Well the 24 blocks of the sampler is completed. This was interesting sampler
Many of the Blocks were Paper Pieced for simplicity and accuracy. Also many of the blocks were designed to be hand pieced. By machine piecing many of the techniques had to be adapted. There were lots of Partial Seams, Y Seams These techniques are almost impossible using a machine
Like the 45 degree diamonds it is easy to nudge a diamond into position. But using a sewing machine it is impossible to nudge.
So we have learned many new ways of making our blocks. And adapting to changing time.
I have put this project away, into my UFO pile. I lost interest and failed. But I look forward to seeing how you choose to complete the project.
I personally learned I like paper piecing and also have developed a thing for triangles Half and Quarter Square Triangles.
The Blocks
Below is a link to each of the 24 individual blocks.
An old block made from Half Square Triangles (HSTs) and Square sub blocks. This block will be 12×12″ finished. Using 2″ finished sub blocks. Garden Path can be assembled two different ways. The most used would be a simple Nine Patch configeration which leads to 4 main Blocks. Or a Four Patch configeration which leads to a 9 main blocks. The choice is yours, depending on which configuration you are more comfortable with.
8 x 2 1/2″ squares 4 x Squares for the center 4 Patch and 4 x Squares for each corner of the block. Choose Colors accordingly.
28 x 4″ squares 10 x Path color, 4 x secondary color and 14 x background fabric
Assembly
All the squares are cut.
mark the back of the 10 x 4″ background squares to create 14 x HSTs. And add your 10 x Path Color and the 4 secondary color squares. Use your preferred method. I choose to mark my actual stitch lines. You can also draw one line from corner to corner and stitch a 1/4″ on both sides of the line.
stitch the HST lines. I use a 1.8mm stitch length using 150 weight corespun polyester thread. This aliminates any bulk in the seams. My preferred thread is Saba from Amann Mettler
with all your squares stitched corner to corner, it is time to cut each square in half between the 2 stitching lines. This will create a total of 28 HSTs. Pressing each HST open, I choose to press to the darker fabric. Now using a Martelli 2 1/2″ square template trim all 28 HSTs. You do this by aligning 2 opposite corners of the template with the seam of the HST.
Note: you can use any method to make your HSTs. The choice is yours. You need 28 x 2 1/2″ HSTs. I choose make the HSTs larger and trim down as this elimates any non perfect seams, or stretched bias from heavy pressing etc.
Using 4 x 2 1/2″ squares lets assemble the center Four Patch Unit
Now with caution and patience lets assemble the remaining blocks. Starting with sets of 2. working from the grid layout in the cutting instructions and using your color choices. You should have 32 units ready for stitching using 1/4″ seam allowance. this excludes the center 4 patch we created earlier.
Pressing your seams to the darker fabric. next round assemble the 2 patch units into 4 patch units. Again taking care to match the grid in the cutting instructions. You want to the path around the center 4 patch perfect.
Note: I choose to make my blocks into sub 4 patch units and assemble the final unit as a 9 patch.
Success! Garden Patch Block 10 of the Billie’s Sampler is complete. You should have a 12 1/2 x 12 1/2″ block.
