Civil War Tribute Quilt

Civil War Tribute Quilt
Another UFO

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Block of the Month #7 - Card Tricks

You will need four fabrics and a background fabric for this one.  This is one of my favorite blocks.  It looks really hard, but is so easy.  I think you will like this one.

From each of your four fabrics-
Cut - 1 - 4 1/2" strip.  From each strip, cut 2 HSTs
Cut - 1 - 2 1/2" strip.  From each strip, cut 2 QSTs

From Background fabric-
Cut - 1 - 4 1/2" strip.  From this strip, cut 4 HSTs
Cut - 1 - 2 1/2" strip.  From this strip, cut 4 QSTs

Make four 4 1/2" Half Square Triangle units using the background fabric and the four fabrics.  These are the corner units of your block.  You will have four HSTs like this:



Use the QSTs that you cut from each fabric to make this QST unit.  This is the center block


Lay out your pieces around the center square to get the fabrics in the right place.  (Refer to photo below)
Sew a background and another fabric 2 1/2" QST together forming a half square. 
Sew this unit to a 4 1/2" HST to form the sides/top/bottom units. 

Sew the rows together.  (This is the back view of my block)  Press the seams in the top and bottom rows in one direction and the middle row in the opposite direction.


Sew the block together to look like this:

 Congratulations!  You have made another block! 
Now to get block #8 posted.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011


Block #6 is the Ohio Star Block.  I like this block.  It is easy, especially when you use the Quarter Square Triangle Ruler to cut your pieces.  You will need 3 fabrics:  Background, Fabric A (I used blue) and Fabric C (I used brown).

You will need to cut the following:
Background Fabric:  Cut 4-4 1/2" Squares
                                Cut 2-2 1/2" Strips, then cut 8 QST (Quarter Square Triangles)
Fabric A:  Cut 1-4 1/2" Square
Fabric C:  Cut 2-2 1/2" Strips, then cut 8 QST

Sew 2 Background QSTs and 2 Fabric C QSTs together to make this unit.

Press the seams as shown below.  Open up the center and press all seams in one direction.


Lay out the units as shown below.  Sew units into rows.  Sew rows into a block.  I don't know why I did not take a picture of the completed block, but I could not find one.  But, you get the idea.


Block of the Month-October

Block of the Month #10 - Homespun
For the third time, I am trying to post the Block of the Month for October.    As they say, third times a charm.  So, I hope this works this time because this will be the third time I have typed this and uploaded pictures.
October's Block is called "Homespun".  You will need three fabrics:  a Background, Fabric A (I used blue), and Fabric C (I used red).  You will need to cut the following:
Background:  Cut 1-4 1/2" Square
                      Cut 3-2 1/2" Strips, then cut 32 HST (Half Square Triangles)
Fabric A:  Cut 1-2 1/2" Strip, then cut 8 QST (Quarter Square Triangles)
Fabric C:  Cut 2-2 1/2" Strips, then cut 16 HST

Sew a Background HST to each side of a Fabric B QST to make Flying Geese Units, as shown below.  Make 8 Flying Geese Units.  Sew two together to make one unit (arrange as in the picture).
Sew a Background HST to a Fabric B HST to make Half Square Triangle Units.  Sew them in pairs as shown in the picture below, then sew two pairs together (arrange as in the picture).

Lay the block out as shown.  Sew the units together to make rows.  Sew the rows together to make the block.


I will be posting more blocks soon.  I have missed several months, but plan to post all of them as soon as I can.


Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Setting Block

I thought I would post the directions for the setting block for this quilt. You will need 13 of these. The directions are for one. If you vary the colors in the block, you will get a scrappier look.

From the Background Fabric - Cut 4 - 4 1/2" Squares and 8 - 2 1/2" Squares.

From Fabric A - Cut 1 - 4 1/2" Square

From 8 different Medium-Dark Fabrics - Cut 1 - 2 1/2" Square

Make a 4 - 4 Patch units using 2 Background Fabrics and 2 of the Medium-Dark Fabrics. The Background fabrics should be opposite each other.

Piece the Block as a 9 Patch. Place the 4 Patch untis in the corners and Fabric A in the center. I tried to put a different fabric in each of my blocks in the center.


This is what the setting block looks like. I used several light fabrics for my Background Fabrics.







You will also need to make Corner Stones to finish the quilt. You will use 2 - 2 1/2" squares from your Background Fabric and 2 - 2 1/2" squares from you Medium-Dark Fabrics. You need 36 of these. In the phote on the right, these are incorrect. The photo shows these as all Medium-Dark Fabrics. I think it will look better if these are done this way instead.

