Wednesday, September 25, 2013

October Nurture Circle Block - "Color Study"

Time to try and remember how to do a blog again!

The October block for the Nurture Circle of do.Good Stitches is super easy!  Yay!!

I used the pattern Color Study by Kristene Peterson, 
found in Fons and Porter's Scrap Quilts Magazine (Spring 2013)
If you happen to have that magazine, the pattern is on page 26ff.
  If you don't, the directions are simple and I have a few photos to help the process.  
Here is the finished magazine picture - isn't that pretty?


This quilts uses all solids - no prints, not "kind of solid" - total solids!  
Any color, EXCEPT black or white, we want color!  

You'll need 3-6 colors, depending on how many blocks you want to make.

I used Kona cotton, if you have that, use it, 
otherwise any good 100% cotton fabric will do.
I preshrink before sewing.  If you can, please do the same -
otherwise it could bleed or shrink up funny and I'll be grumpy
and then where will my Merry Christmas be?  

For each block, you'll need two contrasting colors:
From each color cut: 
  3 pieces that measure 2.5" x 4.5"
1 piece measuring 2.5" x 6.5"

Lay out the pieces as pictured below, 
switching the two middle strips from top of block to bottom,
 so you have a contrasting piece in the middle of the 2 other pieces.
(I couldn't have said that more poorly if I tried!  Look at the picture)

Sew together the 2.5" x 4.5" pieces long sides together with the
 contrasting color in the middle to make a set of three.  
Press seams to the darker color throughout.

Lay the 2.5"x 6.5" piece on the top of the block
 (color should match color of the outside of your 3 piece strip)
Do the same with the bottom half of the block.



Sew the top strip to the 3 piece strip.  That makes half a block.  
Now sew the other strip in the same way and 
you'll have the other half of the block. 
(sorry, changed colors in step 2)


Sew the top to the bottom, matching seams.
 (your seams should nest together, making it easy to match them.)
  The block should finish at 6" x 12" - 
please try to get them as close as possible, 
so it will fit together nicely.  
Presto!  Block done.  
1 block done

2 blocks

These are so easy, I would like to have 3 from each of you.
You can use a color more than once, 
but try not to make any 2 blocks exactly the same. 
 If you can only do two, that's okay.  Here are my 3 blocks.
 (they aren't sewn together, that's why they look a little wonky)


After this, I think we get a 2 month break for the holidays!
Please send your blocks to me as soon as you can and then I won't
 be working on them in the middle of my own holiday.
Thanks so much quilters - you're the best!

Any questions?  E-mail me at d.kafleezer@hotmail.com -
 put Nurture Circle in the subject line please.  
Louise will pass on my address to you.
  (I don't want to put it in a public blog)




Wednesday, February 20, 2013

March Block for Nurture Circle of Do Good Stitches

March Block for the Nurture Circle of Do Good Stitches – Debi Hassler
This method is called “Piece-lique” - from Designer Penny Haren.  
Read all the instructions before you start.
Don’t be intimidated - I put it off thinking it looked hard, but it goes together quite easily.
Materials needed (to make 2 blocks)

1—18x22" pieces (fat quarter) in cream on cream or white on cream neutral

2 FQ of PASTEL or MUTED 1930s prints* – no reds or dark prints please,

Note:If you are making both blocks the same color, 1 FQ will do.

*1930’s fabrics are also know as “Feedsack” or Reproduction fabrics – small vintage prints – in PASTELS - blue, pink, yellow, green, lavender, peach are all good choices.

All seam allowances are 1/4” inch unless otherwise noted. Sew with right sides together unless otherwise stated.

Cut pieces in the following order (for each finished block).
From cream, cut:
Cut 4 - 4 ½” squares

From 1930s prints, Cut:
4 -  4 ½” matching squares
.  Layout as shown below.

Assemble Four-Patch Units  

(directions are shown for 1 finished block –

you need 2 – Four-patch blocks for each finished block.)


