Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Morning Star Variation


 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

Happy Autumn!


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: White:
4 - 3 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.
1 - 6" square

Fabric B: Brown
4 - 2 1/2" squares
4 - 3 1/4" squares

Fabric C: Green
1 - 6" square
4 - 2 1/2" squares

Fabric D: Gold
2 - 6" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.

Fabric E: Autumn print
1 - 4 1/2" square


Make Half Square Triangles:

Pair Fabric A and Fabric B 3 1/4" squares
 with right sides together.Sew 1/4" away
from each side of drawn line, cut on drawn
line and press to the dark fabric. 
 Square to 2 1/2".



Make Corner Units:

Layout 2 1/2" units as shown and sew
together in 2 rows.  Press seam in row 1
to the left and seam in row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together and press
final seam open to reduce bulk.
Square to 4 1/2".  Make 4.


Make Center Outer Units:

Make Half Square Triangles by pairing
6" squares with right sides together in
the following combinations:

1 - A/D          1 - C/D

Sew a 1/4" away from each side of drawn
line, cut on drawn line and press seams
to Fabric D. 
Draw a diagonal line on back as shown
above on the A/C units.


Place A/D and C/D units right sides
together along seam line.  Make sure
the seams "lock" together and pin.
Then sew 1/4" away from each side of
drawn line.


Cut on drawn line and press final
seam open to reduce bulk.  See the
instructions below for how to square
a Quarter Square Triangle.


We want to square this unit to 4 1/2".
I placed a small piece of tape on the spot
 of my ruler where the 2 2 1/4" lines intersect.
Place the 2 1/4" mark on the very center of
the unit and make sure the diagonal line on
the ruler runs along the diagonal seam.  Trim
the right and top seams.


Rotate the square so the trimmed corner
is now on the bottom left.  Place your 2 1/4"
mark on the center again but also make sure
the 4 1/2" marks on the right bottom and top
left are at the points of the triangles along
the edge.  Trim right side and top.


Assemble Block:

Layout units as shown and sew together
in 3 rows.  Press seams in rows 1 and 3 to
the outside and seams in row 2 to the inside.


Sew rows together and press final
seams open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Indiana Puzzle


 I am far from Indiana this week, enjoying the
sun, sand and surf of Cancun, Mexico.

 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: White
2 - 5 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back

Fabric B: Gold
2 - 5 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.

Fabric C: Dark Blue
2 - 5 1/4" squares
4 - 2 1/2" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back

Fabric D: Light Blue
2 - 5 1/4" squares
1 - 4 1/2" square


Make Center Diamond in a Square Unit:

Place 2 Fabric D 2 1/2" squares as shown in
opposite corners of  Fabric C 4 1/2" square.
Sew a thread width away on the outside of
the drawn line.  Press to the corner and
trim back 2 layers to 1/4".


Repeat above process to 2 remaining
corners.  Square to 4 1/2".


Make Half Square Triangles:

Pair 5 1/4" squares in the following combinations:

1 - A/D     1 - B/D     1 - A/C     1 - B/C

Place squares right sides together and sew 1/4"
away from each side of drawn line,  cut on drawn
line and press to the dark fabric.  Square to 4 1/2".


Layout as shown and sew together in 3 rows.
Press seams in rows 1 & 3 to the inside and
seams in row 2 to the outside.


Sew rows together and square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Prairie Queen


 
\
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

The Prarie Queen block is made of
half square triangles and 4 patches.
It looks like it's complicated to make
but when we break it down to
 individual units it is quite easy.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: Green

1 - 2 1/2" x 22" strip

Fabric B: Red
1 - 4 1/2" square

Fabric C: Rust
2 - 5 1/4" squares

Fabric D: Gold
1 - 2 1/2" x 22" strip

Fabric E: White
2 - 5 1/4" squares - Mark
a diagonal line on back.


With right sides together, sew strip A to strip D.
Press to the dark fabric.  Cut strips into 8 - 2 1/2" pieces.


Place 2 units cut from the strips as shown
and sew together to make 4 ~ 4-patch units.
Square to 4 1/2".


Make Half Square Triangles:

Take Fabric C and Fabric E squares and
place right sides together.  Sew 1/4" away
 from each side of drawn line, cut on line
and press to the dark.  Square to 4 1/2".


Assemble Block:

Layout as shown and sew together in
3 rows.  Press seams in rows 1 & 3 to
the outside and seams in row 2 to the inside.


Sew rows together and square to 12 1/2".

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Domino


 
Hi!  If you enjoy this blog, please become
a follower, I need to know if anyone is out
there using these tutorials!  And pop on over
to the American Homestead blog and see what
is going on in my life.  All the best!  ~ Ellen
 

The Domino Block is striking in
two colors but it would also look
lovely with another color added
 or fussy cuts in the large squares.


Fabric Requirements:

Fabric A: White
10 - 2 1/2" squares
2 - 4 1/2" squares

Fabric B: Black
6 - 2 1/2" squares
6 - 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles


Layout units as shown and sew together
in 3 rows.  Press seams in rows 1 & 3 to
the outside and seams in row 2 to the inside.


Sew rows together, press seams up.
Square to 6 1/2".  Make 2.


Layout units as shown asd sew together in
2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left and
seam in row 2 to the right.


Sew rows together, press seam down.
Square to 6 1/2".  Make 2.


Assemble Block:

Layout units as shown and sew together in
2 rows.  Press seam in row 1 to the left and
seam in row 2 to the right.



Sew rows together.  Press seam open to reduce bulk.
Square to 12 1/2".