T-shirt Quilt Top Workshop

Design and make an original quilt top using t-shirts and/or sweatshirts you don't wear any longer but can't part with!

When:  Tuesday Evenings, February 21, 28, and March 6, 2012, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.

       By the class conclusion, you'll have an original quilt top

 

Where: Madrid Public Library, Madrid, IA Meeting Room

Note: Previous sewing experience required

Cost: $25
Materials:

• T-shirts; Non-woven, Fusible Interfacing (Peplon 906F)
• Fabric for sashing and borders (can purchase after 1st session)
• Reservations are required by Thursday, February 16.
• Call Mary Carpenter (515) 795-3219 or email carp3219@iowatelecom.net

August Block - Paper Piecing to make Interwoven Diamonds

At the August Quilt Workshop, August 20, Paper Piecing is the topic.

Interwoven Diamonds is the block. http://www.quilterscache.com/I/InterwovenDiamondsBlock.html

June and July Blocks

The Quilt Workshop blocks for June and July were the:

Card Trick http://www.quilterscache.com/C/CardTrickBlock.html

Log Cabin http://www.quilterscache.com/L/LogCabinBlock.html

Next Workshop is August 20, 9 a.m. at the Madrid Public Library.

Links to Patterns for April and May

Here are some links to take you to the block patterns from April and May:

April's block choices were the Bear Claw:

http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/BearsPaw/index.html

or Bear Tracks:

http://www.quilterscache.com/B/BearTracksBlock.html

May's block was the classic Dresden Plate to work on applique:

http://www.quilterscache.com/D/DresdenPlateBlock.html


We would love to have you join us on June 18th at the Madrid Public Library from 9:00 am to 12:00 when we make the Card Trick block. Come and go as you please, all skill levels are welcome!

2011 Workshop Quilt Block List with Fabric Requirements

All colors are referenced to match the blocks – choose your colors as you wish

Background fabric - 1 1/2 yds...
Border fabric - 1 1/3 yds...
Sashing - 1/4 yd
Cornerstones - 1/8 yd

Pinwheel - Purple - 1/4 yd


Bear Paw - Brown - 1/4 yd


Appliqué - Dresden Plate - Light Blue 1/4 yd, Medimum Blue 1/4 yd


1/2-Square and 1/4-Square Triangles - Card Trick
Medimum Blue - 1/4 yd
Dark Blue - 1/4 yd
Medimum red - 1/4 yd
Dark red - 1/4 yd


Piecing - Log Cabin Block
Dark green - 1/8 yd
Medium green - 1/8 yd
Light green - 1/8 yd
Red - 1/8 yd


Paper Piecing - Airplane
Brown - scrap
Light purple - 1/8 yd
Dark purple - 1/8 yd


Angles - Pineapple
Gold - 1/8 yd
Dark yellow - 1/8 yd
Light yellow - 1/8 yd
Dark green - 1/8 yd


Curves - Drunkard's Path
Blue - 1/4 yd


English Paper Piecing - Snowflake Original Block
Yellow - 1/8 yd
Red - 1/8 yd

March 2011 Workshop - Pin Wheel

Fabric 1 2 – 7” squares
Fabric 2 2 – 7” squares

1 – Match Fabric 1 squares with Fabric 2 squares with right sides together.
2 – Draw a line diagonally from corner to corner across the squares.
3 – Sew ¼” on each side of the drawn diagonal line.
4 – Cut diagonally on the drawn line. This makes a half-square triangle.
5 – Press toward the darker fabric.
6 – Trim half-square triangles to 6 ½”.
7 – Lay out all 4 half-square triangles according to the picture.
8 – With right sides together, sew the top 2 squares.
9 – With right sides together, sew the bottom 2 squares.
10 – Press seams in opposite directions.
11 – With right sides together, sew the top row to the bottom row, nestling the center seams.
12 – Press seam in one direction.

2011 Quilt Workshop Dates

Please join at the 2011 Quilt Workshops!

