Row 2 - Scrappy Squares
First up I just want to say how impressed I am with all the pictures you guys have been sharing on the Facebook group! It is so gratifying to see how excited and supportive you are of each other! Here's a couple of the amazing rows you made over the last two weeks.
Make sure you share your pictures of this weeks blocks to be featured next week.
Ok so lets get into this weeks row, I'm calling this block Scrappy Squares, I would like to say I created it myself but theres probably a traditional block out there that is very similar.
I wanted to create a block that had a lot of open space left for quilting. while also using one of my favourite techniques, strip piecing!
In this weeks video I have shown you 3 different ways to create this block, so if your worried your not up to this block, please don't, theres is a few easier ways to sew this block too.
Before we start, I'd also like to point out that the majority of this block is on the bias, that means it will stretch if your not careful. However you can also use the stretch to your advantage, so if your block isn't quite square or is a bit small please don't stress, the block will stretch to fit your quilt!
Without further ado, lets get into it, Here's this weeks video, Scroll down for the written instructions.
If you'd like to print out the tutorial, just click here to download the printable PDF, or read on for the tutorial.
Week 2: Slow and Steady Quilt Along by Paula Storm
I’m sure there’s a traditional name for this block, but I’m not sure what it is. I wanted a block that created a secondary design, this is why I added the smaller triangle of background fabric. I also wanted to show you a really easy way to deal with Y seams. When it comes to the strip piecing, if your not confident enough to get straight seams, I would suggest just using a striped fabric, you’ll get a very similar result.
Finished Size: 10” Square
Unfinished Size: 10 ½” Square
Requirements:
12.5” x width of fabric Background fabric
10 x fabrics – I chose a random rainbow of fabrics
Start by giving your fabrics a really good press, I also like to use spray starch when pressing. You’ll get a much neater finish if you spray your fabric with starch before you cut it. I can’t stress how much easier you will find the construction of this block if you starch your fabrics well!
Cutting Instructions:
6 x 6 ½” squares of background fabric
6 x 5 ¼” squares of background fabric
Rainbow fabrics - Cut one strip at 1” wide and 2 strips at ¾” wide from each fabric. If you are using fat quarters instead of width of fabric pieces, double (or maybe triple) this amount.
Constructing the block:
1. Take the various strips and join them together. Stagger the starting place of each row by at least ½”. This will make sure you don’t have too much wastage. You will need a total of 3 of these strip sets if you are working with width of fabric pieces (6 strip sets if your using fat quarters). Your strip set must be 2 5/8” wide. Trim it back if necessary. The strip sets should not be exactly the same, so change up the colours for lots of variety.
2. Make a second strip set however make sure the staggered start goes the opposite direction. You will need a total of 3 of these strip sets if you are working with width of fabric pieces (6 if your using fat quarters).
3. Trim off the start of your strip sets on a 45-degree angle. From each strip set cut a total of 24 x diamonds that measure 2 ½” x 2 5/8”.
4. Repeat with the second strip sets. You will have a total of 48 diamonds (24 in each direction). Set them aside in piles, making sure to keep the 2 different strip sets separate.
5. Take the 5 ¼” squares and cut them on both diagonals to yield 4 x quarter square triangles.
6. Join one of the diamonds from the strip set to either side of the background triangles. Make sure they overlap at the top by ¼”, this will give you beautiful pointy points. Take note of the direction the strips are going in the diagram, you should not be sewing over the seam allowances at this step.
7. Continue making these units until you have a total of 24 units.
8. Centre one of these units right sides down on top of one of your 6 ½” background squares. Sew the pieces together, making sure you start and stop ¼” from the edges of the background square like in the diagram. The coloured unit will be a fraction short, don’t stretch it, it should be about 1/8” from each corner.
9. Repeat with the other strips until you have a strip sewn to each side of the 4 sides. Make sure you don’t catch the strips you have already sewn in the next seams.
10. Fold the centre fabric in half on the diagonal. Line up the strip sets and stitch from the outside into the centre fabric, make sure you stop just before you get to the background fabric.
11. Repeat with the remaining 3 corners. Press the seam allowances whichever way they want to go.
Finishing your row.
Continue making your blocks until you have a total of 6 blocks. Join them into a row and hang it on your design wall to admire until next fortnight. Don’t stress too much if your blocks aren’t exactly square, they are completely on the bias, so it is a challenge to get them totally square. They will even out when you put them into the finished quilt, I promise!
Joining your rows
Don’t join your rows yet if you want to make your quilt a Quilt As You Go project.
If you do want to join the two rows, join a 1.25” strip of the background fabric between the first two rows. You will need to cut 2 x Width of Fabric strips, but you will only need one and a half of the strips, set the remaining half strip aside for next time.
See you next fortnight!
Happy Stitching
Hugs Paula xxx