Sashing pieces are cut from your Background Fabric. They are 4 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangles. You will need 60 sashing strips.

Quarter Square Triangle Ruler

This post is on how to cut Quarter Square Triangles using strips of fabric and a Quarter Square Triangle Ruler.
You need to determine the height of you Quarter Square Triangle (QST). If you are making an Hourglass Block and the finished size is 4", your QST will be half that size. So, it will finish 2". You need to add 1/2" to the finished size to get the unfinished size. Your unfinished size is 2 1/2". Cut a strip of fabric 2 1/2". Before I cut a QST, I cut off a Half Square Triangle (HST) to get started. You can see that in the picture. I have a 2 1/2" strip that I cut a HST from.




Place your ruler with the point side down and lay on your fabric strip. The point is actually blunt to allow for the seam allowance. Make a cut along the right side of the ruler. That is your first QST.








Turn your ruler around to make your next cut. Continue turning your ruler to make additional cuts until you have the number of QST you need. If you are cutting a lot of QST, you can layer your fabric strips to cut several strips at once.






After I have all my QST cut, I use my HST ruler to cut the tips off, as pictured below. This saves you time later. You will not have "dog ears" to cut off after you have sewn these together.








I cut QSTs from my background fabric to make this block. Cutting these triangles this way keeps your straight of grain on the outside edges. Your bias in in the middle where it should be.



I hope you will try the QST Ruler. It will save you fabric and time. I love doing QST this way. They are much more accurate when piecing.


Have a Quilty Day!

Star of Hope - Block #5

This is the next block, called Star of Hope. It is not very difficult. We are going to introduce a new ruler this month. It is a Quarter Square Triangle Ruler (QST).





For this block, you need to cut:


Fabric A (Dark #1, I used Blue) : 1 - 4 1/2" strip. From this strip, cut 1 - 4 1/2" square and cut 4 - 4 1/2" Half Square Triangles


Fabric B (Background) : 1 - 4 1/2" strip. From this strip, cut 4 - 4 1/2" squares
Cut 1 - 2 1/2" strip. From this strip, cut 4 Quarter Square Triangle

(see directions for using the Quarter Square Triangle Ruler)



Fabric C (Dark #2, I used Red) : Cut 1 - 2 1/2" strip, from this strip, cut 4 Quarter Square Triangles.


Piece Fabric B and Fabric C Quarter Square Triangles together.
You need 4 of these. They will look like the Cream and Red Triangle in the picture.








Piece the QST unit to the Fabric A HST to make this unit. You need 4 of these.









Lay your block out like the one in the picture. It is now like a 9 Patch. Piece the rows together. The first row and last row will have a Fabric B square-QST &HST unit-Fabric B square. The second row will have QST & HST unit-Fabric A square-QST &HST unit. Sew the rows together.





Now, you have finished another block. Congratulations!

Where has the year gone?

Where has the year gone? My last post was in April! I had good intensions to post the Block of the Month here every month, but...what happened? I am going to blame Track. Track season started and then I had no time! If you don't know, I am a High School Track Coach. This year we had 8 kids qualify for the State Track meet. That is more than we have ever had since I have been coaching Track here. So, our season went to the end of May. Then it was summer. It was a busy summer. I say "was", because it is almost over. School starts next week and, so, it is almost over. I am enjoying my last week sewing and quilting. Summer started with having to clean out the basement. We had a water line leak and so I had to go through all the boxes that have been waiting down there for 4 years to be unpacked. After that, we started to put the pool up. We had one problem after another. Finally got it ready to put water in and a storm came through that night and folded it up. End of that pool. We ordered another one and it came the week we were to leave on a mission trip. We got it up though. But, the water they hauled in was dirty. We had to wait until we got back from our trip to get it clean. Finally got it clean and running Sunday. Sunday night and all day Monday it rained, so we haven't had a chance to swim yet! Out Mission Trip was to a very small country in Europe called Moldova. It is close to Russia. In fact, it was part of Russia at one time. We had a Dental Team, a Construction Team, a Medical Team, and a Day Camp Team. I serve on the Day Camp Team. We work with a Baptist Church in Cantemir and we usually go out to a village nearby to do work. The Construction Team helped with a new roof for the church in Cantemir. This year we went to Plopi to do work. We offer free dental and medical services. The Day Camp Team works with children in the village and does like a Vacation Bible School. The Day Camp Team went to two other villages, also. We were in Plopi on Monday, Taraclia on Tuesday, and Hirtop on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday we were in Cantemir. We saw 201 children over the week. Just a side note: If you have ever given to the Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes at Christmas time, they received Shoeboxes last Christmas. Thank you.) The people in the villages have very, very little. Most of their adults are in other countries working. Some of the children live with their Grandparents while their parents are some where else working. So, anyway, we got home Sunday, July 31st. So, that was my summer and that's where the year went. Always very busy, as I'm sure all of you are. too.
Now to get back to posting all the back blocks for the Block of the Month.

