Antebellum Sew Along ~ Part Four

I don't know about you, but I feel like these past weeks have just flown by.  Here were are at our final week of the sew along.  I'm really hoping you enjoyed this one as much as I have?

Let's make our last batch of Half Square Triangles.

Using (20) light print and (20) blue print 2 1/4" squares, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the light print squares.  Match each with a blue print square and sew 1/4" on both sides of the drawn line.  Cut them apart, press to the blue print.  Make (40) Half Square Triangles trimmed to 1 1/2" unfinished.

To complete our Antebellum quilt, sew (9) Half Square Triangles together for each side border; press seams open between HST.  Each side border should measure 1 1/2" x 9 1/2" unfinished.  Sew the side borders to the quilt center; press to the plain red border.

Then, sew (11) Half Square Triangles together for the top and bottom borders.  Like before, pay specific attention to the two HST on the ends of the bottom borders as they are turned differently than the others.  Each border should measure 1 1/2" x 11 1/2" unfinished.   Sew the borders to the quilt center; press to the plain red border.

Cut (2) 1 3/4" x 11 1/2" light print strips for the side borders, and (2) 1 1/2" x 14 1/2" strips for top and bottom borders.  Sew the plain light print border to the quilt center.  Your quilt should measure 14 1/2" square.  Bind with red print fabric cut 2" wide for single fold binding.  

I hand quilted my Antebellum quilt only in the light parts of the HST.  I'm still a beginner at hand quilting, and I don't really know how to fit a border design just yet.  It's plenty of quilting to keep it all together and enjoy it for the summer.  

I'd love to see your Antebellum quilt!  If you post it on social media, please tag me @heartspunquilts and use the hashtag #antebellumsewalong

Enjoy your weekend and Happy Father's Day to all our dads out there!  

Stay safe, keep creating and be well.....

Antebellum Sew Along ~ Part Three

So happy you're back with me for week three of the sew along.  Let's get started....

With the red print HSTs you made last week, and trimmed to 1 1/2", sew (5) of them together, pressing seams in between open for the side borders.  The side borders should measure 1 1/2" x 5 1/2" unfinished.  Check your measurements before proceeding and fix any issues that may arise.  Sew them to the center LeMoyne Star block; press.  (Press the HST border in the direction that is better for the points of your HST, and that may mean press the seam open.)

Next, sew (7) HST together for the top and bottom borders.

Pay specific attention to the orientation of the HST in the top and bottom rows, and how the bottom row is different.  Not exactly sure why the bottom row has HST turned this way, but I replicated the original exactly.  I think it's authentic this way, and kinda kitschy.  I like it, but if you don't, turn your HST  as you desire.  Press seams open between the HST.  The top and bottom borders should measure 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" unfinished.  Sew them to the quilt top; press.  Your quilt should now measure 7 1/2" square.

 Let's add the plain borders.  From your red print #2, cut (1) 1 1/2" X WOF strip ~ subcut (4) 1 1/2" x 7 1/2 strips for borders.

Since you have your red print #2 out on the cutting table, cut (2) 2" x WOF strips for single fold binding.  Set aside.

From the blue print, cut (4) 1 1/2" squares for border cornerposts.

Sew (2) 1 1/2" x 7 1/2" red print #2 strips to the sides of your quilt top; press to the red print border.  

Sew (2) blue print 1 1/2" squares to each end of the red print top and bottom borders; press to the red print borders.  Then, sew the top and bottom borders to the quilt; press to the red print borders.  Your quilt should now measure 9 1/2" square, unfinished.  

That's all for this week!!  Your quilt is looking so cute!  Don't forget to post your progress using #AntebellumSewAlong    
I sincerely hope you're enjoying the sew along, and that it's happening at a nice and easy pace for you.  I am planning at least one more later in the early fall!  Always trying to plan fun sewing projects for us to make together.

I had hoped to post photos of Plumberry this week, but the fabric didn't arrive until yesterday.  So, I will most definitely have an update for you this coming week.

Presently, I am deep into writing the directions for my new 2021 BOM.  I'm busy starching the fabric, too, and can't wait to begin cutting it up.  It will be introduced in July, so watch for exciting news on this program.  I can tell you it's very traditional, multi-colored in my core colors, and has just glorious fabric prints.  The border print makes my heart sing every time I look at it.  So...enough tempting you about it...but I am bursting to share it with you.  It's so hard keeping secrets!!

