Puss In the Corner

#71 Puss in the Corner

 

Cutting:
Dark:

• 4- 1 1/2" finished half squares (2" strip & easy angle)
• 1- 3 1/2" square

Background

• 4 -1 1/2" finished half squares (2" strip & easy angle)
• 4- 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles

 

Sew the half square together first and press toward the dark.  Join in a 9 patch fashion.  Press away from the half squares (toward the rectangles) and press toward the the rectangles on the center section.  It probably took you longer to pick out your fabrics than it do to sew this one.  Sorry for the bad pictures :-(

 

 

 

 

 

 

#109 and #6

Windows and the Big dipper.  These are just simple hourglass blocks.  These are so similar that I decided to post them together.

#109 Windows

Cutting:

• 2 dark/2 light triangles with a 2" strip and Companion Angle (CA)
• 2 - 2" x 3 1/2" dark
• 2- 2" x 6 1/2" dark

Join each both light triangles to the dark triangles to make an hourglass block.  Add the dark 2" x 3 1/2" dark strips to the top and bottom (press out); Add the dark 2" X 6 1/2" strips to the sides.

#6 Big Dipper

• 8 Dark/8 Light triangles cut with CA and 2" strip

Join each light to a dark triangle.   Make sure you sew them all the same.  I pressed toward the dark for the hour glass blocks, and I pressed the seams of the 4 hour glass blocks joined together open.

The first day of spring and it feels like summer where I live.  I am enjoying the record setting temperatures, but I know it can't last.  My flowers are blooming  and they are beautiful this year.

On the wall...

Well some would say I am a little off the wall.  Honestly, I have stuff scattered on every surface currently.  I did a major sort this weekend.  I am remaining committed to clearing up a lot of UFOs this year.  I haven't had a lot of finishes to report so far, but I have a lot of quilts getting a lot closer.

I wanted to show you my bright FW blocks that I have completed so far.  The plan is make a baby quilt out of every so many block.

Not sure why blogger turned this picture, but this is the quilt I was working on here.  It is a version of the 1600" quilt.  I took apart some of the spots where there were big blobs of color.  I also took off the excessive length where I flawed the math.

Organization.  This weeks project is to piece the backings for this pile of quilts.  I have another pile that has all the backings ready to go.  Some of these are recent completions, some of these are old projects. 

If I don't get these done, I can always work on sewing the backings during the next retreat.

Don't forget to check Judy's blog to see what other have on the design wall today.

#39 Friendship

This is a really easy block, so you should have it together in no time.

Cutting: 
Colors 1-4

• 1 - 2" square
• 1 - 3" finished half square (3 1/2" strip with the easy angle)

Color 5

• 4 - 3" finished half squares (3 1/2" strip with the easy angle)

Sew the 4 half squres together.  Check to make sure they measure 3 1/2".  Press 2 opposite half squares toward the center; and the remaining 2 toward the outside.

 Place a matching 2" square on the inside corner of the 3 1/2" half square.  Sew corner to corner and trim 1/4" from the seam.  Press the same direction as in the previous step.

Sew the 4 pieces together to complete the block.  I pressed the final seam open, but you may just want to press it to the side.

Whirlwind

Sort of like how my life feels!  all kidding aside, I better get moving with posting the March blocks.  This is #103 from the FW book

Cutting
Color 1

• 4 pieces 2" X 5"
• 1 - 3 1/2" square

Color 2

• 8 triangles cut with the easy angle and a 2" strip

This is a different way to piece the block than the book shows.  This block has numerous ways it can be put together. 

Trim away triangles on the 2" x 5" rectangles (you can once again use 2" squares and sew corner to corner if you don't like this method).

Attach all (8) triangle pieces to the trapezoid pieces.  These should measure 2" x 5"  Press these units to one side.  Check your measurements and square up if you need to.  For this block we are going to do a partial seam.

Align pieces and begin sewing at the edge.  Stop sewing when you get about 1/2" from the edge of the square.  It doesn't have to be exact, but I placed a pin there so I didn't forget to stop.  Some quilters leave a larger area unsewn - it is a personal preference.

 Press toward the center square

Keep adding rectangles going around the square.  Press each rectangle toward the center square.  When I get to the 3rd rectangle I usually pin the loose part back so that I don't accidentally get it caught in the seam.

Now that you have made it all the way around, you can finish your first seam.  Pin the the remainder of the rectangle to the last piece added to finish the seam and complete the block. 

 
My design wall is looking empty.  It seems like a good time to put all my blocks up and see how they look together.

Whirlpool

This is FW block number 102.  I am not following the instructions on this block either.  Feel free to construct the block your own way.

Cutting:
Color 1:

• 4 triangles cut with the companion angle and a 2" strip
• 4 pieces 2" x 3 1/2"

Color 2:

• 16 half squares cut with the Easy Angle (2" strip)

Once again, we are going to be making trapezoids out of the rectangles.  Cut the 4 rectangles into trapezoids as illustrated.  Once you cut one side, rotate the fabric and cut the other side.  Take the 4 triangles cut with the companion angle, and add a half square to each side making (4) 2" x 3 1/2" flying geese.  Add the remaining triangles to the trapezoids.

*If you don't like the cut-away method, feel free to use 2" square instead and sew corner to corner. You will get the same end result. 


 Press the trapezoid shapes to one side (or open if you prefer)

Arrange the geese and trapezoid units as shown and sew together in a 4 patch fashion.  Make sure you check your units and square up if necessary.  After you join the rectangles they should measure 3 1/2" X 3 1/2".

Hope you enjoyed this block. I think it is a fun and attractive block.

Ribbons

That's what the FW book calls this block (#74).  I think this one has the most pieces so far.

Cutting:

• 4 - medium 2" X 3 1/2"
• 4 - dark 2" x 3 1/2"
• 16 half squares cut with a 2" strip.  (you can use 2" squares for this is you wish)

I know most of you just look at the pictures, so I am going to say this first thing.  The angles on the darks and the mediums are REVERSED!  You can not turn them to get the angles going the right way.  To cut them the same way easily, cut the mediums with all fabrics face up and the darks with all fabrics face down.

See how the stitch line (the dotted line) is right on the corner and the bottom of the fabric is lined up with another line.  Use this as your guide and cut away the corner triangles.  Flip your fabric and cut in the same manner.  Do all 8 of the 2" x 3 1/2" rectangles; cut one color with fabric face up and the other color with fabric face down.  Now sew all 16 of the triangles on the corners.  I recommend no steam on your iron.  Press one color (blue) toward the trapezoid shape and the other color (white) toward the triangles.  After adding the triangles, these should still measure 2" x 3 1/2".  I had to square mine up to get this measurements

Pin the opposite pieces together and join.  Since you pressed opposite ways, they should snuggle right together.  I pressed this center seam open because of the bulk.  After pressing it should measure 3 1/2".  Check your measurements!  Join the completed units together to make a 6 1/2" block.