The Madrid Heritage Quilters offer monthly workshops where novice to expert quilters make quilt blocks. Come learn how to make a new block or one of your favorite traditional blocks. The 2011 workshops will be held at the Madrid Library from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm with lunch on your own:

March 19th - Pinwheel
April 23rd - Bear Paw
May 14th - Dresden Plate
June 18th - Card Trick
July 23rd - Log Cabin
August 20th - Airplane
September 17th - Pineapple
October 15th - Drunkard's Path
November 19th - Snowflake
Dec 17th and January 21, 2012 - Finishing

Orange Peel Variation
Curved Piecing

Due to printing limitations, I had to print the templates to be used on the fold. You can use these templates to make the full-sized templates or to just cut your pieces from your fabric.

In the pattern, I used 4 different fabrics for the “Peels”, you can do these all out of the same fabric if you wish.

Double-click  the pictures and print at 110% to get the pattern.

Cutting
Background: 1 - 13 ½” square (for template F)
Fabric 19 1 - 4 ½” x 14 ½” (for template A)
Fabric 20 1 - 4 ½” x 14 ½” (for template A)
Fabric 21 1 - 4 ½” x 14 ½” (for template A)
Fabric 22 1 - 4 ½” x 14 ½” (for template A)

1. Fold the background square in half both directions. Press.
2. Leave the piece folded.
3. Place template F in the corner where the center would be marked. Making sure that the fold lines are on the folds of the fabric. Pin in place.
4. Cut out on the dotted lines of the template.
5. Fold each of Fabrics 19 - 22 in half.
6. Press.
7. Leave the pieces folded.
8. Place template A on the fold, making sure that the fold line of the template is on the fold of the fabric. Pin in place.
9. Cut out on the dotted lines of the template. (repeat last two steps for each fabric piece.
   
   Block Assembly
   
10. Put a pin on the curve at the pressed line to mark center of each of your pieces and on all 4 sides of the background piece.
11. With right sides together match the center pin of a “Peel” with the center pin on one of the sides of the background (center) piece.
12. Pin together at the center point, at seam ends and liberally in between gently easing the edges as needed to align.
13. Sew together the curved edges. (I find it easier to have the inner (concave) curve on the top while sewing, others find it easier to have the outer (convex) curve on the top while sewing.
14. Clip into the seam allowance of the edge that curves in (concave) as needed, but do not cut into or beyond the seam lines. Do not clip the convex edge. (I generally clip both fabrics when clipping the curves)
15. Press the seam allowance toward the piece that has the inner (concave) curve. (I generally press as I always do, toward the darker fabric)
16. Repeat this process for the other 3 sides of the background (center) piece.

Grandmother's Flower Garden - 2010 Quilt Workshop Block

Grandmother’s Flower Garden
(English Paper Piecing)

Cutting:
Background
1 - 13 ½” square Background Fabric
Fabric 16 (flower center) 1 - 3 ½” square
Fabric 17 (flower petals) 3 - 3 ½” squares
Fabric 18 (flower petals) 3 - 3 ½” squares

1. Pin a paper template to one of the 3 ½” squares. Cut out around the template with a ¼” seam allowance. Your seam allowance does not have to be exact because the template will be an accurate guide.
2. Place a template right side down on the wrong side of the fabric piece and fold the seam allowance over one edge. Beginning with a knot on the right side of the fabric, baste the seam allowance in place; stitch through the fabric and the paper template with ¼” long stitches. Finger press the basted edge.
3. As you approach a corner, fold the seam allowance of the next edge over the template and continue stitching. Stitch all edges in the same manner. Don’t knot the thread as you finish, but do leave a thread tail of about ½” or so on the fabrics right side.
4. Repeat steps 2 & 3 until all fabric pieces have been basted to paper templates.
5. Place one of the flower petal fabric-covered template on top of the flower center fabric covered template, with right sides together, aligning the edges to be joined. Pin the pieces together at the center.
6. With a single strand of quilting thread, begin stitching about 1/8” from one corner using tiny whipstitches and catching a thread of both fabric folds. You’ll feel the paper template with your needle, but do not stitch through the template.
7. Backstitch to the nearest corner.
8. Once you reach the corner, reverse the direction of your stitching and sew across the edges to the opposite corner. Take a backstitch, and knot the thread with the knot in the fabric using a backstitch loop knot.
9. Lightly press open the joined pieces and check the seam from the right side. Stitches should not show. If they do, take smaller whipstitches through less of the fabric folds as you sew.
10. Repeat steps 5 - 9 until all the petals have been attached to the center.
11. Reposition so that 2 of the petal pieces are aligned (right sides together) and sew side seam in the same manner as before.
12. Repeat step 11 until all petal side seams have been sewn.
13. When all edges of the piece have been stitched to adjoining pieces, remove the paper template, pulling the basting threads and templates out from the block.
    
