November BOM has arrived

Hello!  Well the long await for the November instalment for Block of the Month is here!  

So much has happened over the last month, I have just finally caught up enough to do this block.  This month I decided to do the spool block and place a 9 patch in the centre for the coloured thread!

So go to the stash and select two tones of fabric for your thread or 9 patch, a background and a contrast!

Cutting Instructions:-

for the 9 patch cut from one fabric, 5 x 2.5" squares

                                        second fabric, 4 x 2.5" squares

from background and contrast fabric, cut 2 x (3.5" x 6.5") rectangles

                                                             cut 4 half square triangles at 3 7/8"

Once these are cut layout pieces as below:-

laid out ready for stitching

We will web the 9 patch block so we will take the top two squares and join them and then chain piece the next two and then the next two.  Do not cut the joining threads between the the units.  then we proceed to join the next pieces onto them to create the webbed 9 patch leaving us only to join them into one block

webbing of the 9 patch block

 

Webbed ready to join the three rows to make the block

next join the 6.5" background to the sides of the block

 background edges joined onto the block on opposite sides

Next we join the half square triangles to make the corner square of the block.  These are then joined to the contrast 6.5" rectangle taking care to add it in the direction per the initial layout.  Press seams to the contrast fabric

adding the triangle corners to make the spool bottom and top

Press seams to the contrast 

Ready to add the last two rows to make the completed block

And here is our finished Block!  Ta Da!

completed Spool block all press

Here is our blocks so far, now just one to complete the set, I did promise a bonus block and will look into this one this week,  I am not happy with my split nine patch block so I do plan on redoing this one.

The Blocks so far!

So how are you liking this coming together?  If you would like to place this together like I am planning I will give you the heads up to make some 9 patch blocks from your scraps so far.   Use 1.5" squares  and you will need quite a few,  how many I haven't decided but I am not going to do the standard way of laying these blocks out in a sashing for a boring outlook but you are quite welcome to do that.  My problem is I like to have a different outlook on this.  

I am also thinking about next year, I have enjoyed doing this block of the month and doing something a little different for you all.  I am wondering if you would like to go on an adventure next year with me?  I am thinking of more like a row by row quilt.  This would mean if you only want a wall hanging that is possible or if you want a large quilt this is still possible.  I will be keeping it simple again as I will not have heaps of time but love to do this and have people join with me.  Now let me know your thoughts over the next few weeks as we wrap up the year.

Anyway, have a great Weekend and I hope to check in with you on Sunday if all goes well.  I have almost finished my Double Wedding Ring Bag Pattern also for all who have been patiently waiting.

So have a wonderful time and catch you real soon,

Wendy.

September Block of the month!

Happy spring to everyone from my side of the world!  

Well after a few busy weeks, I am finally getting back on track and a bit more organised.  I decided to get this block to you on time.  I have also cut up all of the hand pieced blocks I am behind on and I have them all bagged up so I can just do some hand piecing when waiting or just wanting some quiet time.

So I have decided to introduce you to the Chinese Coin Quilt Block.  

Fabrics I have chosen for both blocks

Go to your stash and find four fabrics, you maybe able to use up some of the scraps that have been made from the previous blocks.

You will need to cut the following

Background cut 2 squares at 5 5/8" then cut diagonally to give you four half square triangles

                           5 squares at 2 7/8"

Fabric A             4 squares at 2 7/8"

Fabric B             4 squares at 2 7/8"

Fabric C             cut 4 squarest at 3 1/4" and then cut diagonally to give you 8 half square triangles

pieces ready to be laid out

pieces all laid out ready to sew

We will start by sewing the centre squares which form a cross in the middle of the block.  Sew a background to the fabric A and press seam towards fabric A.  Then join the centre background square between a 2 pairs which you have just sewn, this will form the middle strip unit of the block.  

starting of the sewing

Next we will sew the small triangles of fabric C to a square of fabric B and press the fabric towards the triangle.  Then proceed to sew the other small triangle of fabric C to the other side to form the half square triangle as follows.

sew the small triangles onto squares

sewing the small triangles to make the half square triangle

sewn units ready for sewing

Next we will sew the Background half square triangles to the pieced half square triangle units as per the following photos.

sew hst to the pieced half square triangles

all units ready to sew

All pieces are now sewn into units.  we will now join the corner squares to the rectangle units to form three rows of units to make the block.

in rows

Continue sewing and sew the rows together to form a Chinese Coin Block!

completed and pressed block

And here are all of my sewn blocks so far!  I am loving this one.  As I owe you your bonus block I am hoping I can get that out to you all soon.

all 9 blocks so far

I will endeavour to give you another blog post over the weekend.  I have a few little projects and squeals to share with you.  So until then I hope you love this block like I do.  Don't forget to leave a comment and say hello.  I would love to know what your favourite block is so far, so how about that as this months answer as a comment on the blog....which block is your favourite?  For me I think I really love the Greek cross and this Chinese coin along with Puss in Corner.  

So don't be shy,  leave a comment.

Happy Sewing and Happy Weekend!

Wendy.

August BOM! Finally sorry about delay folks!

Hello everyone!  I am so sorry for the lack of posts lately but lots has been happening and is coming in the future.  

