Block #6

This block was inspired by something I saw on The Quilt Index (it does remind me of the CBC logo - for the Canadians).


For this one you will need -

Background (mine is white) -
2 - 3+7/8" squares for the half square triangles (HST) in the corners
10 - 2+3/8" squares, 8 for the flying geese and 2 cut in half on the diagonal (for the center)

Print A (mine is green) -
1 - 2+5/8" square for the center

Print B (mine is gold) -
2 - 3+7/8" squares for the half square triangles (HST) in the corners

Print C (mine is red with a pattern) -
2 - 4¼" squares for the flying geese

Make the center unit by sewing the 4 triangles made from the 2 - 2+3/8" background squares, that have been cut on the diagonal (I also trimmed the corners of the triangles) around the print A square.

This unit should be trimmed to measure a 3½" square.

Make the HST units with the 3+7/8" squares (2 of the background and the 2 print B) in the usual way (draw a diagonal line, sew ¼" on either side, cut on the line and press open). These should also be trimmed to measure 3½" squares - there will be 4 of these.

TIP - any time you need to make this kind of fast HST you will need 2 squares that are the size of the finished block plus 7/8" - in this case the finished unit will measure 3", so 3+7/8" squares were needed.

Fast Flying Geese -

Make fast flying geese with the 4¼" print C squares and 8 of the 2+3/8" background squares. I have described how to make fast flying geese here and there are some great online instructions, but I will quickly go through the instructions again. You need one large square and four small squares to make 4 flying geese.

Pin two small squares on the large square as shown, draw a diagonal line and sew ¼" on either side, cut in half on the line. Press as shown.

Pin a small square (with a diagonal line drawn on) as shown, sew ¼" on either side, cut in half on the line. Press the block open with seams going to the background.

Trim these fast flying geese to 2" x 3½" (there will be 8 of these).


Sew two fast flying geese together, they should be 3½" square, there will be 4 of these units.

TIP - To "try" to maintain the points on the block, sew the seam a few fabric threads over (to the right when sewing) from the point (see picture - it helps to sew the block with the point on the top).

Now the units are ready to be sewn together.

Sew them together like a regular 9-patch.

Trim the block to 9½" (it will be 9" finished).

For the second block I chose to use the same print for the center, as well as the flying geese.

Karen makes the two blocks different each time and this block really lends itself to all kinds of possibilities.

By using two different fabrics for the 4¼" squares, for the flying geese this is a possibility or this -
You could also use a different background fabric for 4 of the flying geese....... have fun!!

Have a great day and thanks for stopping by!! ♥

Table Runner Tutorial

Here is a tutorial for my favorite table runner. I have made this many times.
It measures 18½" x 55". It can vary in the number of blocks used and you can omit the outer 3" border or vary the size of the border.

You will need about 1 yard of main fabric, ¼ yard (not a fat quarter) of contrasting fabric for framing strips, four 6" - finished -(6½" unfinished) blocks of your choice, backing and batting. Fabric is cut across the width of the fabric and a scant ¼" seam allowances through out.

I chose to make simple star blocks for this table runner. (Sorry I don't go into great detail on making this block, I assume some previous knowledge.)



I use the "fast flying geese" method for making the flying geese. The instructions I have are from an old "Quiltmaker" magazine (issue no. 39 Sept/Oct "94), but I did find the instructions online too. The chart is the important part, then you can make any size you need. For the 6" star block I need the flying geese to be 1½" x 3".


For each block you need to cut -

one 3½" square of main fabric
four 2 3/8" squares of main fabric
one 4¼" square of background fabric
four 2" squares of background fabric

Times four to make four blocks.


Using the large background square and the four small main fabric squares, make four fast flying geese blocks following the online instructions or my instructions I posted earlier (ignoring the dimensions). Repeat for all four blocks. Sew all the blocks together and trim to size - 6½".


Cut seven 1" strips of the contrasting fabric for the framing strips. Frame each 6" block (uses just over four of the strips, the others will be used later).





Cut three 9" squares of main fabric, and then cut them in half diagonally.
Also needs four 2" x 10" rectangles of main fabric for the ends.


Lay the main fabric and blocks out. Sew the two opposite triangles onto the blocks and the rectangle on the ends.

Lining up the points of the triangle with the points of the block.


Trim the ends of the triangles and sew the rows together.

Trim the edges.


Sew the remaining 1" framing strips around the table runner, starting with the points, then the sides. Trim the ends.


Cut four 3¼" border of main fabric, sew around table runner, this time starting with the sides.



Trim and then sew the border on the ends.

The table runner all pieced and ready to be layered with batting and backing. This is a good pattern because there is lots of room to try out all kinds of machine quilting! ♥
I will bind it with the main fabric (if you would like to bind it with the contrasting fabric you will need more of that fabric). Four 2¼" strips of main fabric are needed for the binding.
Here it is all finished.

If you make this, I would love to see a picture! I hope all the directions makes sense, if you have any problems please email me.

Have a great day and thanks for dropping by!! ♥

Busy Sewing

I finished this week's Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along blocks.

Sewing blocks, I love it when the fabric piles up.

Week 5, finished blocks.

I didn't like the way week 4's blocks were made (with half square triangles) so I chose to do them with flying geese blocks - with the easy method of sewing squares together.

To make the required FG blocks, the squares needed are one 7¼" square of the main fabric and four 3 7/8" squares of the background fabric (to make a 12" block). Line up 2 squares of the background on the main fabric, draw a diagonal line and sew ¼" on each side.


Cut the square in half and iron open.

Line up the remaining two background squares, draw a diagonal line and sew ¼" on each side.

Cut in half and iron open. Results in four flying geese to make the pinwheel or whirligig block needed for week 4.
I found this block too plain, so I am waiting to sew it together.

All the blocks together. The middle, bottom shows what week 4's block are supposed to look like, but I think I would prefer to have another set of flying geese blocks added.

This shows what it would look like (I added the second block's set of FG to see, in the middle, bottom row). I will wait until the end of the quilt along to see if I have enough squares of the layer cake fabric left to add the extra FG.

I also finished sewing the Pinwheel in My Garden mini quilt together. It is all ready to be machine quilted. This week's project/focus!

Have a great day!! ♥