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Step One – Block of the Month 2022
Welcome to Quilting With Tamara. Are you ready to start the 2022 Block of the Month? You are in the right place for Step One! This post will share tips and hints to help with the Block of the Month. I will add photos from my experience. If you would like to see traditional 12″ blocks, check out the Quilt Block Library with the free patterns. New blocks will be added throughout the year.
Rulers of Choice for This Block of the Month
We all have our favorite rulers when quilting. For me, I have found the Omnigrid brand the easiest to see. Use what works the best for you! The 6″ x 24″ ruler got the most workout, with the 6″ x 12″ following up as a close second. My 6″ square needs replacement; there is a crack at the one edge. I have loved it well.
The 9 1/2″ ruler won’t see much use – I don’t care for the extra 1/2″ added to it. I grabbed it once I saw that my 6″ ruler was cracked.
Sewing Area Set-up: Getting Ready for the Block of the Month!
My Excitement builds as I prepare to start a new project. My room isn’t set up yet, but that isn’t stopping me. As you can see in the photo, my ironing board is full height. It is a needed reminder to get up and move when sewing. There are times it would be more convenient to just swivel in y chair to do the pressing.
(Off-Topic – Funny how my walls look blue in the photo, they are actually sage green).
I don’t have room to make an effective video in this setting. I will keep you posted when the videos will happen. In the meantime, I have included plenty of pictures.
To Pre-Wash or Not Pre-wash
Since I am not a pre-washer, I tested the fabric for colorfastness to help protect it from fabric bleed. Look for material that has similar weights (thread counts). The finish on unwashed fabrics is easier to work with when it comes to sewing the units together – it is challenging to achieve that stiffness once it has been pre-washed and dried. Spray sizing could be used when pressing to give a stiffer feel, but I love the look that happens after a quilt has been washed and dried.
Squaring Fabrics – Don’t Skip This Step
I press my fabric with the wrong sides together (the way it comes off the bolt) before squaring up the edge. First, I line up the selvage edges, not the cut edges. You will be surprised at how uneven the cut edge of the fabric is. It often happens as the material is wound on the bolt. I have found that pressing the fabric also helps to keep things from sliding when you are cutting strips.
If you didn’t line up the selvage edge and then trim the cut edge, you would end up with a “V” at the fold line. Even though this one isn’t very far off, it would create skewed strips.
Cutting strips
When I am cutting strips, I try not to fold my fabric too often. The fold from the bolt is best, but it can be done when you have to fold in half one more time. You just have to make sure everything is even and square – otherwise, you end up with the “V” type of cut at the fold lines. So line up the selvage edge and then trim the end even. NOTE: the fabric is more apt to slide when cutting through multiple layers.
Single Fold is you have room
Go with the single fold if you have a long enough ruler and a big enough cutting mat. After you cut your strips, trim off the thicker selvage edge. You may also find that the strips aren’t the same length. My Dark #1 and Medium #1 aren’t the same; it’s the nature of the beast. When I figure out the fabric requirements – I base it on 40″ wide fabrics to take this into account.
Right Sides Together
Once my strips are all cut out, I match them up, right sides together, and press down their length. This helps keep them from sliding while you are sewing down the length.
Because we are working with 1 ½” strips, it is important not to stretch them. The smaller the strips, the more stretchy and fussy they become. Treat them with kid gloves.
Scant 1/4″ – What is it?
A scant 1/4″ means sewing just inside the 1/4″ mark – honestly, just by a thread or two. Your seam allowance would be a thread or two smaller than a 1/4″. This is especially helpful if you are working with bulkier fabric or units.
What to do if the units aren’t the correct size?
If your units are too large – measure your seams; are they correct? Are the strips cut to the right size? Many units can be trimmed to the correct size (unless they have points), but it is essential to do it as you move through each step. Don’t wait until the end. To save yourself some frustration, measure your seam allowance on the first unit you do. Guess what I found out with mine? Even though I have a 1/4″ foot, my seams measured 3/16 “…..just enough to make it an issue with putting blocks together.
Pressing the Seam Allowance to the side
Lay the sewn strips with the darker fabric on top. Press down the length of the strip to set the seam. Start back at the beginning, and as you press the strip over, it automatically presses it toward the darker fabric. Take your time pressing so you don’t stretch the strips. Go back one more time, press the wrong side of the strip, and check for extra fabric at the fold.
Subcutting Strips
When subcutting into 2 ½” x 1 ½” units (for example), line up the seam with one on the ruler (see the picture). Next, check the outside edges of the strips to make sure they are even. It will help you not to skew the units as you cut. Set aside any leftover strips – you may find them helpful in later steps.
Chain-Sewing & Matching Seams
I like to chain sew when creating the 4-Patch (or any repetitive unit). There is less stopping and starting, and you just snip them apart when it is time to press them. It amazes me how quickly I can get a bunch of units done. But I am getting ahead of myself. The ultimate goal is to have your seams match – not have a gap, overlap, or cut-off point.
Check out the picture to the right, and you will see how the seams should line up. You can often feel it when the seams are lining up. This is important as we get into putting this block together.
Trimming the Units
Once you finish creating the units, you should check the sizes and trim them up. Line up the seam lines with the lines on your ruler, as shown in the pictures. There should be very little to trim off. Check the strip sizes and seam allowance if there seems to be a lot to trim off.
So Many Seams
This block has areas where many seams meet. Take your time as you are putting the units together. Measure and trim if necessary as you go – BUT some areas can be negatively affected by trimming.
In cases such as this, if your units are measuring too big (not due to seam allowance or initial strip sizes) – you may need to spray your block with water and block the units to the correct size. With so many small pieces, the units are prone to stretching.
“Blocking” the Block
If you have a pressing mat printed with rulers, you can use it as a guide for blocking the units. Keep in mind that the lines on the pressing mat may not be accurate. Use your ruler to make sure.
If you have a self-healing cutting mat, you can also block the units on it using pins (but no iron). With the mat blocking method, use plenty of pins to hold the block at the correct size. Use a fine mist to dampen the block. Use your hands to make adjustments and let the units dry.
Pinning
When you have many seams meeting in an area, you can use pins to help them line up. If you are still having some difficulty, try pressing your seam allowance in the opposite direction.
If you get frustrated, send me a message with pictures, and I’ll do my best to troubleshoot.
First Block for this Block of the Month Quilt Pattern
Share your photos! I love seeing fabric choices and block results. It helps to keep my creativity sparked.
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Until next time.
Check out the Quilt Block Library for free block patterns.