Block of the Month (BOM)

A while back, I had a wild notion to create a Block of the Month Mystery series for the closed Facebook Group, Lone Star of Texas Quilts for Others. That notion passed. I realized it’s like reinventing the wheel with so many fabulous already established BOMs available! Some charge a fee to have access to the block patterns. Really?

Just this morning, I haven’t a clue how I stumbled across, but I discovered two free BOMs! Because they basically just started, I’m not that late to the party! I’m excited about them and wanted to share with you! Once I post this, I’m gathering my fabric together and will catch up!

Note: I’m not using their recommended fabrics, but what I already have on hand. Don’t get me wrong, I love working with Moda fabrics! Fabulous quality! But, I have so much fabric already I need to use before buying more!
 I did download the supply list so I can know the color values (lights mediums darks) and how much of what in yardage I will need.

My Secret Garden by Pat Sloan – finished size 68” x 86”

This is our go-to page on Free Quilt Patterns

The Splendid Sampler by Jane Davidson & Pat Sloan

This one just started 2/14 and currently shows 2 blocks available, out of 100!

I’m not sure what the overall finished size will be on this one.

Our go-to page is here.

Needless to say ~ 100 blocks ~ The Splendid Sampler will not be the usual “Block of the Month” experience!!! But, what a wonderful way to cover all the possibilities found in creating a quilt top!

Will you join me?

Load it Up then Stitch it Out

The few quilt block patterns I want to share over the next few days will have lots of pieces – but don’t panic! They are easy-peasy with the techniques I’ve discovered! It is, however, critical to keep them placed together in the proper order of stitching this with that after designing the block! 

If I’m not extra careful, I will invariably pick up the wrong piece, or set, and go about stitching only discover I have to rip it all out – wasting precious time and effort.

One day, I came across a fabulous ~ unsuspecting ~ tool for the sewing room! A baking sheet! Yep! It works beautifully!

 

I'm so thankful a reader on Moda Bake Shop's website shared this tip!

Okay, grab some baking sheets from the kitchen, or go buy some inexpensive ones (so worth the money!) then get ready for tomorrow! You’ll be glad you did!

What is what?

It seems like it’s only been a few years since I figured out what a “fat quarter” is…

(fabric 18” x 22” = which is one quarter of a yard cut “fat”)

Check this out:

And find this and more guides at Bright Linen's blogspot!

Before researching for this article, I had been so confused hearing references to “jelly roll” “honey bun” “layer cake” … are these things we should eat while creating quilts??? 

Jelly Roll

No! But, I guess one can, but don’t forget to wash the hands before handling fabric!

Honey Bun

Layer Cakes

Manufacturers have once again come up with these yummy sounding things, and more, to make creating quilts easier!

Talking about fabric here!

The pre-cut fabrics are 100% cotton – which is a must in creating the quilts I’m talking about this month!

I found a few websites that lists sometimes the yummy sounding names and gives their measurement – something I’ve wondered about for a long time now! I’ve watched many YouTube videos with the instructor using something like a “Layer Cake” but had no idea how to transfer that particular size into yardage – which is what I usually buy, or have on hand ~ yards and yards of fabric!

At least now, with the following list I’m sharing from Art Gallery Fabrics, when I see instructions for a “layer cake” quilt top, I can do some simple math to figure out how much yardage I’ll need!

At Moda Bake Shop (Moda fabrics), oh, they added “Turnovers” and “Sweet Box” – anyone hungry yet? They have some interesting “cheat sheets” to print out for quick reference! I highly recommend taking the time to do this!

I just discovered Hoffman Fabrics has batiks in precut sizes called Snaps (5x5-inch), Crackers (10x10-inch), and Pops (2 1/2" wide strips) ~ among others! (According to Wikipedia - *Batik is a technique of manual wax-resist dyeing applied to whole cloth, or cloth made using this technique.)

*Batik = whenever I buy Batik yardage, I will pre-wash. I'll write more about fabric pre-washing or not tomorrow!

Using the Rotary Cutter

Using a rotary cutter up against a quilter’s ruler is quick and more accurate ~ not to mention easier than cutting out fabric with scissors! We need to take some precautions, however, when using the rotary cutter.

At Moda Bake Shop, you’ll see they’ve covered several fabulous tips:

ROTARY SAFETY TIPS 

• Always cover the blade with the built-in cover when you set it down. Every single time - even if you're just setting it down for a second. Make it a habit.

• Always cut away from your body.

• Replace your blade when it stops cutting well. Working with a dull or damaged blade can cause you to cut in an unsafe manner - using excess pressure to cut through your fabric, etc. and that’s a recipe for disaster. 

• Only use the rotary cutter for its intended use.

• Keep your fingers well away from the edges of templates and rulers while cutting. You don't want a squared off index finger like me. (Plus blood stains can ruin your beautiful fabric.)

 ROTARY CUTTING TIPS 

• Plan your cutting before you start to minimize waste.

• Press and starch fabric before cutting.

• Square up fabric edges before you start cutting.

• Use the lines on your ruler or template for a straight edge, not the lines on the mat. 

• Save yourself some back pain by cutting on a counter-height surface.

Check out the comments others left to find additional tips & suggestions! Add your own tips in the comment section here below!

For the visual learner, I would suggest you go to YouTube and search “rotary cutter”! There you’ll find lots of videos to watch showing you “how to” use the fabulous, essential fabric rotary cutting tool!

If you are able to download .pdf files, there is an excellent one Martingale provided on Rotary Cutting.

FYI: Did you know that your own saliva will remove your own blood from fabric? Before it goes through washing/drying, spit on it and rub rub rub to dissolve it out! By the way, our young Doberman came in one evening & was sharing her toy with me while I had a quilt in my lap hand stitching the binding… well, unbeknownst to me, her chin had a tiny cut on it and bled on my quilt! Her “daddy” got enough saliva out of her mouth (much to her dismay) and placed it on the blood spots as I rubbed & rubbed! It all came out! Thank goodness!

What’s the deal with Blue Painter’s tape and making quilt tops? Find out tomorrow!