NQC Block # 5

Happy Saturday! Lucky I have some time to sew. I will attempt to make Block # 5 of the National Quilters Circle Challenge. All 9 blocks are now out. If you would like the free blocks, click here.
I have a lot to catch up.

And here it is! I am quite pleased with it. Unfortunately the colors in the photo are not as nice. I guess the lighting at 10 pm in my sewing room is not conducive to taking photos.

I had a dilemma though when I wanted to start. The pattern was different from the original drawing of the whole quilt. Decision, decision.

I find it always helpful to do some coloring.

And here is my cutting chart:

First sew the two strips from the first two fabrics together. Then cut into 4 sections 4 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches. These are the bases for the Flying Geese.

To make sure I fold the squares for the star points and pin them (roughly) into place. This makes the chain sewing so much easier. 

Next take the 4 squares from the first fabric and second and sew the corner stones and put aside.

Sew the triangles to the center square. Do opposite sides, press, sew the other opposite sides, press.

Trim to 6 inches.

Add the other triangles from the two different fabrics. 

Now this square should measure 8 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches.

Assemble as shown.

Perfect square 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches. 

If you would like to print this out, here is a PDF! Disclaimer: when I write a pattern, I usually immediately use it to make that item again. This time I don't have time to do that. Should you do my pattern and find something unclear or a mistake, please let me know.

Charity Blocks

Somehow I came across the Covered in Love blog and the Love Block Drive!

Did you go to the links and read about it? Good, I don't have to write the details then. It is a very good cause. I thought it would be nice to help.

This block drive will run until the end of April. Any one can participate and you can pick and choose the block drives throughout the year that you want to do, there's a new one every 2 months!  If you'd like to send in blocks please leave a comment or email me to get the address (coveredinlovetx@gmail.com) and have them in the mail by May 1.

I looked at the directions and they are very easy. But ... of course ... I immediately thought that I would do it differently. Every block has many ways to do it (just like meatloaf ha-ha).

This is the first block I sewed. Btw all of them are done with stash. All of it is blue. Sorry the photos are not very good.

It's so quick to make that I decided to take photos to write "my" directions.

For the charity you are supposed to use blue. Any and all shades of blue.

For each blog you need only two fabrics, one print and one solid.

From each fabric cut: 

1 square 6.5 inches and

1 square 7 3/4 inches 

Use the two large squares (one from each fabric 7 3/4 inches) and make 8 HST using the 8HST-at-a-time method. I have a link under the Tutorial tab at the top. 

If I am doing the sewing and cutting and pressing carefully I don't even have to trim the HST except the little tips.

But I guess you could cut the large squares a little larger and then trim each HST if you want to.

Lay everything out like the picture and sew. The sewing of this one I have to do tomorrow though. Time to go to bed. It's after midnight.

Sewing the squares together is fast. I wished I had the time to make a whole quilt right now. If I had a fourth block the star in the middle would be obvious.

I made a PDF to have printable directions. CLICK HERE if you would like it.

June 2012 Block Lotto

(originally posted June 1, 2012)

Ah, I like the next Block Lotto block. Every month I am learning something. Today is the 1st of the month and the new challenge is up. As I did get the sneak-peek a few days ago because I posted last month in time, I was already able to "play" a little.

This is my finished block (the first).





When I looked at the directions I was confused and had to cut and paste them into a new file for myself to break them down so I could understand them better (I am still a quilter beginner). So, here is my version ... in case anybody has trouble like I had.

“Little Red School Houses” found here
(I think it is a BOM project by AzPatch)




















Here are my re-written cutting directions:

Cut from white-on-white print - - - cut a strip 2 ¾ “ wide
four 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares = A
one 2 3/4" x 2 1/2" rectangle = B
- - - cut rest of strip down to 2" BUT... (* since 1 1/2 and 1 1/4 make 2 3/4 you could cut the last 3 at this point)
one 2" x 3 1/2" rectangle, = C
one 2" x 2" square = D
- - - cut rest of strip down to 1 ½ “
two 1 1/2" x 1 3/4" rectangles = E (*)
- - - cut rest of strip down to 1 ¼ “
one 1 1/4" x 9 1/2" rectangle = F (*)
I found it helpful to know which red fabric was used for what part of the house.

From red print one (window side) cut -
one 2" x 2" square = G
two 2" x 4 1/4" rectangles and = H
one 2" x 1 1/4" rectangle = I
From red print two (door side and chimneys) cut -
one 2 3/4" x 5" rectangle = J
two 2" x 4 1/4" rectangles = K
one 2" x 1 1/4" rectangle = L
two 1 3/4" x 1 3/4" squares = M
From red print three (roof) cut -
one 2 3/4" x 5" rectangle = N
one 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" square = O
I hope this is helpful to some other beginner like me!!!

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