Broken Spiderweb Block

This is the second BOM for March. It is another string block, using narrow strips of fabrics sewn using a foundation (a triangle this time). However we are not sewing the strips to the triangle but merely using it as a guide for placement as we sew one strip to the next. We leave a diamond shape, in the background color, at the center of the triangle.

Turn the piece over and trim it back to the foundation piece.

And then trim off the unused foundation to reduce bulk.

The back of the triangle after trimming.

You make 4 triangles and fit them together to create a square.

Sew the triangles together, pressing the seams open. 

Then square it up to 12.5" to match the rest of your BOM blocks and hang it on your design wall.

I can't wait for April. I'm anxious to see the new block patterns. I leave you with a close-up of my favorite fabric from the Broken Spiderweb Block. It reminds me of my Reggie.

String Quilt Block

This string block is the first of the 2 blocks featured for March and uses foundation piecing. "String" is a term quilters use for a piece of fabric that is too narrow to do anything else with. All the strips for this block are 1" to 2" wide. Those strips are sewn, in a random sequence, diagonally across the foundation square, leaving 1/2" of the white foundation in the center.

Then you turn the block over....

...and trim it down to the original foundation block, being careful not to cut away any of the foundation square.

Make 3 more blocks, arrange them into a pleasing diamond configuration and sew them together. The back will look like this.

Here are the 5 blocks I've made thus far. One more block to go and then I'll have to wait until April for the new patterns.

Chunky Chevron Quilt Block

This block features a mix of half square triangles and solid squares. I love the vintage children's illustrations featured on the red fabric. I decided to fussy cut the blocks to better show off the artwork. This block also features a drawn line technique for making your finished half triangle blocks. You draw a diagonal line on your background block and layer it with a print block, right sides together. Then you sew a scant 1/4" seam down each side of that line. The instructor showed how to save time if you have a quilting foot that sews a 1/4" seam on either side of the foot. Guess what my old treadle machine has? Another reason she is the perfect quilt piecing machine. You can string piece your blocks, one right after the other, sewing on the right side of the line....then bring the first block around and sew all the blocks on the left side of the line. You'll end up with a ring of blocks.

I know it's difficult to see the lines in my pictures. I used a blue quilting pencil. You don't have to worry about the marks showing through because they will be hidden in the seams. Once your blocks are all sewn you cut them apart and then slash each of them down that same drawn line. Each sewn block will yield 2 triangle blocks. Once they are pressed the blocks are trimmed down to 3.5" squares.

Time to assemble the puzzle. 

Sew the squares together into rows, followed by sewing the rows together. Finish by squaring up the completed block. Here is the block's backside.

Balkan Puzzle Quilt Block

Yesterday I began working on the first of the February blocks for the Craftsy BOM course. Now we're getting into some serious piecing. This block was much more enjoyable than the first 2. It is constructed entirely of what they call "half square triangles". However the method used to create those triangles is genius. You start with eight 5.5" squares, four of your background color (in my case, white) and two each of 2 contrasting prints. Then you layer  your prints with a background square, right sides together, and sew all the way around with a 1/4" seam. This is where the magic happens. Use your rotary cutter and a ruler to slash the square on the diagonal. Move your ruler and repeat in the other direction. Now you have 4 smaller squares, each composed of 2 half square triangles.

Repeat with your other 5.5" squares. Trim off all the dog ears from your new blocks and press them open. You should have 8 of each color.

Now assemble your puzzle. Once the blocks are in the correct formation you are ready to commence sewing.

Work one row at a time, sewing those blocks together to form a strip. Press the seams in opposite directions on the odd rows. Next sew your strips together, nesting the seams so they line up correctly. Press your finished block and use your 12.5" square ruler to even up the edges. I enjoyed this block immensely and could see myself making an entire quilt with it. Here is the view from the back.

By the time I finish this quilt I should be quite adept at using a treadle machine. I have nicknamed my White model 12 "Backwards Betty" because every once in a while I forget that her hand wheel turns "away" from me and I end up with a knotted mess to sort out.

I ventured back to Jo-Ann's to pick up a couple more of those suction handles for my quilting rulers. Now I am set for using all the different sized templates.

Wonky Pound Sign Block

This is the second of the blocks for January, the Wonky Pound Sign.

Although it's considered a rather easy block I had a heck of a time with it. Maybe because I was working on it at 4am? Or because I was still having thread tension issues which caused my seams to pucker slightly? Whatever the reason, I had a terrible time getting the intersections of the lines to match up smoothly. There was some cursing, ripping and re-sewing involved. It all turned out fine in the end. I think I have my thread tension problem fixed. I loosened the bobbin tension a bit. Here is the back side of the block.

One of the best things to happen to quilting was the invention of the rotary cutter. But I am an awful klutz and have a fear of slicing off my digits. I know some quilters use special gloves while cutting but that seems cumbersome. I opted for this nifty suction handle, instead. You attach it to your quilting ruler and it gives you something to grip (to keep the ruler in place) and also keeps your hand up where it's safe.

Jo-Ann's currently has all their quilting supplies on sale for 50% off. I think I'll head back there today and try to find some handles that will fit my smaller templates.

Taking An Online Quilting Course

I recently found this FREE online quilting course, The Craftsy Block Of The Month (BOM). I'm getting a late start but it won't take me long to catch up. Each month features 2 different blocks. Today I completed the first of January's blocks, the Asterisk Block.

I will be piecing this entire quilt using Betty, my 1915 White Rotary model 12 treadle sewing machine.

Look at her go!

This block is really easy. You use the rotary cutter to slice the block in half, then you sew in a white strip.

 Turn the block, slash, sew; repeat.

Soon your block is ready for trimming.

When it's all squared up it looks like the first photo, above. And here's the view from the back. Nice and tidy.

Can't wait to make another block tomorrow!