Straight Setting Mile a Minute Blocks / foundation peiced.
These are MILE A MINUTE BLOCKS made a couple of years ago by my daughter when she was pregnant with my grandson. She was just learning to sew and said she liked the mindless and forgiving sewing of these blocks. She just took scraps / strings and added them using the sew and flip method, until the block was big enough to square up to a consistent size. If you looked at the inside you would see that her quarter inch needed working on. She does much better now then she did then. I sewed on sashing around the blocks to get them to 11-1/2 inches in size. I am currently trying to decide whether I should stagger the blocks or have them line up in a traditional straight setting. WHAT DO YOU THINK?
I finally finished my THE FABRIC TALKS TO ME QUILT. I mitered the corners, this is only the second time I have ever mitered corners. I used a hand applique method that was featured in an old article in QUILTER’S NEWSLETTER. I think I did a okay job of it. I definitely will do this technique again. It is currently at the long arm quilters.
My podcast will be late. I find I can either sew or I can podcast but trying to do both does not work well.
Charity Quilt update:
I have received 75 blocks and have included them in 3 in progress quilts. 1/ Girly, Bright fabrics with lots of florals and a lot of pink 2/ I Spy Boy quilt with all kinds of sport and masculine novelty prints. 3/ Gender Neutral Quilt that has brights but novelty prints are gender non specific. 4/ Red, white and Blue Patriotic. I am hoping these will be assembled at the July sewing camp I am trying to set up. Still waiting for confirmation from the hall manager.
If you would like to send in FOUR PATCH BLOCKS ( 12-1/2 INCH) to donate to the Whaley House Quilts, I am still in need. I will re-post the link to the directions.
I posted episode 19, my charity quilting diary…. I also got my second batch of charity FOUR PATCH BLOCKS. I am gratefully thanking everyone who has sent me blocks. It is so much fun to look at all the different fabrics and planning what quilt to put them in. Thank you all again.
Sandi O from Fernandina Beach, Florida
Great Blues and White/ Neutral blocks that are already in a quilt for a boy.
R M. from Peachtree City, GA
Love the way you sent your blocks… they arrive wrinkle free. Thank you …. Love the sport fabrics they will go into a I SPY quilt for a younger boy …. The brighter blocks are going into a girl quilt…
Karen W from Springfield Mo…..
If I wrote a better pattern… you would not have made the mistake. Your first set of blocks were taken by one of the ladies and they now live in a four patch border… worked out great. YOUR second set of blocks are going into the girly bright quilt. Love the crazy cats…. Looks like something I would draw!
NANCY R from Ward Colorado
Love the doggy print you picked… so bright and cheerful…. Some of the blocks will go into the bright girls quilt and some will go in the eye spy quilt. I also love the colors you matched with them… so bright and cheerful.
I am having a hard time keeping track of how many and what number of podcast I am posting… has to do with my general computer disorganization. I think I forget because I podcast on any one of three computers. Which ever computer is available when the podcasting muse hits. Anyway I think this is actually podcast 21.
NONNIE
12-1/2 inch block to be squared up by usSEW FOUR PATCH
The patches should be 6-1/2 inches each…. YOU need four patches….
PLEASE keep the lightest fabric in the 2 and 3 position; (upper right and lower position of the four patch.)
Sew two together on the top and two together for the bottom.
Then sew them together. The finished blocks should equal 12-1/2 inches and will be squared up before we sew them together.
Just got word we have 6 quilt tops ready for quilting. 3 quilted tops being bound right now. We need 23 girl quilts and now 26 boy quilts as they got some new residents. So far most of the donated fabrics are floral/ girl style quilts.
Four Patchs made by the girl scouts
This is a wall of FOUR patches made by a girl scout troop. They made enough for two quilts. I took the one with somber colors and they are going to finish a quilt with very bright girl colors.
Thank you for your response to my plea.
