Quilt Archaeology ~ October Treat ~ Part Four

 

Wow - these weeks have flown by so quickly!  I've been looking forward to posting each week for both Quilt Archaeology and Monday's With Marcus.  Let's get down to Quilt Archaeology business first.  Can you believe this is our last week?

Here is where we finished last week.  

Now, we're adding setting triangles to turn our quilt center on point.  We do this all the time, and piecing setting triangles are fairly straight forward.  THE most important thing is to cut the squares in half with precision.  Have you ever had your triangle cup?  Have you made a quilt that cups in one corner?  It's likely because your setting triangles were not cut diagonally with  precision.  What that means is your rotary cutter and ruler should go from one point to the other.  Any slip and it's curses!  If I slip, I don't use either triangle....they go in the scrap bin.  The reason is the angle is all wrong, the corner of your quilt will not be square at a 90 degree angle.  It's worth a second cut!  Time to enlist a ruler holding budding to hold your ruler steady on really big diagonal cuts.  It helps.  

And finally, add the cheddar and black borders.  Gosh, that was a fun quilt to piece.

I'm relatively new to hand quilting but totally addicted.  I wanted to hand quilt this one and thoroughly enjoyed it.  In case you have the hand quilting bug, too, here's what I did.  

After basting the quilt with big red stitches, I used my Clover white disappearing pen to mark a simple cross-hatch grid.  Straight stitches are where I get a lot of practice.  One thing I learned.....black quilt....buy black batting!  

I wanted to do something different in the border.  Something I had never done before.

I don't have many quilting templates, especially one that would fit in this narrow border.  I really liked this one and I enjoyed stitching it.  Once the quilting was complete, a press with the iron removed all the white marks from the Clover pen.  (Pen available here.)  No matter how you decide to quilt your October Treat, I sincerely hope it brings you many years of happiness.

In case you missed it on Monday, it's my week for Monday's With Marcus!!!!  The Star Maker Mini Runner you see above is a FREE digital download here.  Kits are available.....and so are fabric prizes!!!  

Visit Monday's With Marcus Facebook Page and LIKE/SHARE to win fabric prizes directly from Marcus Fabrics!  Visit their Instagram page and FOLLOW to win as well.  

I will be giving away bundles of fat quarters this coming Monday.  Comment on my blog post, LIKE/SHARE on my Facebook page and FOLLOW me on Instagram.  A fat quarter bundle could be coming to your mailbox!  Oh, and don't forget to watch my YouTube video and subscribe to my channel!  

No matter where you live, stay home and stitch....stay safe and be well.  Wishing everyone safety and good health!!!

Quilt Archaeology ~ October Treat ~ Part Three

 I love meeting like this...that we have a date every Friday.  These days, it's about the safest way to get together.  It's all very sad and frustrating, isn't it!  But....we sew to keep ourselves busy, in a happy place, and sane!  Let's get started on our next steps.

We begin by sewing our E and L strips together.  Take your time sewing strips.  Yes, they're easy but often the raw edges can slip from alignment causing them to be wider or narrower than they should be.  Sew slowly, watching to be sure the raw edges of both fabrics are perfectly even.  When sewn, set the seam and press to the dark.  I highly recommend finger pressing first, especially with strip sets, to be sure you really get into the nitty gritty of the seam.  We don't want any folds or puckers!  Then, give it a good press.  Measure, measure the entire length of the strip set to be sure it's 2 1/2" wide.  If not...rip the section now and fix it.  You'll be happy you did later.

Rotary cut a clean edge from one end of the strip set, then cut (8) Two-Patches according to the pattern directions.  

Sew them into Four Patches and check measurement.

From the remaining E/L strip set, cut (4) border strip sets.  

Sew the side strips sets to the Double Star block; press.  Sew the Four Patch units to each end of the top and bottom strip sets, then sew to the quilt center.  Measure your block!!  

That's all for this week.  We will complete the quilt next Friday.  It's been so fun to sew with you.

I've been working on my Monday's With Marcus video and making samples to share hints with you.  We are getting ready to make the video later this week.  Honestly, I have no idea how it's gonna turn out.  It may be a comedy video of bloopers, my friends.  Parish the though ;-)

Our entire house looks like a bomb went off as we're having the kitchen painted.  You know how that is...everything from in there is everywhere else.  It's gonna go on like that for several more weeks because as soon as the kitchen is all back in place, I begin to dismantle my sewing room for the renovation in there.  I didn't plan for it all to happen at the same time.  It's just how it ended up because of the availability of people doing the work.  Geesh....I'll be so happy when it's all over.

In the meantime, because I'll be kinda shut down in the office, I've been working on getting the designs for three fabric lines into the NY office.  Once it's there, it's off my plate, and I feel so much better....because....my new Primitive Traditions sample fabric will be coming very late November!  I have six wonderful quilts designed with that fabric and I'll be a very busy sewer the rest of the year.  I really look forward to that time and to showing you the new Primitive line!  It's very different and wonderful...if I do say so (very humbly) myself.  

