Fr. James Quilt

This morning I laid out all 80 blocks  on my queen size bed, only to find I underestimated by 4 blocks to complete the rows.

While I plan to add an 8in border all around, I'm thinking I may need to make another 10 blocks so that it has a nice drop-down on each side.

Back to the sewing machine....

Fabric Acquisition Road Trip F.A.R.T.

Today was a great day to F.A.R.T. !   The morning started out with some drippy rain, but cleared up to just gray skies for the 2hr ride to Whittles Fabrics in KY.  I could have stayed home and treadled, but I needed more and new fabric to finish  Fr. James' quilt and begin on Fr. Chris' quilt.   I just didn't have what I needed in my stash.

On the way we came upon a car fire at a gas station.  We could see the flames and black smoke as we came up the hill.   The firefighters and trucks were already there and hit it with foam or water for about 5 min to knock it out.   We sat and watched as a big white cloud billowed up.

There was no ambulance so we assume no one was injured.  Nothing but a shell of the car remained as we drove by when they opened the road again.

A little farther down the road we came across a van parked diagonally across my lane facing me and a group of people standing around... adults and kids.    Apparently he stopped when he saw a family van go off the road and down into the ditch.  I guessed they climbed up the hill and it apparently no one was hurt; they were waiting for emergency vehicles to arrive.

We finally arrive at the quilt shop and I got straight to work!   I picked up this nice olive border print and a flannel to finish Fr. James quilt.  

Fr. Chris chose the Cactus Patch pattern by Bonnie Hunter and wanted bright colors.... I think I've got that covered with these.....





I also picked up a few more FQs to add to my Gypsy Wife quilt before we headed over to Bowling Green for lunch.

We went to Chuy's... a mexican place...  
I stuck with a simple chicken and rice with a queso sauce... on the side in case it was too hot... which thankfully, it wasn't.

Barbara had a taco/chalupa and rellenta with refried beans and rice.    She had plenty of extra for dinner to night and/or lunch tomorrow! 

The rains came ... again... on the drive home.   I missed a turn and we took a rather round-about way home, but we made it!   It was a fun day and I hope that we can do it again soon!

Other projects I'm working besides Gypsy Wife

I said I would keep you posted on other projects I am working on.... in between sewing and.prepping tutorials for the Gypsy Wife Quilt.  

We acquired a new associate pastor and pastor the end of last year.   I offered to make them  a wall hanging.... but a quilt was requested instead.

I met first with Fr. James and we decided on Bonnie Hunter's   Scrappy Mountain's Majesty pattern in olive greens and creams to match his sage room and black furnishings.

Luckily this is a color combo I like and have been saving for.  I raided my Goodwill shirt stash,  deboning about 25 shirts. 

Deboning, or deconstructing shirts, is something I learned from Bonnie several years ago.  Our fore-mothers made quilts from clothing and scraps of fabric... so this kind follows in their footsteps.   Here's a link showing you how she does it.  I don't tear as much as she does.... I use a scissor and cut instead... but basically the same process.  deboning a shirt.

I then cut up the shirt fronts and sleeves to get the size squares I needed.   I save the shirt backs to use in quilt backings.

Since then, there has been a bunch of cutting and sewing....

And more cutting and resewing.  With a few OOOPS! along the way.

  
But now, I have the estimated 80 blocks to lay out on my design floor and start putting this quilt together.

If I need more blocks, I'll be back to sewing and cutting again! :)

What are you working on?

2019 Gypsy Wife Quilt Along - Section 1 Summary and helpful links

I probably should have posted these links earlier, but now that the facebook page has been launched, I've had time to go back through and review.

I have updated my pages to add some hints that helped FB members as they worked their way through making the blocks.

Many people found this Coloring sheet  and/or these All Sections Expanded Templates   helpful in planning and choosing fabrics for their quilt.

This  Section 1-5 Table of Contents  is a great tool for deciphering the pattern diagrams and determining which size blocks to make for each of the Sections 1-5.  We will make a similar chart for Sections 6-10 when we get farther along.

Mistakes happen, and the designer and printer have provided an 
Errata Page  to help you correct your pattern book.  Just print it out and you can paste it in/over the incorrect section.

When we get to Section 3, we have an updated errata page for the Square-in-a-square-in-a-square block that has been omitted on page 24 bottom right.

