Antebellum Sew Along ~ Part One

Antebellum ~ A Quilt Archaeology Sew along by Pam Buda ~ Heartspun Quilts

The day has finally arrived to begin my new Quilt Archaeology sew along called Antebellum.  I'm so glad you've decided to 'dig in' with me!  (If you are just joining us now, you can catch up, and read more details about this sew along, including yardage requirements here.)

Let's get started!  

I used four of the fabrics in my Bess' Flower Garden collection to make Antebellum

This week, we will make the LeMoyne Star center of the quilt.

Cutting Instructions

From light print
Cut (4) 1 3/4" x 3" rectangles
Cut (4) 1 3/4" squares

From red print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for Half Square Triangles (HST)
Cut (4) 1 3/4" squares for Flying Geese 

From blue print
Cut (2) 2 1/4" squares for HST
Cut (4) 1 3/4" squares for Flying Geese

Directions

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (2) red print 2 1/4" squares.  Match each with a blue print square and sew 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.  Cut apart, press to the blue print.  Make (4) red/blue HST trimmed to 1 3/4" square.

Arrange the (4) HST into a Pinwheel unit.  Sew together into rows; press for opposing seams.  Sew rows together; press.

If you know how to do a Four-Patch-Press (photo above), that will help a lot to reduce the bulk, which always means better accuracy.  

Make (1) Pinwheel unit measuring 3" unfinished.

Using the (4) light rectangles, (4) red and (4) blue 1 3/4" squares; draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all red and blue squares.  

Place the blue square on the left side of the light rectangle, paying specific attention to the direction of the diagonal line.  (See the first sample in the photo above.)  Sew the connector corner square on the diagonal line (scant); press and trim.  (See second sample in the photo above.)

Repeat these steps with the red square on the right side of the rectangle.  Make (4) Flying Geese measuring 1 3/4" x 3" unfinished.

Arrange the pieces for the LeMoyne Star block as shown.  Sew together into rows; press for opposing seams.  Sew rows together; press.

Your LeMoyne Star center block should measure 5 1/2" square, unfinished.  

That's it for this week.  The next step is coming next Friday.

In the meantime, I need to pass along a huge Thank You to everyone who placed an order last weekend for a FREE Antebellum quilt kit.  All of the orders have been processed and the kits are on their way to you.  I can't tell you how I appreciate your orders and your business.  They quite frankly keep me able to do things like this sew along with you!  And, I'm so grateful for that 'cause it's so much fun!  If you decided to use your own stash....great!  I'm happy you're sewing along with me as well.  

Over the Memorial Day weekend, my family and I finally had a chance to move into the brand new patio addition to our home.  It took one year to complete...not because it's grandiose...No!    It's the dumb luck that seems to plague all construction jobs of never-ending delays.  Sigh....that was last year!  Now, we can begin to enjoy.  I'll be posting photos on Instagram and Facebook here and there.  Are you enjoying the end of spring/early summer?  Well....as much as we can during this quarantine.

I plan on stitching a whole lot on that patio this summer.  I hope you find time to enjoy the weather and stitch, too.  

Stay safe and keep creating!  

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Be well....