NATIONAL QUILTER'S CIRCLE MYSTERY MEDALLION WEEK 2

WEEK 2 BLOCK 1

Welcome back!!!! I can't believe how beautiful all of the blocks are coming out! Isn't it amazing how much changing colors or fabric placement creates a whole different look. Some quilters accidentally put some of the units in upside-down or backwards but in the whole scheme of things it doesn't really affect the finished project. It just creates a different look in the center of the quilt. That is of course if all of the sections are switched. If it is just one or two of the sections then you might consider fixing them for a cohesive look.

Ashley Hough made another great tutorial video for part 2. If you haven't seen it you can view it here: Ashley's Video. For week 2 download click on the link above (Week 2 block 1).

I have been following the FB posts and I understand some of you are frustrated because you do not get an email regarding the new installments. Would you believe I don't get them either! Don't focus on that because each installment can be found on the Facebook page under announcements or files. It is best to download them to your computer as I hear that using your smart phone or pad it is more difficult to find.

I promised that I would show you how to twist that center seam on the back of a four patch. This short little video will hopefully help. ( I didn't do one, why reinvent the wheel when there is Youtube!)

From this point forward you will be piecing a variety of blocks that will be used in different places in the quilt. Not until the end will you see where these blocks go (unless you will be doing the lap size and then you will get to see it earlier).

In this installment you will be making a lot of half-square triangles. I have you cutting squares just a little larger than you will need and then trimming the finished half-square triangle unit to 2-3/4". The best way to cut half-square triangles is, after you cut your individual squares, line up the two fabric squares you will use right sides together, and then cut the triangles. That way, they are ready to sew and they are cut at the same time. Be sure to read through all of the instructions before beginning. If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask me or Ashley by using our names on Facebook.

If you want to make more than one at a time, I have designed my own Half-square triangle paper so you can make 8 at a time. You will need 40 total so you just need to copy the foundation 5 times on some type of thin paper. Be sure to check the 1" box after printing to make sure it prints at the correct size. (Print at "no scaling" or at 100%.) Cut the two fabrics into 7" squares and cut out around the paper form (I cut about 1/4" around the line).

Place the fabrics right sides together and center the paper on the back of one of the fabrics and pin it in a few places to hold it together. (Ignore the stitching, I started sewing and then realized I forgot to take a photo!)

Shorten your stitch to about 1.5mm and sew 1/4" away from both sides of the diagonal lines ONLY. Ignore the arrows, they are for directional purpose only. They are not at 1/4".

Make sure that your fabric on the bottom is not flipped when sewing! Time to get out the trusty seam ripper! I'm not ashamed to show my mistakes. Just part of quilting!

Then cut apart on all of the solid lines. 

Press towards the darker fabrics and then tear the paper off. By pressing with the paper on you get a nice crisp seam. Trim the squares to 2-3/4". (I trimmed the bottom one.) Now they are ready to sew together.

You can get the paper here:

HALF-SQUARE TRIANGLE PAPER

Please let me know if you are unable to open the file. Be sure to measure your sections when sewing the half-square triangles together. It is always important to measure as you go to get everything to fit together accurately.

I want to give you one more tip about doing blocks with half-square triangles. I know sometimes it is difficult to perfectly cut those squares in half diagonally. Sometimes you don't cut exactly through the corners. This isn't the end of the world if you do that. You can compensate when you go to piece the sections together. I purposely cut the large triangle a little off so I can show you what to do.

If it is the larger side of the triangle, You can line up the diagonal seams, sew and then trim the block to size. If it is on the smaller side, line up the 90 degree corners and sew your 1/4" seam from the pieced side. Since this is a very long bias edge, be sure to use a lot of pins to keep it from stretching and let your machine do the work. Do not push or pull your fabric as you are sewing.

One more quick little tip. Have you noticed that as you are sewing along and you come to a seam that is fairly bulky your fabric has a tendency to get pushed to the left of the foot? If this is happening, then slow down when you sew over those bulky seams gently guiding the fabric so it doesn't shift. It works every time!

DRAWING WINNERS!

Congrats to the two winners from the last blog. Virginia and Barb (not sure of their last names) won! Virginia said, "Thanks for sharing your pattern, time, and knowledge with us." Barb said, "Thank you for creating this mystery--they are interesting and fun!". I have emailed them both so the first one to respond gets to pick which prize they want.

ELECTRIC QUILT

I have to confess. I didn't make the quilt that you see in the pattern. I was working on other projects so I sent the instructions to Ashley and as she pieced the quilt, she checked the instructions. The image you see is a virtual image created by Electric Quilt 8. I use it to design all of my quilts. It is a fantastic program. The fabric scans are to scale so when I design a quilt with the fabrics it looks just as if I made it! If you haven't tried it and like designing your own quilts, I highly recommend it. If you don't want the full version you can get Electric Quilt Mini. It isn't as expensive and it is a great way to get an introduction into their software. 

NEW DRAWING

I decided for this week's drawing that I will give away some fat quarters of the fabrics that I used to make my block. They are part of a collection called Garibaldi by Sara Morgan with Washington Street Studio Fabrics. If you like the collection you can purchase it here: Garibaldi. I will also randomly choose 5 extra names to receive the foundation papers by mail to make the half-square triangles. (USA only.) Be sure to leave a comment and your email so I can contact you if you win.

Here is part one of my center block with the collection. It is a beautiful black and red roses collection.

Here is my block 1 from part 3. I look forward to seeing your blocks!

BLUPRINT AND CRAFTSY SALE

Craftsy (Bluprint) is having a sale on some of their kits. My Lords and Ladies quilt kit and pattern is one that is on sale. It is 60% off! You can find it here: Lords and Ladies. It is a very easy pattern that combines a Courthouse Step block and an Hourglass block.

You can also get 2 weeks of Bluprint for only $1.  Expiration Date: 10/27/2018 11:59pm MST
Restrictions: One (1) redemption per email address 10/22/2018 12:01AM Mountain Time through 10/27/2018 11:59PM Mountain Time. Price is only valid for the first 12 months of service, after which you will be charged our standard subscription rate of $14.99 for monthly or $120 for annual plans. Offer cannot be combined with other offers, and is not redeemable for cash. Cancelled Craftsy Unlimited and cancelled or current Bluprint customers are not eligible for this offer. Free shipping is only available in the U.S. You can cancel at any time, but your annual subscription will remain active for the full period and prorated refunds will not be offered. Subject to additional terms, see full details at checkout. Bluprint may end or alter this offer at their discretion. 

As always: Do what you love and love what you do. Feel free to forward and share this with your quilting friends Thank you for reading. Toby Lischko