Country Cabin Block

April 2015.... Good-bye Winter Blues

After what always seems like the longest winter ever, spring is here; and this brings renewed energy as we can enjoy more outdoor activities. Winter weather may not be entirely gone, and the signs of snow are still fading from the landscape, however, we can be confident that the cold weather gear can soon be put away for a time.

Ready to plan a trip to the cabin; or enjoy a walk in the woods! Here's my next design for APRIL that is inspired by the change of the seasons.

PLEASE NOTE:

For any more instruction to prepare the block, please visit my Craftsy page for the PDF pattern (available usually within a few days of this posting). The three other blocks that will remain free for the duration of this series are: BLUE MOON, IS THERE COFFEE?, and OH...LOLLIPOP!

FABRIC SELECTION

3.) BEIGE, TAN, AND BROWNS

I have chosen my light brown block to embellish for my third quilt block in this series. This color theme fits the transition we see when the seasons change from winter into spring. 

FRONT OF BLOCK

BATTING SIDE OF BLOCK

To hold the front and batting layers together; this time I've stitched two triangle shapes on this block. I just realized that these triangles that were stitched on this block match the shape of the trees. For extra security, you may also use temporary glue spray or pins to achieve stability when creating this block.

BLOCK APPLIQUES

A) SIMPLE TREES

Inspired by my scraps, I found leftover triangles that were the perfect colors to create a lovely group of trees. If you don't have any of these; they are easy to cut from your scrap basket fabrics. Cut a two-inch square; and then cut the square into two triangles. (You will need 15 triangles.)

ADDING TREES

B) THE CABIN

The cabin can be made from existing scraps or cut from pieced strips constructed from the fabric colors you select. Embellish the cabin as you wish; and use either scraps or pieced-string sections to add to this block. I've also used a fancy stitch to cover the roof to give it added texture.

THE CABIN

PLACEMENT OPTIONS

Depending on how many trees you wish to add; you also have options to how you want to place them on the block. I've provided several variations and it will be up to you to decide on your own layout. This step was fun; but it can be hard to make a final decision, as they all have their own charm. 

MY VERSION
I love to change things up; and sometimes have a hard time making up my mind; so this was what I finally chose to do for my layout. This is a very quick block to sew up; and perhaps you will want to make more than one!

COUNTRY CABIN BLOCK

My block posted here will not be finished with a binding, as I wish to consider combining several of these blocks into larger projects. And share this will you at a later date.

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. COUNTRY CABIN will be available to download for free for the month of April 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Flower Patch will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

Flower Patch

March 2015.... Waiting for Spring 

Are you ready for the next block in this Pieced Strings Series for 2015...! 

I had some time to reflect on what designs I'd try; and have had opportunity to made up a few. So there is no waiting for another month to pass, before sharing the next one with you. 

Therefore, here's my flower inspired block for MARCH. For anyone that has downloaded the block: "Oh.. Lollipop!" or seen it on my blog will recognize its shape. You'll be able to use this same template piece to create the main flowers. The pattern with all the templates should be available in a few days, after this entry has been posted.

Plus, I am tired of looking out the window at fields of snow; and flowers are always so uplifting, aren't they? So let's make some flowers.... 


CREATING THE DESIGN

Instructions for preparing the blocks using narrow fabric strings, are shown in these projects, available on my Craftsy page:

BLUE MOON

IS THERE COFFEE?

OH.. LOLLIPOP!

Please note: I will not be repeating the instructions to make this block in detail, here on the blog, as these will be available for free download, to compliment this series.  (Find the links on the right-hand column of this blog.)

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2.) YELLOWS, GOLDS

I have chosen my yellow block to embellish for my second quilt block in this series. This color theme fits the longer, more sunnier days of the end of winter, perfect for the month of MARCH.

YELLOW BLOCK -- FRONT

YELLOW BLOCK -- BACK

JOINING THE TOP AND BATTING

To keep the strings from shifting too much, in the process of making the block, I added the batting layer to the wrong side of the top fabric piece. 

By using straight lines of stitching, both layers are held in place without the use of safety pins or temporary adhesive spray. Pins can be used if desired. On this block, I stitched a series of three squares near the center of the block.

You will also note, that the batting layer was made from scrap pieces of batting. The best stitch to join these scraps is the three-step zigzag stitch, it does not pull the pieces together to create a ridge like a regular zigzag stitch does. (The three-step stitch makes three stitches for each part of the zigzag.) The regular zigzag stitch doesn't affect the batting negatively; however, it does make both pieces join neater if you can use the three-step zigzag stitch. You can see the difference in the photo above. 

THE APPLIQUES

Next step, is to prepare the templates for the applique design. The templates will be available in the pattern, as soon as it is ready on my Craftsy page. However, you may begin by making the pieced block and using the flower shape from the "OH.. LOLLIPOP!! block.

Flowers
To create the flower patch block, use the flower design and embellish it with either a fabric center or some fancy and colorful buttons.

FLOWER CENTERS -- BUTTONS

Stems
One thing about appliqued flowers that may be time consuming; or perhaps frustrating, is the process of working with long, narrow strips of fabric. They can be tedious to prepare and cut out; as well as, sometimes they just don't stitch down as perfectly, as one would like. (Although, that may be either because the fabric frays too easily or the fusible web hasn't adhered properly to the fabric.)