Nonnie
Found the original post I “borrowed” the instructions from: Quilting Stitches and Sew ON:This is a great blog in English with a little Spanish thrown in.
YOU can send the block to: Nonnie Palmer c/o Elaine’ s Quilty Shop po box 194 HADLEY MI 48440
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Pam at HIP TO BE SQUARE gave me a great idea. If you do not have the time to make the blocks just send me 6-1/2 inch squares and we will sew them into blocks. My goal is to get patches for the quilt from across the internet to let the kids know there are people who care.
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I had Christmas today, I opened up 10 envelopes full of the 12- 1/2 inch Four Patch Blocks. I opened then at my charity sewing bee and we all just ooooohhed and ahhed. I felt like I was having Christmas again this year. Some of the blocks are being paired with blocks made my a girls scout troop. Some of the blocks were taken by the members of the sewing group as they blended with other blocks already made.
Thank you for the blocks you sent:
Joan D of Timmons, Ontario .. Some lovely neutrals and blue and white. I have a lovely quilt this will go into probably for an older girl as the fabric was so pretty.
Judy B of Love land Colorado… pretty florals, pink and purple. These blocks were taken to go in a sweet girly quilt.
Lottie D in Switzerland,
I just about fell out of my chair when I saw the envelope saying Switzerland. Some really great novelty blocks that will look great in and I, Spy Quilt. I loved the pandas.
Carolyn A from Igo California
My quilting buddy wanted to swipe the kitten and puppy squares for herself but I beat her off. I loved the jet planes and truck squares and so did my 3 year old grandson.
Diane R of San Bernadino California… love the artistic prints and it is already in a quilt. I especially liked the neutral you put with it. It matches the print and style of fabric I used for a quilt last year.
Louise of North Tonawanda New York
Your blocks are already being added to a quilt in progress… full of brights and neon colors. I loved the black confetti fabric.
Debra W of Olds, AB in Canada
Your blocks are going into two different quilts… the orange floral print is matched to a girls quilt. The sweet ABC blocks Four patch is going into a quilt for an 8 year old boy. It is looking like an I spy type quilt for him. Your blocks matched up great with some train, truck and plane fabric and school time prints. J Gordon of Covered Aline Idaho
All the pink blocks are going in the girly brights quilt I mentioned earlier. And the animal prints and boy blocks are going into the I spy quilt. Our group had so much fun distributing the blocks into quilts that are under production. My but you were busy with your sewing to send so may blocks, it was very nice of you.
Laura of Henrico VA
Loved, Loved, Loved the flamingos and that block went to live in a bright girl quilt. I have decided not to use the disappearing FOUR patch block for all the quilt tops. I proved a little to difficult for the girl scout troop. I found a pattern for sashed FOUR patches in a straight setting for the novice quilters. We also are putting the blocks on point in a grid pattern. I found a pattern on line.
I have been told we now have 8 quilts bound and finished. 4 more quilt have been long armed and are being bound. As of today we have twenty quilt tops finished and waiting for the long armer. I plan to post pictures when we have our sewing sit in. We will be putting them all on a quilt stand so pictures can be taken.
Wonky Shoo Fly 8 inch block plus rectangle for making wedges
Using scraps from the charity quilts I winged a WONKY SHOO FLY BLOCK. I made my block using 3 inch left over block. The finished block was squared up to 8 inches. Frances’ blocks were cuter. I then cut a rectangle using the formula:
Block width plus the HEIGHT of the wedge; plus 3 to 4 inches for the length of the rectangle.
I used three inches because I had three inch strips. If I had to do this again I would use a larger rectangle, probably FOUR INCHES. I think it would have resulted in a larger block that allowed better squaring up and a better tilt.
Length of Wedge= 8 inch block + 3 inch height of wedge + 3 to 4 inches =14 inchesWedge size = width of block + height of wedge + four inches
I actually used 13 inches x 3 inches for my wedges because I used left overs from other projects. If I repeat this technique in the future I would make my wedge longer using the 4 inch from the formula.
