Technicolour Scrappy Simple Sampler

This quilt is my second take from the Making a Quilt  10-part series I wrote for The Sewing Directory.  Fiona and Julie ran a Simple Sampler quilt along and I couldn't resist another version.  This is from my scraps with the occasional raid on a half used fat quarter. The binding and backing were from my stash so nothing new was purchased.  My nephew claimed it part way through the process and he happily had it for Christmas. 

Seeing other people make the quilt was such a thrill, looking at the different fabric combinations or block interpretations, the sashing and border choices, such variety!  To create a slightly larger quilt than the original, I used wider sashing and partial seams which creates the log cabin effect around each block - tutorial here.  All the other construction techniques (blocks, binding, basting) can be found here.   Check out #simplesamplerqal on Instagram and take a look at the different versions. 

SaveSaveSaveSave

Simple Sampler QAL: Foundation Pieced Simple Economy Square

If you are following the Sewing Directory #simplesamplerqal and you are relatively new to quilting, this week's block, a simplified Economy Square, might by your first experience of a foundation paper piecing block.  

This block can be made in the more conventional way but it's also a great way to get to grips with how foundation paper piecing works.  I've written a detailed tutorial at Sewing Directory but I thought I'd show the template here for extra clarity.  The whole block is made up of four economy square blocks so each template needs to be printed to the correct size.  The dotted line of the outer square is the seam allowance, then you can see the square outline of the finished size (6") and the inner on-point square (a scant 4 ¼").

The fabric measurements given for this block were generous so if you follow that your pieces should cover the paper including seam allowances but you do need to check your printing is accurate initially.  Usually the printing instructions say print 'to scale' or print at 100%.  There is often a margin of error between different printing systems and PDF files so check your print and you might need to make adjustments.  I find my printer tends to print very slightly small (a 6" block might be 1/16" too small) so to allow for that, I might up the print scale to 101% which would make the whole template just 1% bigger.  So, get your quilt ruler out, check your template pattern and make adjustments to print it at the correct size before sewing your block.  As this is a sampler quilt, there are techniques that are going to challenge you, be brave and give it a go!

#Simplesampler QAL Strings Block & a Couple of Tips

This weeks #simplesamplerqal, block is a strings block - a great introduction to foundation paper piecing.  You can find my tutorial at the Sewing Directory.  It's easy but takes a while, depending on the width of the strips.   For this version, my strips were skinny as I was using up scraps.

Removing the paper is fiddly and a small stitch certainly makes it easier but I have another couple of tips for you.  

1. Start from the  triangular corners and work inwards to the strip in the centre which is the first strip to be added.
2. Instead of ripping the paper from the edges of the block which are on the bias and will easily history, instead, tear the paper from the centre and then tear outwards.  This places much less strain on the weakest parts of seams- the start and end.

Simple Sampler QAL- Triangles and a bonus extra

For those of you following the #simplesamplerqal,  using my tutorials on Sewing Directory, these are the three most recent blocks.   Hourglass which uses half-square triangles to make quarter square triangles- a bit of trimming involved but not real waste:

Flying Geese block.  The method for the is a traditional technique which is straightforward but it is a little wasteful.  It's one of those methods that it's good to know as it helps beginners understand how the geese shape is formed but there are alternatives once you've mastered this. There is also a bonus to this method (see below).

When you come to stitch the diagonal seam line, if you pencil in a second line half an inch away from the previous seam and sew a second seam  on the part of the square which will be trimmed off, you will end up with some extra, smaller half-square triangles that could be used on another project!  Once the second line is sewn, cut between the two lines.  To make each of the eight geese needed for this block, you could generate two half-square triangles so a bonus of sixteen at the end, maybe to use to make a pot holder or mug rug?

The Sawtooth Star uses geese made with a no-waste method.  This works well for solids or non directional prints and there's no waste and minimal trimming, one of my favourite methods- it's fast too.

I'm enjoying making these blocks for a second time!

Simple Sampler Week 2

Are you following the  Simple Sampler quilt along with Fiona and Julie using the tutorials I wrote for their Sewing Directory website?  It's week two and the blocks are log cabin and courthouse steps.  Both rotary cut, 12inch finished blocks and straightforward.  I've been raiding my scrap bags: 

  Check out #simplesamplerQAL on social media and find out more here at Sewing Directory.

Simple Sampler Quilt Along Starts Today!

Fiona and Julie at the Sewing Directory are leading a Simple Sampler quilt along using the tutorials I wrote for their website.  It's all easy, beginner friendly and a great way to learn techniques that you many not yet mastered- pinwheels, foundation paper piecing etc.  I couldn't resist joining in and using scraps for a bright mix of prints.  This is a bordered four-patch block:

And here's a scrappy nine-patch.  All the blocks are 12" finished and the aim is to make a small lap quilt (3x4 block layout) or make each blocks twice for something larger 4x6 layout.

The pace is slow and the blocks are quick.  Check out #simplesamplerQAL on social media and find out more here at Sewing Directory.

Simple Sampler Quilt-Along

These are all my little fabric scraps.  It's a packed carrier bag full, all sorted by colour into small zip lock bags.  Some of these date back years.  I dip in from time to time but they are mostly neglected and taking up a corner of the room.  When Fiona and Julie from Sewing Directory announced their quilt-along using the ten-part Making A Quilt Series I wrote for their website, I thought I'd just observe but my scraps are calling and I'm going to make another small lap quilt with the quilt-along using these scraps. 

All the details for the Simple Sampler Quilt-Along can be found here. 

 Hashtag: #simplesamplerQAL

I'll have to dip into other fabrics as many of my scraps are on the small side and won't cut into large enough pieces to make some of the squares and half-square triangles but I'm going to use it as a starting point, my first resource.  The rest of my fabric is in drawers and that includes lots of pieces smaller than fat quarter size and they'll be joining in too.  My colours and prints will be bright and multifarious.

It is a beginner friendly quilt-along and all the block posts are already online so you can plan ahead if needed.  If there's a basic aspect of piecing that's been a sticking point for you, whether that's flying geese or foundation paper piecing, it's covered in straightforward way.  To read more including supply discounts  (up to 17th Sept) check out more here.  Stuck on which fabrics to choose?  I wrote a post on how to choosing fabrics for a quilt, and guidance on how much you will need.