Fabric Jules - Julie's Wild Quilt Shop Adventures: March 2014

Monday, March 31, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-9 Double Four-Patch

Double Four-Patch is pieced per the directions on page 34.

Leslie – Midwinter Reds by MODA

Leslie says: Relax, this is a quick and easy block. So press the seams as directed in step 4 so that they can abut nicely in step 6. Press the remaining seams open so that they lie very flat.

Lisa – Lario by MODA

Lisa says: This block is so simple that I pieced it twice! Do not piece easy blocks when sewing with friends! I strip pieced the strips for the four patch and without thinking, cut them into 3.5” pieces instead of the 2 inches I was supposed to cut. Of course I did not get the number of pieces I needed when I cut them down so I re-made the strip pieces paying closer attention to what I was doing!

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Friday, March 28, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-8 Diamond Star

Diamond Star is pieced per the directions on page 33.

Julie Q – Scrumptious by MODA

Julie Q says: To make this block I followed the directions in the book. Again, I pressed all my seams open so my block would lie flat. Just a few notes on choosing fabric for each block. All the Quiltie Ladies are turning in these blocks as we sew them, so you can see them in the shop. In order to remember which fabrics I used in each block, and so I wouldn’t use the same fabrics again and again, I cut the selvage strip from each of my Moda Scrumptious fabrics and glued them onto a file folder before I started. I went through my blocks and tried to pre-select the colors for all the blocks. I’m glad I did this because I could see rather quickly that I wasn’t using much of the red or the teal, and I love those colors! Think about pre-selecting your colors. You can always change your mind when you’re sewing the actual block…as I’ve done a few times already!

Leslie – Midwinter Reds by MODA

Leslie says: You will enjoy step 4 – it is a clever way to make 4 quick flying geese units.

Julia – Eclectic Electricity

Julia says: If power goes out in just one part of your house, that means a fuse or something was blown. Simply go to your switchboard and turn the appropriate switch that coordinates with the room of power outage and switch off then on. Repeat if problem persists. Then probably call someone, like an electrician.

Stephanie – Downton Abbey

Stephanie says: This was a fun block to make and I chose to use the directions from the book for this one. Keep it simple and choose one print that you really want to stand out on your sampler.

Be careful on Step 1. Remember that it’s just cutting your background fabric there. I looked at the letters listed in step 1 and at the coordinating picture and thought I needed to cut some of the ‘blue’ fabric there too. I ended up with two squares of ‘blue’ that I didn’t need!

Julie: Elm Creek Quilts; The Giving Quilt This block was put together by PW Customer Karen VDL.

Karen VDL says: I love using a heat erasable marking pen when making diagonal lines. I know any marks will disappear when I press my block and even if they didn’t it would be ok because I’m not using that pen anywhere that it would be visible from the front of my block.

Kelli – Civil War Reproduction

Kelli says: In following the directions for half square triangles and flying geese units, the Sewline pencil is a great option. It comes in many colors (Normal lead, white, pink, yellow and green) and is erasable.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-7 Democratic Watchman

Democratic Watchman is pieced per the directions on page 33.

Mary – William Morris Fabrics by MODA with Batik Backgrounds

Mary: When putting the three sections of this block together with horizontal seams, be sure to have the seams in each section pressed toward the flying geese units so the seams will “nest” together nicely. Also, be sure to be trimming off all “dog ears” as you go!

Julie Q – Scrumptious by MODA

Julie Q says: For the 4 Flying Geese I decided to use my favorite method. I cut four 3 1/2" x 2" pieces and eight 2" squares as the connectors. It wastes a little fabric but it is so much easier for me. Again, I pressed some seams open to cut down on bulk and to make the block lie flat. As I squared my blocks I noticed my small ruler had a nick in the corner. Time to get a new ruler! I have some rulers that are probably 12 or more years old and they're in good shape. But this reminded me that it's important to to replace rulers when they have nicks. And if you're going to make all of the Loyal Union Sampler blocks, or even just a few, treat yourself to a 6 /2" square ruler. It will make squaring your blocks so much easier!

Julie: Elm Creek Quilts; The Giving Quilt This block was put together by PW Customer Susan VH.

Susan VH. says: “Look before you leap.” The 2-3/8” square can be mistaken for the 2: and then your square-on-point is wrong. =(

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-6 Delaware Flagstones

Delaware Flagstones is pieced per the directions on page 32.

Leslie – Midwinter Reds by MODA

Leslie says: If one of your fabrics has an interesting design, consider “fussy cutting” it for your 3-1/2” squares. Press out light corners before trimming the seam so that they are well lined up. Then trim the seam off of the dark fabric (3-1/2” square)slightly more than the corner so that the dark color won’t show through.

Julie: Elm Creek Quilts; The Giving Quilt This block was put together by PW Customer Janet D.

Janet D. says: It’s always fun to fussy cut snowballs.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Friday, March 21, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-5 Cross Stitch

Cross Stitch is pieced per the directions on page 31 or template patterns on pages 109 & 110 OR Paper Pieced using the Supplemental Packet offered at Patched Works.

Leslie – Midwinter Reds by MODA

Leslie says: When placing the triangular background pieces, make sure they are facing in the correct direction.

Stephanie – Downton Abbey

Stephanie says: This one’s pretty straight forward and easy to piece. I used paper piecing in order to make sure all the little pieces lined up.

Choose colors that would contrast well in this one. I chose colors that I thought would give variety to my sampler, I needed more blues. However, if I ever made this block again, I’d use two different colors, not two different blue patterns. This would be a great block to use for other quilts with color palettes like blue, gold and cream!