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Darting Birds

Okay, it is time for April's Block of the Month. Seems like I just posted March BOM...oh, wait, I did! That's because I was a little behind in my posts. This is block #4, called Darting Birds.



You will need:

Fabric A - Medium or dark fabric (Pick your favorite color, that's what I did anyway

Fabric B - Background or light

Fabric C - Another medium or dark fabric. Totally different color from Fabric A.


Cutting Directions: (Use the directions for cutting Half Square Triangles as shown in earlier post)

Fabric B (Background):

Cut 2 - 2 1/2" strips

Cut 24 - 2 1/2" Half Square Triangles (HST)

Cut 4 - 2 1/2" Squares


Fabric A & Fabric C: (From each Fabric)

Cut 1 - 4 1/2" strip

Cut 2 - 4 1/2" Half Square Triangles (HST)

Cut 1 - 2 1/2" strip

Cut 8 - 2 1/2" Half Square Triangles (HST)

Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares


Sew Fabric A & Fabric C 2 1/2" HSTs to Fabric B - 2 1/2" HST to make a 2 1/2" HST square. Make 8 with Fabric A and 8 with Fabric C.


Sew Fabric B HSTs to each Fabric A and Fabric C - 2 1/2" Square to form a triangle (with is half of the unit shown below). Sew this unit to the 4 1/2" HST to make the unit below. You need 2 with Fabric A and 2 with Fabric C.



Lay out 1/4th of the block as shown the the pictures below. You will have 2 of Fabric A and 2 of Fabric C.

This is my Fabric A.


This is my Fabric C.


Sew the four units together to make you block as shown below.



Congratulations! You have completed another block!


I have been working on my setting blocks. I will show them to you and give you directions for them soon.


Have a wonderful week! Tomorrow is Quilt Guild meeting!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Broken Dishes

Okay, I am finally putting March Block ofthe Month on the website. (I know it is April! Where did March go?!) I am so sorry this is so late, for those of you who have been waiting for it. Life got a little busy for me last month and I just didn't get it done. The next 2 months will be busy with Track season at school. But, I will try to get April block up soon. (As soon as I decide which one will be next)

So, here it is...Broken Dishes.

You will need 2 fabrics, one light and one medium or dark. Cut 3 - 2 1/2" strips from each fabric. You can layer your fabrics, right sides together to cut the strips into Half Square Triangle pieces. You will need a total of 36 Half Square Triangles from each color. When you layer them with right sides facing when you cut, they are ready to sew together.





Sew the Half Square Triangles together like the one on the right. You will need 36 of these.






Arrange them in a 4-Patch unit as pictured. You will have two dark triangles pointing out and two pointing in.


Then I stack them to make 9 sets of these 4-Patch units.



Sew the 4-Patch units together. They will look like this. You will need 9 of these.


Lay out the 4-Patch units into a 9-Patch like in the picture below. Sew the 4-Patch units into rows together, then sew the rows together.

You have completed Block #3 - Broken Dishes.



Thursday, March 24, 2011

BOM

I am a little behind on the Current River Scrappers Block of the Month patterns posted online. I will try to get it out this weekend. This is one of the busiest times of the year for me. TRACK SEASON! Our first meet was last Monday and we were supposed to have another one today, but cancelled because it was so cold. Couldn't do any sewing yet because I had to get grades done. They are due in the morning at 8:00, so I did them tonight. One good thing with grades being due is the fact that Fourth Quarter is upon us, which means school will be out soon! Track season also marks the end of the school year coming. By the time Track is over, school will be over, too. I love my job, but am really looking forward to summer vacation, which means warm weather, swimming, a Mission trip to Moldova, and lots of time to quilt.
Tomorrow is Friday. Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. Enjoy!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Current River Scrappers BOM #2

It is February and time for Block #2. This one is called Jacobs Ladder. It is pretty simple. You will need 2 fabrics. A background (Fabric B) and a main color. My main color is blue throughout the quilt.

