Happy Tuesday!
So after many requests and gentle, encouraging nudges (and just because I like you. ^_~) I thought that I would share how to make the quilt block for the baby quilt that I posted about last month. Yahooo! Ready? Here we go.........
First I'll tell you, it's super, super easy and you'll be sewing up bunches of these blocks in no time. I promise!
What you need:
- 1 cotton solid for the background
- 8 assorted cotton prints for the stems (Some Washi maybe?? *Cough cough* :P)
- Templates
- Template plastic (Optional)
Finished Size: 20 1/2" x 20 1/2" (The block is made up of four 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" blocks.)
Making the Block:
Print the 3 templates found here. The block is quite large, so you'll need to print the template on 8 1/2" x 14" legal size paper. Do not scale!!
Also, I know this is lame but the only way I could get the template to fit was without the seam allowance. Take a ruler and a pencil and add the seam allowance around the template before you cut it out!!
You can copy the template to template plastic if you like or just use the print out and an acrylic ruler to cut out the shapes.
Cut out 8 solid background pieces using Template 'A'.
Cut 8 assorted prints using Template 'B'. When cutting out template 'B' cut out 4 prints then flip the template over and cut out the remaining 4 prints.
Cut 4 solid background pieces using Template 'C'.
Once you've finish cutting lay out your fabric in the order that you would like. Something like this:
Please ignore my super used and abused cutting mat. Hey, that's what they're made for, right?
To assemble the 10 /12" block lay one printed piece ('B') on the mat in front of you right side up. Place one solid piece ('C') on top lining up the seams. I usually just eyeball it when lining the edges up. You'll want your stitch to start and end right in the middle of where the pieces interesect. It's exactly 1/4", so don't be scared, stitch away! Repeat this step with the remaining print on the other side. Press the seams open.
Now place the piece you just made on the mat in front of you right side up and place one solid piece ('A') on top. (Please note in the photo above you won't see the other pieces attached. So don't be confused.) Just like you did before, just eyeball the seam and begin and end your stitch right where the seams interesect. I promise it's 1/4"!! ^_^ Don't worry if they're not perfect, you'll have a chance to square them up later on.
Press all of your seams open......
....and you should have a 10 1/2" block that looks like this!
Repeat the above process until you have a total of four 10 1/2" x 10 1/2" blocks. I like to square them up a bit as well before I continue assembling.
Take two of your blocks and lay one on top of the other right sides together lining up your seam lines. Stitch them together down one edge. Repeat with the other two blocks. Press your seams open. (Just a note for any beginners, don't use steam when you're pressing your seams and blocks. The steam tends to warp the fabric, so just use the dry setting on your iron. ^_~)
Finally stitch the two panels together. Press the seams open and you're all done honey bun!
Yay! Pretty flat seams!
You're block should look like this when you're all done. Square tha baby up and go make some more!
See that wasn't so bad was it???? ^_~ I think this block is asking to be a pillow, but maybe it would like to have some siblings???? Hmmm...I dunno. Once you get the hang of it they stitch up really fast and since the block is quite large, you'll have a pretty, crazy, starry quilt top in no time.
I think that's everything. I hope that was clear, please feel free to comment or email me with any questions you have! Enjoy!