Therefore, here's an option for you, to try in this design. Instead of using fabric, create the stems using rat tail satin cord (2 mm cord shown below) and stitch it down with a zigzag stitch. It's very quick and the cut ends are covered with the flower at the top and the leaves at the bottom. (You may use ribbon or yarns if you don't have satin cord, as shown.)

FLOWER STEMS -- RAT TAIL CORD

Leaves
To fill in the background with more color and help balance out the design, let's use a special placement of brightly colored leaves. 

Another note... do not worry too much about where the stems are placed; as in my layout, I had only one stem in the center and this was not covered with leaves. Therefore, I added the two small flowers at the center of this area. These came from my applique leftovers, from a previous project. The pattern will provide these flowers for you. Or you may add more leaves, if desired.  

LEAVES AND SMALL FLOWERS

MY VERSION

I love buttons; however, and in this case, I decided to use fabric centers for the flowers. And once, I had chosen the dark brown for the flower centers that matched the color of the stems, I knew that was what I wanted to use.

FLOWER PATCH BLOCK

My small flowers, at the bottom of the design were leftovers from another project, and this is also another way to add uniqueness to a project. 

The larger leaves and white flowers were cut from pieced fabric strings; and these certainly add extra dimension to the design. 

Have fun joining fabrics together to get some very unexpected results; as sometimes it is colors that one wouldn't think go well together; that actually look beautiful in a finished applique design. And using fabric strips is a great way to use up your scrap fabrics and create pretty quilt blocks.

My block posted here will not be finished with a binding, as I wish to consider combining several of these blocks into larger projects. And share this will you at a later date.

WALL-HANGING FROM THESE BLOCKS

Beginning with this block, I will only be stitching together the top and batting layers. Later I will show you how to add sashing to join these blocks; and how to prepare it to add the backing layer. This can be finished as is; or I may consider adding a unique border.

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Enjoy this project... and find the pattern soon at my Craftsy store page, where all applique templates will be included. FLOWER PATCH will be available to download for free for the month of March 2015. 

Although this means that the previous month's block: Chocolate Hearts will no longer be available for free. All templates will be available together in one pattern, once the series has run its course. Each new block will replace the previous one until all blocks have been posted. 


Happy piecing...

How-to Chain Piece Odd-Numbered Block Sets

Is chain-piecing your favorite way to join blocks?

For me this is true.

CHAIN-PIECING STRIPS

PROS

• It saves time; 
• and the bobbin thread lasts longer when not having to cut thread at the end of each piece stitched. (And that's a good thing!)

CONS

• If you are sewing up block sections with odd-numbered pieces, there seems to always be one block left. And when is it best to add it to the other pieced parts?
• If you get confused and sew blocks together that aren't supposed to be joined, time is lost in ripping out those seams. 
• It can be difficult to remember which blocks come next.... and your seam ripper is used more than you wish. (Can't have the seam ripper get too much time in!)

IN COMES A BETTER METHOD .... 
To Organize the Process With Less Frustration!

This tutorial uses a block section containing 81 squares; and will be sewn together in groups of three. No one block will be left orphaned in the chain-piecing process. Have fun!!


PREPARATION OF BLOCKS
STEP 1:
Set up a design wall or portable board, to allow you to arrange the blocks correctly; and use this method more effectively. (See How-to Make a Grid Layout for use on your design wall.)


STEP 2:
Place your fabric squares on the design wall (fabric grid is optional) in a pleasing arrangement. This can take some time; however, try to enjoy the process. After this is done, you are ready to label the appropriate rows. This will keep blocks correctly placed, as the columns come together.

NOTE: At the time the photos (those included in this post) were taken, I was using a flannelette fabric draped over a cardboard box. And realized that a grid would allow for even spacing as one planned out the design.


STEP 3:
For your labels, use either purchased stickers or pieces of masking tape. Use a marker or pen to write numbers on each piece. You will need 27 pieces: (3 sets of numbers = 1 to 9)


STEP 4:
Once labels are prepared, add them to the squares in ROWS 1, 4, and 7 as shown in diagram below. The numbered blocks will allow easy placement back on the design wall, throughout the process.

SEWING THE BLOCKS TOGETHER
STEP 5:
Now you are ready to begin with the chain-piecing process. Each group of three rows will be done the same. Pressing is very important; it begins in Step 5-C. The photos below show the completed process of each grouping.

Let's begin to construct these blocks to form the following groupings. 


(5A.)  
Chain-piecing squares from ROW 1 and ROW 2. Then adding squares from ROW 3.

Keep the stickers on the blocks as you sew. You will be stitching the blocks together to form nine columns of three blocks each.

(1.)
Take the top block in COLUMN 1 (labeled 1) and the block directly below it from ROW 2. Sew these two blocks together. Next take the top block in COLUMN 2 (labeled 2) and the block directly below it from ROW 2, and sew these together. Then continue chain-piecing blocks from COLUMNS 3-9 until all are done.

