Secret Drawer - Vintage Block Quilt Along #9

Hello!  

Below you will find the instructions to make the next block in the Vintage Block

quilt Along - The Secret Drawer from the Kansas City Star, circa 1930.

I love this block and I think it is my favorite so far, thought I feel that way about each of these vintage blocks : )  After completing this block you will be a Y seams expert!  The are not as hard as they look and I will give you tips for success!

OK....lets get started:

Pattern for piece B can be found [Here]

Fabric: all pieces include a 1/4" seam allowance
Cut 1 - A  4 3/4" Print Center Square
Cut 8 - B Background Fabric
Cut 8 - B Spool Fabric
Cut 4 - C  2 5/8" squares for center spool
Cut 2 - D  5 1/8" squares background fabric, then cut these squares diagonally to make 4 triangles
Cut 2 - E  3 7/8" squares background fabric, then cut these squares diagonally to make 4 triangles

Materials:
100% cotton thread
Marking pencil or pen
See thru ruler
Rotary cutting supplies

Notes:
All seam allowances are 1/4"

Tip for Cutting Piece B.
Cut 1 9/16" strips and lay piece B on the strip cutting the diagonal seam with you rotary cutter.


Create the spools:

1)  Mark the center spools C 1/4" from each edge and 1/4" from raw edge.   I like to draw a seam line and make marks for the 1/4" point.
Place B spool right sides together with C inside spools.  Pin in place
***In order to make sure both pieces are centered, I fold both pieces in half and create a crease mark.  Match the crease on B to C to insure they are placed correctly***

2) Stitch the seam, stopping 1/4" from beginning and end of seam.  If you go over the mark (like I did on the top left) use your seam ripper to remove the stitches.
Repeat for the other side.  Press seams open.

3) Place piece B - background fabric to Piece C right sides together.  Pin in place.

4) Flip over the spool and stitch the seam starting and ending at the previous stitching, 1/4" from edge.  Start 1 stitch inside the previous stitching line.  Again, if you stitch into the previous seam, use your seam ripper to remove the stitches.
Repeat for the other side.

5) Place the diagonal edges of both B pieces right sides together and pin in place.
Start stitching 1 stitch away from the previous stitching back tacking at ends.  Repeat for the other side of the spool.

6)  Press seams towards the dark pieces.
Repeat for the opposite side.

7) Your finished Spool with look like this.  Repeat steps #1-6 for the other three spool blocks.

 Assemble the block

8) Lay out your block as pictured.
Stitch together Row 1.  Stitch together Row 2.  Stitch together Row 3.
Stitch row 1 to 2.  Stitch Rows 1/2 to 3.  Attach the top and bottom corners.

Yay!!!!  you are done!!
Easy, peasy, lemon squeaky - as my 6 year old would say!  : )

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and I will answer your questions!


Happy Sewing!

xo
Charise

The Secret Drawer

I just received and email from a reader who asked "did you ditch the vintage block quilt along"?

I assured her I did not : )  I wanted to share that with you and apologize for the delay.  I've been working on a few paid projects as well as just taking a breather.  The Super Online Sewing Match was exhausting, and really made me think about what I want to spend my time on creatively besides spending time with my boys - big and little. 

 

Progress has been made on the next block for the Vintage Block Quilt Along. I'm going to share "The Secret Drawer" from the Kansas City Star circa 1930.    I spent time this week figuring out the pattern and picking fabrics - love picking fabrics : ) and  (drumroll please)  There are Y seams!

Stay tuned - I am shooting for the week of Thanksgiving at the latest to finish the block, pattern and tute.

Love this version in the Japanese Book - My Favorite patterns 163.

I got mine on Etsy : )

 

Have a lovely night!

 

xo

Charise

Letha's Electric Fan, Vintage Block Quilt Along #4

Here you will find block #4 in the Vintage Block Quilt Along!

This is one of my favorite depression era blocks right up there with the Rose Dream block!

It is made from 4 arcs and 1 appliqued circle.

Block #4
Letha’s Electric Fan, Kansas City Star, circa 1938
by Charise Randell

This pattern is for a 12" finished / 12  1/2" unfinished block

 Supplies:

Fabric:
F8 background fabric
4” square fabric for center circle
20 - 3” squares - different prints.  This is also a great project for scraps.  The pieces should be at least ¼” bigger that the individual wedges on Pattern Piece B - Arc.

 Other Supplies:

Card stock
Light weight copy paper or Vellum
Freezer paper
Spray Starch
Matching thread
C-thru ruler
Fabric marking pencil or pen

 Notes

*Change your stitch length to 18-20 stitches per inch when paper piecing the arcs
*Make sure your test square on the pattern page measures 1”

Download the Pattern HERE
Cut 4 Arcs from lt wt copy paper or vellum
Cut 1 circle from freezer paper or card stock
Cut pattern pieces A & C from card stock

Cut the Fabric
Cut 4 Pattern Piece A Background Fabric
Cut 4 Pattern Piece C Background Fabric
Cut 1 Circle from your desired print fabric for the center circle

Mark the notches
Mark the notches on pieces A and C

 Lay out the block

1)  Arrange the arcs as the finished block.  Pick the fabrics and arrange in a layout to your liking.

