Naptime 2 by Darlene Zimmerman

The cutest cats and bunnies are on Darlene Zimmerman's Naptime 2 for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. Go here to shop: Naptime 2 by Darlene Zimmerman

The Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt

In the 1930's, The Farmer's Wife offered inspiration and positivity in the "Letters from Our Farm Women" column. Each month, the magazine published letters from readers that offered support and encouragement to each other in an economically challenging time. 

New Grandmother's Flower Garden Flower Kits

1930s Reproduction Flowers

1930s Flower - Green

1930s Flower - Yellow

Brights Flowers

Brights Flower - Lime

Brights Flower - Purple

Fundamentals Sew - Along week 24

Hi Everyone:

     I hope you are all enjoying working on these blocks as much as I am.  This week's block is called Crystal Star Block.  It too has wonderful possibilities made up into a whole quilt.

      I thought I would tell you  about a great product called The Quilter's Cut'n Press. If you don't have one, it really is a good investment.  The one that I have is ancient and it is probably time for me to upgrade to a new one.

Quilter's Cut'n Press

This is a gridded ironing surface. It is wonderful because not only can you take it along to workshops and have your own personal ironing surface, you can line up your patches and ensure that they are not distorting during the ironing process.  I have lined up the bottom of the triangle block on one of the lines, and my stitching line ends at the vertical line. 

Line Up Triangle on a Horizontal line

When you fold open the triangle it should line up with the vertical line.

Vertical Line Should Line Up With Edge Of Block

Accurate Flying Geese Block

Not only can you press accurately with the pressing board.  If you flip it over, the other side is a cutting mat with the same gridded lines.  

Checking Block Segments for accuracy

Below is the finished block.  By the end of this project you all will be experts on flying geese and square in a square blocks.

Crystal Star Block

I found a funny cartoon today and thought I'd share. Go to Feathered Fibres for more of Carla Barrett's illustrations.  :)

Have a good week everyone!

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 23

Hi Everyone

Every week I do another block I get more excited to see the finished quilt.
This week's block is called Windblown Square.  To me it looks like European tiles, and I think this block repeated over and over would make a fabulous quilt.

I found a great tool in the store that I thought I might try.  It is called "The Quilter's Boot".  I overlooked it in the past because the package says "FOR PERFECT MITERED BINDING".

The Quilter's Boot Template

Even though I love gadgets, I didn't see the need for this one as I have mastered binding.  Then I noticed that it is a triangle trimmer as well!  This I can use.  Place the ruler on your fabric triangle, lining up the sides of the ruler with the 2 edges of your triangle.

Template Lined Up With Fabric Triangle

Using your rotary cutter and the template as a guide, cut off the points of your triangles. You will make 2 cuts per corner.

Trim The Corners

The nice thing about this method is when you are adding triangles, instead of folding your fabric in half to find the centre as we have done in some of the past blocks, if you trim your triangles using this tool they will automatically line up.  The last step in this block is to join 2 triangles to create an even larger triangle.  Then you will attach them to your block (see diagram below).

Add The Last Row Of Triangles

Windblown Square

This is the finished block.  Happy sewing everyone.  See you next week!

Fundamentals Sew - Along week 22

Hi Everyone:

Today two people walked through the classroom where I was working on this weeks blocks.  In the past they have favoured the 30's colorway.  But today they preferred the Stonehenge.  I, on the other hand prefer Stonehenge, was really drawn to the green and yellow 30's block.

Today's block is called Hourglass.  It is a variation on last weeks block.  In fact I really wondered what I would talk about this week.  Then it happened!  Sometimes when things get very repetitive my brain just goes into autopilot.  Have you ever experienced this?  I began sewing the triangles on to the center square. Then I started adding more triangles, which is what we did last week. Really what I should have been doing is is piecing the flying geese segments (see below right).
 

Diagram on the Right is the Correct Piecing Diagram

Notice the seam ripper on the left side.  I hate to rip things out,  but it is the only option.
One thing I thought I would discuss this week is trimming your triangles and pressing.  I know these are extra steps, but they really are worth it.  If your blocks are pressed, they will lie flat and allow you to be more accurate when you are assembling them.  Trimming your triangles is also a good idea.  Not only does it take away some of the bulk, it makes it easier to piece the blocks together accurately.

Press Your Block Segments As You Go

Hourglass Block

These are the finished blocks.   There is a little bit of blue in one of the fabrics in the Stonehenge block which will add a little depth to the quilt.  See you next week!!

Fundamentals Sew-Along - Week 21

 Hi everyone!  I am sure you have noticed that the blocks are getting a little more complicated every week.

This week you are going to get a break. I have a very easy one for you.  It is called Economy Patch, and it is a variation of the Square in a Square Block.  You can get it done  and be back in the garden in no time!

If you take the center square of the block and fold it in half, the crease will give you a place to center your triangle.  

