Square Dance

This is as fun block.  I am in love with tangerine and pink.  I am anxious to start a project in those colors, but I am continuing to work through my mountain of UFOs instead. 

#85 Square Dance

I had to dig deep to find a large piece for this block.  Judy came through by donating me some of her big scraps.
Cutting:
Dark (fuchsia):

• 1- 4 1/2" square
• 4- triangles cut with Companion Angle and 1 1/2" strip

Medium (Orange):

• 8- 1 1/2" x 2 1/2"

Light (pink):

• 4- 1 1/2" squares

Use the take away method and cut away ONE corners on all 8 rectangles.  Cut 4 each way (cut 4 face up and 4 face down to achieve this)

 

If you look at the picture showing the cut away method, you can see how to line up the ruler correctly

 

 

 

Join these pieces to the Dark triangles.  Press toward the rectangles. 

 

 

 

 

 

  

Square up at 1 1/2" x 4 1/2" if necessary.  Press the second rectangle toward the orange.

 

 

 

 

  

 

Join one of these to opposing sides of the large square.  Press toward the large square.  Add the 1 1/2" squares to the remaining 2 pieces. Press toward the squares.  Join these to the remaining 2 sides.

 

 

 

 

 

I could tell you were ready for an easy one!

#25 Cups and Saucers

I found this to be a challenging block with the tiny flying geese. 

Cutting:
Color 1:

• 1 - 2 1/2" square
• 4 - 2" finished half squares (2 1/2" strip with Easy Angle)
• 8- triangles cut with Companion Angle 1 1/2" strip

Color 2:

• 4- 2" finished half squares (2 1/2" strip with Easy Angle)
• 16- 1" finished half square (1 1/2" strip with EA)

I would recommend trimming off the corners of the Companion angle pieces before you begin.  If you have any points on the 1" finished triangles, I would trim those off also.  It will be much easier for you to line things up without those points in the way. 

Start by making the flying geese.  These should measure 1 1/2" X 2 1/2".  I found it necessary to square these up after I made them.  I pressed the first seam toward the larger triangle, and the second seam out.  If I made it again, I would probably press these seams open to reduce bulk.  When I am sewing these little pieces, and plan on pressing open, I use a shorter stitch length (like 2.0 on a digital machine).  When quilting, you should never stitch in the ditch pieces that have been pressed open. 

Make the 4 - 2" finished half squares.  Square up if necessary (should measure 2 1/2").  Join the flying geese in pairs (should also measure 2 1/2") .  Press the seam joining the pairs open. 

Join the 9 - 2 1/2" units together by joining 3 blocks in a row and then joining the rows.  I pressed all of these joins open. 

I am pleased with how mine lines up.  I would like to try to make this block similar to a pineapple block.  If I get that far, I will post those instructions also.  This method would eliminate a lot of seams.

Broken Dishes

In the Farmer's Wife book, this is block number 11.

Cutting:

1 - 2" strip X width of fabric (WOF) of Both background and a contrasting color.

Use the Easy Angle (EA) and cut 16 each 1 1/2" finished half squares. 

It will go super quick if you put the right sides together of the strips and cut both fabrics at the same time.  Carefully pick them up and sew away.  The edges will already be lined up and ready to go this way.  I pressed all of these toward the dark color.  Before you press, if you have the square up ruler, square up your blocks to 2"

Join the half squares in pairs;  then join the pairs into 4 patches.  You can either press these to one side, or press them open.  Join the remaining 4 units to complete the 6 1/2" block.  Use lots pins to keep things lined up nicely.

 6 1/2" Completed Block.  I had to use a couple different dark blues because I didn't have enough of the one dark blue I chose.  This block would be equally effective if you chose med/dark scraps and a light for the background.

This is the back of the block showing how I pressed my pieces.  Feel free to press yours differently.

Swallow

#93 Swallow

I am doing this one a little bit different than the instructions also.  I think you will be an expert at half squares after this month. 