From Background: Cut 1 - 4 1/2" strip. From this strip, cut 4 - 4 1/2" Half Square Triangles (HST).
Cut 2 - 2 1/2" strips (or cut 1 strip and then you will need to cut 1 or 2 - 2 1/2" squares from the 4 1/2" strip). From these, cut 10 - 2 1/2" squares.


From Main color: Cut 1 - 4 1/2" strip. From this strip, cut 4 - 4 1/2" HST.
Cut 2 - 2 1/2" strips (or cut 1 strip and then you will need to cut 1 or 2 - 2 1/2" sqaures fromthe 4 1/2" strip). From these, cut 10 - 2 1/2" squares.

Sew Fabric A - 4 1/2" HST to a Fabric B - 4 1/2" HST to make a 4 1/2" HST Square. Make 4.
Sew 2 Fabric a - 2 1/2" squares to 2 Fabric B - 2 1/2" squares to make a 4 Patch unit. Make 5.




Lay out block as shown. Sew rows together. Press seams toward the HST. When sewing rows together, the seams should lock together for easy sewing.




Your Block #2 is complete.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Directions for Cutting Half Square Triangles Using the Half Square Triangle Ruler

This method of cutting Half Square Triangles will save you time and fabric.
1. Determine the unfinished size of the unit needed. Example: If the finished size of the Half Square Triangle is 4", add 1/2" to get the unfinished size. (The extra 1/2" is for the seam allowance.) Cut a strip of fabric the unfinished width. Example: If the unfinished size is 4 1/2", cut a 4 1/2" strip of fabric.
2. Use the Half Square Trianlge Ruler to cut Half Square Triangles. Find the 4 1/2" measurement on the ruler and place at the edge of the strip, as shown. Cut along the diangonal edge of the ruler. If you are cutting several HST units, stack several strips and cut several at a time. You can stack up to 4 strips to cut.


3. The unit will look like this:
4. Flip the ruler over and cut another Half Square Triangle. Line up the angled edge of the ruler with the angled edge of the fabric (as shown above). The top edge of the fabric should be at the 4 1/2" line and the tip of the ruler should extend beyond the bottom edge of the fabric.

5. Turn ruler around, line up on HST and cut off tip. Stack several HST and cut several at one time.

6. When sewing these units together, line up the pieces and sew ont he diagonal edge. Press to the darker fabric. The "dog ears" are already cut off, so you will save time not having to do this after sewing.

7. If you are cutting squares the same size ase the HSTs, cut them from the same strip of fabric.

2011 Current River Scrappers Quilt Guild BOM

We are starting a new Block of the Month at the Current River Scrappers Quilt Guild for 2011. Join me each month to get the pattern and directions for each block. Directions posted here will use a Half Square Triangle ruler and a Quarter Square Triangle ruler. You can use any brand you want. They all work the same. Most, if not all, the blocks are cut from 2 1/2" and 4 1/2" strips. I purchased a Fat Quarter bundle and some yardage for the background for my quilt. You may use scraps, Fat Quarters, or purchase yardage. In the FQ bundle I purchased, there were 4 colors of fabrics: Blue, Red, Brown, and Beige (which I used for the background).

I will also be posting a Setting Block for the quilt later this month. There are 13 Setting Blocks for the quilt. With a 6" border, the finished quilt will measure 96" x 96". Please post pictures of your progress and your finished quilt. I would love to see what you did.

January's BOM is called Water Wheel. Instructions are for cutting Fat Quarters.

Block #1 Water Wheel

Fabric B (Background) - Cut 1 - 4 1/2" strip: Cut 4 - 4 1/2" Half Square Triangles (HST)*

Cut 1 - 2 1/2" strip: Cut 8 - 2 1/2" squares

Fabric A - (Fabric A is the main color of my quilt) - Cut 1 - 4 1/2" strip: Cut 1 - 4 1/2" square and cut 4 - 4 1/2" Half Square Triangle (HST)*

Fabric C - Cut 1 - 2 1/2" strip: Cut 8 - 2 1/2" squares


Sew Fabric A - 4 1/2" HST to a Fabric B - 4 1/2" HST to make a 4 1/2" HST Square. Make 4.

Sew 2 Fabric B - 2 1/2" squares to 2 Fabric C - 2 1/2" squares to make a 4 Patch unit. Make 4.

Lay out Block as shown below. Sew rows together. Press seams away from HST. When sewing rows together, the seams should lock together for easy sewing.

*[See Directions for Cutting Half Square Triangles Using the Half Square Triangle Ruler]