Fold Center Square in Half

Use Fold Line as a Guide For Centering Triangle

The triangle will over hang the square.  If you piece the 2 opposite triangles first, you can center them both with the same fold line.

Then you can fold you center square the other way matching up your triangles.  This is a guide for lining up your other  two triangles.

Fold Center Square Matching Triangles

Use Fold Line as a Guide For The Next Two Triangles

Now your block will look like a square in a square.  You still have to add four more triangles.  You will do this in the same fashion as the above procedure, folding your now larger block to find the center.  Then add your triangles.

Economy Patch Block

These are the finished blocks.  Happy sewing everyone, see you next week!

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 20

Hi Everyone:

   How is everyone doing?  I hope you are having a good week.  Are you keeping up with your weekly blocks?  I really look forward to Wednesdays as  it is the one day of the week that I am guaranteed to be able to sew.

This week's block is called "The Spinner".  It reminds me of those little plastic windmills that I used to get as a child.  When it comes to assembly, I chain pieced all of the triangles into squares.  If you want to use Thangles, this is your opportunity.  The next step is to layout and piece  the pinwheels.

Layout Pinwheels

  When it comes to piecing all of these squares together, it is very easy to get things mixed up.  Everyone has their own method  of keeping things straight.  I thought I would share mine.  After laying out these pinwheels, my solution is to very carefully put the squares onto my 6" X 24" ruler  and transport them to my machine in the order that I need to sew them together.  If it is necessary to have the whole block laid out I use my big 16" square ruler.  A tray would do.

Block Layout Using a |Ruler or Tray

Once you have your pinwheels assembled,  lay them out again inserting the square and the rectangles.

The Spinner

This is the finished block.  The triangles might look a little wonky, but once they are pieced to the next block when we assemble the quilt, the pinwheels will all look the same.  Take care everyone, happy stitching!

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 19

Hi everyone:

I hope you are all enjoying the lovely spring weather we are having. We have been very busy in the store lately.  Lots of new fabric coming in and lots of changes to the store.  We have had two classes in the bright new classroom.  Keep your eye on the blog,  Carol will keep you updated on the renovation.

Since there are so many triangles in the this quilt I thought I would do a short tutorial on Thangles.  Thangles are small strips of paper that you pin to your strips of fabric so that you may accurately chain piece  your triangles together.   They come in many different sizes.  If you need 2" finished squares that are made up of 2 triangles,  you will need to use 2 1/2" strips of fabric.

Thangles Templates

The dotted lines are the lines that you will stitch on, and the solid lines as well as the double solid lines are your cutting line.   First layer the strips with the right sides together.   Then  pin the Thangle paper to the strips, keeping the long edges aligned.  Now you are ready to stitch on the dotted lines. 

Stitch On The Dotted Lines

Once you are finished sewing you may cut apart the triangle segments.  It is best to press your triangles open with the paper still attached to prevent stretching of the fabric.  To remove the paper pinch in the seam allowance and pull on the triangle of  paper.  It will pop free.


Cut Your Segments IntoTtriangles

This week's block is called Philadelphia  Pavement.  The block has a shoo fly centre surrounded by sashing bars corner squares. It is a lovely block and both colourways have a bit of gold or yellow to brighten them up.

Philadelphia Pavement Block

If you have any 1 1/2" finished Thangles, they will come in handy next week!  See you then.

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 17

 Hi Everyone:

I promised no flying geese this week and I am keeping my promise.  There is so much going on in the store right now, with expanding the store and moving the warehouse down the hall.  I wasn't sure where I was going to sew today.  As it turns out, the old classroom is still there but the design wall is gone.  The computer has moved to the new warehouse.  So there is a lot of running up and down the hall this week.  It's all very exciting!

This weeks block is called Farmer's Daughter.  This is a great block to chain piece.  To start off I chain piece all of the triangle segments, pressing them and clipping the corners.  Then I lay them out according to the diagram that you received in your pattern.  Be careful when you place your half square triangle blocks as it is really easy to flip them in the wrong direction  (see photo below).

Mistake in the Layout

 

Once you have the block laid out, remove the 4 rectangles and the square that resembles a cross in the block.  What I do now is chain piece these four units.  You will now have a string of 8 pieces.  Instead of clipping every one apart, you clip every other one.   You should have the 2 that are to be joined.  Just press and then join them together.  It is much faster than clipping every one and getting them all mixed up.

Two Segments Chain Pieced Ready to be Assembled

 

Clip Every Other Block

Farmer's Daughter Block



Once you have the 4 corner units assembled you can re-insert the square and rectangles and piece the rest of the block.

Another pretty block done. I look forward to seeing you next week and I will be working in the new classroom woo hoo!See you next week.