That's about all the news I have for now.  I hope you're enjoying your sewing time making October Treat.  I do think I may make that quilt in other fabric combos.  I really love the antique quilt design.  

Stay safe, my friends.....I worry for us all around the world.  My heartfelt wish is that you're all well and happy.  

Quilt Archaeology ~ October Treat ~ Part Two

Here we are, already on part two of our October Treat sew along.  I hope you found some useful tips from my last post about connector corners.  I'll bet you're all experts now!  

This week will be super easy, peasy because we're making larger Flying Geese using the same method as last week.  So, you can put your skills to the test once again.  

You'll use (8) H pieces and (4) A pieces to make (4) Flying Geese.  Be sure to measure them to check for accuracy.  

Gather the small center star you made last week along with the (4) Flying Geese you just made and (4) B squares.  Sew together into rows; press.  Sew rows together, press.  (So, I was paying attention enough to take this photo, but not of the sewn block.  Geez, Pam.  I blame it on Outlander!  Please forgive me.)  Measure, measure....to check for accuracy.  Refer to your pattern for all measurements.  

Guess What?  I have a bit of exciting news!!  

A few weeks ago, the folks at Marcus called, and told me they found a stray case pack of my entire Cheddar & Chocolate collection in the warehouse.....was I interested?  Are you kidding???  YES!

So...I have what is likely the last, full and complete set of Cheddar & Chocolate.  It's available in Fat Quarter bundles.  If you missed out on this very popular collection, this is your chance to buy a bundle for yourself.  Click here to see all the fabrics in the line.

I'm prepping for my Monday's With Marcus spotlight day (coming Oct 19th.)  Project is all done, of course, and so many of you have purchase the Star Maker Mini Runner kit.  (THANK YOU!)

Next, I have to make the video.  (Groan)  I love watching them, don't like making them.  I'm not a professional performer, per se, and don't crave the spotlight at all.  Hubby and I have to figure out how to do this and it's a bit of a learning curve.   Pray it all turns out for me!

I've been working on several new fabric lines.  Oh....I can hardly contain myself wanting to fill you in on the newest one....just waiting for it to be introduced by Marcus first.  You're gonna loose your mind!  And, I'm trying to find time to sew here and there....just to keep my sanity from all this election and covid stuff.   And...I'm still waiting on my flooring to arrive for the long-overdue renovation in my sewing room.  Since I'll have to empty nearly everything out of this room, I am both glad they haven't called yet, and annoyed they haven't called yet.  You know what I mean.

Well, that's it for now.  Enjoy your weekend and I'll check in on Monday with a reminder for you to visit Deirdre Bond-Abel, our next Marcus designer.

Do take good care of yourselves and be well........stitch to your hearts content!

That's it for this week.
 

Quilt Archaeology ~ October Treat ~ Part One

 Welcome to my October Treat sew along.  I always enjoy sewing with friends!  In case you are just joining us, my Quilt Archaeology sew alongs are about old, antique quilts I've 'dug up' and want to  replicate.  Here's the old quilt we will be making.

I made a Double Sawtooth Star for the center of the quilt instead of a single Sawtooth Star because it just felt right.  So, we will begin with the smaller Sawtooth Star.  

I am assuming everyone has cut their fabrics ahead of time.  If you still need the October Treat pattern, it's a FREE digital download here.  

Gather the following pieces to make your small Sawtooth Star block: C, D, I and J.  I make my Sawtooth Star blocks with Flying Geese using the Connector Corner method.  A simple unit, but things often don't work out.  Here are my tips for perfect Connector Corners every time!

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all (8) J squares.  Hint: be sure your drawn line is what goes from point to point diagonally, not the ruler.   Position the Connector Corner square perfectly on its base.  Hint: very important!  Between positioning and drawing the line, this is where many mistakes are made.  Take your time as you will like the results.

When marking on black or dark fabric, I love the white marking pen by Clover.  This notion is awesome and works very well on wool, too.  It disappears when ironed.  Available at your LQS.

The pattern directions often say 'sew on the diagonal line', and while it's sorta true, what I recommend is sewing (scant) on the diagonal line.  

Let me explain....in the photo above, note that my stitches are sewn right next to the drawn line, and inside the seam allowance.  That is what I mean by (scant), just the same way you would sew a scant 1/4 inch.  

The idea of this is to allow for the few threads lost in the fold when pressing, and gives more accuracy.  Try it....it works!  Hint: if you're confused about which side of the drawn line is inside the seam allowance, it's always on the side of the drawn line toward the corner of the unit.

The next step in this process often instructs you to trim then press.  NEVER trim first!  Trimming removes the base and middle fabrics which means you have nothing left to compare your triangle to, to see if you're triangle has been sew accurately.  Not to mention, it's much, much harder to rip it out and sew again trying to correct inaccuracies.  