    (Before I remove the pieces, I usually lightly press the flower with spray starch. This helps it keep it’s shape after the templates have been taken out)
    
    Fold the background piece in half and press.. Fold the background piece in half the other way and press… This will mark center of the background for placement of the flower.
    
    Place the flower in the center of the background piece. Pin in place and applique to the background. This can be done either by machine or by hand.
    
    
    

The Madrid Heritage Quilters is excited to announce the 2011 Labor Day Quilt Show Youth Quilt Block Challenge

The Madrid Heritage Quilters have added a Youth Quilt Block Challenge to the annual Labor Day Quilt Show. This challenge will replace the Youth Category.

Guidelines:
1. Open to youth 14 years and younger on or before September 1, 2011
2. Sign up and receive a packet with background fabric and the None Patch block pattern or the Friendship Star pattern.
3. At least 1/2 of the block must be made with the background fabric provided
4. Additional fabric will be provided by the participant. (Additional fabric will be available at sign-up)
5. Participants will bring the finished block to the 2011 Madrid Labor Day Quilt Show to be displayed.
6. Blocks will be divided into two categories, one for each type of block. Participants can enter one block in each category.
7. Blocks will be voted on by quilt show visitors.
8. The top two vote recipients in each category will receive a cash prize. Participants can only win in one category.
9. Blocks must be picked up by 4:00 pm on the day of the show. Remaining blocks will be used to construct a donation quilt.

Several workshops will be offered through the summer to help youth construct the blocks.

Opportunities for sign-up and packet pickup:
April 30, 2011, 10 am to 4 pm at the Trail Quilt Show
May 14, 2011, 8 am to 12 pm at the Quilt Workshop at the Madrid Library Meeting Room
June 18, 2011, 8 am to 12 pm at the Quilt Workshop at the Madrid Library Meeting Room
July 23, 2011, 8 am to 12 pm at the Quilt Workshop at the Madrid Library Meeting Room

Please call Melody Bethards at 515 795-2155 or Mary Carpenter at 515 795-3219 with questions.

Madrid Heritage Quilters donate to Community

Madrid Heritage Quilters Contribute to the 2011 Madrid Labor Day Celebration, Cedars, and Trail Project

During the January 19th Quilters monthly meeting, Mary Carpenter, president of the Madrid Heritage Quilters presented donations to three worthy entities. A representative of the Friends of Boone County Trail accepted a $50 donation. The representative shared the trail group plans to use the donation to help complete the Delander Trailhead in Madrid before the trail grand opening Saturday, April 30, 2011.

A representative of The Cedars accepted a $50 donation as well. The Quilters hold their monthly meetings at the Cedars. For the Quilters, having a consistent meeting place is helpful and the meetings are open to all visitors. Sometimes, residents at The Cedars drop in to see what we are up to. We love having visitors at our meetings.

Lastly, a representative of the Madrid Labor Day Celebration Commission accepted a donation of $400. The Madrid Heritage Quilters started twenty-seven years ago to recognize Madrid’s Centennial Anniversary. Since the group’s formation, they hand-make a quilt and raffle then quilt each year. The quilt is started in the fall and by January the quilt is being put together to create the quilt top. The raffle proceeds are split with about half paying for the materials for the next quilt and the other half donated to community groups.

The Madrid Heritage Quilters meet the first Saturday of every month 9 a.m., at The Cedars. If you have questions for the group, please contact Mary Carpenter, Chairperson.

Madrid Heritage Quilters Working Hard on 2011 Labor Day Quilt

The 2011 quilt, designed by Chris Bell, is right on schedule. Pinwheel blocks were completed for the January meeting. The blocks were sewn into columns to create the bulk of the quilt top. At the February meeting, members will sew the columns together, creating the quilt top. Other members will begin working on cornerstone blocks and the borders by appliquéing leaves and vines. Look for the quilt to be displayed around Madrid and plan to buy lots of raffle tickets.

