What's Next

 

Here's what's next. I made one of these for my sister-in-law in 2005 and bought fabric for two others; one for me and one for a friend. After finishing the one I stopped. I'm not sure it's so very complicated, but the way the directions are written it seems that way. I have a pretty easy time following patterns, but this one I can't get the whole picture, I'm not sure why. A long time ago I made a down coat from a Frostline kit and it was the same. I have to just have faith and follow the directions step-by-step. Usually I can get the whole thing in my mind and it seems easier, this one, no deal. I have some of the pieces cut out. I wonder how long it will take.

Wish me luck!

Disappearing Nine Patch Top Done

 

Here is the top. I like it. I think I'm going to use two layers of flannel to finish it up. I'll have to buy some flannel though, don't have any to use. It's kind of unusual for a baby quilt, but my niece specifically said she is not a pastel kind of girl. This is about as far from pastels as you can get!

I guess this will count as my design wall post as well. If you want to see what more people are doing, check out Judy's blog.

Tutorial: how to sew an accurate 1/4" seam

I am going to do a presentation for my guild at some point in the future, and part of it will be how to sew an accurate 1/4" seam. As practice I thought I would do a short tutorial here for anyone who has difficulty.

It took me a while to understand the importance of the "scant" quarter inch seam. When sewing simple blocks like a 9-patch, it isn't so crucial, as long as  your seams are consistent (and you're not participating in a swap!) If you are sewing a more complex block with half-square triangles and other shapes, if you don't sew an accurate seam, your pieces will not match and you will end up frustrated and decide that you just have to stick with the easy blocks. If your block has lots of pieces and more than just squares and triangles the effect of your personal seam allowance will be magnified.

Here is a short tutorial of how you can check your seam allowance, and adjust it so that it is an accurate quarter-inch.

1. cut three strips of fabric 1 1/2" wide and about 4-6 inches long. It will be easiest if there is some contrast between the middle strip and the edge strips.

 2. set your machine to sew your quarter inch seam.

Align the fabrics and sew.

...and press.

(here is my pressing stick, half of a 1" dowel)

I press all of my seams open, rather than to one side. I use a pressing stick, so I don't distort the fabric while I'm pressing. This means that the bulk of the fabric is distributed on each side of the seam which tends to take up less space.

If your middle strip doesn't measure 1 inch, you have to make some adjustments to your seam set-up.

If it is larger than 1", your seams are smaller than 1/4". Measure how much larger than 1" you have, divide by 2 and move your seam guide away from the needle that amount. For example, if your middle strip measure 1 1/4", you need to move your seam guide to the right (away from the needle) 1/8" (1/4 divided by 2 equals 1/8)

If you measure your middle strip and it is less than 1", you need to move your seam guide closer to the needle half the amount. If it measures 3/4", move the seam guide 1/8" closer to the needle.

If your machine allows you to move the  needle, you can move it instead of the seam guide. Make as many test strips as you need to get an accurate 1/4" seam. Make sure you note how your machine is set up so you can duplicate the settings.

Hope this is clear (and useful!)

Final Layout

I wasn't too happy with the blocks when they were all next to each other, too much color smooshed together. I decided to try a different layout. I like this one better, but I'm still not positive that it's great.

I think I need to play with the 9-patch blocks to see if I want them turned all the same direction, like here, or if I want them turned different directions. I need to add the two blocks in the lower right corner, and then the 3 more blocks that go across the bottom.

On another note, I made bread today. It was so easy! I have a Kitchen Aide mixer and had never used it to knead bread. I threw all the ingredients in the mixer bowl, turned on the mixer with the dough hook, and let it go for 10 minutes. I left it in the bowl to rise, and when it was time to punch it down, I just put the dough hook back in and ran it for about 10 seconds.
I shaped it and put it in the dutch oven to rise again, then cooked it right in the to Dutch oven. YUM!

Disappearing 9-Patch Blocks

Here are some of the 9-patch blocks cut up and arranged on the design wall. There is not as much contrast with the smaller squares as I hoped there would be, but I'll keep making them. I may end up grouping the turtle fabric (greens, pinks and purples) in some manner after I have all of the blocks sewn and cut. I'm thinking it might be pretty cool to have some kind of pattern with those blocks, since the colors change so radically. I got a few more done tonight, and maybe some more tomorrow morning...maybe even just one more.

I am convinced

I got suggestions that I make the disappearing 9 patch, and I was skeptical, and then found fabrics in my stash that I think will be wonderful. I dyed the purple just before Christmas, and the other two have been in my stash for years. I will use the purple like a background (in the middle positions on each side of the 9-patch) and the leaf print will be the center, so will become the smaller accent blocks. The turtle print will stay larger, so will be the focus. Shouldn't take too long, so I'll probably have something to show by tomorrow.

It's only 7:30, so I might have something tonight.

Thanks for the suggestion!

Design Wall 2-1-10

I'm trying to decide what pattern to use for the next baby blanket. I started with this last night but it's not singing to me. I've been looking through the patterns I've collected from the internet and found this one. I have some fabrics that will work well for the four-patch centers, so I'm thinking about it. Do you have a favorite block that's fun and easy?

If you want to see what others are doing, check out Judy's blog.