My First Sampler Quilt

Even though I've been quilting for a few years now, I am basically self-taught.  I learned through quilt books, magazines, videos, and on-line tutorials.  I've done many techniques on various quilts, but have never done a sampler quilt.  So......I browsed the classes on Craftsy.com and decided to do their FREE Block of the Month 2012 class taught by Amy Gibson.  I've had a lot of fun learning about how to put various blocks together in ways other than how I came up with.

I chose colors different from those shown in the Craftsy.com sample.  I used a variety of of same print, different bright colored fabrics with black as my background color.  Here are the blocks I've done:

Asterisk Block

Wonky Pound Sign Block

Greek Cross Block

Octagon Block

Traditional Dresden Plate Block

Modern Dresden Wheel Block

Ohio Star Block

Double Star Block

Chain Block 

Cleopatra's Puzzle Block

Friendship Circle Block

Circle of Geese Block

Balkan Puzzle Block

Chunky Chevron Block

String Block 

Broken Spider Web Block

Hexi Stripe Block

Sunny With A Chance of Hex Block

Modern Log Cabin Block

Wonky 4-Sided Log Cabin Block

Blocks all put together with sashing.  A 2" border comes next, then the top will be done.

I took a couple of other Craftsy.com classes on machine quilting.  One is taught by Leah Day and the other by Angela Walters.  I'm anxious to try out my new machine quilting knowledge on this quilt!!  Stay tuned for pictures in a few weeks :)

Finally Getting THAT Quilt Quilted....

Didja ever have that one quilt that never seemed to get quilted?  Oh, many you say??  Well, I have one in particular that I've started quilting several times, only to be put aside to work on more "fun" projects.  After having "started" quilting it many, many times, I'm finally almost done.  I just have the outer border to complete then it's on to the binding.  I'm making a prediction that I will have it all quilted by the end of the day tomorrow.  We'll see.....lol ;)

I decided to try several different quilting designs on this one so it's been a good learning experience for me.  These are a couple of the blocks in the middle of the quilt.

This shows 1st border and part of the 2nd border:

This shows more of the 2nd border and the 3rd border:

 Once I get it completely finished I'll post a couple more pictures.  Boy, I 'll be glad to get this one done!!

Arrows In My Heart - Block Instructions

Following are instructions on how to make a block I designed several years ago called Arrows In My Heart.  It is perfect for Valentines Day.   If you would like a PDF of these instructions, give me your email address and I will email the PDF to you.  Just click on "Sew Many Roads" at the bottom of this post and it will take you to a page with a link to my email address.

  
Arrows In My Heart (12 " x 12" Finished Size)

Abbreviations Used:
   HST = half-square triangle
   FG = Flying Geese
   rec(s) = rectangle(s)
   RS = right side
   sq(s) = square(s)
   tog = together
   WS = wrong side

Cutting:
   White    3" sqs               Cut 6
                 3" x 5¼" recs   Cut 8
   Gray       3" sqs              Cut 12
   Red        3" sqs               Cut 4
                 3" x 5¼" recs   Cut 2
                 2½" x 4½" rec  Cut 1
                 2½" x 8½" rec  Cut 1
   Black      2½" sqs            Cut 6
                 3" sqs              Cut 2

Sew all seams at 1/4"

HST Sqs 

Step 1: Draw diagonal line from corner to corner on the WS of fabric on lightest 3" sq.







Step 2: Place sqs RS tog. Stitch a scant ¼" from line on both sides of line. Cut on line. You will have 2 HST sqs.







Step 3: Press seams towards darkest fabric. Trim sqs to 2½" sq, centering diagonal seam.






 

Make 4 White/Black HST Sqs









Flying Geese Recs 

Step 1: Draw diagonal line from corner to corner on WS of fabric on 3" sqs.








Step 2: Place 3" sq on upper right corner of 3" x 5¼" rec RS tog. Stitch on line. Cut ¼" from line on corner side. Press towards corner.



 Step 3: Repeat Step 2 for upper left corner of 3" x 5¼" rec. Press towards corner.




 Step 4: Trim recs to 2½" x 4½".







 Make 4 White/Gray FG recs.

Make 2 Red/White FG recs.

Make 2 White/Gray/Red FG recs.

Make 2 White/Red/Gray FG recs.

Arrow Sqs 

Stitch tog 4 Black 2½" sqs and 4 White/Black 2½" HST sqs into 2 Arrow 4 ½" sqs, turning the HST sqs as shown.

Assemble sqs and recs into rows, turning FG recs as shown:

Row 1 – Stitch tog Black 2½" sq + White/Gray FG rec + White/Gray FG rec + Black 2½" sq

Row 2 – Stitch 2 Red/White FG recs tog. Stitch to 1 Red 2½" x 8½" rec.




Stitch 2 White/Gray FG recs to each side of that unit.





Row 3 – Stitch tog 1 White/Gray/Red FG rec + 1 Red 2½" x 4½" rec + 1 White/Red/Gray FG rec.

Row 4 – Stitch 1 White/Red/Gray FG rec + 1 White/Gray/Red FG rec.







Stitch 1 Arrow 4½" sq to each side of that unit.

 Stitch all 4 rows tog to form block.

Here is the quilt I made from this block. I made a variation of the block for the center, substituting red for some of the gray in the FG recs. I also added 4 alternate blocks, sashing and a pieced border which included 4 Arrow blocks.

Mobility Chair Bag

I was asked to make an arm bag for a mobility chair.  So, I took out my sketch pad and drew an outline of what I thought would work.  I decided to put a pocket on the outside with a pretty block on it.  I wanted the bag to finish at 11" wide and 12" long.

I cut out the main fabric pieces for the outside of the bag, lining pieces, and heavy weight fusible interfacing to give the bag some stability.

I pieced the block for the front of the pocket and put a narrow border around it.  I then fused fleece to the back of the block and did some easy quilting on it.  I then sewed the lining to the block, right sides together, leaving a small opening to turn the pocket right sides out.

  I hand stitched the opening closed.

I placed the pocket on the front of the bag and edge stitched around the sides and bottom of the pocket.  I stitched the straps to the back of the bag, then stitched the front and back together.  I clipped a small square on each side of the bottom, then stitched the edges together. 

I repeated the process of sewing the sides and bottom together, clipping the corners, and sewing those edges together for the lining.

I placed the lining in the bag, right sides together, then sewed the lining and bag together around the top, leaving the space between the straps open.  I then turned the bag right side out and pushed the lining to the inside.  I hand stitched the opening, then machine top stitched around the top opening.

I am fairly satisfied with the end result, but I think next time I will make the block/pocket smaller.  Instead of 10" x 10", I will make it 8" x 8".  I think that will work much better.

I used "parachute" clips for the buckles because I think they are easier to operate than D-rings.  However, they are quite a bit more expensive so I may try the D-rings next time to help keep the cost of making the bag down.