NOTE: You may separate the chain-pieced blocks at any point; once you have at least one or two pieced blocks done. Then pin them back on the design wall to keep them correctly positioned. With the numbered stickers on the top blocks, you'll always know which direction to place them back on the fabric grid. This allows you to see how the pieced blocks look as they are assembled.


(2.)
Once ROWS 1-2 are done; add blocks from ROW 3. Start by taking down COLUMN 1 (Pieced ROW 1-2 blocks) and add the ROW 3 block; continue as before by going across the columns until you have three blocks sewn together from ROWS 1-3.

NOTE: Pin finished columns back onto the fabric grid. To keep the chain-piecing going; separate previously stitched blocks and add them to the design wall before you get to the end of the row. Or take from the next section if you wish to completely finish a row. Then place them in the appropriate place as you continue.


(3.)
Now that the section for ROWS 1-2-3 is complete; repeat the same steps to complete ROWS 4-5-6; and then ROWS 7-8-9. Pin finished columns back onto the design wall.

You will now have three sections containing three completed rows as shown in the photo below.

ROWS 1-2-3; ROWS 4-5-6; ROWS 7-8-9

COLUMNS SEPARATED INTO THREE SECTIONS

(5B.)
Chain-piecing column groupings into completed COLUMNS. 

(1.)
Beginning with COLUMN 1; sew together blocks from ROWS 1-2-3 and ROWS 4-5-6. They are labeled with a (1). Then sew together ROWS 1-2-3 and ROWS 4-5-6 from COLUMN 2 which are labeled (2). Continue across the columns until all nine are completed. Pin these back onto the design wall as you separate them from the chain-piecing process.

NOTE: Now that the blocks are put into columns and hung on the design wall, you can see what your finished piece with look like. If you wish to make any changes in placement you should do it now, before the columns are sewn together. 

ROWS 1-2-3-4-5-6; ROWS 7-8-9

JOINING COLUMNS: ROWS 1-2-3 TO ROWS 4-5-6

(2.)
Now you should have ROWS 1-6 joined into columns. To complete this stage, repeat the process as before by adding ROWS 1-6 to ROWS 7-8-9. The columns are now ready to join together.

COLUMNS 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9

INDIVIDUAL COLUMNS MADE FROM ROWS 1 TO 9

(5C.)
Pressing seams; and chain-piecing column groupings into sets of three. 

(1.)
It is now; that we should press our seams before they are joined to other columns. You may press in an earlier stage if you wish; however, you really don't need to turn on the iron until this step. Also if you have a portable design wall you will not have needed to get up from the sewing machine, until now. (Good time for a stretch!)

Pressing the seams: press all even-numbered columns one direction; and press all odd-numbered columns in the opposite direction. This will ensure that the seams are going in opposite directions when nesting them before stitching, as you join the columns.


(2.)
To begin sewing together the columns; start with COLUMNS 1-2; then do COLUMNS 4-5; and lastly COLUMNS 7-8. Once these are stitched; separate them from each other. And add the missing column in each grouping. Joining C3 to C1-2; C6 to C4-5; and C9 to C7-8.

Match up seams; (seams should have been pressing in opposite directions) and then sew the two columns together. Separate the chain-pieced columns, so they are ready to add the third column to each of those columns already stitched. At any time, you can detach them from the chain-piecing process and pin them back on the design wall.

It will not matter in which direction you press these seams, at this stage. When pressing seams, it is usually easier when the section is smaller. So if you wish, sew together the three sections; then press. Or press once all nine columns are joined.

COLUMNS 1-2-3; 4-5-6; and 7-8-9

COLUMNS JOINED INTO THREE SECTIONS

(5D.)
Block Set is complete. How will you use it?    

(1.)
If you haven't pressed the seams as you assembled the columns, do that now. Your 81-block section is now complete; and can be used in a variety of projects, as desired.


(2.)
After making five of these block sets, my sixth ended up coming together the fastest and without placement error. Here's what I discovered:

• Chain-piecing works great; but how many times does one still have to stop and start again when not having a sewing order in place?  (Labeling the rows really works!)
• Once blocks are sewn; they are harder to match with blocks from unsewn blocks still on the design wall.
• Thinking one can remember the correct order; and it actually happening that way, generally brings the seam ripper to the rescue to fix any errors. 
• When similar colors are used on both top and bottom of a column, which way was up?
• Putting the blocks together in stages, kept the chain-piecing process going smoothly.
• The numbered squares were easy to keep in order; and placement back on the design wall was effortless.
• An assembly method for joining blocks, always provides a good rhythm to the quilting process. 
• Having a portable design wall, eliminated the need to get up while sewing the blocks, until pressing was needed. (Mine was a cardboard box and a folded sheet of flannelette.)

Turning those scraps into squares, provides new opportunities for creating fun blocks; resulting in more unique quilted projects.

Here is my sixth (final) color theme ready to be turned into something new. I will share more on these block sets, in a later post.

COMPLETED SCRAPPY BLOCK

81-BLOCK SECTION COMPLETED

If you found this tutorial useful, please share your comments below. I'd love to hear from you.

When square is beautiful... still works for quilters!!