Category: sewing

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Hidden Butterfly

Welcome to another Build a Block post. If you prefer the video, less reading version, you can find it here on my YouTube channel. This makes an 8 1/2″ block. It has a wonderful secondary design as you can see at the end of this post.

Here are the pieces you need for the block:

This block is assembled in two easy parts. First the butterfly pieces of the block. You will need the 2 1/2″ squares and the 4 1/2″ squares to create the two sections that make the butterfly at the end reveal.

There are many ways to make that diagonal so that it is sewn straight.

  • Mark the line with a pen or pencil and a straight edge, like a ruler,
  • press a crease into the 2 1/2″ block as a sew line or
  • my prefered and very lazy method…the piece of tape to follow along with the corner of the square as I sew. You can see the tape in the picture below.

I always opt for the bonus block if the original square size is 2 1/2″ or bigger. That would be the reason I am being over run by half square triangles. I am working on fixing this little problem. There will eventually be a series of blocks on this blog that use up many of those bonus triangles! I promise!

I am a big fan of pressing pieces as you go, as you all know. Butterfly wing sections are now complete.

Now for the second section of the block. It is all straight line sewing for the rest. See the layout below.

Divide the layout into 2 sections…a big section and a little section. I show it in rows in the picture below.

Sew the 3 1/2″ square to the side of a lattice piece. Sew the 1 1/2″ square to the end of the other lattice piece.

Press towards the dark fabric on both of these units…unless you prefer to press open.

Join the two units you created into one bigger unit. The other part of the block is now sewn together.

It really was just that easy.

Press towards the straight lattice pieces…or open.

If you press towards the lattice, sewing the final seam will be easy!

Sew that last final seam. Sorry, no picture of that seam!

Ta-dah…Ta-done!

Here are a couple sample layouts. This block could be much scrappier than I made it. I tried to control the scrapiness for an aesthetic pleasing effect.

I decided to make an additional four blocks and use up some other orphan blocks, too. This is the beginning of a car quilt for my son’s family. Everyone needs a quilt, a flashlight, battery cables, and a small tool kit in their vehicle. Just a thought!

Those borders will fit when they are all sewn together. I, too, am always amazed at how much is eaten up in a 1/4″ seam allowance!

If you construct any of these scrappy wonderful blocks, please share with me through gmail. I look forward to see your work!

If you are interested in making this a larger block, please use the chart below to help you resize the block.


Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Bow Tie

Happy New Year!

Welcome to the New Year: 2024! Here is my first build a block for the year. I am keeping it simple for starters! This block goes together quickly. It wins the race for fastest block in this series so far. Watch the short assembly video here on YouTube. There is a chart at the end if you would like to make this block in other sizes.

My favorite block size seems to be 4 1/2″ at the moment. That is the finished size of the block below. It is made from four 2 1/2″ squares (two bow tie color and two background) and two 1 1/2″ squares for the corners. Notice that I folded the triangles and pinned them to take the picture for this layout.

I finger pressed the small squares so I had a sewing line. I also have tape on my machine so I do not have to mark squares under 2 1/2″ when sewing on the diagonal. I am lazy and am willing to freely admit it!

These two blocks are exactly the same. They would be easy to speed piece for a larger quilt.

Since the small squares are sewn to a background piece, it is ideal to press towards the small triangle.

Never hurts to double check, right? We are almost done! Told you this would be quick!

Sew the pieces together in pairs. They are both the same!

This block naturally wants to be pressed to the tie colored square. The seams will lock together in the next step when pressed this way.

Tah-done! I show this in the 4 1/2″ and 6 1/2″ because I had to make sure the proportions were right for the parts chart at the end of this post.

If you have been watching my YouTube channel, I will show you my husband’s bow tie quilt in the Blabfest Friday video that will be live on January 5th, 2024. It is his “car quilt”. I think every vehicle needs its own quilt…just like it needs a flashlight and a toolbox.

I hope you are using up those scraps to make these easy blocks. Soon, I will have to start assembling yet another sampler scrap quilt from the pile I am accumulating! What do you do with your test blocks? I love hearing from you in the comments! Thank you for stopping by!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Roman Tile

This block is just a few seams above cutting out a plain square! How is that for simple construction? I wish I had grabbed some brighter colored scraps for this block, but this was in my hand waiting to be used up!

You can view the short video here of the block construction. It shows both of the ways to create this block. The first one pictured has two fewer pieces. Neither one is difficult.

I will add the variety of sizes chart at the very end of the post…after my sign off and final comments, if you are interested. This should be a printable image.

This example shows a 2 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ center. The top and bottom rows are made from two 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ pieces and four 1 1/2″ cornerstones. The block finishes at 4 1/2″ inches.

Sew the cornerstone squares to the rectangles on both sides. Use a 1/4″ seam.

Press to the outside.

