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Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Quilt along week 2: let's sew

Hi friends,

Welcome to week 2 of our quilt along. Today we are going to sew and we are going to learn a technique called chain sewing. I like to use this whenever I can, because it goes faster.

Some general information first. Use a 1/4 inch seam.  I usually use a 1/4 inch piecing foot for my machine. However, one of my machines doesn't have this foot, so I do a test sample and make sure I know where a 1/4 inch is, when I am using that machine.

Divide your squares into piles of 10 for the crib/lap quilt, 21 for the twin and 27 for the queen. Keep all your rectangles separated by size and color. Now, take the first pile of squares and half the first color of short rectangles and start stitching. Because we are doing chain piecing we won't be back stitching so shorten your stitch length just a bit. Sew your first half of your first color of short rectangles to the right side of your first pile of squares.

 Take your second pile of squares and second color of rectangles and do the same. Then repeat with the third pile.   Take a break, get a drink and take a walk. Clip all of your squares apart and press am the seams. Press towards the center square or your darkest fabric.

You will now take the squares you just pressed and sort them so that you have all the same color rectangles with your squares. Take your long rectangles and sew to the top, just the same way you did the short rectangles. Chain piece all squares. After the top side is done, then turn and do the bottom side. Just make sure your rectangles on each square are the same color, because if you don't, you have to make friends with the seam ripper and that really is not fun.  Next week we will put it all together and sandwich the quilt. Yay!!!!!
Remember to share your progress by going to instagram and tagging me @kathyskwiltsandmore and using the hash tag #bricksandblocksquiltalong



3 comments:

  1. Excellent post Kathy! Lots of useful information for beginner quilters.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so very much. That is what I am aiming for in this quilt. I appreciate your kind words.

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    2. Thank you so very much. That is what I am aiming for in this quilt. I appreciate your kind words.

      Delete