2019 Gypsy Wife Quilt Along - Schedule Release Plan

Admins have been working behind the scenes and have come up with a plan... subject to change... for launching the sections of this quilt.  

Some sections are small (like section 4 has only 2 blocks) and others are huge (section 6 has 21 blocks).  In order to even things out a bit and relieve some of the stress on members, we have devised a plan to combine or break up the sections to make them doable in a month's time.

Diagrams, charts/tables of which blocks and when are in the works, but here is a list of our release plan:

April 6.... sections 3 & 4.... 6 blocks

May 4..... section 5..... 7 blocks

June 1..... section 6 left ...... 9 blocks

July 6..... section 6 center..... 5 blocks

August 3..... section 6 right.... 7 blocks

September 7..... section 7..... 7 blocks

October 5...... section 8 & 9 ..... 9 blocks

November 2.... section 10 .....  11 blocks

As stated above...  

We will write up a TOC (table of contents) detailing the blocks and sizes for each release.  

We will continue to make tutorials for each block to assist you.   

Diagrams of the sections (how they are broken up or combined) will also be available.

Watch for announcements and details later in May as we prepare to release a modified Section 6 in June.

Also, as we go forward, the files/tutorials for each section will be moved into Units so that only the section we are working on will be under the files tab.... hopefully, making it easier to find what you want.   Not to worry... details on accessing everything will be posted before they are moved.  Nothing is being removed, we are just organizing it for easy access going forward.  

As always, Moderators and Admins are available to help.  We want everyone to have fun and be successful!!   You can contact us individually or post your question on the page and when someone is available they will respond ASAP.  

2019 Gypsy Wife - Section 2 Assembly

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.  

Using the same ruler will be helpful for consistency.  Measurements can be different from ruler to ruler; brand to brand.

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The diagram for the assembly of Section 2 can be found at the bottom of page 26
Cut your strips the length indicated in the diagram...you do NOT need to add seam allowance
Note that there are 2 of the smaller strips in this section.

I began by sewing the two strips next to the Courthouse Block together and attaching them to the block.

I then sewed the three strips next to the Old Maid Puzzle block (2small  1 regular) and attached them to the block. (please ignore that long background strip on the right.  It gets attached to the Courthouse Block up top.. not the Old Maid Puzzle Block)

Next, I sewed the two small Square-in-a-Square blocks together and sewed them to the Bordered Square-in-a-Square block

The Pershing block is then sewed to the Squares blocks to make half the section.

The long strip is added to the strips on the side of the Courthouse block... leave about 1/2 inch unsewn at the top.
The Courthouse Square and Old Maid Puzzle Blocks are sewn together to form the second half of the section.  

Section 2 now complete 





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Now we can connect the two Sections.


Keep the long strip folded down out of the way and attach Section 1 to Section 2.  

Stitch the long strip up from Section 2 attaching to Section 1 and finishing this corner of the quilt.


Sections 1 and 2 are now complete!

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

Thank you  for following along.   

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 2 Square in a Square blocks

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.  

Using the same ruler will be helpful for consistency.  Measurements can be different from ruler to ruler; brand to brand.

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We will be making several Square in a Square blocks for Section 2..

One finishing at 6inches with a border and 

Two  finishing at 3inches with no border.   

Therefore, you must be very careful which directions you follow.   

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To make the 6in bordered Square in Square you begin on Page 22 right hand column and make a 4in finished block.

We start by cutting our center square and 4 smaller squares.    

Draw diagonal lines on the small square, pin to opposite corners.  

I also draw a second line 1/4in from the first line using my Buddy Ruler... you can use a regular ruler.    

Stitch beside both lines and cut between them to form some bonus HSTs.  

 
     

   Repeat the same process with the opposite two small squares to form your center Square in a Square block.... and 4 bonus HSTs!

To border this square, follow the cutting directions on page 23 right hand column for the 6in finished block.

Add the top and bottom border.

Then add the two side borders to complete our Bordered Square in a Square block finishing at 6in.

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Lastly, we  make (two) 3in finished Square in a Square blocks.  

The cutting directions are on page 22 right hand column.

 Just like above, 1 center square, 4 smaller corner squares.

Draw the diagonal line.  

Stitch on opposite corners and press.  

You again have the option of making the bonus HSTs by drawing a second diagonal line 1/4in from the first.

Repeat with the remaining opposite corners

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

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

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 2 Courthouse Step with 2 Borders

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.  

Using the same ruler will be helpful for consistency.  Measurements can be different from ruler to ruler; brand to brand.

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Today we are making the 7in finished Courthouse Steps block found on page 20 top right hand column.

We start by adding the first strips to the top and bottom of our center square.   

Then add the second strips to the two sides.  