I always like to check my layout at this point, especially when I am speed piecing…just to make sure I haven’t lost any of those important pieces.

Sew on the top and bottom rows. Press to the outside. Tah-done!

Example #2: Same block, just a little scrappier!

This example shows a 2 1/2″ square center. The top and bottom rows are made from two 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ pieces and four 1 1/2″ cornerstones. The side pieces are two 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ pieces that match the center square. The block finishes at 4 1/2″ inches.

Make a center unit. (This matches the center in the first example when you are finished sewing the pieces together.) Press this unit towards the inside…towards the block.

Assemble the top and bottom rows by sewing the cornerstones to the rectangles.

Press to the outside like pictured below.

Add the top and bottom rows to your center unit. Seams should nest together to make construction easier.

Tah-done! Press to the outside.

These blocks are quick and easy to construct. This would make a great leader/ ender project. I envision it with bright colored scraps for the center and a variety of backgrounds for the cornerstones set together with NO sashing. What a great scrap quilt that would be!

I can’t wait to make an entire quilt with these blocks! It would make a great donation or kid quilt! Would you make a quilt with these? Let me know in the comments! (about this quilt…not interested in Russian viagra or manifestos!)

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: center surrounded by 2 strips

This block is quick and easy to construct! I know that I say that almost every week, but it is true every time I say it. Using contrasting scraps is the best way to make this block pop! I pulled strips and squares from my “pre-cut” bins to make this a faster finish.

A one minute video of this block construction is available here on YouTube.

Presenting a New Feature at the bottom of this post! I have added a fantastic size chart for pieces to cut. It contains a variety of finished block sizes. Check it out at the end of this post!

The version shown below is constructed from a 2 1/2″ square in the center and 2 different 1 1/2″ strips surrounding it.

I did cut my strips to the following lengths:

  • 2- 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ (inside round color)
  • 2- 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ (inside round color)
  • 2- 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ (outside round color)
  • 2- 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ (outside round color)

This week I have words imbedded on the pictures, as well as arrows. This is a no brainer approach. Please remember to always use a good 1/4″ seam, no matter how crooked the arrows are in my photos.

Please add the 1 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ pieces to the center here.

There are not a lot of bulky seams here, so I press out.

Add the 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ pieces to the sides here.

Now is a great time to press it flat, flat, flat. By pressing now, the block will be crisper and flatter for the next round of strips.

Please add the 1 1/2″ x 4 1/2″ outer round pieces to both sides. (I forgot to take the picture before I sewed one of the pieces… oopsy!)

Give the strips a quick press outward.

Add the final two 1 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ strips to both sides.

Press outward one last time. If you want the block to be even flatter, give it a little shot of starch or Best Press at this point.

Tah-done! I love this little block! I told you it was quick and easy!

Below is the new size chart! This took some work to figure out how to embed this in a blog post…making the chart was the easy part!

Please let me know in the comments if you like this new feature. I look forward to hearing from you.

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Square Surrounded & Again

This lovely block uses up lots of little scrap blocks. It is easily adaptable to larger sizes, too. It would be a fantastic leader/ ender project. As it is shown, it finishes at 6 1/2″.

The center square is 2 1/2″. The surrounding rounds are made from 12- 1 1/2″ inner ring blocks and 20- 1 1/2″ outer ring blocks. I used pink and blue to make it easier to see the block rounds. This would be a great block made up in all scraps or other high contrasting rounds. My YouTube speedy Build a Block video can be found here.

I start by moving the outer round of blocks to the side. I can only focus on one task at a time these days.

If you were doing this as all scrappy you could easily sew all the blocks in sets of two and then make the necessary 4-4 block units and 2-6 block units without worrying about placement.

Sew blocks that touch the center into 4 pair units. Two of these units will be sewn to the center soon.

Add the corner blocks to two of those pair units to make 2- four block units.

To reduce bulk, press seams open.

Sew both pair units to the center square.

To reduce bulk, press open…or however you wish to press. No quilt police here!

Add the 4 block units to the new central unit.

To reduce bulk, press seams open.

Sew all of the outer blocks in pairs, then sew pairs together until you have 2- 4 square units and 2- 6 square units.

Press open to reduce bulk. (You knew I was going to say that, but that doesn’t make you a psychic!)

I always like to lay out the block at every step, just to make sure I have placement the way I intended it to be when I started. I am fairly quick with the seam ripper these days, but I still don’t enjoy that process.

Add both of the 4 block units to the sides of the center unit.

You know what I am going to say! Press seams open to reduce bulk.

Add the 6 block units to the last two sides of the center unit.

Not saying…you know!

Tah-done! Another beautiful scrap block! This one used up LOTS of little pieces.

I hope that you are enjoying this Build a Block series of simple blocks. I am starting to have a nice little pile of these blocks just by creating ones to picture in these tutorials. I hope you are, too.

