Mystery Quilt Monday- Clue #5

Happy Monday Morning,

Hard to believe we are already in February.  There has been lots and lots happening here in my studio that I will be sharing with you shortly.  For now I know you are all waiting on the next clue......we are almost there and then the mystery will be

Please note that there was an error last month (just numbering the units.....don't panic).  Clue #4 - Unit 4 should read Unit 5 and Unit 5 should read Unit 6.  Sorry for the confusion.

Unit #7
You will need to cut the following:
Cut - 2 WOF (width of fabric) 3" strip of Fabric #2
Cut - 1 WOF 1 ¾” strip of Fabric #5

Cut - 1 WOF 1 ¾”strip of Fabric #6

Sew the strip set together with one Fabric #2 strip in the middle of Fabrics #5 & #6.  Press towards Fabric #2.  Sub-cut this strip set into 1 ¾” units (Unit #7). You will need 24 of these.  Sub-cut the 2nd 3" strip of Fabric #2 into 1 ¾” x 3" rectangles.  You will need 24 of these as well.

Fig. 1

This is the centre of our block.  Take Unit #1 and sew a 1 ¾” x 3" rectangle to each side. Press to towards Fabric #2.  Next sew a Unit #7 to the top and bottom.  Press towards the pieces you just added.  You will need 12 of these centre blocks.  Please note that Fabrics #5 & #6 will need to travel in a diagional line through the block.  I find it easier if I lay out my blocks beside my sewing machine in the order that they will be sewn - ensuring that I am keeping them going in the correct directions. see Fig.1

It's now time to put the block together.  This block is called "Frayed Sawtooth Star".  You will make 12 of these blocks measuring 10 1/2" unfinished.

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Layout all your units as per Fig. 2  You will need Units #2, #3 and #4.  Sew them together like a nine patch.  I sewed the centre square and Units #4 to each side, pressing to Unit #4.  Then sew Units #2 & #3 to each side of a unit #4 pressing towards the four patches.  Again make sure you lay them out with the diagional squares running through the block.

The next block is called "Sarah's Choice".

Cut 52 - 3" squares of Fabric #2

I would suggest you lay out the block beside your sewing machine.  This way you will make sure you have all the sections going in the right direction.
You will need the 3" squares for the corners; Unit #5 (flying geese); Unit #6 (half-square triangles) for the centre.

Fig. 4

First complete the inside square (just like a 4 patch) with the half square triangles.  They will all interlock because you pressed them all to the same side.  With the last seam through the middle I pressed the seam open.  See Fig. 5

Fig. 5

Once the centres are completed.  Sew together the block just like a nine patch.  I sewed each row and then sewed the rows together.  The centre row with the half square triangles - I pressed to the towards the flying geese units. Again with the top and bottom row I pressed towards the flying geese units.  I found that this way was the least bulky in the seams.  If you wish you could press each seam open and that would help reduce the bulk.  I always use a bit of steam at the end to give it that last hard press to lay nice and flat.....be careful though....press not iron.

Fig. 6

You will make 13 of these blocks measuring 10 1/2" unfinished.

Happy Piecing!

Mystery Monday - Clue #4

Good Monday morning.  Here is Clue #4 that you all have been waiting for.  Guess what....more flying geese!!  And a few half square triangles too.

Unit 4 - Make 52 Flying Geese units using Fabric #7 and Fabric #8 along with Fabric #2.

You will need to cut the following:

52 - 5 ½” x 3” rectangles from Fabric #2

52 - 3" x 3" squares from Fabric #7

52 - 3" x 3" squares from Fabric #8

To make the flying geese units you will draw a line (on the wrong side of the fabric) corner to corner on the 3" squares (Fabric #7 & Fabric 8) - this is your sew line (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

Place the square on one side of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle (right sides together)  - lining up all the edges. Sew on the line. I like to sew on the line from the outside corner down to the middle of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle. Sewing this way helps when you want to do a strip sewing method (continuous sewing of all the units).  Note:  all of the Fabric #7 squares need to be sewn to the same side in the same direction for each 5 ½” x 3" rectangle.  Likewise when you sew the #8 - 3" squares to the opposite side - make sure you are sewing them all on the same side.

