Fr. Chris's Quilt - Cactus Patch #1

Fr. Chris chose Cactus Patch by Bonnie Hunter found in her Scraps and Shirttails book.

Fr. Chris likes to surround himself with lots of bright colors!

A road trip to Whittles in search of fabric yielded these fabrics which I believe will work perfectly.

He requested a larger quilt to fit his queen size bed, so I've done some math and have a plan.  

To make my guestimated 25 blocks for the quilt center I will need

100 string blocks

500 HST blocks

I need to get busy!  I went to Staples and had them cut my phone book pages down to size.

Last Wednesday was my sit and sew with the girls at the library so I grabbed my Featherweight, cut phonebook pages and a bunch of strings and got to work.

The paper is just a guideline.  The strips are cut a bit longer than needed and then trimmed down after the paper is covered.  The paper acts as a stabilizer and will be torn off when I sew them into the blocks.

Several hours of sewing and chatting.... 10 down 90+ to go!

2019 Gypsy Wife Quilt Along Sectio 6 (right) Pinwheel Blocks

Fr. James Quilt - Finished and Delivered!

I've been working on piecing and tutorials for the next Gypsy Wife release and only just realized I didn't post my finish for Fr. James quilt.

My last post on this quilt I was deciding to make additional blocks to widen the quilt before adding the final border.

I made the additional blocks and added the border.

For the backing I bought a deep forest green flannel and pieced it together.  I was a bit short and added a black Kona Cotton to the bottom

I should have taken a picture of the back and label, but maybe Fr. James will allow me to do that and I will add an updated picture later.

I chose Mesmerize pattern from Urban Elementz to quilt this with.

I think it adds a nice texture to the quilt.

I am happy that Fr. James was pleased with the results!

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 4 Courthouse Steps & 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.

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This is an easily assembled block. 

  

Be careful to assemble the block in the same direction as you add each round… adding the top and bottom strips first. I pressed the seams open, away from the center block, before adding the two side strips.

Add each additional round in the same manner.  Top and bottom;  press; then the two sides     

                          

TIP:  Match up your edges and pin at the beginning and end.  As you sew along any excess or shortage will be eased in.

Now to assemble Section 4, we sew the Courthouse Steps Block and the Half Square Triangles Block together.  Again, I use pins to hold the seams down and in place.   

 

Voila, Section 4 is complete.  I’ve got it taped up on my wall (with painters tape) and I’m ready to begin Section 5. 

Hold on to this section and we will assemble it into the quilt later.

Thanks for following along.   

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 3 Assembly

Assembly of this section is pretty easy.... no partial seams.

                                                                                                                                                    I laid out the blocks and sewed my first strip to the left of the Color Wheel block  and then sewed the Courthouse Steps block on top of that.                                                                   I then sewed that group of strips together that go underneath the Sqaure in Square blocks.

 I then sewed the strip set above the Square-in-a-Square block together and attached it to the block

 The two Square-in-a-Square blocks are then sewn together.

I assembled the strip set that goes under the SqNsq blocks and attached it to the bottom of the blocks

The side strip is then sewn to that.

Last step is to so them to the Courthouse Square block to completed Section 3.

   











At this point, you can, if you wish, attach Section 3 to Sections 1&2

You can leave a comment here or message me with any questions.

Thank you for following along.

2019 Gypsy Wive - Section 3 Square-in-a-square-in-a-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.  

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

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I have a 2nd Edition of the pattern, so I never paid any attention to the Errata page, assuming that the changes were made in the pattern.   Boy was I wrong.  I struggled to make this block come out the correct size and the math just didn't add up.  Eventually someone pointed out to me that the Errata page omitted this block on page 24.   However, there was no replacement block suggested or corrected  directions provided.  One of the other Admins did the math and provided us with an Errata to the Errata page with correct cutting directions.  
 Be sure to go to the Files tab and download the Errata to the Errata page for the corrected cutting directions to make this block the proper size.

You can ensure that your square is centered in the triangles by first folding the square and triangles in half.    Then pin them so that the point of the triangle follows down the center fold.

   

    

  

Make the center Square-in-a-Square block by adding the opposite triangles.   Top and bottom first.  the two sides second.







Add the next round of triangles sewing on opposite sides.   Be sure to make your stitching line just a tad above the "X" formed by previous stitching to save your points.

  

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 3 Colour Wheel

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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Like many members who joined the group in January and couldn't wait until the Feb 2 launch, I started with this block as a test block.   The big hurdle was choosing colors!   With my 100 fat quarter selection to choose from, it was difficult to start and I changed my mind a million times before finally deciding.










This was the test block because... well, it was the first block in the directions on page 5.   I carefully cut the pieces and laid them out to be sure I was happy with my selection.

I began by chain feeding the quarter square triangles through the machine and gently pressing them open.

I then paired them with the triangles and chain fed them through.

  

Next I pieced the corner HST units of the block.

Assembling the block as I would a simple 9-patch.  I folded the 3 center units over onto the left units and chain stitched.   I repeated with the 3 right units  folded over onto the center units.

To complete the block I folded the top row down over the center row to stitch.  Repeat by folding the top 2 rows down over the third and stitch.

This was an easy starter block to complete.  

But after I got it done, I wasn't so happy with the background fabric. I was sure it was too busy.   So I made another block and I am much happier.

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 3 Bordered Square-in-a-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.  

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

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







The cutting directions for this block can be found on page 23 top right column.   

I cut and laid out my fabrics.   Draw the diagonal line on the small squares.

Beginning with opposite corners, line the edges of the small and large square together.  Stitching is done beside the line.  This is to ensure that when you flip the square up to form the corner triangle that the edges will meet.

You can then cut off the back triangles to remove bulk from the corners.

Repeat this procedure with the remaining two corners.

To add the border I first lay out my fabrics.  Begin by sewing the top and bottom strips onto the center square.  

To save your points, b careful to that your stitching line is just above the "X" formed by the previous stitching .

Repeat with the two side borders 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.