 Paper piece the arcs

I paper pieced the arcs to insure accuracy and I find this is the easiest method for me.  ***If you’d rather create these from a template, photocopy an arc (B) onto card stock.  Add ¼” seam allowance to one of the wedges and cut out as your pattern piece.***

1)  Place one of your fabric squares or fabric scraps on the wrong (unprinted side) of the arc making sure to cover the first wedge.  The fabric right side will be facing you. Make sure there is at least ¼” fabric around the perimeter of the wedge.  Hold the paper arc up to the light to help positon the fabric.

Pin in place.

2) Place the next fabric square right sides together with the first and pin in place.

3) Flip the paper arc over so the printed side is facing you.  Stitch on the first line.

4) Finger press the seam.  Fold back the paper arc on the next line and trim the second square to 1/4" beyond the line.  This is your seam allowance.

5) Continue steps #2 - 5 until the arc is complete.

Repeat this process for the other three arcs.

You should have 4 arcs.  Mine are created with scraps thus the scraggly edges : )

6) Using a water soluble fabric pen or pencil, mark a 1/4" seam allowance around the arc and cut out. Repeat for the remaining three arcs.

Sew 1/4 of the Block

1) Place one of your arcs, inside curved edge, to the curved side of piece C, right sides together.  Match the notches on C to the seams on the arc.
Pin at the seams.  Notice how the convex edge, which is bias, is placed on top.  This makes it easier to stitch since you can slightly stretch the edge as your are sewing. Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press the seam toward the arc.

2) Place the  curved side of piece A to the outside curved edge of the arc, right sides together.  Pin at the seams matching the notches on A to the seams on B. Stitch with a 1/4" seam. 

Press the seam towards the arc.
Repeat for the other three sections of the block.


Stitch the Block together

1) Referring to the picture above, place the individual sections as you would like your finished block to look.

2) Place the top left to the bottom left portion, matching the seams on the arcs as the picture, right sides together.  Pin in place.  Stitch with a 1/4" stitch.

Continue around the block in the order as the picture above.

Create the Center Circle

1) Iron the freezer paper circle to the center of the back fabric circle.

2) Hand stitch a gathering stitch around the perimeter of the circle.

3) Turn the fabric circle over and pull up the gathering stitch.

Place a q-tip or small brush in the starch.  Apply the starch to the seam allowance.

Carefull iron the seam allowance over the edge of the freezer paper circle.

4) Loosen the gathering stitch and remove the freezer paper circle.  You should have a perfect circle!

Turn to the right side and press.

5) Position the circle on the center of the block using the template as a guide.

Stitch in place.

Yay!!!  You have completed Block #4 - Letha's Electric Fan

If you make this block, please add it to my Vintage Block Quilt Along Group on Flickr!

Beggar Block - Vintage Block Quilt Along #3

I'm very excited to share the pattern and tutorial for the third block in the quilt along - Beggar Block.  You may have also seen this block referred to as Spool Block or Butterfly Spool Block.

 It is from the Kansas City Star Newspaper circa 1929.

Here is an excerpt from the original newspaper clipping:

"This interesting block harkens back to the neighborly custom of begging one's friends for scraps of their frocks, or old neckties, to put into a quilt."

Reading that makes me think how different our lives are compared to the quilters of 1929.  Times were tough and not everyone could go to their local fabric store or purchase their fabric online!  I have a quilt my grandmother made and my mother loves to show me which fabrics were her dresses!!!  I love to think of my great grandmothers resourcefulness using pieces of my mother's dresses for her quilts. 

I've chosen to make this using foundation paper piecing.  It insures accuracy!

If you prefer template piecing - You can print the pattern, cut apart, glue to card stock and add 1/4" seam allowance

This pattern makes a 12" finished / 12 1/2" unfinished block

FABRIC
-Background (Pattern Pieces A2, A3, B2, B3) -appoximately a F8 or 1/8 yard.
*Cut 16 rectangles 2" x 2 3/4"
-Outer Spools (Pattern Pieces A1 & B1) - 8 x 2 pieces each 2" x 4 3/4" (16 total)
-Inside Rectangles (Pattern Piece C ) - 8 pieces 2" x 4 3/4"
-4 1/2" square for center 

OTHER SUPPLIES

-Acrylic Ruler
-Cutting Mat
-Rotary Cutter
-Sewing Scissors
-Fine sewing pins
-Spray Starch
-Matching thread
-Light Wt copy paper or vellum.  My favorite vellum is from Office Depot. Link here.
It is translucent so you can see the fabric easily, it is cotton fiber so you can press with a dry iron without the paper shrinking, and you can put it through your copy machine!
(it is also great for drawing : )

NOTES
-Trim threads as you go.
-Sew with a scant 1/4" seam.
-Change your stitch length to 18-20 per inch for paper piecing (sewing through paper pattern.)   It is OK to switch back to 10 - 12 stitches per inch when sewing portions of the block together where you are not stitching through paper.