Wedge is cut on the diagonalCutting the wedge on the diagonal; my grandson took the picture.
Stack your fabric wrong sides together. YOU will need 4 rectangles but you make two sets wrong side together and stack them on top of each other. The wedge is cut on the diagonal.
Cut your wedges by cutting on the diagonal of a rectangle.Match your 90 degree angle wedges. ONE set will be for a right tilt the other for a left tilt.
Once your wedges are cut; sort them placing like 90 degree angle on top of each other. One set of wedges will give you a left tilt …. the other set will give you a right tilt block.
Match the 90 degree angle; then sew the partial seam for the first wedge.
Match the 90 degree angle putting right side together. Sew a partial seam starting at the larger 90 degree angle. Leave the last 3 to 4 inches un-sewn.
Line up the wedges … Note where the 90 degree angle is.
Line up your block and wedges. Please note this is a left tilt block. The right tilt blocks line up differently. I will be making a right tilt block in the future and I will post pictures of the line up, similar to today’s pictures.
Sew in a counter clock wise pattern. Wedge two is on the right hand side of the block.
The wedges are sewn in a counter clock on a LEFT TILT BLOCK. Block two is sewn to the right side of the block. Block three will be sewn on the top of the block; note where the 90 degree angle is on the block and the wedge. PRESS AS YOU GO after each wedge is sewn.
Third wedge is lined up, sewn and then pressed open.Line up the Fourth Wedge then sew
The fourth wedge is sewn on the left hand side of the block. Sewing the partial seam finishes the block.
Finish sewing the partial seam then press the block.
Carefully press your block.
Square up ALL your blocks to the same size block
Once all my blocks are finished for my project, I would square up all my blocks to the same size as they are over- sized. Squaring up the blocks allow for easier assembling of the quilt top.
10-1/2 inch block after squaring -left tilt
This is my finished block. It measures 10-1/2 inch in size.
I will be posting pictures of a right tilt block in the future. Instead of assembling the block counter clock wise; it is assembled clock wise. The 90 degree angle is placed in a different corner.
I will be refining the directions in this blog, as it it is 3am and I am getting punchy. If you have any questions leave a comment or email me.
I recently had a lively email exchange with Sandy from QUILTING FOR THE REST OF US…. Amount other things we discussed how I used my stash when I took classes in various techniques and block of the months. I made scrappy quilt block and I worked exclusively from a two boxes of fabric where all fabrics coordinated together. I did add fabrics to the collection but they all played nice together. From this stash and the blocks I made from the classes I have made a series of quilts for family members that all coordinate. I use ITALIAN RENAISSANCE ANGEL FABRICS as the focus fabric in many of the blocks. The above link goes back to pictures I posted over a year ago about using these UFO blocks. I have several pictures of the blocks there. My next podcast which I am posting this week will be about these blocks.
Hope you will have a chance to check out the pictures when you listen to the podcast.
12-1/2 inch block to be squared up by usSEW FOUR PATCH
The patches should be 6-1/2 inches each…. YOU need four patches….
PLEASE keep the lightest fabric in the 2 and 3 position; (upper right and lower position of the four patch.)
Sew two together on the top and two together for the bottom.
Then sew them together. The finished blocks should equal 12-1/2 inches and will be squared up before we sew them together.
Just got word we have 6 quilt tops ready for quilting. 3 quilted tops being bound right now. We need 23 girl quilts and now 26 boy quilts as they got some new residents. So far most of the donated fabrics are floral/ girl style quilts.
Four Patchs made by the girl scouts
This is a wall of FOUR patches made by a girl scout troop. They made enough for two quilts. I took the one with somber colors and they are going to finish a quilt with very bright girl colors.
Thank you for your response to my plea.