Thank you for stopping in to look at my pictures and read my block making narrative. What are you creating today? I hope it is simple and relaxing! I would love to see pictures of your work over on my Facebook page. Come join my group!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build 2 Blocks: Square Surrounded by a Strip(s)

Welcome! Today I am constructing a simple block using a center square and strips…and for a second block, a center block with strips and cornerstones. I chose very simply constructed blocks for the next few weeks to get us through the “Silly Season” and all of the holidays. My head is spinning with all of the tasks that I need to complete before the new year. How about you?

You can also watch a 1 minute video that shows a very speedy version of the block construction…very speedy!

Let’s get started! The layout is simple. I chose a center block with good contrast from my scrap bin. I love to work small, so my center is 2 1/2″. You can make this any size you want. It is easily adjustable.

The outside strips are 1 1/2″ here. Again, with a larger center, you could easily use wider strips. I cut two of the pieces the same width as the center block to get started.

Join the cut strips to the center block on both sides.

Press however your little heart desires…I pressed the seams out on this block. There is not a lot of bulk in the seams like previous blocks made from a zillion little squares, so I did not press open.

Add the other side strips. You can cut these to the final length before or after you sew them on.

Again, I pressed the seams to the outside. The completed block is shown at the end of the post.

Ahhh! The second block…cha-ching! Bonus, Baby!

The center of the block shown here is 2 1/2″, but could be easily adapted to your favorite size. Strips and cornerstones are 1 1/2″ wide. I would change this if I were using a large center block to keep the proportions about the same. This could also be made in a scrappier version.

I assembled this block in rows. First, I assembled the top and bottom rows by adding the cornerstones to the center strips.

Next I speed pieced the side strips to the center. Doing all of the piecing at the same time makes the pressing easier.

I know that not everyone is a pressing fanatic like I am. I don’t like to wrestle with seams as I am trying to sew the units together, so I press between each step. You do you…press as you wish. No judgements here.

I pressed the top and bottom rows to the outside and the center row toward the larger center block.

When I added the top and bottom to the center, the seams locked together nicely…no pinning required.

I pressed to the outside on both sides.

Two little blocks…tah done!

I hope you are enjoying my build a block series. When my head stops spinning after the holiday season, I hope to evolve this into a printable pattern page with different sizes to make it easier to use with scraps of all sizes. What are you planning to make with your scraps? I love to hear from you…especially if you aren’t leaving comments about selling Russian viagra, etc!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Werquilters Build a Block: Square Surrounded

This post is related to the YouTube short that shows a sped up version of the assembly of this block. See the YouTube video here. This block makes a great leader/ender project to use when assembling another project.

This block is made with 1 1/2 and 2 1/2 inch squares. It could easily be made from other sizes. Block construction is simple.

Using your smaller squares, make 4 sets of 2 squares.

Press open…or however you desire.

Join 2 of these sets to your center square on opposite sides.

Press towards the larger center block.

Add blocks to the ends of the 2 sets of 2 squares as pictured below. Then press seams open.

Add blocks to the center unit on both sides.

Press seams open or however you wish.

Ta-Dah! One little scrappy block!

I hope that you are enjoying this series of Build A Block! I am having great fun using up those scrapps while I share with you! I would love to see what you are up to today!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Hale Country Quilters quilting scraps sewing

Hale Country Quilters BOM update

I am slowly making progress on this block of the month. Here is block seven, eight and nine.

Janice did a great job with the directions on this one! Thank you, Janice! I changed the color placement from the original pattern to make the red pop out a little more.

I changed the middle reds on this block so that they looked like hearts. The original block only had one red.

This block had a lot of little tiny trimming to make it fit perfectly. Once it was trimmed, it was easy to assemble. There is a lot of swirl going on there!

Are you working on any “installment” projects? Please share! I love hearing from you!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Hale Country Quilters quilting sewing

BOM Hale Country Quilters Update

I am making slow, but steady progress on my BOM for the Hale Country Quilters group.

I would have more of the blocks completed if I hadn’t had an epiphany. Darn those epiphanies!

I decided to make a center big block from a Pat Sloan sew along. I like this big star block.

Then I saw a block on Pinterest. It was screaming at me to be 16” corner blocks.

Here are the first three BOM installments.

Are you participating in any BOM’s this year? They are a great way to build skills…and if you don’t love the top when you finish it, it can become a gift or charitable donation. Someone will love it for you! 💕♥️💕

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
quilting sewing

I am a YouTuber!

I have been watching a lot of YouTube videos since I retired…quilting, cooking, bargains, and crafts.

I started to think about this after watching a video on the New Retired Me channel…also produced by a retired teacher.

I don’t want to substitute teach to make extra money. Why not be a YouTube star? 😎

Check out my first video here.

Thank you in advance for your help and support!

Later,

Lorrie