I will write a post with lost of lovelies in the next few days to show you a few things that have been keeping me so far away from you all.  So now let's get down to business since we are a little later than normal.

You will need two colours this time for our Block of the Month.  I decided since you have all been so patient and so many of you have been sending your loving thoughts my way we should do a friendship star block this month.

For the background please cut. 4 X 4.5" squares plus cut two squares at 4 7/8" and then cut diagonally to create 4 half square triangles

For the star cut 1 X 4.5" square and 2 X 4 7/8" squares and cut them diagonally to product 4 half square triangles

All ready to be laid out and sewn

This is how we will have the block sewn together.  So firstly sew the half square triangles together to produce four units measuring 4.5".  Press the seam to the dark side.

Next we are going to sew this block together.  I love to lay my blocks out and web them together as I sew them.  If you are new to this technique.....keep reading and I know you will just love this method.

Take the middle unit of the block and place on top of the left side of the block.  Now starting at the top sew each unit by chain piecing.  Note do not be tempted to cut the threads between these units after sewing.  Just cut it after the three units have been sewn.  See the photos below 

The first three all joined

Opened out and ready to lay the right side units on top of the middle unit of the blocks.

I pin the second and third units so that I can take it to the machine without any problems

Sewing the last of the units on in a webbing format

Before opening 

All opened, now press the outer row seams towards the background squares and the inner row towards the centre square.  This will help with the matching and locking of seams.

All pressed ready to join the rows to a block.  As this is all held with the connecting threads this is known as webbing and helps to join quilts very quickly without having to remember which way you need to lay the units for the blocks.  This is also a very good way to join blocks into rows for a quilt top also.

You can just see the connecting threads

Lay the top row onto the middle and sew together and do the same with the bottom remembering to lock in those seams to gain lovely points.  Your finished block should measure 12.5"

I really love stars so I am amazed it has taken me this long to bring this star to you!  I hop you love the friendship star like I do.

Now here are all of my machined blocks which I have pieced.  I am really enjoying this quilt coming together, I hope you are also.  Don't forget to let me know which are you favourite blocks, I'm very curious to know.

So until the next few days when I can get to let you know what has really been happening with lots of eye candy for you.  Have fun finally with your August Block of the Month!

Until next time have fun,

Wendy xxx

July BOM! Are your ready?

Hello everyone!

I hope you're all ready for this block, sorry it's a bit late.  You have had a mystery last month which has taken a little bit of time.  I still have to get a good photo of the top now that it's all together for you.

Now for the block!  This month we are doing a split 9 patch!

You will need two colours or two values.  I have only used two colours.  

So you will need to cut from each colour 

3 X 4 1/2" squares

3 X 4 7/8" triangles

This is what you will have once it is all cut out!

Then we will piece the triangles to make square units.  We can then sew the units into rows.  I have press the seams towards the full squares and not the triangle squares.

This is the block in rows ready to be sewn together!

And here is the block all sewn together!  One split nine patch.

I am behind in my hand piecing blocks but over the next couple of weeks these shall be all caught up.  How are you doing with your blocks?

Here are all of mine together, I am really loving how these are coming together.  

So be looking out for th next couple of blog posts I have some exciting things happening!  So u til then, take care and have fun with the Block of the Month!

Keep smiling and sewing,

Wendy.

Happy Mothers Day and May BOM!

Happy Mother's Day to all!

I hope you are all having a lovely day.  I am going to take my mum to our local quilt show.  I will be taking photos and do a blog post tomorrow with lots of the quilts and the winners for you.

Now down to the nitty gritty for those following with my Block of the Month this months block is Puss in Corner.  This block evokes memories of playing this game in the shelter sheds at school before the fire burnt them down.

For this month we need 3 fabrics, this is what I have chosen!

But then I changed my mind for the hand piece block and have chosen these.

From your dark fabric you will need to cut 1 X 4.5" square and. 12 X 1 7/8" squares

From your light you will need to cut 4 rectangles 3 1/4" X 4.5" and 8 X 1 7/8" squares

From your medium you will need to cut 4 rectangles  1 7/8" X 4.5"  and 8 rectangles at 1 7/8" X 3 1/4"

We then lay it out like this.

I then place the four patch parts together the outer square and the rectangle to finish the 9 patch variation and then the middle section of rectangles.  Remember to shorten your stitch length as these squares are a lot smaller and you don't want the seams to undo.

We then press the seams to the dark side!

Then we add the medium smaller rectangles to the edge of our four patch like this.

I pressed this to the outside so no seams back on themselves.  I then line the other piece we previously did and sew them to each block and this forms a variation of a 9 patch.

I then sew the middle sections to each other to give 3 rows to make the block

I have pressed the top and bottom seam sections to the centre and the middle section to the outer area of our block.  This all helps in nesting of seams to make a neat matched up block.

And TA DA! One puss in the corner block is complete!  I will do the hand pieced one over the next couple of days.

Here are all of the machined blocks so far together, don't they look great.  

I have loaded a new quilt on to my frame and will start quilting on that one.  I hope I can show you a couple of snippets but unfortunately I will not be able to show you entirely until July.   

I truly hope you have a fabulous Mother's Day and that you enjoy it no matter what you are doing.  Now it is almost time for me to go to the quilt show and see what else I can find and take some good photos.

Until tomorrow's post have a great day.

Wendy