October 2017 Block of the Month

OCTOBER 2017 

BLOCK OF THE MONTH

Hi Everyone - a printable copy of these instructions is available via link on the Empire Quilter's Home Page.

Instructions for a 10-1/2" finished Pinwheel Block - courtesy of Tina B and Karen B - Thanks Ladies

Cut two 6-1/8" squares in white 

Cut two 6-1/8" squares in Red

Place one of each colored squares right sides together and draw a line from one corner to the opposite corner.  Repeat for the second set of squares

You can either draw a 1/4" line on either side of the center line or you can use a 1/4" foot to guide you

Sew 1/4" from the center line on each side of the line

Cut along the center line and press to the dark side of the square

Trim the ends that are sticking out

Sew together two sets of squares and repeat for the other two.  Iron the seams open and sew both sets together

Trim to 10-1/2"

Here is the finished Pinwheel Block in Red and White

Why not make two?  One for the Block of the Month and one for yourself?  This year we are going to feature 10-1/2" Blocks where possible

SEPTEMBER 2017

BLOCK OF THE MONTH

Everyone - Please see the main page of the Empire Quilter's Website for a printable PDF of instructions for September's Block of the Month.

The block will be a paper-pieced version of "Birds in the Air".  The tutorial is from Generations Quilt Patterns by Julie Baird. 

Please make the block that finishes to 4".  The colors should be yellow and Quilter's choice.

Many members have asked us to offer larger blocks; as a result wherever possible in the 2017-2018 Season, we are going to honor that request and offer larger (10-1/2 to 12") blocks.  

Thanks for your participation in the Block of the Month

Lisa K and Karen B - Block of the Month Team

June 2017 Block of the Month - Part 3

June 2017 

Block of the Month - Part 3

Step 4 (continued)  Use the postcard to fold paper along the line between 5 & 6. Trim fabric seam to ¼ inch. Pin fabric piece #6 in place (right side down), sew and trim seam to ¼ inch as before. Repeat for fabric piece #7. (last two pictures for Step 4 shown below)

Step 4 E

Step 4 F

Step 5:  Iron block lightly. Do not use steam or use the highest setting.

Step 5

Step 6: Trim the block on the dotted line.

Step 6

If possible leave the paper in. This will hold the block to size as all the seams of a paper pieced block are on the bias. Don’t fret if they came out! It happens. As a general rule it’s good to keep the papers in until after the blocks are sewed together. Always remove papers (whatever is still in the quilt top) before layering, quilting, binding.

June 2017 Block of the Month - Part 2

JUNE 2017

Block of the Month - Part 2

Step 3:   Continue as above for fabric pieces 4 & 5

Step 3 A

Step 3 B

Step 4: Use the postcard to fold paper along the line between 5 & 6. Trim fabric seam to ¼ inch. Pin fabric piece #6 in place (right side down), sew and trim seam to ¼ inch as before. Repeat for fabric piece #7. 

Step 4 A

Step 4 B

Step 4 C

Step 4 D

June 2017 Block of the Month - Part 1

JUNE 2017

Block of the Month - Part 1

This block was recommended to me by Karen Baskett.  It is a paper pieced “Beginners Block” by Mary Dorchak, a member of the Yahoo Carol Doak Quilting Group.

If you have been hesitant about jumping in and giving paper piecing a try, this 6" block is the perfect place to start.

The finished block looks like the one below.

You will need seven pieces of fabric - the specifics are shown below:

Cut sizes and colors for Fabric:

1.   2 ¼ x 2 ¼ (maker’s choice)
2.   2 ¼ x 2 ¼ (cream)
3.   2 ¼ x 3 ¾ (cream)
4.   2 ¾ x 3 ¾ (maker’s choice)
5.   3 ¾ x 6 ¾ (maker’s choice)
6.   3 ½ x 7 ½ (cream)
7.   3 ½ x 7 ½ (cream)

Preparation:

Print the pdf template on paper piecing specific paper. (see Empire Home Page for template).  Cut out the template, it’s best to leave a bit around the edges and trim once completed. Stitch length should be shortened for paper piece to make it easier to remove the paper later on. Cut fabric as above. 1 each of the 7 for each block you wish to produce.

