Sunday, August 29, 2010

Block 55

There certainly are quite a few pieces in this next block.  Here everything is set out and ready to go.

Here I've done the centre square-in-a-square block.  Plus I've attached the middle strips together.

Here I've attached additional pieces for those middle strips and am working at the next centre square-in-a-square.

Here the centre square-in-a-square is complete and the triangles have been added to the middle strip set.

Now you attached the next border.  There are set in seams, don't be scared.  I put together a more detailed tutorial on it.

Then I add the final triangles and we have our next block finished.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Block 91

Here is our next block set out and ready to go.  The funky coloured one is the method you'd use if you're slicing the block after you've finished it.

Here the posts  have been attached on all the borders and the centre square-in-a-square has been completed.

Here is the first border added.

And our block is done!

If you're making the block as two separate pieces, this is the method you'll follow.

Here I've added the posts for the borders and started working on the centre border.

And, I'm not sure what happened next.  I was sure I'd taken a picture but I can't find it.  So, lots happened between these pictures.  I added the remaining triangles to each piece and then added the two borders.

Sunday, August 15, 2010

Block 88

If you're making the border blocks by creating the block and cutting it in half, you'll want to follow the same method as we did for block 41.

If you're making the edge blocks as two separate pieces then you'll want to follow along here.  Here is everything set out and ready to go.  The pile of squares in the upper right hand corner is for the 1/2 square triangles.

Here we are with the finished 1/2 square triangles.

Now I've started working on assembling the basket.  If you can see, I've approached this block as a set of rows (on the diagonal).

The first two rows are assembled and ready to put together.

Now the final row is ready and I can put the remaining rows together.

Here the baskets have been assembled and now I just need to add the handle.  I hand appliqued mine.

Here are the baskets with the handles.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Block 76

Since it's a little late, a simple block for the week.

This block calls for lots and lots of narrow long strips.  So, to make my life easier, I cut all of the strips wider and longer than needed.  Then I squared up the block after each round.

Here is everything set out and ready to go.

Each round is put together just like you would a courthouse steps block.  Here the top and bottom have been attached.

And now the sides.  Once I've done this for each row, I squared up the block cutting it to the right size (with seam allowance!)

Repeat the above process, many many times.

And you'll end up with our next block!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Block 95

This week's block is one of the edge blocks.  This one is interesting in that you take the same approach regardless of the approach you're taking.

Here are the pieces set out and ready to go.  The stack of squares is set out for 1/2 square triangles.

Here the 1/2 square triangles have been pieced.

I've added the posts for the top triangle.  And started working on connecting the triangles.

Here the first border has been added to the top  1/2 of the block.  For the bottom 1/2, the triangles have been put together.

Borders have been added to the top and bottom halves.

I didn't feel like working out the math for the bottom triangle, so now I'm trimming up the bottom.  I've placed the 45 degree marker against the seam to get the correct angle to trim at.

Here is what it looks like after trimming.

Here are both halves of the block completed and ready for trimming.

If you have been making each half separately, you'll trim your blocks preserving the 1/4 inch seam allowance.

If you've been making the block and then cutting it in half, you'll trim the block removing the 1/4 inch seam allowance.

And here is the block all trimmed up.