Sisters' Ten Modern BOM February Block: Susannah

February 1, 2013

Welcome to the second block of the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club! This month's block is a bit simpler for the short month and is a variation on the Susannah block. Do you have a Sue, Susie, Susan or Susannah in your life? This block has a diamond in a square at the center and a windmill-like appearance.

Cutting Instructions.

For 12" blocks.

Cut (8) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (8) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric B.
Cut (1) 6 1/2" x 6 1/2" square of Fabric C.

For 9" blocks.

Cut (8) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (8) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4" squares of Fabric B.
Cut (1) 5" x 5" square of Fabric C.

Piecing Instructions.

1. Make Diamond in the Square unit with Fabric B and Fabric C. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of (4) Fabric B squares.

Layer two of the Fabric B squares atop the Fabric C square with right sides together as shown below. Sew on the drawn lines.

Cut the excess fabric off. Make sure to cut 1/4" away from the stitching line.

Press open the block, pressing seams toward the dark fabric, Fabric B.

Repeat this process for the remaining two corners. Layer the remaining two of the Fabric B squares atop the Fabric C square with right sides together as shown below. Again, sew on the drawn lines.

Cut the excess fabric off. Make sure to cut 1/4" away from the stitching line.

Press open the block, pressing seams toward the dark fabric, Fabric B.

2. Layout the Diamond in the Square Unit, Fabric A squares and remaining Fabric B squares as shown below.

3. Sew the pairs on the left and right sides of the Diamond in the Square center together. Next sew the top and bottom rows together.

4. Sew the paired rows to the left and right sides of the Diamond in the Square. Sew the top and bottom rows to the center section. And you're done!

Make (2) blocks. They may be identical blocks or made from differing fabrics for a scrappier look.

Fabric is Alison Glass for Andover, Lucky Penny with background Quilter's Linen in Straw by Robert Kaufman.

I am...Powered by Janome

January 16, 2013

Thank you to Janome who is featuring me on their blog today! My sewing and quilting is 100% Powered by Janome - I love sewing on their machines.

Hop over there for a chance to read a little about me and my engineering life before I discovered quilting.

Go to the article here.

Sisters' Ten Modern BOM January Block: Grandmother's Frame

January 4, 2013

**Get the latest dish from Andover Fabrics here**

Welcome to the first block of the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club! We're getting started with a great block called Grandmother's Frame. It has a large center square that is perfect for fussy cutting a larger print if you like.

Cutting Instructions.

For 12" blocks.

Cut (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (4) 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric B.
Cut (2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric C.
Cut (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric E.
Cut (1) 7 3/4" 7 3/4" square of Fabric D. (fussy cut if desired)

To fussy cut is to target and cut a specific motif that's printed on fabric, rather than randomly cutting yardage as we normally do.

For 9" blocks.

Cut (4) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (4) 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" squares of Fabric A (background).
Cut (2) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric B.
Cut (2) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric C.
Cut (4) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric E.
Cut (1) 5 7/8" 5 7/8" square of Fabric D. (fussy cut if desired)

To fussy cut is to target and cut a specific motif that's printed on fabric, rather than randomly cutting yardage as we normally do.

Piecing Instructions.

1. Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric A and Fabric E. Use the (4) larger Fabric A squares and the (4) Fabric E squares to make (8) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial. The HSTs should be trimmed down to:
12" blocks: 2 7/8" (unfinished size).
9" blocks: 2 1/4" (unfinished size).

2. Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric B and Fabric C. Use the (2) Fabric B squares and the (2) Fabric C squares to make (4) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial. The HSTs should be trimmed down to:

12" blocks: 2 7/8" (unfinished size).
9" blocks: 2 1/4" (unfinished size).

3. Layout the Half-Square Triangle Units, remaining Fabric A squares and Fabric D square as shown below.