I hope you are staying healthy and can get out and about in the world a bit better.  I'm headed to my patio to work on the BOM outside because it's a beautiful day today.  Then, some evening stitching there as well.  I love summer!

Stay safe and healthy, and keep stitching!

Antebellum Sew Along ~ Part Two

Welcome to part two of my Antebellum sew along.  I hope everyone enjoyed making the LeMoyne Star center block.

Let's make some Half Square Triangles.

Using (12) light print and (12) red print 2 1/4" squares, draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the light print squares.  Match each with a red print square and sew 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.  Cut them apart, press to the red print.
Trim to measure 1 1/2" square.  Make (24) light/red print HST.

That's it for this week.   Not too much sewing, I hope?

I've been working on my 2021 Block of the Month program.  I will be able to debut it soon.  I think you're gonna love it and HAVE to make it!  It's a beauty and very traditional which speaks so deeply to my heart.  I am so proud of the fabric collection, and you know the quality of Marcus Fabrics....always superb!   I'll be able to show you my new purple collection, called Plumberry, later this week.  Exciting stuff!

In the meantime, turn the news channels off, and escape to your happy place...your sewing room awaits!

Stay safe, keep creating and be well....

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!  

 Please follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes posts that don't appear here on the blog.  

Be well....

Antebellum ~ Quilt Archaeology Reveal!

Finally!  Today is the day I can reveal my new Quilt Archaeology sew long project called Antebellum!

This will be a long post, so plop in a comfy chair and grab your favorite drink (Iced tea for me!) and read on....

Here's the old quilt we will replicate.  It may be a block in a larger quilt, but I think it makes a pretty great small quilt.  

As a country, we're all coping with this quarantine together, and being it's Memorial Day weekend, the summer is around the corner, and so is July 4th, I thought an Americana theme was appropriate for our little quilt.  #USAStrong

I named this project Antebellum, which means 'before the war', most often referring to the period of peace before the Civil War.
Not many projects qualify for this time period, but I know that the original antique fabric I used to design these fabrics are all of the Antebellum period, so I felt it was justified.  Can't you just see the ladies in their fine hoop dresses?!

I hope you love this little quilt as much as I do, and I have a way you can get a kit with exactly the same fabrics absolutely FREE!

Beginning right now and through Monday, May 25th,  place an order of $35 or more (shipping not included) on my website for anything you'd like, and you will receive a kit for Antebellum free, free, free!!   You'll also receive advanced cutting instructions.  I'll get back to my free offer in a moment.  

If you'd like to make the quilt from your own fabrics, here are the fabric requirements:

Light Fabric:  1/3 yard for background
Blue Fabric:  7" x WOF for blocks
Red #1:  5" x WOF for blocks
Red #2:  8" x WOF for borders & binding

I highly recommend preparing your fabric with spray starch or sizing as this helps immensely with cutting, piecing and pressing.  The half square triangles will be made larger and trimmed to size.  I used a Bloc-Loc ruler which you can find here.  

I'll post our first block instructions Friday, May 29th right here on my blog.  No need to sign up for anything....just visit the blog every Friday.  (The easiest way to receive the instructions is via email and you can read how to do that here.)  The last post will be June 19th so you'll have plenty of time to sew the blocks together, and have it ready for summer, and July 4th.  I'll post more about quilt finishing that week as well.  

Time to go shopping!  Here's what's new....

In the mood for Americana quilts?  I have quilt kits and patterns for my new Freedom Trail quilt.

Another great summer quilt is Wash Day.  Quilt kits and patterns are also available for this quilt.

There's a whole new crop of color bank bundles in a wide variety of colors.  Loads of light and shirting bundles, too!

Check out six different options for Circa 1880 Nine Patch...

...and don't forget I have a new book, Vintage Treasures.

It won't be hard to qualify for your free Antebellum kit!  Just spend $35 (shipping not included) on my website and I'll automatically pack your Antebellum kit in with your order!  

I will have your orders processed and packed up to ship to you next week as quickly as possible.  I am so excited to begin this next Quilt Archaeology sew-along on May 29th!  I hope you are as well.

I want to thank each and every one of you for supporting my little business making it possible for me to offer fun things like this.  I know you have many choices for quilting goodies, and I appreciate each and every order I receive, as well as the fabrics you buy at your local quilt shop.

So...let's get ready to have some fun!   Click here to go shopping.

I encourage you to follow me on Instagram and Facebook for behind-the-scenes posts that don't appear here on the blog.  

Be well, my friends....keep on stitching!