Lay your ruler's ¼” line onto your sew line. Trim away the excess. Press Fabric #7 away to the outside corner as shown in Fig. 2

Fig. 2

Place Fabric #8 - 3" square on the opposite side of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle (right sides together) - lining up all the edges. Sew on the line. Again - I like to sew from the outside corner into the middle. This way when you come to the previous seam you are traveling in the right direction and you won't have your previous seam turning in the wrong direction and your unit will lay flat. Lay your ruler's ¼” line onto your sew line. Trim away the excess. Press Fabric #8 away to the outside corner as shown in Fig. 3. Note: each point will be a different fabric.  All flying geese should be completed the same.

Fig. 3

Unit #5 - make 52 half square triangle units. If you have the "Quilt in a Day" half square triangle ruler just follow her directions for the 3" unfinished or the 2 ½” finished half square triangles.  I just love using this ruler.  You get 8 - half square triangles for each 7" square of the two fabrics.  Done in a jiffy!!  You will be using Fabrics #7 & #8 for these units.

If you don't have the ruler - it's the old fashioned way for you......

You will need to cut the following:

26 - 3 ½” squares of Fabric #7

26 - 3 ½” squares of Fabric #8

To make the half square triangle units you will draw a line (on the wrong side of the fabric) corner to corner on the 3 ½” squares (Fabric #7) - this is your reference line (Fig. 4).  Place Fabric #7 over Fabric #8 right sides together.  Sew 1/4" from the reference line on both sides.  Cut on the reference line.  Press the two units open.  Square up to 3" (Fig. 5).  

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Note: when calculating the cutting size of the half square triangles the rule of thumb is the finished size of the block 2 ½” plus 7/8” equals 3 3/8” squares.  I like to round up the extra 8th of an inch to 3 ½”.  It gives me that extra bit more to square up my blocks - because you know when you sew on a bias things can get a bit wonky.

Happy piecing.

 

 

 

Happy New Year!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a very Happy New Year and thank all of you who have made 2011 one to remember.  There have been many ups and downs this year but my quilting family have been there to encourage and console.  Thank you for looking out for me, I could not have made it without all of you.

Looking forward to 2012 there are many new things coming my way.  I have a full teaching schedule coming up this winter season.  I also have some special projects I have been working on and will share with all of you as they are completed.

I have a new website in the making and I am very excited on how it is going......you can check on my progress and hopefully in the next two weeks it will be all up and running.  www.cherrytreequilts.ca

One on the things I am most excited about is that I have become a Canadian distributor for the best thread on the market.  Fil-tec Threads.  The Glide thread is just amazing and when you pair it with the pre-wound bobbins you get the best tension you could ever have.  More to follow on this.........

Again I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year!!  May your year be filled with much joy, happiness and prosperity.

Barb

Mystery Quilt Mondays - Clue #3

Good morning to all you Mystery Quilters out there.  Here is clue #3 that you all have been waiting for.

Today it's all about Flying Geese.  I really like using the Quilt in a Day - Flying Geese Ruler but for this quilt the size of the unit unfortunately did not correspond to the ruler....so we are going to have to use the old fashion way of making Flying Geese.

Unit 4 - Make 48 Flying Geese units using Fabric #2 and Fabric #4.

You will need to cut the following:

48 - 5 ½” x 3” rectangles from Fabric #2

96 - 3" x 3" squares from Fabric #4

To make the flying geese units you will draw a line (on the wrong side of the fabric) corner to corner on the 3" squares (Fabric #4) - this is your sew line (Fig. 1). 

Fig. 1

Place the square on one side of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle - lining up all the edges. Sew on the line. I like to sew on the line from the outside corner down to the middle of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle. Sewing this way helps when you want to do a strip sewing method (continuous sewing of all the units).

Fig. 2

Lay your ruler's ¼” line onto your sew line.  Trim away the excess.  Press Fabric #4 away to the outside corner as shown in Fig. 4

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Place the next 3" square on the opposite side of the 5 ½” x 3” rectangle - lining up all the edges. Sew on the line. Again - I like to sew from the outside corner into the middle.  This way when you come to the previous seam you are traveling in the right direction and you won't have your previous seam turning in the wrong direction and your unit will lay flat.  Lay your ruler's ¼” line onto your sew line. Trim away the excess. Press Fabric #4 away to the outside corner as shown in Fig. 5 & 6.