Sew together a 4 ½” cream colored solid to a 4 ½” print colored square.  Make 4 units.   Press seams open.
Join pairs to make 2 large Four-Patch units. Press seams open. 
The large Four-Patch units should measure 8-1/2" square including seam allowances.
Finished 4 patches

Centering the seam lines, trim one (only) of the 2 large Four-Patch units
to 6-1/2" square to make a small Four-Patch unit .
 

You now have one 6 ½” four patch (small)  and
one 8 ½” four patch (large) in of the same color


Pieced Appliqués

I used Lite Steam-a-Seam. I like it because it is easy to reposition before you fuse it.    

Lay paper-backed fusible web (Lite Steam-A-Seam2) over Appliqué Template (template on last page.)
With this product, there is one paper side that peels off easily and one that is not easily removable.  Test the edge to see which is which.  


With the side that is NOT easily removable facing UP, use a regular pencil to trace the appliqué pattern, including the centerline.  Trace 4 times, leaving 1/2" between tracings.


2. Cut out each fusible-web shape roughly 1/4" outside traced lines.
NOTE!  To reduce bulk and stiffness, also cut approx. 1/4" away from traced lines on inside of each shape. (see picture below)
Position four fusible-web shapes on wrong side of a large (8 ½” square) Four-Patch unit.

Align centerline (at top and bottom) of each template with a seam line on wrong side of Four-Patch unit.  Once they are aligned properly, Press fusible web shapes following pkg instructions.  
Let cool.
Cut out fabric shapes on drawn lines. (Do not cut out inside of appliqué!)
Carefully peel off paper backings of appliqué pieces., 

making sure you peel the paper only and leaving the fusing on the fabric. Sometimes, you have to flick it on the edge with your fingernail to make sure it separates the right way. 



Position four appliqués atop a matching small (6 ½” square) Four-Patch unit, 

matching seam lines and raw edges.
(First one positioned- Note that the appliqués have the opposite color on top of the 4 patch.)



(all 4 in position)
Note that the appliqués just touch at the oval and square shapes, but do not overlap.

Don’t leave big gaps – reposition as needed before fusing.
When satisfied with placement - Fuse in place according to directions on package.  

Using cream-colored thread, and a short, narrow zigzag stitch (I used 1.5 width and 1.5 length on my Janome Gem Platinum), machine-applique along curved edges and short, straight edges of each appliqué.  
You do not need to stitch down the outside edge.  (See Diagram 3 – note the red areas – that is where you stitch) 


When sewing the curves, go slowly and set your machine so the needle stays in the fabric, 

then you can lift the pressure foot and pivot as needed.

 


3. Repeat steps 1 and 2 to make 2 blocks total.
(or make 3, if feeling generous!)

FINISHED BLOCKS! (times 2)

The block should be 6-1/2" square including seam allowances.
You can see the colors faintly through the neutral overlay – so don’t stress about that

.
I would love to have your leftovers if you want to share – when cutting out the appliqués, I noticed that I came up with a mini 4-patch (the first time around)

Then (being a little more careful when cutting appliqués, I came up with this bigger shape 

the 2nd time.


Leave the paper backing on these pieces


I’m hoping to incorporate them on the back.  Also if you are willing to send other scraps of both your colored pieces and neutrals, that will help with the backing and possibly a border if I decide to add one.  (this is not required – just if you feel like sticking them in.)


Thanks for making your way through my first ever tutorial.  Feel free to ask lots of questions.  I’ll check Flickr most every day to see what you need.


Mail finished blocks to:
Debi Hassler
PO Box 52
Butte Falls, OR  97522


Copy the link below into your browser and it should bring up the template.  Print it out at "actual size" setting on your print menu.  (you may have to unclick the box that says "fit to page" depending on your printer screen. )

 Measure the 1" box - if it doesn't measure 1", let me know.  

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B8NDihPxz2eFY1ozRHllUWhJNzg/edit