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.

2019 Gypsy Wife Section 3 Square in Square with Courthouse 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.

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

This Square in Square Courthouse Block directions can be found on pages 23 and 24 of your pattern.

We begin by cutting the center block square as directed on page 23 at the bottom right.  Cut and sew the strips on opposite sides of the square. Top and bottom first, then repeat with the two opposite sides. (sorry I forgot to take a picture before starting)  Here it is sewn together and laying on point.

Next, the cross cut squares form the four triangles that surround the square.   To ensure that the the square is properly centered,   I start by folding the square and triangles in half and finger-pressing a crease.

Pin the center block and center triangle creases together.   The point of the triangle should point down along the crease in the middle of the block.  

Repeat with the second triangle on the opposite side.   Press open and trim off the dog ears.

Repeat this procedure with the second two triangles..

  

Your Square in Square block is now complete.  Now, to square it up to size, trimming off the dog ears....  

• HINT:  Look at the top of page 24.  The directions tell you to cut 2 strips X size and two more strips X+ size.  Your Square should be the same measurement as Strip X.

Here, I've laid out the Square in Square Block with the Courthouse Strips around it.  We will attach the strips... top and bottom first; then attach the two sides.

 

Lay the block on top of the strip, matching and pinning the ends.  Then I pin right at the spot where those 2 stitching lines cross on the brown fabric.  Your goal to avoid loosing points is for your stitching to be barely above that point.   

Flip the strips open and give it a light press.... No points lost!

Repeat with the other two strips to complete the block and save all your points!

Taped up on my design wall.

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

Thanks for following along.   

Click on "newer post" to see the next block.

2019 Gypsy Wife Sections 3 & 4- Introduction

We will be launching two sections together this month ... Section 3 & 4.  Both sections together total only 6 blocks so we thought that we would combine them.   

 By combining these two sections it will give us the opportunity to deal with Section 6 later.  Section 5 will launch next month and has only 7 blocks, so that is completely doable.  But, Section 6 ... well, it has a boatload of blocks (21!) so we are discussing breaking it into three groups so no one is overwhelmed or overworked in that month.   We'll update you later; not to worry.  Just have fun and relax!   

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

Thanks for following along.   Click on "newer post" to begin the tutorials.

Gypsy Wife Section 4 Block Half Square Triangles Block

  We will be launching Sections 3 & 4 together this month.   More details when the introduction is released 8am tomorrow.  While you wait, here is our surprise early release for this month!.   Enjoy!!
 

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.

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

Directions for the  Half Square Triangles block(HSTs) can be found on page 16 of your pattern. 

There are many ways to make Half Square Triangles (HSTs)

JK has you cut squares and then cut on the diagonal.  Pairing up triangles to make your HSTs.

Using the traditional method, cut your squares, draw the diagonal line Sew NEXT to your drawn line.  Finger press open and check that the corner points meet.

You can see here that I goofed.   If they do not meet, rip out your stitching and re-sew adjusting where your stitching line is so that they do match.

Once the top fabric matches you can then cut off the under fabrics so you have a perfect HST.

You can refer back to my earlier post here on accuracy for more details on making HSTs.

http://madakamom.blogspot.com/2018/12/2019-gypsy-wife-qal-my-tip-for-accurate.html

Similar to JK'scutting squares to make triangles to be sewn together, my favorite method is using the Easy Angle specialty ruler by Bonnie Hunter.  With so many small pieces in the block I knew that accuracy would be crucial and this ruler works really well for me.  I pressed my chosen fat quarters and carefully cut one strip from each.  

(NOTE:  For the most accurate cutting, remember to place the line of your ruler ON the fabric not next to it.) 

I cut 2 strips from the black.  I laid a black strip face up and took turns with each of the other color strips laying face down on top of the black strip and cut 16 pairs of triangles using the Easy Angle ruler.   These pairs are prematched and ready to chain sew.

I chain sew the triangle pairs through the sewing machine,  one after the other, being careful to sew a scant ¼ inch seam.  After pressing, I trimmed off the dog ears and did a little sliver trimming to square them up.  In this case, I press to the dark. 

To assemble my block I do what’s been named “webbing”.  Take the 2^nd row of HSTs and flip them over onto the 1^st row and stitch them together. (sorry no picture)   

Pictured is the 3^rd row flipped onto the 2^nd row and ready to sew.  Repeat with the 4^th row onto the 3^rd.  

Personally, I find it best to pin the bottom of each HST to prevent shifting.  These flower pins have a nice thin shaft and don’t distort the fabric like a regular pin does.

 

When I’m done I have my rows webbed together and there is no chance of having an HST turned the wrong way.   Each row is webbed to the one below by just a couple stitches.

To complete the block, fold each row down, pin at each intersection for accuracy in holding the HSTs in place and sew.

Alternate the direction of the seams for each row to help the block lay flat as possible.

Give it a good pressing, a light trim as necessary to square up and you are ready for the next block.

You can leave comments and questions below.  

Thanks for following along.   

Click on "newer post" to see the next block.

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.

**********************************
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 





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

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.

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

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.   

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.