Friday Sampler Block #7 - Drunkard's Path

This week's accuquilt block is the traditional and very versatile Drunkard's Path.  It may look complicated because of the curved piecing, but is really an easy and fun block to do.

There are so many ways to put this block together.  Recently I picked up a book by Pepper Cory for Dover Publishing called 65 Drunkard's Path Quilt Designs which shows many variations.

If you don't have the accuquilt die, you can use a template to cut out this block.  Having worked with this block previous to owning the die, I can tell you that accuracy in cutting is very important to getting perfect results.  The die makes it easy.

I want to show you how big this die and resulting block are because, if you assume things and don't read carefully, you will be surprised at the size if you order it. 

Accuquilt is coming out with a smaller version of this block in September (which I have already pre-ordered).

This size makes up into a fast quilt.  Each piece is 7", and the finished  block (4 pieces) measures 14" square.

You will need a 17" wide strip of two contrasting fabrics to lay across the die.  For one 14" block just cut one layer of each fabric since the die has two cutters for each piece.

Layer one quarter circle right sides up and a contrasting concave piece on top as shown.

You will be sewing with the concave piece on top.  Only three pins are needed - one at each end, and one at the notch in the middle.  Start sewing at one end and gently ease in the top fabric to line up with the bottom quarter circle.  A stiletto makes this easier.  Once you have the hang of it, it really goes quite smoothly and quickly.

Press toward the darker fabric.  If you press toward the darker fabric throughout this sewing process, your seams will match up wonderfully.

With block laid out as shown in the prior picture, flip the right piece onto the left, insert one pin in the opposing seams, and stitch.  Do the same with the other two pieces, and then sew the two halves together.

You will have three seams (3 pins) to match in sewing the two halves together.

Look how nice and flat the block lays in this photo of the backside.  I like it when the back looks good.
And here is another picture of the front.  Nice block, don't you agree?  And fun to do too!

Happy Sewing ♥

For Extra Credit

One of the promotions going on in my shop is the opportunity to earn points for every dollar you spend which will accumulate toward a $10 gift certificate at FabricFascination.  You can earn additional points by sending me pictures of items you make with fabrics purchased.  If I use them in a promotion, you earn 20 extra points.

Here are two, very different, items made with fabric from my shop.  The first, sent in by shellieartist is an original fabric on wood piece called Mountain House.

The two fabrics on the bottom are from a batik bundle she purchased called Algae by Robert Kaufman for their Elementals Collection.

The second, a sweet little Birdsong Bonnet from Bellasobebe is made from the Bees and the Birds Collection by Keri Beyer.

I love seeing what you make with the fabrics you buy, so please be sure to send pictures of your creations, and earn some points toward your reward!

Happy Sewing ♥

Time to Vote for Your Favorite

Project Quilting Challenge entries are up!

This week's theme was office supplies, and there are some amazing entries.  Take a look and vote for your favorite on Kim's Crafty Apple blog.

 
This week I am sponsoring one of the Judge's Picks Prizes ~ a $15 gift certificate to my Fabric Fascination shop.  The winner will have the opportunity to pick from some gorgeous new Hoffman Batik Fat Quarter Bundles which I am expecting in this week.

New Fabrics from Timeless Treasures

Two big boxes of fabric arrived last week from Timeless Treasures (I love getting fabric in the mail!).  Here are a few of the items that will be listed in my shop over the next few weeks.

Tonga Treats - Brand new from Tonga Batiks.  Like the popular Bali Pops from Hoffman, these packs contain 40 strips of fabulous batiks cut at 2 1/2 inches.  I like that they are packaged flat, it makes them easier to mail.

Fat quarter collection from Alice Kennedy from her Berkeley line.

Wendy Bentley's sweet Tweet line in soft pastels, stripes, medallions, and a bird family.

Last, but definitely not least, a selection of exquisite Tonga batiks from the Taffy collection.

Happy Sewing ♥

Friday Sampler Block #6 - Double X

This afternoon is the first I've sewn in a number of days, and boy did it feel good!

 I chose a simple block from a pamphlet I had from Accuquilt.  The block takes just three fabrics, a dark, a medium, and a light.  You will only need one die - the Half Square 3" Finished Triangle (55009) and the 5" x 10" cutting mat. 

If you are making the block using a rotary cutter, cut 3 squares of each fabric at 3 3/8" and then cut them them on the diagonal to make 6 half square triangles of each.

Basically you are going to sew the blocks in three combinations - dark/medium, dark/light, medium/light.

Tip: When I finish a row, instead of pulling it out, or sewing onto a thread bunny, I add a strip to my Chinese Quilt row in progress.  By doing this whenever I sew, I now have almost enough rows to put together a quilt.  I keep a bin on the floor with scrappy pieces of fabric, and just grab one randomly to add to the row.

Back to our sample block, press each square toward the darker fabric.

 Then lay the squares out in three rows as pictured.

One way to sew the block together is to flip the middle vertical row over onto the first row and chain stitch them together.  Then open it up and flip the 3rd vertical row onto the middle row and chain stitch that. 

Finally sew the three rows together.  You already have them joined in the correct position.  Be sure to butt the seams going in opposite directions to lock in a perfect point.  I use one pin in each seam.

Press all in the same direction, and voila - a simple and attractive block to add to our sampler.

Renovation Update: My sewing room is coming to order.  I still have to find places for some items.  We have only the rest of today and tomorrow morning to get the guest room ready for my Mom's visit.  Yikes!

Happy Sewing ♥

Look What I Found!

We are renovating our guest room into my craft/sewing room, and vice versa, which mean taking everything out of both rooms, spackling, sanding, painting, installing electrical plugs, molding, and lighting fixtures, and then putting everything back into the rooms.  Since my crafting/sewing room is going to be a little smaller, and I have been meaning to go through all my supplies for a long time, this was the perfect time to weed it out, give stuff away, sell destash, and put things in order.

One carload of stuff went to a local special ed teacher who was just as blessed to receive them as I was to have them put to good use. A few items I gave away on Etsy for the price of postage (destash magazines), and a few items I will sell.  I think these finds fit in that category.

 

Two of the thimbles are sterling silver and have lovely ornate designs.  I would wear them myself, but they are too small.  The sewing box items may not be usable, but make a nice sewing room decoration I think. If you are interested in these items, they will be for sale in my fabric shop under vintage soon.

Sew Much Fun!

 

Our Neighborhood

My husband woke me at 6:30 this morning saying we were going on a walk to take pictures of flowers in our neighborhood.  To understand how much this blessed me, you first have to know that  it is usually like pulling teeth to get him to go for a walk, and secondly, that I had mentioned yesterday I wanted to do a blog post on flowers, and he had remembered.

To be totally honest, I had been picturing photos of wildflowers for my post, and I think at least a part of his motivation was to try out his new camera.  Still, it was a lovely suggestion, and here are the results.

My husband is one of the few people in this world who can still surprise me (in a nice way).  No wonder I love this man so much.

Friday Sampler Block ???

Just in case anyone was wondering, I didn't do a sampler block this week.  There are several reasons for this, but they all boil down to - I just didn't have time. 

This weekend we will be renovating our guest room, so I don't expect to get back to the sampler quilt until next week.

Have a wonderful warm and sparkly fourth of July holiday everyone!