How are you all getting on? I don’t know if I get the hang of this Kindergarten/Work thing, it really cuts into your sewing time.
This week we are going to iron and square up our blocks. Then you may play with your arrangement.
I love what I call my “lap board” for this next step. The one in the link is a bit bigger, which would be nice and free shipping today only.
It’s an ironing board on one side and a cutting board on the other. Our next step is a bit time consuming, and boring. I like to catch up on some TV whilst I do it and this little contraption is perfect.
IRONING:
I like to cut the chain apart getting rid of all the threads and then iron the squares to set the seam before cutting them in two. Certainly you could iron the squares while still chained first.
I iron my seams open. I have also done it to the side. I suppose there are arguments to each system, just do what works for you.
SQUARING YOUR BLOCKS:
If you are perfect you can skip this step. I find squaring the blocks to be the most time consuming of the whole process. Taking the time to do it will make all the difference in your corners meeting.
Like the picture above, line the diagonal line of your template up with that of your block. You are going to square up the first two sides of the block. Try to place the template close the first two edges.
This next step is a bit difficult to explain, but the picture above shows the line-up. Now that you have two clean edges, place the template so that the measured corner of the template is on your cleaned squared corner. Pay attention that the diagonal of the template and block is still lined up and cut the other two edges clean.
I bring my original 6 inch squares to 5.5″. You will be so pleased when you have a neat pile of perfect squares!
Now you can place with the placement of the blocks on your wall and see what you like. Next week we’ll sew rows.
Happy weekend!
You explained how to square up a block beautifully!
Thanks for the great tutorial. I was sick last week, but did buy a few more fabrics over the weekend (a little progress). Anyway, I’m ready to get started tomorrow evening.
Joan
Hey,
Sorry, I’m a week behind. Are we supposed to make blocks that have medium and dark fabric, or are all the blocks supposed to have a light fabric in them?
Thanks – this is fun!
As soon as things slow down a bit around here I think I am going to have to start on a value quilt… 🙂 Hope you are having fun with work! 🙂
i’m starting to pick my fabrics. (all from the stash.) and i’m a little bit hesitant. did you limit your color palette at all? i’m not sure if i should try to use all colors-orange, purple, pink, blue, green, yellow, red. i’ve already ruled browns out. what do you think?
does this quilt have an actual name/?