REMEMBER – ACCURATE CUTTING AND ACCURATE STITCHING , THE TWO SKILLS EVERY QUILTER STRIVES TO IMPROVE
I hope your fabric cutting went well. I know there were many pieces to cut, but cutting out all the blocks in one session allows you to get right to sewing.
All blocks I am using are from Accuquilt for GO, a fabric cutting machine using dies. I didn’t use it for this project so I could give more precise cutting directions, but want to acknowledge and thank Accuquilt for all the wonderful materials and dies available. I then made the blocks on EQ7, a wonderful computer program for designing blocks and quilts. I have attached EQ7 instructions for Block 1 and 2. I suggest you cut a small piece from each of your fabrics to lay on the swatch shown by the cutting diagrams so your placement will be consistent throughout the quilt and match what you have cut. I have written the corresponding value and # assigned so you can match accordingly. Well, that was the plan, but I guess the memo never reached the printer or the EQ7 program, so nothing is cooperating this morning (or last night!). Pretty much how my day is going – LOL! As long as you know which fabric you are working with is your dark (Fabric 1), med dark (Fabric 2), light (Fabric 3), and med light (Fabric 4) and can follow my instructions with those imprinted on your brain, I think you will do fine.
BLOCK #1 – Uneven Nine Patch
You will need:
- (4) 2 1/2″ med dark (Fabric 2) squares
- (4) 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ light (Fabric 3) rectangles
- (1) 4 1/2″ dark (Fabric 1) square
Lay them out according to the Instruction sheet. as demonstrated in the photo below. Top and bottom rows: 2 1/2″ Fabic 2, 2 1/2 x 4 Fabric 3; middle row 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 Fabric 3, 4 1/2 Fabric 1, 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 Fabric 3..
Flip the right corner square onto the center rectangle, RST (right sides together) matching edges and sew a scant 1/4″ seam.
Continue this process with the rectangle and large square (2nd row). Do not cut the thread between row 1 and row 2.
Next do the same with the bottom row (row 3) same as you did row 1, again do not cut threads between rows. This is chain sewing. It is now time to cut only the thread between the row just sewn and the sewing machine. Open the pieces and with your finger press the seam of each row so it is under the darker fabric (also know as “pressing to the dark side”). Now, add the final piece to each set while they are chained together. Remember to carefully line up the two pieces being sewn. Pay particular attention to pressing seams to the darker fabric. In this block, you will be nesting the seams when sewing the rows together. Pin the corner of row 1 and row 2, RST, and slide your fingers gently until you get to the seams. Feel how they snuggle against one another? We say they are nesting and will produce perfect alignment of the pieces. Pin in place and continue across the row, pinning as much as you feel comfortable with, just remember to not sew over the pins. If you do, you chance breaking or dulling the needle, bending the pin, and possibly cause damage to your machine. When all three rows are sewn together, press the seams just completed the same direction.