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 16

Hi Everyone

    By now all of you  must have quite an assortment of pretty blocks. The project is slowly taking shape, but we still have a way to go on this journey together.  Looking ahead, there are still a few more fabrics to add to the palette.  I hope you are all enjoying getting your fabric packs in the mail.

     This weeks block is called Dutchman's Puzzle.  All the practice you have had doing flying geese blocks is going to pay off.  There are many flying geese rulers on the market.  If you have one and want to use it feel free.  You will need to make a 1  7/8" X 3  3/4" finished size flying geese segments for this block.  I am going to do mine according to the directions on the pattern. One important  tip is to clip the excess fabric triangles off (see diagram below).  Not only does it make it look neater, if you have a quarter inch foot on your sewing machine, you can sew your next triangle on much easier.

Clip Your Corners

Once you have finished all of your segments, trim them to clean up the edges.  It makes it easier to piece them together if all of your edges are even.



Square Up your Blocks

Audition your Flying Geese Blocks

      I must admit, this is the part I like the best!  I know the directions tell you how to assemble the blocks a certain way, but it is always fun to experiment and try out different colour ways.  In the Stonehenge the pattern has you use the grey flying geese blocks to make the pinwheel.  I couldn't resist seeing what the block would look like with the brown as the pinwheel.  With the thirties block, the pattern has the purple as the pinwheel.  I  liked the green better.  So I decided to reverse things.  The blocks below are the finished product.  I would love to hear which way you have decided to do yours. 

Dutchman's Puzzle Block



       Happy Stitching everyone!  Spoiler Alert!  There will be no flying geese next week.  See you then.

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 15

Hi Everyone:

     I hope your week was a good one. Easter is just a memory, and I have had my fill of Easter eggs.   Even though my kids are too old to hunt for eggs that didn't stop me from buying some to stash away for myself.

     Today's block is called Sawtooth Star.  The block for week 6 (Dandy Star) is similar, but the star is floating on the background so you are sure to have all of your points on your star.  This week the points go out to the edge of the block so accuracy is especially important.  If you look at the block closely, it is made up of 4 flying geese surrounding the centre square.  The last two weeks we have been working with flying geese so you must be getting good at them by now. One customer told me she was struggling with them so I thought I would walk you through what I do.

     Triangles can be tricky.  One thing I have been doing is spraying my fabric (before I cut it) with Best Press starch alternative (regular spray starch also works).  I like Best Press because there aren't any food products in it. It helps keep the bias sides from stretching, and makes the pieces easier to piece.

 Even if you use starch, be careful when you are pressing.  The next picture shows today's boo boo.

I just wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.  I had two triangles on the ironing board.  I pressed one and accidentally dragged the iron over the other one.  Look what happened!  It shows you how easily things can get distorted.  There is an easy solution to this.  I lined it up next to a matching triangle.  Positioned it so that it matched the other, which means the bias edge looked wavy and it didn't lie flat.  Then I gently put the iron on it and forced it back to it's original shape.

     The other question I had about Flying Geese was " How do I line up different size triangles"?


Placement for Triangles

    First you lay your large triangle right side up (see diagram above)  Place the small triangle on top with the wrong side up ( right sides facing each other).  The second triangle will overlap the first triangle at the top.  The bottom points will line up together.  Then you will sew along the long edge of the top triangle. Then press (see diagram below) and clip the tiny little triangles off the side and top.  Repeat the process for the left side of the large triangle and you now have one of your flying geese.

Assembly Directions for Flying Geese

Sawtooth Star Block

 These are the finished blocks. That distorted triangle is in the star block on the right.  Can you tell which triangle it is?  I can't.  I hope these tips help.   Happy stitching everyone!  See you next week.                         

    

Fundamentals Sew Along - Week 14

Hi Everyone:

    I can't believe we are at block 14 already!  Before you know it we will be half way there. Before we get started I wanted to give a shout out to our  long distance sew along members.  Linda from Richmond B. C. was in town and dropped by.  It is always nice to put a face to the names of our customers.

    The block that we will be working on is called See Saw.  This week I thought I would talk about half square triangles and quarter square triangles.  I know some of you might be thinking a triangle is is triangle! But really the difference between the two is where the bias seam falls.  If you cut your squares in half the bias will run along the base of your triangle.  If you cut your squares into quarters the bias will be on the sides.  Because there is more stretch on the bias you need to be careful where it is on the block.  Preferably not on the exterior seam as this can cause distortion.

Quarter Square Triangles and Half Square Triangles

In the example below I think I cut some quarter square triangles and some half square triangles of the background color, don't ask me why?  The half square triangles were very difficult to piece.   I had to do a lot of pinning  to control the stretch of the bias in the fabric when piecing the rows together.  That was a lesson learned.

 

See Saw Block

This is the finished block. Well Magnolia, this is your lucky week. You are the winner of the fat quarter draw. Email us to claim your prize. Happy stitching everyone, see you next week. Jeannie