DCMQG 2016 QAL - Blocks 1 and 2

Blocks 1 and 2

We will be starting out with 4-patches. This is your time to make sure you're using a scant quarter inch seam allowance and see if your blocks will come out the right size.

To do this, take two 2.5"x2.5" pieces cut from scraps and sew them together as a practice. Once sewn, measure the seam allowance with your ruler and make sure it is an accurate 1/4".

Once you've ironed your block open, check to make sure each side is exactly 2.25" wide and that the block as a whole is 2.5"x4.5".

Once you've found this sweet spot on your sewing machine, use some painters tape to mark this line.

Cutting Instructions:

Block 1:

Queen Sized

Background - (4) 2.5"x2.5"

Prints - (4) 2.5"x2.5"

OR

Improv a strip 4.5"x8.5

Baby Quilt (you have a few options here)

Background - (1) 2.5"x2.5"

Prints - (1) 2.5"x2.5"

OR

Improv a strip 2.5"x4.5"

OR

Background - (4) 1.5"x1.5"

Prints - (4) 1.5"x1.5"

Block 2:

Queen Sized

Background - (12) 2.5"x2.5"

Prints - (12) 2.5"x2.5"

OR

Improv a strip 4.5"x24.5"

Baby Quilt (you have a few options here)

Background - (3) 2.5"x2.5"

Prints - (3) 2.5"x2.5"

OR

Improv a strip 2.5"x12.5"

OR

Background - (12) 1.5"x1.5"

Prints - (12) 1.5"x1.5"

Piecing

Block 1:

I prefer to chain piece my 4 patches, especially when I have to worry about directionality of my fabric. To do this, I lay out my background and my prints and alternate print and background on top when sewing. Do not cut the thread in between.

Bring it over to your ironing board with the threads still attached in between.

A note about ironing: I prefer to iron my seams open because it reduces bulk in the seams and I like not having that hump on one side. However, proceed as you prefer, just be aware that I will not be telling you how to iron to best nest the seams. To keep from not burning myself, I generally lightly finger press the seam open and then with one finger holding the seam open about an inch or so from the tip of the iron, I start to iron, always keeping my finger the same distance from the tip. Some people use stilettos or other pressing aids to keep their fingers unburnt.

Iron all of the seams in the chain and bring it back over to your machine.

Since I iron my seams open, I don't have the luxury of nesting my seams. So I pin at all of the intersections, starting at the center seam, and adding a pin at every seam fanning out from there. I will often also add a pin at both the beginning and end of the row to prevent the fabric from shifting too much.

A note about pinning: I am one of those bad people that likes to sew over my pins. If you do that, be very careful (I wear glasses) when sewing over each pin. I find having super fine pins helps. I've definitely broken both needles and bent pins when sewing over them, so proceed with caution and know that it is not the accepted way of doing things.

Anyway, back to the block. Once you've pinned your seams, sew the 4 patches together with the thread still attached. This will give you confidence that your 2 patches are going the right way and that you won't get confused about which way is up. Now take it back to your ironing board. If you are ironing your seams open (like me), you will now need to clip the threads just in the seams you just sewed. Leave the one in between the blocks. If you iron to the side, you won't need to clip it at all.

Take it back to your machine and pin the 4 patches together. Sew, clip the thread, and iron. Finally measure that sucker and make sure it's actually 4.5"x8.5" (2.5"x4.5" if you're making the baby quilt).

For the baby quilt, you can alternate the 2.5" background and print squares along the length of the block or make tiny little 4 patches.

Completed Block Size:

Queen Sized: 4.5"x8.5"

Baby Quilt: 2.5"x4.5"

Several options:

• You can improv piece strips and then cut them to the correct size (refer to cutting instructions above for sizes)

• You can make wonky four patches, as long as the size ends up at 4.5"x4.5" (2.5"x2.5")
• Fussy cut the prints to match your theme
• Alternate fussy cut 4.5" squares with the 4 patches for the queen sized

Block 2:

Follow the same instructions as above, making first 2 patches, then 4 patches, then 8 patches, and finally the 24 patch.

Chain piecing is your friend and don't forget to keep the threads intact as you sew. This will be even more important with this much longer string. As you can see, all of my yellow directional prints are going the same way and I didn't screw up the order of the colors.

Your finished block should measure 4.5"x24.5" (2.5"x12.5").

For the baby quilt, you can alternate the 2.5" background and print squares along the length of the block or make tiny little 4 patches.

Completed Block Size:

Queen Sized: 4.5"x24.5"

Baby Quilt: 2.5"x12.5"

Same options as above for alternate methods of construction.

Edited 1/22/16 to include picture of baby quilt version.