Sew Along

Week 2

Putting it all together

Layout the blocks in a chevron design, as shown below.  Note: each block will be 'on point', or on the diagonal. The rows will also be on the diagonal. Take a peek at the last picture to see the rows.

  

I like to work with the quilt laid out on a design wall or on a flat surface. This way I can make sure I am sewing the right blocks together.

Sew the rows. Place two units right sides together, pin, and sew. Repeat until the row is complete.Press.

Cut the four corner squares, and the 12 edges for the top and bottom of the quilt, as shown below.

Sew the edges onto the end of the top and bottom rows, as shown below. Put the triangle in place, and then flip it over and pin it. Taking this step will ensure that the triangle is sewn on in the right direction. Use the same technique for the corners.

Sew the rows together. Place two rows right sides together and carefully pin at seams. Sew. Press. Repeat until the quilt top is sewn.

Blackberry Quilts Sew Along: Cutting Instructions

1. Press fabric.
2. White: Cut 3" wide strips. Cut twelve of these strips.
3. Patterns: Cut two 3" wide strips from each of the six colors. 

{Note: if using fat quarters, trim selvage. Cut one 3" x 18" strip parallel to the selvage. Then cut six 3" strips perpendicular to the selvage(like those shown below).}

Blackberry Quilts Sew Along : Sewing

1. Placing right sides together, sew one white strip to one print strip. Sew with a 1/4" seam allowance.
Tip: Chain stitch, by feeding the next set of strips into the sewing machine, as shown below. This is a real time saver.

2. Press seam allowance to the dark side.  

Tip: To keep everything lined up and square, place iron parallel to the seam, as shown.

 3. Place strip sets on cutting board. Trim away selvages.

  

4. Cut at 5.5" to create a block. Repeat to the end of the strip. There will be a total of seven blocks per strip set.

Tip: Place a sticky note on the ruler at 5.5"  to mark the correct distance.

5. Sew two blocks together to make a "L" with the print. Press to the dark side.

NOTE: KEEP ONE OF THESE OUT, AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE BLOCKS LOOK LIKE THE "L" THAT YOU START WITH! It is very easy to end up with mirror images of this block that will not work.

You are on the way to creating a chevron quilt!

Sew Along

Join us for a sew along! We are crazy about chevrons. I've made a lot of chevron quilts, and this is the easiest method ever. If you can sew two rectangles together, you can make this quilt!

We will post instructions-with  lots of photos-every weekend for the next four weeks.  This week the only step is gathering fabrics.  Check back on Friday for the next step.

Blackberry Quilts Classic Chevron Baby Quilt

48" x 48"

Fabrics Needed:

1. 7 prints  or solids, 1/4 yard each OR a fat quarter each.  A strong color with a high contrast to white is recommended, so the color will 'pop'.  This fabric is PopRox by Carol Van Zandt.   Note: the 7th print is used on the back of the quilt*.
2. White, 1 and 2/3 yard
3. Backing, 1 and 1/2 yard
4. Binding, 1/3 yard 

Tools Needed:

• White thread
• A rotary cutter, ruler, and mat are ideal. If you don't have these yet, you can make templates from cardstock or a cereal box, trace around them, and cut with scissors.
• Scissors
• Pins and needles

*Here is the back of the quilt:

Sew Along: Chevron Baby Quilt

Sew Along With Blackberry Quilts. 

One Quilt. Four Weekends. 

You. Can. Do. This.

Fabric: PopRox by Carol Van Zandt

It's time to get cozy! We have ice in the driveway and snow on the way. The ski resort is opening Friday!

It's been a tough week. I hesitate to even say that because my family is still with me, and I don't even know what tough could look like. One of my coping skills is sewing and making stuff. Sew, cut, pin, pray.

This week I'm dedicating a few hours every day to repurposing my treasures.  So far I've taken a 1990s brilliant blue silk shirt and restyled it. $2 and 2 hours. Can't beat that! I forgot how much I love silk. The color is amazing.

3 Step Redo:
1. Mark and cut new neckline.I used the neckline of a pattern. You can also use a favorite top.
2. Cut sleeves to 3/4 length, and make slimmer at sleeve hem.Use trimmings to cut bias strips for neck facing.

3. Create a fake placket on back-fold and press and stitch. Add leftover buttons. 

I used superfine pins , a size 80 needle, and the silk setting on the iron. Be sure to use the straight stitch throat plate when sewing lightweight fabrics!

Next up is a burgundy cashmere sweater vest in extra extra small. Looks like leg warmers and an ear warmer to me!

Do you shop with your hands or your eyes? I am always touching the fabric, whether in fabric stores or clothing stores.  Let me know how you shop, or what you are repurposing and creating! You will be entered in a drawing for some 1930s 5" charm squares! Ends 12/28/12.

Words to Live By

Life is Racing. Sometimes I can't tell if I am watching it speed by, or if I am in the middle of the pack on the rack track.

May: Mother Lode Round Up Parade. Check. Amgen Tour of California. Check. Cousins from the East Coast. Check. Waterfalls and Dogwoods in Yosemite. Check. Taking Girl Scouts to the big city for a fashion internship. Check. Watching No.1 Son run hurdles in the track 'playoffs'. Check. No. 1 Daughter graduates from 8th grade. Check. Serving real food, water, and smoothies at the 8th grade graduation dance. Check. Planning a trip to NYC with the Girl Scouts. Check.

Keeping it all in perspective: a quote from Paula Deen.

'I am so blessed. I've been way over-blessed. At 64 years old, I look forward to going to bed every night so I can wake up in the morning and see what blessing is going to come my way that day. Because you never, ever know what God's got in store for you.' ...........January 2012 Good Housekeeping.

We Love You: Week of Giveaways

We are hosting a week of giveaways over at HeroWeb. Check in every day for a chance to win!
Love, BBQ