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.

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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.

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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.

2019 Gypsy Wife QAL - Section 1 Puss in Corner 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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Looking at the fabrics I have chosen for this block I decided that some fussy cutting was in order.  I picked a feature in two of the prints and carefully cut out the required sized square.

Here all my pieces are laid out.  Now it is just a matter of stitching them together.

I began by sewing the two-patches that surround the center block.

Next I stitched the corner HST triangles together using a scant 1/4inch seam.  

#tip ... HINT... What size should the HSTs in the #puss block square up to. Think about this.... What is the length of the 2small square unit that is sewn between them... The HSTs have to be the same length as them.

Now I begin assembling the block.  Think of this as putting together a 9-patch.   Take the center units and stitch them to the right sight units.

Then stitch the far right units to the center units to complete the horizontal rows.

I then stitched the vertical rows together to complete the block.

Here is the back so you can see how I opted to press my seams.

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 QAL - Section 1 Square in a Square 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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This tutorial is for the Square in a Square block.
Cutting directions can be found on Page 22 in the right hand column.

Draw a diagonal line on the four corner squares.
Place two squares on opposite corners of the larger square and stitch next to the drawn line.

Fold up the square to form the corner triangle. 
 If the top triangle meets or slightly exceeds the edge of the large square.  You are good.   
If it doesn't, unstitch and resew, adjusting where your stitching line is to make it work.
You can then cut off the back triangles leaving approx 1/4in seam.

Place the next two squares on the opposite corners and repeat the process, sewing next to the drawn line.

When the triangles all match the edge of the large triangle, then you can remove the back triangles (leave approx 1/4in seam)

You can now square up your block.  You should have a 1/4inch seam at each of the four points of the center square.

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 QAL - Section 1 Hourglass Block with two 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.

If you have the First Edition copy of the pattern, be sure to check the Errata page.

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We begin with the Hourglass block with two borders.
Directions and cutting measurements can be found on page 21.  Do not add seam allowance to your cutting...  sizes given include seam allowance. 

#tip #Hourglass corrections on pg 21 are for the right hand column smaller size block NOT the top left column larager size we need for section 1

#tip HINT>>>> When making the #hourglass block... the pattern indicates you need to make 2 blocks. You can make them both at this time....   Only one will be used in Section one....
be sure to add the two border rounds as indicated in the top right hand column page 21.. . . . . . . . . . .
The borders added in the bottom left hand column will give you the incorrect size block for section 1, but will be used elsewhere in the quilt.

We start by cutting our two squares and laying them together facing each other.
Draw a diagonal line.

  

 



I also drew a faint line 1/4inch on either side of the diagonal line.  Our goal is to stitch  beside  the outside lines for a scant 1/4 inch.

You will then cut on the  center line forming two triangles.

Open the triangles and lightly press to form two Half Square Triangles (HSTs)   
 


Next you will lay the HSTs on top of each other with opposite colors facing each other and butting the center seams together.

 Draw a line diagonally across the center seam.  Again,  I drew a light 1/4 inch line on either side of the center.  Stitch a scant 1/4 inch seam by sewing just to the inside of both outer lines.  Cut on the center line.

 If you gently pick out the 2-3 stitches in the seam allowance on both sides of the block, you can then "spin" the seams for a flatter block.  You can see a tiny 4-patch in the center if you do it correctly.

Give a light pressing and you have two Hourglass Blocks.

 

You can check your measurement at this point.  In your pattern booklet, the dark printed line below the title "Hourglass blocks" tells you the finished block size.  Add 1/2 inch to that number to find what these unfinished blocks should measure, and you can trim them to size.

To add the two borders to this block we go the the top right hand column on page 21.   We will be adding two rounds of strips.

Round 1:
Sew the top and bottom strips on first.  

HINT:  You can check your measurement here... The top to bottom measurement should be the same as the length of the two side strips you will add on next.


Next we will add the two side strips.

     

Hint: Your block should square up to the size of your next border strip length.

Round 2:
Sew the top and bottom strips on first.

HINT:  Again... you can check your measurement top to bottom... it should be the same length as the two side strips you are about to add.

Add your two side strips and you are done.









Your block will measure 6in when finished in your quilt. Add 1/2in for the unfinished size.


And you will have an extra hourglass block that can be use for a filler block elsewhere in the quilt.



One thing I have begun doing as I make a quilt is to save some shavings and bits/pieces.  I found some clear plastic hollow ornaments at Hobby Lobby or WalMart.   I fill them with fabrics from the quilt.  When I'm done I will add a piece of paper stating the name and date of the quilt.  It will be a nice memory to hang on my tree each Christmas.

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

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