The Madrid Heritage Quilters meet the first Saturday of every month 9 a.m., at The Cedars. If you have questions for the group, please contact Mary Carpenter, Chairperson.

Stars and Swirls

The Madrid Heritage Quilters 27th Raffle Quilt, Stars and Swirls, is now on display at Medicap through July 30. See the quilt at City State Bank July 30 through August 20 and then at Uni Clip August 20 through September 3, 2010. The quilt will also be on display during The Annual Quilt Show, Saturday, September 4 at St. John’s Lutheran Church and at the Madrid Heritage Quilters Booth in Veteran’s Square, Sunday, September 5. Drawing the lucky raffle quilt winner happens Monday, September 6 in Edgewood Park after the Lions Club Chicken Dinner.

The Stars and Swirls quilt contains 18 different star blocks with stars also in the boarder. The antique blue, red, and off-white tons highlight the many fabrics each member chose to complete their quilt block. Each member made at least one large star block, sashings, border cornerstones, and sashing cornerstones.

A different twist for this year’s quilt is that it was machine quilted, with stars and swirls. The club decided to forego the traditional hand-quilting to enable members to make quilts to donate to Central Iowa organizations, as the club had done in the past. Also, two pillow cases* were made from the background fabrics to go with the quilt.

Purchase your raffle tickets at Medicap, City State Bank, The Uni Clip, Bank of the West, Hairworks in the Parlor, at the Quilt Show and Quilters Booth, and from any Quilt Club member. The profits from the raffle fund the next raffle quilt and enable the Quilt Club to make donations. Annually, the Quilt Club makes a donation to the Madrid Labor Day Celebration since the club’s beginning. Most recently, the club has also donated to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation for the High Trestle Trail.

*The pillow case pattern is available on this blog.

Quilt Contest Winners - Boone (Iowa) County Fair

Two Madrid Heritage Quilters were excited to find out that they won an award for the quilt blocks that we had entered in the Boone County Fair Quilt Block contest. Suzanne won 3rd place in the adult choice category, and Melody won in the youth choice category. A third Madrid (IA, USA) resident won 1st place in the adult choice category. All the winners and their blocks are shown with the contest organizer.

Four Hearts

Cutting:
1 - 13 ½” sq. of background fabric
1 - 6” sq. of 4 fabrics or 4 - 6” sq. of same fabric

Fold the background square in half and press. Fold in half again (should be a square) and press. Unfold - these press lines are what we will use for placement of our hearts.



Machine Applique
For this method, you will need Wonder Under, Steam a Seam, Heat n' Bond, or another adhesive type of material for machine applique.

Place the Wonder Under on the heart pattern provided. Trace the heart shape (the bold solid line) onto the paper side of the Wonder Under. Do this twice (about 1” apart) for the two hearts we will be machine appliquéing. Cut around the two designs leaving about ½” around design.

Using a dry iron, press the Wonder Under shapes to the wrong side of 2 of the 6” squares, paper side up.

Cut out the heart designs on the lines drawn on the paper side of the Wonder Under.

Peel the paper from the designs. Use 1 of the press lines, on the background piece, (there are 4 lines) to place the heart. The line should be lined up with the point of the heart tip and the point of the dip at the top of the heart. Press heart in place on to the background piece. Repeat with 2nd heart.

Use the buttonhole stitch to do machine appliqué, but the zigzag or any other decorative stitch could be used. Whichever stitch you decide to do, you want to start at the dip at the top of the heart. Line up the edge of the heart with the needle. Stitch all the way around the heart. You should do a back stitch at the beginning and end of your sewing.

Hand Applique - Freezer Paper Method
Cut: Freezer Paper in widths wide enough for the hearts.

Shiny side down, trace the dark line of the heart pattern. Cut out the hearts.

Place the freezer paper hearts, shiny side down, on the right side of 2 of the 6” squares of fabric. Cut about 3/16 to ¼ inch around the design. Where there is an outside curve, you will want to cut small notches, almost up to the freezer paper. Where there is an inside curve, you will want to cut small slits almost up to the freezer paper.

