Here it is, block 1 from the Civil War Tribute quilt! And don’t you just love the fabrics?

  So, like I said in my earlier post, precision is key with these blocks. The first block has 4 identical sections that revolve around a center square. Nothing too complicated. But, cutting and seams need to be accurate for this block to work- ask me how I know! I took this one apart and reworked it to make it right. After this first block, I think the rest should work pretty well. It takes a little bit of a learning curve to work with a new designer/pattern to see how it all fits, and what works and what doesn’t.

But, there is a partial seam construction on this one.

When adding the first section to the center block, only sew 1/2-way down the center block. After adding the other sections, rotating clockwise as you add, this will start to make sense.

Now, you can finish the first seam.

Nice block, but it still needs the corners to make it square.

 What I’m about to show, is for me, a life saver when constructing a block with heavy seam intersections.  If you machine quilt your own quilts, you’ll understand how difficult heavy intersections can be to quilt. But, they’re also a challenge when putting together. First, I lightly press the seam to set the stitches. This is done with the seam still closed. The next step is blasphemy to some in the quilting world, but it works for me, and I’ve never had any repercussions from doing this. I use a pressing ham, and press the heavy seam open. That’s right, open!

Using the pressing ham gives me a crisp open seam that doesn’t show ridges from the seam fabric. The next step, is to place the block face up on my pressing grid, and steam. I know, many of you are aghast at this. But, with the grid, I can also block the fabric nice and square if  I steam. Then I spray with the best new product I’ve found in a long time, Mary Ellen’s Best Press clear starch. This gives your block stability, and I actually use it on all of my seams while working. I’m a bit of a fanatic about good pressing!

After the square is pressed and blocked, if any of the intersections still feel heavy, I steam the troubled spot, and press with a wonderful little tailoring tool- a clapper. Press the clapper down, with some force, over the intersection until the fabric cools. Once cool, remove the clapper, and your seam will be nice and flat.

I’ve heard of using a hammer to pound the seams, but that sounds a little scary to me. I think the pounding could actually cut the threads of the fabric if you’re not careful. The clapper just works from pressure and a good steaming.

And, once again, here is the final block. Though it isn’t pictured  here, block one is made twice, once as a 12 inch block, then as an 18 inch block.

Did I also mention yesterday was our first snow of the season? It was the perfect day to stay inside and sew.

Gets me right into the holiday spirit!

Now, on to block 2…

Have you seen this new quilt?

Well, call me crazy, but I’ve decided to make this beautiful quilt. To make it even crazier, as I signed up to make this as a block-of-the-month project for next year,  I was approached by an equally crazy friend and employee from Quilted Threads to make this as a store sample. How flattering is that? But wait,  it gets crazier, the quilt needs to be ready for display in January! So, OK, I’ll think about it – for about 5 minutes- and guess what? I am making this for the store sample.

I love reproduction fabrics, and particularly civil war era fabrics. I have a fascination with the whole civil war time period-maybe in a previous life I lived in the south during those times, or maybe it was just Clark Gable as Rhett Butler that does it to me. At any rate, here I go, trying to do more than I should in a smaller time frame than is possible. i just can’t seem to help myself.

  The first block is started. As accurate as I am cutting, sewing, and pressing, I can never get my blocks to come out perfect. I guess close-enough will have to work. But, have you seen all those half-square triangles in this quilt? There are enough to make even the best quilter sweat a little. And, don’t even talk about quilting this quilt. The finished size measures  1o0 X 110 which is not the problem, it’s those sawtooth borders along the outside edge!

  This will certainly challenge me ad a piecer and quilter. But, hey, what else is there to do? It’s the day after Thanksgiving, and I have almost no family to connect with over the holidays. This project will keep me busy and keep me from getting melancholy before and during Christmas.

  Another big plus, this is probably the only way I will complete this quilt – a deadline! YAY for deadlines!

   Now, off to sew…..

   OMG! – I forgot to post this picture…

More new fabric! Did I tell you how much I love reproduction fabrics? The large print is from Moda, a Laundry Basket collection called “Close To My Heart” and the smaller pieces from the ” Astor Manor” collection. This quilt is just waiting for borders. I needed a quick project to complete to feel like I could get something done and not have a project linger. I’m into month 11 of a 12 month BOM and getting weary of it dragging on. It’s a great idea, but a block of the month project just takes too long to complete.

  Now, back to sewing…

   Here it is, a tease for my next project.

  Aren’t these just the yummiest new fabrics? They are part of the new Rouenneries/French General collection from Moda. In this photo, the background fabric has already been quilted. I couldn’t wait to get it on the machine and see it quilted. This fabric is a beautiful linen texture with birds and botanicals. One item has already been complete, and there are more to come.

   Isn’t this just the cutest little bag ever? It was made with my quilted linen fabric, and went together so quickly and easily, there will definitely be more to come. I showed it off at work, and was asked to sell some in a shop owned by a co-worker’s daughter.  How flattering is that? I never believe anyone would pay for something that is so easy to make. This really is beginner level stuff. I think that’s why I like it so much – simple, but elegant!

   What do you think?