We have several admins who are posting on their individual blogs (just like I am doing here) and making the tutorials available on the FB page under the "Files" tab in the form of downloadable PDF files.  Apparently, that is causing some confusion for some members.   We are working on a plan to reduce that bit of confusion. 

People learn differently, not everyone can read and understand a pattern.  We have one admin blogger who has made videos on block construction.  You must be logged into the facebook page to view them, so join up and click on this link....  Videos for block construction.

Overall, I feel the launch has been a success.   

We have had to post several reminders about not posting measurements.  We are doing our best to protect the designer's copyright.    The same rule applies to pictures with rulers/mats that can be used to determine sizes.  Unfortunately, there are unscrupulous people in the world who do not want to honor the designers efforts by purchasing the pattern and would rather gather tidbits of information to make the quilt.

I am encouraged by the positive feedback from members thanking us for our hard work and help in assisting them when problems come up.  I have really enjoyed the entire process and I look forward to beginning work on Section 2 and getting ready to share with you again on March 2.

Welcome and many thanks to my new followers joining in on this adventure.  

While awaiting our next launch, I have some personal projects that I will be working on as well as customer tops to quilt.  I'll tell you about them over the next couple weeks.

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 1 Assembly

Now that all our blocks have been made, it is time to assemble them into the section. 

Dealing with the background strips is a personal choice.  

I have decided to use one neutral fabric to make my life easier.  I have also chosen to cut my strips as I go rather than all at once. 

I don't have a large variety of yardage in my scraps to cut all these background strips, but I do a have a 5yd piece of this white with a light grey print that I think will work just fine.

Many have decided to cut all their strips at once, laying them out to see how the colors blend across the quilt. 

 Those who have chosen to use varieties of fabrics for their background or to cut all their strips ahead of time have posted their ideas for labeling and organization.  On the FB page search using the #tip #strips to see what they are doing.

I also have no desire to try and keep track of the various strips over the next 10 months and have chosen to cut my strips as we go along. 

On page 25, fourth paragraph down,  you will find the width size of your strips...I'll call them regular.  There are a few strips that will be cut a bit narrower.  In Section 1, we will need 2 of those narrow strips.

Now, look at the diagram of Section 1 on the top of page 26.   When I look at it, I see three areas.  

Left is hourglass and bordered square

Center is Puss with 2 strip sets

Right is SqNsq and Pinwheel. 

For the left area we need to start by sewing 5 of the regular strips together.

When sewing long strips together it helps if you sew them in opposite directions.  I sew the first two strips together.  When I add the next strip,  it goes on top of the next strip. Next, the end of the set that comes out of the machine last, will go in first. So you will flip it on top of the next strip you are adding. That way you sew up one row and down the next.

   

  I hope that makes sense.   By stitching that way you are not stretching the fabric all in one direction and it will reduce distortion.

I set each seam by gently pressing down on them one at a time.  Then I gently finger press toward the strip that was added.

 Finally, I press, not iron everything flat.

Square up the edge before making the first cut.  (the lenght of the strips is just below the diagram) and attach it to the bottom of our bordered square-in-square block.    I then cut the left side strip and stitch it onto the block.  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 Now stitch the hourglass block to the top and this left area is done

The center area of this section has two sets of strip sets with the Puss block in the middle.  

    Again, I sew the strip sets alternating up and down.  Be sure to include the two narrow strips in this strip set.   Lightly press to flatten.  

Cut the two different strip sets  as directed in the diagram to add to the top and bottom of the Puss block.   

While I was prepping strips, I decided to also cut the strips for the third area and laid it all out.   

Sewing the second area together was simple.... just add the strip set to the top and bottom.... Just be careful that you don't turn the strip set in the wrong direction so that the smaller strips don't match up.   I noticed this after I took the picture  and quickly grabbed Jack and fixed it.  Sew areas left and center together.  

The right area is a bit more complicated. I started by sewing the easy strip sets together (2 long strips on the left and right, the 3set above the SqNsq, and the 2 small strips above the pinwheel.

Attach the 3strip set above the SqNsq.

Now for sewing the partial seams. I played with it quite a bit sewing and unsewing several times to make it fit. 

I sewed the two small strips to the pinwheel block from the edge toward the center, leaving 1/2in unsewn toward the center of the pinwheel.. pressing up, away from the block.