Peel the freezer paper from the fabric. Turn the fabric so the wrong side is up and reposition the heart in place with shiny side up. Very carefully, using a dry iron, press the edges around the paper heart. They will stick to the freezer paper and stay in place for you while are stitching.

Use 1 of the press lines, on the background piece, (there are 4 lines) to place the heart. The line should be lined up with the point of the heart tip and the point of the dip at the top of the heart. Press heart in place on to the background piece. Repeat with 2nd heart. The freezer paper will stick to the background fabric so that it will stay in place while stitching. I pin around the edge of the design, to be sure it stays where I want it appliquéd.

The most commonly used stitch, for hand appliqué, is called the Blind Stitch. To do this stitch, knot the end of a single thread and bring up your needle from underneath the background fabric, barely piercing the fold edge of the piece you are appliquéing on. Insert the needle back into the background fabric, directly opposite where you came out and JUST over the edge of the piece being sewn on. Bring the needle back up through the fabrics, about 1/16th of an inch away from the previous stitch. Continue taking time stitches all the way around the piece you are sewing on. Bring thread to the back and knot when all the way around the piece or the thread gets short.

When you are finished with the appliqué. Cut a slit in the background fabric behind the design and remove the freezer paper.

These are the two methods of appliqué that I personally use, however there are several other methods that can be explored.

On the website quilterscache.com there are instructions for many different techniques to quilt making. Also on the website connectingthreads.com, they have videos that show many different techniques to quilt making.

Variable Star - February's Block

Variable Star
(Flying Geese technique)

Cutting
Traditional Piecing
Background
1 3 ½ x 14 (4-3 ½” squares)
1 7 ¼ square (cut diagonally twice)

Fabric 4
1 3 7/8 x 15 ½ ( 4-3 7/8 squares cut diagonally once)
4 3 7/8 squares
(I would cut 4 x 16 & 4” squares)

Fabric 5
1 6 ½” square

Speed Piecing
Background
1 3 ½ x 14 (4- 3 ½” squares)
1 3 ½ x 26 (4- 3 ½ x 6 ½)

Fabric 4
1 7 x 14 square
8 3 ½” squares

Fabric 5
1 6 ½” square


Making Flying Geese
Traditional Method
1. Line up the long side of a Fabric 4 triangle with a short side of a background triangle.
2. Sew ¼” seam.
3. Press toward Fabric 4.
4. Repeat process for the other short side of the background triangle.
5. One Flying Geese unit completed.
6. Repeat to make three more Flying Geese units.

Speed Piecing Method
1. Draw a line diagonally across the back of each of Fabric 4’s 3 ½” squares.
2. To make one flying geese unit, place a Fabric 4 square right sides together atop a Background rectangle, with outer edges aligned.
3. Sew on the drawn line.
4. Trim ¼” from sewn line.
5. Press towards Fabric 4.
6. Repeat this with another Fabric 4 square on the other end of the rectangle.
7. Repeat to make three more Flying Geese units.

Whichever method you choose to make, you need to make four of these units...

Block Assembly
1. Lay your block out according to the picture provided.
2. Sew 1 3 ½” square to each end of 2 of the flying geese.
3. Press toward background square.
4. Sew a Flying geese unit to each side of the Fabric 5 - 6 ½” square.
5. Press toward Fabric 5 square.
6. Sew top row to middle row. (Nuzzle seams so it lines up nice).
7. Press toward middle row.
8. Sew bottom row to other side of middle row. (Nuzzle seams so it lines up nice)
9. Press toward middle row.

Done!

Which Way Paper Piecing Block - April's Block

Paper Piecing Pattern

Need 4 patterns - Double-click the pictures and Print at 110% to get the right sized pattern. Mark one pattern with A and another with B to make the four patterns.

