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Tag: Block of the Month

Windmill Variation

08/28/2024 /

Block 23 – Billie’s Sampler

This was a quick easy block. I again chose to paper piece, as I wanted all my points and colors to be perfect. It is basically I simple 4 patch which I paper pieced each sub block. The sub blocks are all the same except for the direction in which they are turned into the block, creating the windmill effect.

Cutting

WindmillVariationCuttingDownload
WindmillVariationFoundationDownload
WindmillVariationTemplatesDownload

Above is the cutting instructions . The Foundation Paper Piecing templates. However if you choose to piece using traditional methods the last document is the actual templates that can be used.

This block has a weird cutting instructions. I just cut half square triangles to convert

2 x 3 7/8 x 3 7/8 inch square (I cut mine 4 1/2″) cut into half square triangles (HSTs). 2 squares second color (gray in the example) or 4 HSTs

4 x 5 1/8 x 5 1/8 inch square (cut mine 6″) cut into HSTs. 2 square color 3 and 2 squares color 4, should be 4 HSTs each color for a total of 8 HSTs

2 x 3 1/2″ strip Width of Fabric (WOF) (I used Fat Quarters (FQs)) this is background fabric (Yellow in example)

Assembly

All the HSTs have been cut out

Using Seam Align Glue to secure the first triangle which was orange. I then added the second triangle red secure seam with Seam align glue, then stitched using 150wt Saba from Amann Mettler with a 1.8mm straight stitch. Note: I made all 4 sub blocks at one time exactly the same

after pressing the second triangle into place, I secured my background strip to the long edge .

and finally adding the smaller corner HST to the sub block.

Now trim the 4 sub blocks on the cutting line.

with the 4 complete sub blocks arrange them in proper order and assemble as a standard 4 patch block.

Success your 23 Block Windmill Variation is complete only one more block in the Billie’s Sampler wow can’t believe we made it this far.

Video

Kansas Dugout

08/28/2024 /

Block 22 – Billie’s Sampler

Kansas Dugout in my opinion was the most difficult block. Let me say there were was some choice words spoken while assembling this block. The entire block was partial and y seams. Not one seam is traditional. But this is a beautiful block and it was a huge learning experience.

Cutting

2 x 2 1/8 x 2 1/8″ square cut background fabric into Half Square Triangles (HSTs) , since I paper pieced this using templates cut the squares 3″ cut into HSTs.

6 x 1 3/4 x 5 15/16″ strips of background fabric, paper piecing size 2 1/2 x 6 1/2″ strips

13 x 2 1/4 x 2 1/4″ squares of mail fabric. paper piecing size is 3″ squares

16 x specialty pieces. 8 second and 8 third fabric colors. I used straps and pasted the pieces to my scraps and cut them out on the cutting line. Note: again some reason Electric Quilt ignored these pieces in the cutting instructions.

KansasDugoutCuttingDownload
KansasDugoutFoundationDownload
KansasDugoutTemplateDownload

Assembly

I paper pieced this block However, each piece is separate. I used scraps, using seam align glue, I attached all the individual pieces to scraps. This block is great for scraps. But it is nothing but partial and y seams. so take your time.

using pins and seam align glue to match the points and then stitching on the stitch lines on the paper templates. Note: since it is possible for the seams not to cross, you much lock the beginning and end of each seam. Also you need to be accurate on the stitch lines. if you stop short of the point then you could have a hole and if you over shot the end would cause a pucker. so take your time and be very very accurate. This block is a great skill builder in accuracy and control of your machine.

added lots of photos of the assembly This is a slow process and requires lots of patience. And lots of colorful adjectives spoken in the assembly, keep easy access to the seam ripper.

Wow Block 22 Kansas Dugout is complete. This block took lots of time and patience. All those Y seams. And must do each and every sub block individually and accurately. I added lots of photos so you can see the slow process. If you find a easier way please share?

Video

Mexican Star

08/28/2024 /

Block 21 – Billie’s Sampler

Mexican Star Block 21 looks simple, but is more complicated than it looks. as the corner strips continue into the center Nine Patch. I tried to make it as a large nine patch but couldn’t work it out because of angles. Therefore, again ended up paper piecing.

Cutting

4 x 2 7/8 x 2 7/8″ square background fabric, cut into Half Square Triangles (HSTs), since paper piecing I cut mine larger. Again rounding to nearest 1/2 plus adding 1/2″ so cut 4 squares 3 1/2″ cut into HSTs

5 x 1 15/16 x 1 15/16 square background fabric. paper piecing cut 2 1/2″ squares

1 x 7 3/16 x 7 3/16″ square background fabric. cut into Quarter Square Triangles (QSTs). paper piecing size 8″ square cut into QSTs

8 x 1 15/16 x 5 1/8″ strips of second and third color. again paper piecing cut 8 strips 2 1/2 x 6″ strips 4 of second color and 4 third color

4 x strips 3″ x 10″ , I cut the strips from a fat quarter narrow width. 18″ Note: there is a error in the cutting instructions from Electric quilt. For some reason it ignored Fabric A .

MexicanStarCuttingDownload
MexicanStarFoundationDownload
MexicanStarTemplateDownload

Above are the templates for the block if you choose to use traditional piecing methods.

Assembly

using traditional paper piecing methods with seam align glue to secure starting pieces.

after finishing all the individual pieces. it is time to assemble the block.

wow congratulations. Block 21 – Mexican Star. This block went together rather quickly since I paper pieced it. I tried traditional piecing methods but it failed. Paper Piecing really make this block a great deal easier to assemble.

Video

Billie’s Sampler

01/04/2024 / / 3 Comments

2024 Quilt Along or Block of the Month

Billie’s Sampler is a 24 Block Sampler from Great American Quilts of 1989 by Sandra L. O’Brien from Oxmoor House. 

The blocks are 12×12 inch Finished with a 3 inch wide pieced sashing. The finished side borders are 10 1/2 inch finsihed and the top borders are 7 inches finished. Total finished size is 84×114 inches.

Each block is vintage blocks which carry no copyright. I personally have redrafted the blocks in Electric Quilt 8. Billie Samper Electric Quilt Project File (zip file)

Blogging my journey in recreating this quilt project, I will post 2 blocks per month along with video explaining how and why I choose the process. 

Fabric Estimate

Background (white) 3 yards/meters, Color 1 (Yellow) 4 yards/meters, Color 2 (Red) 2 1/2 yards/meters, Color 3 (Green) 2 yards/meters, Color 4 (Grey/Blue) 1 1/2 yard/meter

History of Billie’s Sampler

You can almost smell the aroma of budding springtime with looking at Billie’s Sampler quilt./ The floral stripped sashing and small-flowerd prints in warm shades of lilac and green evode a garden rady to burst into bloom. The quilt is a reminder, too, that tradtional blocks lend themselves very well to non traditonal colors.

Billie’s Sampler Introduction Video

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