I then sewed the long strip to the side of the pinwheel and small strips to complete the seam.

Sew the SqNsq block to the 3strip set.

 

Next I stitched those 2 long strips next to the SqNsq block... being careful to sew just above the sewing line on the square to save the point.. and careful not to catch the pinwheel block in this seam.

 I pressed away from the SqNsq block then completed the sewing line attaching the strips to the pinwheel block.

Attach this right area to the center area and Section 1 is done!

 

  

2019 Gypsy Wife QAL - Section 1 Bordered Square in Square

Before beginning each block, I strongly suggest you read through the entire directions and look at the pictures to be sure you understand each step and to ensure that you cut correctly.

As always, remember your accuracy in cutting…

keeping the measuring line of your ruler ON the fabric.

**********************************

This is the Bordered Square in a Square block found on page 23 Right hand column.

We start by making the center  3inch **finished** Square in a Square block.  The measurements for this are found on page 22 Right hand column.

Cut your center square and 4 corner squares.
Remember, when cutting, keep your measuring line on the fabric not beside it.

 Draw a diagonal line on each of the four squares.

Place a corner square in each opposite corner of the larger square and stitch next to the drawn line.

Flip up the small square to form a triangle on the corner of the larger square.  If the edges meet you can then remove the extra back fabric.  If they do not meet.  Rip out your stitching and adjust where your stitching line is. 

    

(sorry about the change in fabric.... I forgot to take a picture of this but had one from a different block that demonstrates the idea presented). 

Repeat this procedure with the two other small squares in the opposite corners.

This is your square in a square that will finish at 3inches.   Next we add the border in the next step.  

You will find the measurements for the border strips on page 23 top of the left hand column.



We begin by sewing on the top and bottom strips.  Be careful to aim for your stitching line to be just above the  "X" that is formed by previous stitching.

  

HINT:  Here you can check that your block measures correctly if it is the same length as your side strips.  If it is too big, you can trim a bit... If it is too small, rip out your stitching and sew a less scant seam allowance.





Here is your 5in finished block.   Add 1/2inch for the unfinished size.

You can leave comments and questions below.   I will reply to your comments ASAP.

Thanks for following along.   Click on "newer post" to see the next block.

2019 Gypsy Wife QAL - Section 1 Pinwheel Block

Before beginning each block, I strongly suggest you read through the entire directions and look at the pictures to be sure you understand each step and to ensure that you cut correctly.

As always, remember your accuracy in cutting…

keeping the measuring line of your ruler ON the fabric.

**********************************
Now we are making the Pinwheel block.  The directions can be found on page 19.  We will be following the cutting and directions in the left hand column stopping at the picture of the pinwheel for the 4in finished block.

I had a minor glitch with my camera so these first few pics are from a different project, but making the same unit... so please don't mind the fabric change.

Cut your four squares the required size.  
It appears to me that the designer is making this a very scrappy pinwheel using a variety of fabrics.  She has you cut your squares on the diagonal, mix them up, then sew pairs of triangles together to make 4 Half Square Triangles.
   
 I, on the other hand, will be making my pinwheel with just two fabrics.


We start by making 4 Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

 Pair up and lay 4 squares facing together.  
(I show only 2 squares here, but you will have to repeat this procedure with a second pair of squares.)

Draw a diagonal line.

I also drew a light line 1/4inch away from the center on both sides   I then stitch next to the side lines on the inside.


Cut on the center line to make two triangle pairs.  Press open the the triangles for two HSTs per pair of squares.  
You will need 4 HSTs.

  

Lay out your HSTs to form your pinwheel. 

    

Stitch the top two HSTs together and then the bottom two.  

 Be careful not to turn your HST in the wrong direction.

There should be 1/4 seam from the point to the edge of the fabric.
Mine is a little short, but I will show you how I can fudge it.

  

Now you will fold the top row down onto the bottom row.  
I insert a pin straight into the point where the two HSTs meet.  
I then pin on either side of the point pin to hold everything together.
Remove the point pin and sew.

Be careful to aim your stitching line just above that point.  

The center seams should nest together nicely.

This will help to insure that you don't cut off your points.

Open up your block and press.

It doesn't show well here, but you can spin the center where all the points meet to make the block flatter. 

(I will make a spinning post another day with a fabric that will better show the procedure/results)

      

You can leave comments and questions below.  I will reply to your questions ASAP.