Pattern C
Pattern D

Cutting - Pos = Position on the pattern

Background - 8 - 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" (Pos 2 & 3) AND 4 - 4 3/4" squares cut diagonally once (Pos 5 & 6)

Fabrid 9 (Light) - 2 - 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" (Pos 1) and 1 - 8" square cut diagonally twice (Pos 4) Only use two of these triangles

Fabric 10 (Dark) - 2 - 3 1/2" x 4 1/2" (Pos 1) and 1 - 8 " square cut diagonally twice (Pos 4) Only use two of these triangles

Contruction

1. Set your sewing machine stitch length to a small stitch...about 12-18 per inch. This will aid in perforation (and later removal) of the paper foundation. The side with the
   numbers and squares will be the BACK side of your block.
2. Pick up the piece of fabric cut for position 1 (Pos 1). Center this fabric, right side up, on the RIGHT (unprinted) side on the foundation paper.
3. Flip the paper over and hold it up to a light to see if you have it covering the "1" space, plus at least 1/4" beyond each side.
4. Pin in place.
5. Pick up the position 2 (Pos 2) fabric. Place this right sides together with the position 1 fabric.
6. Flip the paper over and hold it up to a light to see if you have it covering the "2" space, plus at least1/4" beyond each side.
7. Hold this in place.
8. Flip the paper and fabric over.
9. Stitch on the line between Position 1 and Position 2 with a short backstitch at the beginning and end.
10. Fold the paper back at the line just sewn.
11. Trim the seam allowances back to just 1/4", being careful not to cut the paper off.
12. Flip it all back over.
13. Press out the Position 2 fabric, using a dry iron and gentle pressure.
14. Fold the paper back at the line between Positions 1 and 3.
15. Trim to a 1/4" seam allowance.
16. Pick up the Position 3 fabric.
17. Lay the fabric, right side over the Position 1 fabric.
18. Flip the paper over and hold it up to a light to position Position 3 fabric over Position 3 and ensure there is 1/4" fabric all the way around.
19. Hold the fabric in place and flip over again.
20. Stitch on the line between Positions 1 and 3, making sure to backstitch at the beginning and end.
21. Fold back the paper, trim to a 1/4" without cutting the paper.
22. Flip the square over again.
23. Press out the Position 3 fabric, using a dry iron and gentle pressure.
24. Fold the paper back at the line between Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4. Trim the seam allowance.
25. Pick up the Position 4 fabric.
26. Lay this over Position 4 with right side of frabric over the edge just trimmed.
    Make sure the fabric covers Position 4 with 1/4" extra to cover the edges.
27. If needed, check the position of the fabric by flipping the paper over and holding it in front of a light.
28. Stitch on the line between Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 backstitching at the beginning and ending.
29. Fold the paper at the line just sewn.
30. Trim the seam allowances, being careful to not cut the paper.
31. Flip the paper over again.
32. Press out the Position 4 fabric with a dry iron and gentle pressure.
33. Fold the paper back at the line between Positions 4 and 5.
34. Trim to a 1/4" seam allowance.
35. Pick up the Position 5 fabric.
36. Lay the Position 5 fabric right sides toghether over the Position 4 fabric. The Position 5 fabric should cover the Position with 1/4 " left all the way around. Check the fabrics using a light before sewing if necessary.
37. Stitch on the line between Positions 4 and 5, backstitching at the beginning and ending.
38. Fold the paper back.
39. Trim the seam allowance.
40. Flip the paper over.
41. Press out the Position 5 fabric with a dry iron using gentle pressure.
42. Pick up the Position 6 fabric.
43. Lay the Position 6 fabric right sides together wover Position 4 fabric. The Position 6 fabric should cover the Position with 1/4" left all the way around. Check the position in the light before sewing if necessary.
44. Stitch on the line between Positions 4 and 6, backstitching at the beginning and ending.
45. Fold the paper back at the line just sewn.
46. Trim the seam allowance.
47. Press out the Position 6 fabric with a dry iron using gentle pressure.
48. Make three more following steps 1-47.
49. Once all four squares are made, trim each square along the 1/4" seam along the outer edges of the paper piecing pattern.
50. Remove the paper.
51. Layout the 4 squares according to the picture.
52. Sew the 2 top squares together with a 1/4" seam.
53. Sew the 2 bottom squares together with a 1/4" seam.
54. Press to one side, opposite of each other, to nestle the seams.
55. Sew the two rows together.