Fig. 5

You will make 48 units of Flying Geese (Fig. 6) measuring 5 ½” x 3”

Fig. 6

UFO Friday!!

I know that I have been missing in action with my UFO Fridays.....but I have been holed up in my studio.  I can't complain....I just love it!  It's a nice working space with a cosy fire and a warm latte....very inspiring and comforting.  It has been a very busy few weeks though, quilting and preparing for new classes in the New Year.  Here is a sneak peek at some of my upcoming classes.

Fiber Layering

Here are just some of my samples for my series called Fibre Art.  The first in the series is Surface Design I running in January at Linda's Quilt Shoppe in Kelowna.

Good Monday Morning!!

Well....this is what I woke up to this morning......can't beat it.  What a glorious morning, however, all I can think about is all those projects waiting to be completed.  There are the UFO's and more UFO's just brimming out of my "To Do" box.  There are classes to prepare for coming up in January, those customer quilts and of course getting ready for Christmas.  So today is 'List' day.....yes the dreaded list.  When you have to make one you know you have way too much on your plate.  So I think I will take advantage of this glorious morning and go for a walk....clear the cobwebs...sharpen the pencil....make that list....then get at what I love best....quilting!!!

Mystery Quilt Mondays - Clue #2

Hello to all you mystery quilters out there. It's the first Monday of the month. I have been busy working on the quilt and here is Clue #2.

I am going to refer to my fabrics by number and each part of the quilt by unit. That way when we get to the point of putting the quilt together you will have an easier time of it.

Again - here are the fabric requirements and my fabric choices. I have laid them out in numerical sequence from left to right. (I must confess that my fabric #2 had to be changed. I pulled a fabric from my stash but I did not quite have enough yardage. I think it worked out for the best as my second choice is much nicer.) I would suggest that you take a small swatch of each fabric and make yourself a chart by gluing them next to the numbers listed below.

1) 1.25 m of your focus fabric
2) 2 m light fabric
3) .5 m dark fabric
4) .75 m medium fabric
5) .5 m medium to dark fabric
6) .5 m medium to dark fabric
7) .75 m medium fabric
8) .75 m dark fabric

Also as we complete each unit I would suggest putting them in baggies and marking the unit number on each bag.

It's all about four patches. I like to strip piece my quilts as much as possible. I find I save time and it adds a bit more accuracy.

Unit 1 - make 12 four patch blocks using Fabrics #5 and #6. Each square in the four patch is 1 ¾” square.

Cut from each of Fabrics #5 & 6 – 1 WOF (width of fabric) strip measuring 1 ¾” wide by approx 40”
Sew the two strips together, press to one side (Fig 1
Sub cut the strip into 24 pieces at 1 ¾” wide (Fig 2)
Sew two units together to create a four patch block measuring 3” unfinished (Fig 3).

Fig 1

Fig 2

Fig 3

Unit 2 - make 24 four patch blocks using Fabrics #2 and #5
Cut from each of Fabric #2 and #5 – 3 WOF strips measuring 1 ¾” wide each
Sew one Fabric #2 strip to one Fabric #5 strip to create a strip piece unit (Fig 1). Repeat for the other strips. Press to the dark fabric.
Sub cut into 48 pieces that are 1 ¾” wide (Fig 2).
Sew two units together to create a four patch block measuring 3” unfinished (Fig 3).

Unit 3 - make 24 four patch blocks using Fabrics #2 and #6
Cut from each of Fabric #2 and #6 – 3 WOF strips measuring 1 ¾” wide each
Sew one Fabric #2 strip to one Fabric #6 strip to create a strip piece unit (Fig 1). Repeat for the other strips. Press to the dark fabric.
Sub cut into 48 pieces that are 1 ¾” wide (Fig 2).
Sew two units together to create a four patch block measuring 3” unfinished (Fig 3).

The next clue will be posted the first Monday - December 5th.

Happy Piecing!!