Repeat with the second round of strips, adding top and bottom first, and the two sides second.

Courthouse Steps complete!

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

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

2019 Gypsy Wife Quilt Along - Section 2 Pershing 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.

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Today we will start this Section 2 with the Pershing Block.     
I will warn you, this is, what I feel, the most difficult block so far.  But, we will work through it step by step. 

We start with the cutting found on page 6 of your booklet/pattern

Accuracy is important!   Be sure to keep the lines of your ruler ON the fabric.  

Using the same ruler will be helpful for consistency.  Measurements can be different from ruler to ruler; brand to brand

(for anyone with a good eye... yes, those yellow triangles are disproportionately big... I discovered my error when it came time to add them to the block and corrected my mistake.)

  We will start this block by making the center Square-in-a-square following the same steps used in Section 1.  

Draw diagonal lines on your small squares.  

Stitch a pair of squares to opposite corners of the center square,  sewing next to your drawn line   

Repeat with the other pair of squares. 

 

One fun thing I like to do is use my  Buddy Ruler   by Bonnie Hunter.  After stitching on each set of squares I use my Buddy Ruler to draw a second line.  I stitch  next to this second line closer to the previously sewn line.  You can then cut between the two sewn lines and you have made a cute little HST to be used in another project... or sometimes as a unit in your current project.
  

Next, we surround our center square with triangles.   

 Fold the center square and finger press to form a line.   Fold the triangle in half also.  Align the two folds to center the triangle along the center line fold of the square  pointing the tip down the the center of the square.  Carefully stitch your scant 1/4inch being careful to sew just above the "X" formed by previous stitching.

  

Now we set the seam and press open.    

Setting the seam means to just press down... no ironing or swishing back and forth, that can stretch the threads or fabric.  You can see in the pictures below that it flattens your block.  Straight down, straight up.

   

Repeat the same process with the opposite triangle.  Then again, with the other two opposing triangles to surround the center square.

  

We repeat this same process again with the next round of triangles adding opposing sides.

  

This next round we will be adding a stripset of three triangles.  

Flip the center triangle onto the left one. 

 Line up the edges but leave the dog ears overhanging 

(yellow overhangs at the top, black overhangs at the bottom)  

Stitch and gently press open.

                     

Repeat with the left side triangle, line up the edges and leaving the dog ears overhanging.

            

 

Repeat this process for all four sides of the square.

Attaching these stripsets to the sides of the square is next.  I put a pin straight through the points to match them up. Then pin on either side to hold the points together.

Stitch together being sure to stay just above that "X" formed by previous stitching

This part stumped me... I had to rip and stitch these multiple times in order to keep my points.  I Cut off the yellow point, OR I didn't get close enough on the pink point.  It is just very fussy with the two points coming together like this.

  

I finally decided that sewing it with the opposite side up seemed to work best.  Why?   I have no idea.   

  

Normally, I am an advocate of pressing the seams in one direction or the other.  But, with all that bulk where the points meet, I decided it was best to press these seams open.

Lastly, we need to add the remaining four triangles to complete this block.    I finger pressed the triangle in half and lined that fold up with the center of the red triangle at the point (offset in the picture to show you location)  Pin and stitch.

  

Stitch opposite side triangles on and press open to complete  

I trimmed this block by lining up the 1/4in line on my square at those black points to save my 1/4in seam allowance and points when incorporating the block into the quilt.

BUT

I have to tell you... my square came out 1/4 too big.... 

I don't know why.  

But, I am going to leave it as is.   I am hoping that I will be able to ease it into the quilt.  I'll show you that later.

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 Section 2 - Old Maid Puzzle

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.  

Using the same ruler will be helpful for consistency.  Measurements can be different from ruler to ruler; brand to brand.

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Cutting directions and assembly diagrams for this Old Maid Puzzle Block can be found on  page 17 of your pattern book





Here I have cut most of my fabrics, but still auditioning for the corner piece.  I jumped right in and started making the HSTs, forgetting to take a picture of all the cut fabrics first.  

If you need a refresher on making HSTs, click here to my earlier demo post.   How to make Half Square Triangles (HSTs)


I paired the HSTs with the solid square beside it then nesting them together stitched the two corner units together.

 

Now to sew the pieced trianagles.  Flip one wing over onto the HST... matching the edges of the HST.   Yes, the triangle looks big and has a lot of overhang (dog ears)... but trust me, it works!

  

Repeat with the second wing.

    

Trim  off your dog ears.  Flip the pieced triangle onto the solid triangle and sew.  Be careful that your sew line remains above the "X" formed by previous stitching to preserve your points.

    

The four corner units are made and we are ready to assemble the block.

Sew the top two units together... then the bottom two.

Flip them on top of each other, nesting the center seam and sew to complete your block.

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.