Quilty Train - April 2015 - Jumpin' the Tracks!

Jumpin' the Tracks!

(a.k.a. Disappearing Hourglass Block)

Sometimes it is better to jump ship in mid course than to continue on.  I think this is one of those times.

For the past several months we have been playing with paper pieced blocks.  My friends at the guild have been very patient with me, indulging my fascination with the process.  However, it is drawing close to the end of the year, and they deserve a treat.

I've been toting this project around with me for a little over a year.  Each time I drag it out of the box at a retreat people swarm the design wall and ooooh and ahhh over the blocks.  Each time I tell them how easy the block is to make, and they refuse to believe me....until I show them.  Now it is time for me to show you!

General Description:

The Quilt:

• Measures 52 1/2"x 59 1/4" as described
• Is made from 42, 6 3/4" finished blocks arranged in a 6 x 7 grid.
• Has 2 borders
• Inner border is 1" finished
• Outer border is 5" finished

The Block:

• Measures 6 3/4" finished (is actually 7 1/4" x 7 1/4" before incorporation into the quilt
• This is a disappearing block! It starts out as a four patch and ends up as a nine patch.
• This block is addicting!  You will love making them (at least I do) but be warned, you have to keep your wits about you while you are trimming.

FQG: Angie will be providing half of the fabric, you need to supply the contrasting fabric.  Please make it a pale solid that coordinates with the kit fabric. Think high contrast!

Are you ready for some fun!!  Let's get started.

Cutting directions:

• Color 1 - 1, 10" x 10" square
• Color 2 - 1, 10" x 10" square

Oh that was hard - maybe you need a break?  No?!  I didn't think so.

This block doesn't start out with many pieces; however trimming as you go is paramount.  Don't skip these steps or it will not work.

Sewing Directions:

• Gather 2, 10" x 10" squares
• Draw an X from corner to corner on the wrong side of one of the squares.

• Sew 1/4" on both sides of both lines of the X.....like you are making half square triangles in both directions.
• Iron flat.
• Cut into 4, 5" x 5" squares. (along red lines)

• Cut squares in half along lines to make 8 half square triangles.
• Iron seams open
• Trim resulting blocks to 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" 
• Make two hour glass blocks - follow the picture.

• Pop seam allowances and twirl.
• Iron flat.
• Trim hour glass blocks
• The blocks should measure 8 1/2" x 8 1/2" before you trim them.
• We need it to be 8 1/4" x 8 1/4"  BUT it needs to be centered.  BE SURE to trim 1/8" from each side of the block to get the desired size, else it won't work right in the end.
• Yes, you are cutting away the seam allowance. It will be okay.
• Cut each hour glass block in to 9, 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" pieces.

• Rearrange pieces.

• Keeping the pieces oriented as is, swap corners along the diagonals. You should now have tiny triangles on the outside corners.
• Keeping the pieces oriented as is, swap edge pieces along the center axis.  You two colored angle should now point towards the center instead of away from it.
• Being careful to keep the pieces arranged this way, sew them together to make your blocks. You will have two identical blocks.

FQG - Return your finished blocks to Angie by May 26th, 2015 or bring them to the meeting on that night to be eligible to win all of the blocks.

Same blocks, alternate arrangement.

Quilty Train - November 2014 - Scherenschnitte

Just so you would know I didn't make the word up - the following definition is complements of Wikipedia

Scherenschnitte (German pronunciation: [ˈʃeːʁənˌʃnɪtə]), which means "scissor cuts" in German, is the art of papercutting design. The art work often has symmetry within the design, and common forms include silhouettes, valentines, and love letters. The art tradition was founded in Switzerland and Germany in the 16th century, and was brought to Colonial America in the 18th century by immigrants who settled primarily in Pennsylvania.

I chose this name because, that is what the block reminds me of when you put a bunch of them together....

I love, love, love the way two colors, with a pinch of a third create an intricate network of circles and squares from such a simple block.

General Descriptions:

• The Quilt:
• Measures 62" x  86" as described
• Is made of 24, 12" finished blocks arranged in a 4 x 6 grid
• Has 2 borders
• Inner border is 1" finished
• Outer border is 6" finished
• The Block:
• Measures 12" finished (is actually 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" before incorporation into the quilt.)
• 4 patch construction - all four patches are the same
• Is paper pieced - If you have been following along, paper piecing should no longer be a big deal to you.  Just in case the phrase scares you please check out my tutorial.  I promise the process is not that hard.  If you would like additional help let me know.  I'd be glad to host a workshop.

FQG: Angie has chosen to make this quilt in holiday colors.  Her kit includes red fabric to be used where you see black in the picture.  You will  find red fabric for pieces #2 and #3.  You need to supply red fabric for piece #4, and cream for piece #1

Cutting Directions: The colors listed below reference the photo of the finished quilt posted above the General Descriptions.

• Paper -
• You will need 1 copy of this file to make the block. This link will print all four quadrants of the block - each is the same, other than it is labled A, B, C, or D.
• Make sure that the pattern measures 6 1/2" along the dotted lines...you should see them 1/4" beyond the last solid line outlining the big squares.  If the pattern you print is not 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" you will need to fiddle with the shrink/enlarge feature of your printer to get it the correct size. 
• Trim the excess paper from the pattern - I leave 1/4" beyond the dotted line  to make sure there is enough excess to trim the units squarely once it is all pieced.
• Black - (FQG red)
• For the blocks
• Piece #2 - cut 4, 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" (FQG kit)
• Piece #3 - cut 4, 2 3/4" x 5 1/2" (FQG kit)
• Piece #4 - cut 4, 3 3/4" x 6 1/2"
• White - (FQG cream)
• For the blocks
• Piece #1 - cut 4, 6 1/2" x 6 1//2" squares

Sewing Directions:

• Follow the paper pattern and piece as directed.
• Use my tutorial for a refresher if you need one.
• Arrange the sections in a 2 x 2 grid, with section #4 meeting in the center.  You should have a big black (red if your are FQG) square on point in the enter of your block.
• Sew the sections together.
• Pop seams and iron in a spiral
• Remove papers.

FQG - Return your finished blocks to Angie by November 18th, or bring it to the meeting on that night to be eligible to win all of the blocks. Your new quilt might look something like this....

If you have not finished your block by that time, bring the kit to the meeting and no questions will be asked.

If you make this quilt, please send me a picture, or add it to the Tops to Treasures group on Flickr.  I would love to see it.

I need a little help....

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