Nonnie
Found the original post I “borrowed” the instructions from:
As you all know I have been working on charity quilts this last month. These quilts are destine for Christmas presents for the children who are sheltered at Whaley Children Center in Flint MI. For various reasons these children live at the center until they age out of the system at age of 18 years. They go to school, live in group units, they learn daily living skills. The have very little in comfort or personal items. We are planning to give each child a quilt as they currently have a basic blanket and sheet set. From what our liaison has seen their are no quilts or comforters. There are 45 children from the ages of 10 to 17 living in the center.
For July we are going to have a quilting day to work on quilts. I am hoping my listeners/ blog readers will be willing to send me one FOUR patch blocks. I think it would be nice we could add some blocks from all across the country. If you are willing please mail the blocks to:
Our patches are 6-1/2 inches sewn into a four patch pattern.
Any style fabric. We mix and match the blocks we have and match them for a pleasing effect. We take everything…. (I got some great fabric at JoAnn Fabric with my coupon last week, Keepsake Collections have improved greatly.) We are then taking the FOUR PATCHES and using them in the DISAPPEARING FOUR PATCH BLOCK. ( See directions/ pattern…… next / previous post. JUNE, 2011 archive.)
Postage should be less than a dollar for standard manilla envelope… but that is a guess on my part as I have not tried to mail one… YET!
Results if the patches match in the light and dark position
All patches differentDifferent focus fabric / same lights
Results if all patches are different
FOUR patch with every block different/ assembling
I have made DISAPPEARING NINE PATCH blocks many times in the past. I was surfing one night and found a blog showing what they called a disappearing nine patch. I stopped to read the blog and check out the pattern, then the tutorial. ( Sorry, I could not find the link to the original post, but I am still looking for it. If you have read the blog pleases send me a link. If I ever find it again I will post it.) It was a totally different pattern then the one I was making and I liked it a lot. So I sketched out the block and directions… yes I do things long hand even though I am on the computer at the time.
I showed it to the quilters making the charity quilts and we are planning to make this quilt as part of our QUILTING DAY ADVENTURE. We are arranging to rent a hall and plan to invite all the quilters we know to come and make quilts with us. Below are the instructions I wrote up as a flyer.
I am writing this pattern up as if you are going to make the quilt for yourself.
Make a four patch block using 6-1/2 inch squares.
DO NOT SQUARE UP if you donate the block to our cause….We will square them after we coordinate any blocks we get. We need 48 blocks for every twin size quilt we make.
If you are making this quilt for yourself, I found it important to square up the blocks to the same size, before cutting them. THE blocks should measure 12-1/2 inches but the blocks were made by different sewers so I squared them to 12 inches. I then cut them using the cutting diagram. We found that we liked the blocks made with the FOUR INCH from the side best. ( We had also made some trial blocks using 4-1/2 cuts, but the center was too skinny and we felt not as pleasing to the eye.
Cutting diagram:
Cutting Diagram
Once all four cuts are made you now have a nine patch block. I liked to turn the center four patch so it was no longer against its original color patch. I then twist and turn the center side patches to achieve a pleasing placement of color. Be aware where the light fabrics align with the dark fabrics.
Once you are happy with the layout of your patches, proceed to sew them as a NINE PATCH. Patches 1 to 2; 4 to 5 and 7 to 8. Add patch 3 to 1&2; patch 6 to 4&5; and patch 9 to 7&8. ( I hope this makes sense to newbie quilters, I am a newbie tutorial / pattern righter.)
9 PATCH after cutting / before sewing
Square up the blocks AFTER you have made them all. Assemble placing light next to dark. I think a nice pattern develops and I will post pictures once I have them assembled.
I sewed 10 FOUR patches in one hour. It takes longer to square up the blocks and then resew the cut patches. I have gotten two to three patches made in one hour. ( Lots of interruptions from a three year old. )
I hope you will participate in the SHOUT OUT FOR CHARITY BLOCKS.
Nonnie's Quilting Dreams 