Cutting:

Background (Green)

• 7 - half squares that finish at 1 1/2" (2" strip with easy angle)
• 2 - 2" squares
• 1- 1 1/4" x 2 3/4"
• 1 - 1 1/4" x 3 1/2"

Swallow (Orange)

• 10-half squares that finish at 1 1/2" (2" strip with EA)
• 1- 3 1/2" square

Sewing:

Make 7 half squares measuring 2".  Square them up if necessary.  Sew the half squares together in pairs (see last illustration for pressing).  Sew a pair of half squares to both sides of the 3 1/2" square.  Add the remaining half squares and squares to the remaining pairs.  Join them to them to the top and bottom of the unit.

Sew the 1 1/4" X 2 3/4" rectangle to one of the short edges of the remaining triangle.  Add the remaining rectangle to other short edge.  Use your Easy Angle to square up the unit to a 3" finished half square (Line up with the 3 1/2" line and also the edges of the smaller triangle).  Join this piece to complete the 6 1/2" square.

It wouldn't be complete unless I asked you if yours measures 6 1/2"?

#14 Butterfly at the Crossroads

This block poses a little bit of a problem if you make it like the instructions.  The blocks finish at 6" for the Farmer's Wife.  This block is divided equally into 5 sections....Hmmm.  6/5 = 1.20.  I realize that is only 5 one hundredths difference, but take that times 5 and you are now 1/4" inch off.  I am going to alter the block just a bit (this is different than what is on your handout).  I think you will be much happier with the outcome.

Change template number 35 to 1 1/2" X 3"
Change template number 34 to 1 1/2" square

Cutting:
Background (green)
4 - 1 3/4" square
8- 1 1/4" half squares (1 3/4" strip with Easy Angle)
4- 1 1/2" X 3"
Flowers (Pink)
1- 1 1/2" square
4- 1 3/4" square
8 - 1 1/4 half squares (1 3/4" strip with Easy Angle)

Sewing:
 
Sew the half squares together- square up to 1 3/4".  join the half squares with the 1 3/4" squares to make 4 patches.  Press away from the half squares.  Square up the 4 patches to 3" if necessary.







Join the 4 patches with the sashing strips to complete the 6 1/2" block.  Press away from the center square and press the 4 patches toward the sashing strips. 

I had to change my green sashing strip when I altered the pattern.  I was out of the light green fabric.  I think I like it better with a little darker green sashing.  I love it when mistakes work out for the best.

Sorry for the little dog ear that snuck into the picture.  Eleanor- pretend you don't see those stripes going every which way.  Pretend it is a butterfly fluttering in all directions.

Itty Bitty Twister

This block can be included in your Farmer's Wife quilt.  It fits along well with all the other blocks that have small pieces.  I started with my drawer of precuts. and pulled 25 different bright 2 1/2" squares.









My trusty assistant was eager to help me.  He took the cushion off the chair (upstairs), brought it to my studio (downstairs) and decided to use it as a pillow.  I have no idea what he was thinking.






.I sewed a border on just like with the regular twister template.  It said 2 1/4", but I think I could have used a 1 3/4" strip.  It didn't really matter because I found a roll of leftover binding in a bag on Thursday and it worked perfectly.

I placed the template on the squares and began cutting.  It really didn't take too long.  At this point my oldest daughter began to question my sanity.





I began to sew the 1 1/2" squares that I cut together.  In no time flat I had a completed block.  I placed it next to the rotary so you could use it for size comparison.







Then I hung it on the design wall next to all my other FW blocks.  And it looked amazing!







So I stepped back and took another picture of the design wall with all the blocks.  Yep, it still looks good.

Here's a close up in case you couldn't find it.  It finishes at 6" and it has 124 pieces (if I counted correctly).  It looks a little out of proportion with the the other big clunky pieces right now.  Yep all those other blocks have large pieces in comparison.  I will bring the template to the next retreat in case anyone else is inspired to make one for their own Farmer's Wife quilt.

I made a few more fun blocks that aren't included in the FW book- can you spot them on the top row.  I will be posting these as alternate blocks for those who are vacationing from the farm. 

It's not my fault

Ellen made me do it.  She more or less dared me.  Stay tuned for more.