I had a quick wee sew this morning and caught up on the latest small blocks for the
Temecula Quilt Company
One small block a day —
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| Day Four - four-patch |
I got so excited by it all, I went overboard and ended up making two of the Day Four blocks!!
These blocks all finish at 2 ¼" (ie are currently 2¾") and a lot of people shy away from blocks this size.
However there are a few tricks we can play to make sewing them up a little easier and more straight forward.
Most of us are familiar with making half square triangles a little bigger than necessary and trimming them down to size —
I often do this with other blocks as well. In the below photo, two x 1¼" squares called to be cut and sewn together. I sewed two slightly larger pieces together (these scraps were this size; I don't usually cut them at this stage) —
And then cut them to size —
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| The resulting Day five block - Log cabin. |
I've been using this technique for a lot of my small
Omigosh blocks too.
I've started making my pinwheels slightly differently too. I used to make the four HSTs needed, trim them to size and then sew them together.
Now I don't trim until the end —
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| (One HST was already trimmed for the third photo above!) |
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| Trim |
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| Day Six - Pinwheel block |
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Day Seven - Bowtie block
No shortcuts for this block! |
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| Day Eight - Lincoln Log |
So I'm caught up and keeping up with these!
'til next time,
happy stitches,
I often do this with other blocks as well. In the below photo, two x 1¼" squares called to be cut and sewn together. I sewed two slightly larger pieces together (these scraps were this size; I don't usually cut them at this stage) —
And then cut them to size —
It is a great way to make up teeny tiny blocks.
ReplyDeleteGreat blocks and a good idea to trim at the end. xx
ReplyDeletethat is a good way to make tiny blocks and it works out so well - I do that too
ReplyDeleteYou did think of something to write about. Happy Stitching!
ReplyDeleteThose blocks are coming out cute--I am collecting the patterns--
ReplyDeletebut don't think I have enough greens to even start them--so mine will be done
after Christmas when I can go 'green fabric' shopping!!
have a great day--
luv, di
The blocks look great.... I like making bigger and trimming too when I can.... need to think more often before cutting so it works...
ReplyDeleteHugz
I don't have enough greens for this quilt right not, but I'm collecting the patterns. Thank you for the hints...I've never done blocks this small before so you are really helping me!!
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, are these cute. I did shy away, but now that i have seen yours i want my own. Thank you for sharing this post.
ReplyDeleteI’ve copied the patterns. Not sure if I have the right fabrics for this, I’ll have to see!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice to see how you made yours!
Thank you for the tips!
Hugs,
Barbara xx
Interesting to see them coming together.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of making small blocks a little larger and then trimming them to size. It has saved me a lot of headaches.
ReplyDeleteSuch cute little blocks!
ReplyDeleteSweet blocks. I too tend to make my blocks a bit bigger, then trim down, seems to work well.
ReplyDeleteI love your tips, as it is so hard to be accurate with such teensy blocks. I’m looking forward to seeing this come together.
ReplyDeleteGood tips for small sewing, Raewyn!
ReplyDeleteI'm wishing I was sewing along on this little quilt, but I haven't touched my machine in about 2 weeks.
It's a bit worrying all the people saying that they don't have the "right" greens to start... as it looks like we are both going for the super scrappy use all the scraps look! I am sure it will turn out fine even if they are not perfectly coordinated. I always end up with heaps of green scraps so there is plenty of variety.
ReplyDeleteWonderful sewing tips Raewyn, love the little blocks.
ReplyDelete