Block Complete!
If you would like the full size pattern, email Heritage Quilters

Rail Fence - March Block

Strip Piecing Technique

Cut:
Background 1 - 1 ½” x Width Of Fabric (WOF)
Fabric 6 (light) 1 - 1 ½” x WOF
Fabric 7 (medium) 1 - 1 ½” x WOF
Fabric 8 (dark) 1 - 1 ½” x WOF

Piece

1. Use ¼” seam.
2. Sew the Background fabric strip along the right side of the Fabric 6 (light) fabric strip.
3. Sew the Fabric 7 (medium) fabric strip along the right side of the Fabric 8 (dark) fabric strip.
4. Sew the Background/Fabric 6 strips along the right side of the Fabric 7/ Fabric 8 strips.
5. Press all seam toward the dark strip.
   
   This creates our Strip Set. This should measure 4 ½” across.
   
6. Cross cut the strip set into NINE 4 ½” squares.
   
7. Now layout the squares in 9-patch fashion according to the picture. Turn your squares until your layout looks like the picture.
   
8. Now we are going to sew the block together:
   The top center square to the top right square,
   The middle center square to the middle right square
   The bottom center square to the bottom right square
   
9. Press making sure that the middle row is pressed the opposite direction as the top and bottom rows.
   Top left to the top unit
   Middle left to the middle unit
   Bottom left to the bottom unit
   
10. Press making sure the middle row is pressed the opposite direction as the top and bottom rows
11. Sew the top row to the middle row
12. Press to one side
13. Sew the bottom row to the unit just sewn.
14. Press to one side
    
    Block is complete!!
    

Traditional Manner

Background 9 - 1 ½” x 4 ½”
Fabric 6 (light) 9 - 1 ½” x 4 ½”
Fabric 7 (medium) 9 - 1 ½” x 4 ½”
Fabric 8 (dark) 9 - 1 ½” x 4 ½”

Sew together as stated in the strip piecing method, you just have to do it 9 times to create the 9 squares for the block.

January 2010 Quilt Workshop - Hourglass - Pinwheel Block

In January, we work with Quarter Square Triangles to add the Hourglass or Pinwheel block to our group. Here are the instructions.

Cutting
Background 2 7 1/4” squares (I usually cut a little larger 7 1/2”)
Fabric 3 on list 2 7 1/4” squares (I usually cut a little larger 7 1/2”)

Cut one of the Background squares and one of the Fabric 3 squares diagonally twice.
Draw a line diagonally across the other background square.

Traditional Method
1. Layout 4 of the triangles as shown.

2. With right sides together, sew top background triangle to right Fabric 3 triangle.
3. With right sides together, sew bottom background triangle to left Fabric 3 triangle.
4. Press toward Fabric 3.
5. With right sides together nuzzle the seams and sew ¼” seam along long side of triangles.
6. Press one direction.
7. Repeat steps 1 - 6.
8. You should have 2 quarter square triangles created the traditional way.

Speed Method
1. Pair the other background square with the other Fabric 3 square, right sides together.
2. Sew 1/4” on each side of the drawn line.
3. Cut on the drawn line.
4. Press toward Fabric 3.
5. Draw a line diagonally so it crosses the seam just sewn across one of the half square triangles just created.
6. Pair the two half square triangles just created, right sides together, nuzzling seams.
7. Sew 1/4” on each side of the drawn line.
8. Cut on the drawn line.
9. Press one direction.
10. You should have 2 quarter square triangles created the speed method way.
(If you cut your squares larger then you will need to trim the squares down to 6 ½” square)

Block assembly
1. Layout the 4 triangles out according to the picture of the block.
2. With right sides together sew the top two squares together.
3. With right sides together sew the bottom two squares together.
4. Press seams opposite.
5. With right sides together sew the top row to the bottom row (nuzzle seams).
6. Press seam one direction.

Block complete!

Annual Donation Presented to City Council

For twenty-six consecutive years, the Madrid Heritage Quilters have donated a portion of their quilt raffle proceeds to the annual Labor Day Celebration. This year was no different. The Club President presented Madrid's Mayor with a check for $450 at the December 21,2009 City Council Meeting.

In addition to the donation, an update of the club's monthly workshop was shared. The club has grown by three members and had a dozen quilters at the December workshop. Also, the 2010 raffle quilt is underway! Look for information in this blog about the quilt.