scrap quilt! This was just a simple example of how to make a quilt scrappy. Use your imagination, plus a little math, and you can make any pattern scrappy!

Leave a comment below on scrap quilting and be entered in the drawing for my pattern, Twinkle, Twinkle.

The drawing will be on Monday, August 3rd. **We have a winner … Congrats, Eileen!**

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Block of the Week – Block 7

Here we are at week 7 already! After this week there are only 2 more blocks to make and then I’ll provide the finishing instructions. When its done, you’ll have a fun, scrappy wall hanging! You can still join in the fun. All the block instructions are still available by going to the previous blog posts here: Block 1, Block 2, Block 3, Block 4, Block 5 and Block 6. This week’s block uses a lot of techniques from earlier blocks so you should be able to whip this one up fast. I’ll also do a more in depth talk about secondary design, picking up from last week. So… ready?

Block #7 – Beacon

This block reminded me of a searchlight, especially with the bright gold in the middle, so I named it “beacon”. You can find the instructions here: Block of the Week – Block 7.

Secondary Design

Last week, we talked about secondary design that existed within a block when you changed the colors. This week, I’ll do that with this block and then I will show you how those designs can also emerge when joining two or more blocks.

Like the block last week, you can change the look of this block by simply moving the colors around. Here’s a variation that brings forth a design that looks like a churn dash: 

To achieve this look, all I did was flip the middle units so the gold was on the inside towards the center. A completely different look! This next variation I take out most of the gold. I change the 4 corner units to blue and the background fabric:

This variation makes the center star more prominent. 

So now we come to the other way to create a secondary design – by joining blocks together. The way to create a secondary design is to start with a block with interesting elements that, when joined with additional blocks into a quilt top, combine to make the secondary design. Look what happens when I join multiple versions of the original block:

All of the sudden, there’s a pinwheel block created where the four blocks meet. And the gold fabric creates an interesting lattice look. Look at what happens when we make a whole quilt from these:

The stars and pinwheels really stand out! A quilt that makes great use of secondary designs makes it hard for someone to figure out what the block actually is. Remember… the above is a one block quilt but it doesn’t look like it!

One of my quilt patterns that has a secondary design is Follow the Stars.

Notice how the black pieces in the quilt blocks create a fun criss-crossing design based on how the blocks are laid out. 

Leave a comment below on secondary design or this week’s block to be entered in a drawing for my pattern above! The drawing will be on Monday, June 8th.

Until next week…. Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Block of the Week – Block 4

Welcome back! We’re already on block 4. My how time flies! If you are just joining me this week, you can still download the patterns for the previous blocks. Just click on the block you want here: Block 1, Block 2, or Block 3. Also included in this block 4 post, I will talk about creating a scrappy quilt with just one block. This is kind of a continuation from last week’s color theory lesson in the block 3 blog post. Remember, the chance to win a free pattern is still available! The drawing will be on Monday, May 11th. More details at the end of this post. So let’s get started on block 4!

Block # 4 – Rolling Pinwheel

This block will put those flying geese skills to the test!

I add a little bit of fun to this by making four of the flying geese blocks with two different “wings” so a pinwheel design is created in the center. Find the pattern here: Block of the Week – Block 4. For this block, I just used two colors, my black accent and a green print. It’s fun to play with colorways on blocks like these to make a scrap one block quilt. I’ll show you how below.

Building a Scrap Quilt

A scrap quilt is easier than you think… as long as you have a bit of a stash. And I’m sure, like most quilters, you do! So, here is the above Rolling Pins block duplicated for a one block quilt.

It’s a pretty quilt! But not a scrap quilt. Now, let’s alternate where the black accent fabric is used. This is an easy way to turn a 2 color quilt into a “scrappy” look quilt.

Now look what happens when you introduce even just 1 more color:

It’s amazing the difference with just adding another color. Now lets get crazy with multiple colors and alternating the accent color placement:

And now you’ve made a scrap quilt with just one block! Now you are ready to make block 4. And if you feel inspired, make several of them in different colors and you will have an instant scrappy wall hanging! Add a few borders to finish it out.

Leave a comment below on the block of the week and building a scrap quilt and you will be entered into my drawing for my pattern Scrappy North Stars. 

This pattern will give you a lot of practice with scrap quilting! The drawing will be next Monday, May 11th. Have fun!

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

My Favorite Tools for Small Blocks

Hi! Happy Friday! I hope this week has been good for you and you were able to squeeze in some quilting. If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram, you saw that I am working on a project that has small blocks, specifically 3 1/2″. To make these blocks and have them measure accurately when I am done, I have some favorite tools I keep by my machine.

First up are my tiny ruler and scissors.

Every one needs scissors at the machine to clip threads, but I have been known to use the tip of the scissors as a stylus to hold down seams as I chain piece. The mini ruler is for me to check that the seams are 1/4″. This is especially important on small blocks because an error in the seam allowance will really show.

To keep these items corralled at my machine so they don’t get in the way while I’m stitching, I use a really common household item: a Command hook!

Stuck to my machine on the right side (since I am right handed), it’s a great place to hang my little supplies!

Since these small blocks I am making are scrappy and can not be made by making long strip sets and then cutting them apart, my next tool I like using is my wooden pressing stick:

I use this tool to press the many seams that need pressing while piecing these small blocks. Since there are a lot of seams to press between each stitching, I don’t want to have to jump up to the ironing board for every one. So, here’s how it works:

Here are my three 1″ squares stitched together to begin my nine-patch:

And now I use my pressing stick:

And here you go this pressed row of squares ready to join to the next without the iron:

This allows me to make all the nine-patches in one sitting, then I can get up and press them at my ironing board.

Although it wouldn’t hurt to get up and down from the machine to iron each seam…. when you’re making tiny blocks like these, you can get tired really fast! I still have to get up and press all the blocks when they’re finished, so I don’t lose out on my exercise!

Here are some of the other small blocks I was making this week. The flying geese are 1 1/2 x 2 1/2″ and these stars are 3 1/2″. They were really fun to make!

Let me know in the comments here on the blog what are some of your “can’t live with out” tools when you are quilting. I will enter you in a drawing for my newest pattern Twilight Desert and a surprise gift! The drawing will be on Tuesday, September 4th. Good luck! ****We have a winner! Congrats, Karen Shurts!*****

Here’s the give-away pattern:

Happy Quilting!
Deanne