Looking at the top unit in the photo above, fold and finger press the Connector Corner, then check for accuracy.  You are looking to make sure the two raw edges of the triangle are completely even with the base fabric.  If the triangle doesn't quite make it to the corner of the base, or....if it extends beyond the base, rip it out and do it again.  By leaving it that way, or just trimming off the excess fabric, you are robbing yourself of beautiful points.  It's a very small seam....no big deal to rip out.  You'll be glad you did in the end.  In my patterns, I instruct you to press, then trim.  Only trim once you're sure your Connector Corner is sewn precisely.

Following the two units at the bottom of the photo, you will be repeating the first steps on the other side of the Flying Geese unit.  Make (4) Flying Geese units and be sure to measure them.  They should be 2" x 3 1/2" unfinished.  

I would have liked to have had a photo of the block assembly steps for you, but do I....no.  Why....because Pam was watching TV while making this, and didn't pay attention when she should have.  I plum forgot.  I'm sorry....but hoping you know what to do from the steps in the pattern.  

Arrange your (4) Flying Geese units, I center square, and (4) D squares into a Sawtooth Star block.  Sew the units into rows; press.  Sew the rows together; press.  Make (1) center Sawtooth Star block measuring 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" unfinished.  

I sincerely hope the hints above will help you with any and all Connector Corners you may encounter in your piecing journey.  

That's all for this week.  Stay tuned for another installment of Quilt Archaeology next Friday for Part Two!  

Don't forget!!!  Our Monday's With Marcus event begins Monday, October 5th with Vicky McCarty of Calico Patch Designs.  Watch the slide show and take a look at everyone's projects.  The patterns will be FREE on their spotlight day.  Order any and all kits now and sew along with each designer on their day.  

My day will be Monday, October 19th.  Here's my Star Maker Mini Runner.  Order your kit here.

Have some fun stitchin', my friends.  Stay safe and be well.....

October Treat ~ Quilt Archaeology Reveal!

I'm so jazzed!!  Today is the day I can reveal my new Quilt Archaeology sew along project, called October Treat!

This sweet antique is the quilt (or quilt block) that inspired me.  It has a lot of wonderful elements to it and was fun to play with.  While this little gem is very versatile, it always spoke "Halloween" to me!  

Quilt Archaeology ~ October Treat ~ Pam Buda of Heartspun Quilts

I took a little creative license with this quilt as I added a small black star inside the larger black star.  The original antique only has one star.  If you prefer just one star, you can certainly cut a plain square for the center of the large star.  I thought it was more dramatic with two stars, and LOVE the cheddar and black fabric combo!

Halloween is one of my favorite home-decor times of year, and I'm working on growing my collection of Halloween quilts.

I hope you love this little quilt as much as I do!!  And as with every Quilt Archaeology sew along, I offer a FREE quilt kit with a qualifying order!!!!!  

YES....FREE FREE, FREE!  And....there's a change on how I'm doing things this time...and I think you'll really like it!  So, grab your favorite beverage, get comfy, and read the details below.  This is gonna be SO FUN!! 

Beginning right now, and thru Sunday night, Sept 20th, 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 October Treat free, free, free!! 

Now, normally, this is where I post the yardage requirements for those folks wanting to use their own fabric.  And, you can certainly use your own fabrics.  But, this time, I am offering a FREE pdf download of the pattern!  Yardage, cutting instructions and directions!

I will still sew along with you, giving you any hints and tips along the way, but if you want to have it all cut up, and ready to go, this will help you.  

You will find my October Treat download, and all future downloads, on my website here.
You will go through the shopping cart, and not pay any money, or shipping.  You will receive an email containing the pattern download link.  That's it!  Easy Peasy!

I highly recommend preparing your fabric yardage with spray starch or sizing.  This helps immensely with every step of piecing.  No special rulers are required to make this quilt.

In case you're in the mood for more Fall quilts.....

Here is Cobbler's Crossing.  I have just two kits left...or you can order the pattern alone, of course.
  

This is Past & Present.....

The ever popular Waltzing Leaves...























And, the newest addition....Hallow's 
Eve, one of many lovely quilts in my 
Vintage Treasures book. 








It won't be hard to qualify for a free October Treat kit.  Just place an order for $35 or more (shipping not included) on my website, and I will automatically pack your kit with your order!  

I will have your orders packed and shipped just as quickly as I can.  I am very excited to begin our sew along!

The first instruction for October Treat will begin Friday, October 2nd and run four consecutive weeks, ending Friday October 23rd.   Just in time for our spooky holiday!  

It's so important for me to thank each and every one of you for supporting my little business.  I know you have many, many choices for quilting goodies, and I appreciate each and every order, email and social media comment.  This free little kit and pattern is my way of thanking you for allowing me to keep on creating the things we love.  So...a big, heartfelt THANK YOU to all!!  

Let's get ready for our new sew along!  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!