Lisa – Lario by MODA

Lisa says: I made this block twice… I like to print my foundations on a softer foundation paper and when I printed this block the first time I wasn’t paying close enough attention to the print preferences and it printed out a quarter inch too big. Because this block is diagonally laid out I didn’t see this until it was all together. It gave me the opportunity to make it again, and this time I measured the foundation firs, and I also chose a less busy background which made the “crosses” stand out better.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-4 Crossroads

Crossroads is pieced per the directions on page 30 and template patterns on pages 108 & 109.

Jen – “Sparkler” Fat Stack, a beautiful blend of Purple, Blue and Green Kona Solids

Jen says: I learned from making Sylvia’s Bridal Sampler that I personally do not have the patience to sew teeny tiny 45 degree diamonds for a 6” block by machine along with the teeny tiny y-seams. I’m more willing to do this in a 12” block! On the other hand, I LOVE to English Paper Piece so even though I knew it would take me much longer, I opted to cut all of the templates out of card stock, baste my fabric to them and hand piece my block together (if you’re machine piecing, you still need to trace and cut out the templates). I know this method isn’t for everyone but it yields me perfect blocks every time. For me, I think the few blocks in this sampler that have these teeny tiny diamonds, it’s a worth while adventure if you give yourself enough time and don’t leave them until the very end.

Stephanie – Downton Abbey
Stephanie says: Holy Y-Seams! I mentioned in my first block post that this is the first sampler that I’ve done. Well here’s another first, Y-seams. Super intimidating from the amount of fellow quilters that I hear complain about them. And, with good reason!! They’re tricky to line up and get to lay flat. I learned about Y-seams from an old blog post by Fresh Lemon Quilts that came up in a Google search. With a little faith and a lot of chocolate (it was Valentine’s Day when I pieced this block) I conquered Y-seams and you can too! It may not look perfect when you’re done but Jen assures me it looks fine when they’re all put together!
Give yourself some excess fabric for the outer edges so you can trim down your block to size.

Additional block by Lisa K.

We encourage you to take pictures of your blocks and upload them to our Loyal Union Sampler Flickr Group. If technology isn’t your thing, bring your blocks into the shop and we’ll snap a picture of them and upload them on your behalf.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.
It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Monday, March 17, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-3 Crosses and Losses

Crosses and Losses is pieced per the directions on page 30.

Diane – Fall Blend, A Fabulous mix of Kim Schaefer Fabrics

Diane says: When stitching triangles to ½ square triangle units, always start from the square side of the triangle, stitching toward the triangle point.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Friday, March 14, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-2 Cotton Boll

Cotton Boll is pieced per the directions on page 29.

Jen – “Sparkler” Fat Stack, a beautiful blend of Purple, Blue and Green Kona Solids

Jen says: I think this is the easiest block that I picked for my set! I was sad to get it finished and out of the way so quickly. I’ll probably be wishing I had a block to make this easy in December!!

Julie: Elm Creek Quilts; The Giving Quilt This block was put together by PW Customer Vicki S.

Vicki S. says:

Was fun making. I leave the back of my connectors on. Press the seams open.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block C-1 Cornerstone

Cornerstone is pieced per the directions on page 29 and foundation pattern on page 109 OR Paper Pieced using the Supplemental Packet offered at Patched Works OR Traditionally Pieced using the Supplemental Packet offered at Patched Works.

Mary – William Morris Fabrics by MODA with Batik Backgrounds

Mary says : If you’d like to piece this block the traditional way use the instructions in our Patched Works Supplemental Packet.

Julie: Elm Creek Quilts; The Giving Quilt This block was put together by PW Customer Linda G.

Linda G. says: I’m not sure why they have you foundation piece this block when it is so easy to piece traditionally. This block gives you a great opportunity to fussy cut.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Monday, March 10, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block B-11 Constance’s Pride

Constance’s Pride is pieced per the directions on page 28 OR Paper Pieced using the Supplemental Packet offered at Patched Works.

Diane – Fall Blend, A Fabulous mix of Kim Schaefer Fabrics

Diane says: If you like to nest your seams, pull the paper off the F section and E section so you can press the outside square section in the opposite direction to nest with the G section.

Stephanie – Downton Abbey

Stephanie says: Making this block I decided to use a print from Downton Abbey that I could fussy cut. I chose to paper piece this one and it was a quick, fun block to do.

When assembling your center square (if you chose to fussy cut) be sure that it’s going in the direction you wanted!

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Loyal Union Sampler Block B-10 Connecticut

Connecticut is pieced per the directions on page 28 and foundation pattern on page 108 OR Paper Pieced using the Supplemental Packet offered at Patched Works.

Julia – Eclectic Electricity

Julia says: Use contrasting colors to really make this block pop. The Rotary Mate ruler is 3-1/2” wide, thus making it perfect for cutting your pieces with no extra thought. If you’re looking for a quick block, this is it! It only took me a little over 1 episode of Full House.

Kelli – Civil War Reproduction

Kelli says: For less bulk in the canter of this block, press the seams open. Less bulk = easier to sew through. And with all the bulk, don’t try to blast through it with your machine. Take it slow and ease it through.

Additional block by Lisa K.

You can also keep up with our progress in many places: here on our Patched Works Fabric Jules Blog, by Following us on Facebook or on Instagram (#patchedworks & #loyalunionsampler)

It’s never too late to join the fun. Stop in the shop to find out more about how to get started.

It’s always a party at Patched Works!