Paper Piece a Beggar Block

Step 1 - Print out the pattern

1) Print out the pattern for reference. Be sure to select Page Scaling - None.   
Link Here.
2) Print out two pages of the foundation pattern sheets on to light weight paper or vellum.
You will have 8 total.  The blocks should measure 4".   Link Here.
3) Cut out the pattern as pictured.

Step 2 Place your fabric on the pattern

1) Turn the top portion of the pattern ( A1, A2, A3, C ) over so the wrong side is facing you. 
2) Place the right side of the colored fabric rectangle on the pattern wrong side so it covers section A1 with at least 1/4" all around.  Holding the pattern and fabric up to a window will help you to see the pattern through the fabric and help you position the fabric.
Pin the fabric in place on the pattern.

Step 3 - Trim the fabric

1) Place the pattern and fabric with the pattern right side up, and the fabric beneath.
2) Fold the pattern back along the seam line.  Trim the fabric to 1/4" from the fold.  This is your seam allowance.
3) Repeat for the second seam.

Step 4 - Cut the background rectangles in half

1) Cut 2 rectangles in half as pictured

Step 5 - Add the Background sections

1) Turn the pattern over so the fabric is facing you, right side up.
2) Place the Background triangle A2 right sides with Spool A1.  Pin in place.
Repeat for the other side.

Step 6 - Stitch the Background sections

1) Turn your pattern piece over so the pattern right side is facing you and the fabric is on the bottom.
2) Stitch on the line between A1 and A2.  Stop at the seam line that connects section C, Backtack. 
Repeat for the other stitching line - A1 to A3.
3) Turn over so the fabric right side is facing you and finger press the seam open.

4) Turn over the pattern so the pattern right side is facing you.  Fold back section C on the seam line.  Trim beyond the seam 1/4".  This is your seam allowance.

Step 7 - Attach middle section C

1) Place the right side of section A to the right side of section C matching the raw edges.
Pin in place.

2) Flip the pattern over and stitch on the seam line between section A & C.

3) Turn to fabric right side and press seam.

4)  Flip over so the right side of the pattern is facing you.  Trim around the block leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Step 8 - Stitch and Attach Unit B

1) Stitch unit B together following instructions Steps 2 through 6.

Trim around unit B leaving a 1/4" seam allowance all around.

2) Place the right side of unit C to the right side of unit B matching raw edges.  Stitch together just on the edge of the patterns with a 1/4" seam allowance.

 3) Turn to the right side and press the seam. 

4) Repeat for the remaining seven sections

Assembling the Block

 To assemble the block, stitch the left, middle and right columns separately. 

 Press seams open.

Stitch the left to middle column matching and pinning seams. Press seam open.

Stitch the left/middle column to the right  column matching and pinning seams. Press seam open.

***Yay - block complete!***

There is a flickr group devoted to these kinds of blocks.  Check it out for inspiration!

Please visit my Vintage Block Flickr Group and be sure to download pictures of your blocks - I love to see what you make!!!!

xo

Charise

Change of Heart

So today I made 16 squares for my "Pillow Talk Swap" pillow.  Each block is  1/4 of the Rose Dream block which is the first block in my Quilt Along.

I put them all together and it was 16 squares and  24 inches of "too much" !!

So.....after much rearranging I decided on this.....

 

 

Sometimes simpler is so much better!

I think it is the right decision......I hope my partner likes it!!!!

 

xo

Charise

Liberty Past and Present

Seems I have been seeing lots of lovely Liberty fabric projects popping up.  Kerry made this lovely tea set for the Liberty Cafe  - how cool is that?  Leila made an absolutely adorable frame pouch.

I thought I would share my past experience with Liberty Fabrics.  You may or may not know this, but I have been a fashion designer for the past 23 years.  I have taken the past few years away from my career to spend time with my youngest son who goes to Kindergarten in the Fall. 

Way back when in 1999 : )  I worked as the women's woven designer for Nordstrom's Evergreen, now Halogen, line of women's clothing.  It was a wonderful job.  Halogen was a new line for Nordstrom and I was the first of two designers.  Those of you who are familiar with Nordstrom may know a bit about the different departments. At the time, Halogen was to sit in the Savvy department at Nordstrom.  The Savvy department houses young, fresh, higher end fashion.  I was lucky enough to travel to Europe for design inspiration, work with factories in Italy and even more exciting, to shop the most wonderful fabric show - Premiére Vision -  outside Paris!  We purchased fabulous Europen fabrics and that is where the connection comes to Liberty Fabrics.  I chose Liberty lawn for this little top I designed, bottom right.

I even still have the swatch booklet from the 1999 Liberty Fabrics line.

Can you tell it is well loved?  It has been travelling with me for the past 13 years : )
I love to open it and admire all the wonderful designs.

Someday I'll muster the courage to cut into it........

So... all that being said, and thanks for listening, but I couldn't resist this F8 pack of Liberty from Pink Chalk fabrics!!  I think I'll make the Rose Dream block into a zip pouch.

 

xo

Charise