Assembly:

Step One:  Turn the template over with the back side up. Place fabric piece #1 right side up covering the space labeled 1 on template. Fabric should overlap on each side by at least ¼ inch. Place fabric piece #2 right side down on top of Fabric #1. Pin in place. Thin pins are best for this. Turn over, and sew along the line on the template that is shared by piece 1 and 2. Fold the paper along the line you just sewed so you can trim the excess fabric along that seam away. You can use a postcard or similar sized card to fold the paper on the line you just sewed then trim fabric edge to ¼ inch using a ruler or add a 1/4" tool. Open the paper again and finger press the seam open.

Step 1 A

Step 1 B

Step 1 C

Step 1 D

Step 1 E

Step 1 F

Step 1 G

Step 2:  Take piece #3 and place it on top of piece #2 (right side down), pin in place, turn over and sew along the line shared by piece #2 and #3. Follow instructions in bold from Step 1.

Step 2 B

Step 2 A

Step 2 C

May Block of the Month

MAY 2017

NO Block of the Month in May

There will be a block of the month in June

APRIL BLOCK OF THE MONTH

SHOO FLY ENCORE

Here is a simple variation on the 9 patch block.  I did it in two colors – blue and white - mostly because of the rhyme April Showers bring May Flowers.

The color suggestion for this block is white and one other contrasting color.

Step 1:  Make 4 half square triangles measuring 4”

Step 2:  Cut 4 white triangles and one blue triangle measuring 4”

Step 3:  For first row of blocks assemble as follows:  1  half square triangle; 1 plain white square and 1 half square triangle (see below)

Step 4:  For second row of blocks, assemble as follows:  1 plain white square; 1 blue square and 1 plain white square

Step 5:  For third row of blocks, assemble as follows:  1 half square triangle; 1 plain white square and 1 half square triangle

The final block will look like the one below – press block and trim to 10-1/2” by 10-1/2”

MARCH 2017 

BLOCK OF THE MONTH

Due to the judging for the quilt show and also our Charity Day activities, we will  not be having a Block of the Month in March.

Stay tuned for the April Block of the Month

February 2017 Block of the Month

In honor of Valentine's Day - a scrappy heart.  This block was created by Cathy Peterson for Evening Star Quilters.

This scrappy heart is 9-1/2" unfinished

Finished Block

 Cutting:

1       Cut 30 2” squares of assorted fabrics.  (Try using 30s repro fabrics, small scale prints,etc.)

2     Cut four 2” white or white on white squares and draw a diagonal line on the back of each.

3     Cut two 5” white or white on white squares and draw a diagonal line on the back of each.

Assembly:

Step 1: Take any four 2” printed squares and place them right sides together with a 2” white square.

Sew on the diagonal line.  Cut ¼” from the sewing line and press to the dark side.

This makes four half square triangles.

Step 1

 Step 2:  Take any 2” square and sew it in between two of the half square triangles you made in
 Step 1.

Step 2

Step 3: Repeat Step 2

Step 4: Using these two rows, make two 9 patches like the one shown below.  These are the top two section of the heart.

Step 4

Step 5: To make the left bottom portion of the heart, sew 6 blocks as shown in photo A.

Photo A

Step 6: Place a  5" white square, right sides together on top of the 6 blocks you sewed above.  Sew on the diagonal line.  Trim ¼” from the sewing line. Press.   See photo B

Photo B

Step 7:  To make the right side of the bottom portion of the heart you have to make the mirror image of what you just made in steps 5 and 6.  Sew six blocks together as shown.

Step 7

Step 8:  Place the other 5” white square right sides together on the six blocks you just sewed.   Sew on the diagonal line.  Trim 1/4" from the line.  Press.

Step 9: Sew both bottom sections together as shown below

Step 9

Step 10:  Sew top sections to bottom sections to complete the heart shown at the top