Learning How to Make Quilt Blocks
07-05-2020, 02:46 PM
#1
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Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
Learning How to Make Quilt Blocks
Yesterday I finished my first quilt. I learned a lot doing that first one, but I see there is what seems, an infinite amount of knowledge about the quilting hobby. I really had no clue where to start, but decided it might be fun to learn how to build the various quilt block patterns you can find for free online.
So I copied the necessary information for what is called a "Double Pinwheel. I am guessing I have to acknowledge, and provide credit to the "Generations Quilt Patterns" website. Thanks for posting a source for those of us learning.
Here is my first attempt at doing something other than basic blocks and strips.
Lessons learned: When sewing along the fabric bias, make ssure you securely hold the end of the fabric all the way through to the needle. The fabric tends to want to move outwards, causing the 1/4 inch to widen.
Also, and I am guessing all of us have done this when first starting, make sure you are sewing the correct side of the fabric sandwich. I did four of my sub-blocks the wrong way, and had to get them apart, and do over.
And cutting fabric accurately is difficult enough when just cutting squares. Cutting triangles is even more challenging, especially for those whose eyesight isn't the best. I ended up trimming the edges of my final 8 inch block to get it as even as possible.
I will be making as many different kinds of blocks in the 8 inch size as possible. Eventually I hope I have enough to put all together for my second quilt.
So I copied the necessary information for what is called a "Double Pinwheel. I am guessing I have to acknowledge, and provide credit to the "Generations Quilt Patterns" website. Thanks for posting a source for those of us learning.
Here is my first attempt at doing something other than basic blocks and strips.
Lessons learned: When sewing along the fabric bias, make ssure you securely hold the end of the fabric all the way through to the needle. The fabric tends to want to move outwards, causing the 1/4 inch to widen.
Also, and I am guessing all of us have done this when first starting, make sure you are sewing the correct side of the fabric sandwich. I did four of my sub-blocks the wrong way, and had to get them apart, and do over.
And cutting fabric accurately is difficult enough when just cutting squares. Cutting triangles is even more challenging, especially for those whose eyesight isn't the best. I ended up trimming the edges of my final 8 inch block to get it as even as possible.
I will be making as many different kinds of blocks in the 8 inch size as possible. Eventually I hope I have enough to put all together for my second quilt.
07-05-2020, 03:41 PM
#4
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
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Well, I am impressed. Not only did you do HST's, but you also did Quarter Square Triangles. The combination of the two makes the whole block a bit more difficult. You did great. My first combinations of those certainly didn't look that good.
07-05-2020, 04:26 PM
#7
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Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
Thanks so much for the kind words.
I will try to get at least one different patterned block done per week. I'm looking at the various patterns right now, trying to determine which one to do next.
Also thinking of purchasing a Kindle edition of a quilt block pattern book. Would be nice to have that on hand, though I'm not sure if I can post pictures of my finished blocks taken from such a source. Will have to write the author to see if that's OK.
I will try to get at least one different patterned block done per week. I'm looking at the various patterns right now, trying to determine which one to do next.
Also thinking of purchasing a Kindle edition of a quilt block pattern book. Would be nice to have that on hand, though I'm not sure if I can post pictures of my finished blocks taken from such a source. Will have to write the author to see if that's OK.
07-05-2020, 04:35 PM
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Alturas, CA
Posts: 9,393
Caley, sewing triangles is a pain, so there's a "rule of thumb" that if you want, say a 4 1/2" hst, the rule is that you cut your 2 contrasting squares at 4 1/2" plus 7/8" inch, then draw 2 diagonal lines a 1/4" from the corner, sew on those lines, thus you're not having to mess with the bias, then cut between the sew lines, press, square to the 4 1/2". Personally, though I give it an inch instead of the 7/8". If you have to cut/sew on the bias, starch the snot out of the fabric before you cut. If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.
But really, your pinwheels look very good. Don't be so hard on yourself.
But really, your pinwheels look very good. Don't be so hard on yourself.
07-05-2020, 04:46 PM
#9
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Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 289
pocoellie, I prepared the fabric by starching, and ironing it. Tried to be careful, but might have stretched things some during the process. Tough it looked like whomever put together the fat quarters did a little stretching while cutting things.
I remembered watching a video about sewing along the bias. They said you had to firmly hold the fabric ends together, while sewing all the way under the presser foot to keep the fabric from wanting to slip over to the right, causing a wider sew line than the desired 1/4 inch.
Right now I am finding the most difficult part of quilting being measuring and cutting, especially cutting the triangles. I do not see that well anymore, so trying to see those very tiny corners is difficult. I may have to break out my magnifying goggles to do that. Sure is tough getting old. Body seems to want to fall apart.
I remembered watching a video about sewing along the bias. They said you had to firmly hold the fabric ends together, while sewing all the way under the presser foot to keep the fabric from wanting to slip over to the right, causing a wider sew line than the desired 1/4 inch.
Right now I am finding the most difficult part of quilting being measuring and cutting, especially cutting the triangles. I do not see that well anymore, so trying to see those very tiny corners is difficult. I may have to break out my magnifying goggles to do that. Sure is tough getting old. Body seems to want to fall apart.
07-05-2020, 04:46 PM
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: The Deep South near Cajun Country, USA
Posts: 5,429
Thanks so much for the kind words.
I will try to get at least one different patterned block done per week. I'm looking at the various patterns right now, trying to determine which one to do next.
Also thinking of purchasing a Kindle edition of a quilt block pattern book. Would be nice to have that on hand, though I'm not sure if I can post pictures of my finished blocks taken from such a source. Will have to write the author to see if that's OK.
I will try to get at least one different patterned block done per week. I'm looking at the various patterns right now, trying to determine which one to do next.
Also thinking of purchasing a Kindle edition of a quilt block pattern book. Would be nice to have that on hand, though I'm not sure if I can post pictures of my finished blocks taken from such a source. Will have to write the author to see if that's OK.
Quilter's Cache has a giant selection of blocks, and they can be chosen by size. And they have all the cutting and assembly directions.
Home page: https://www.quilterscache.com/
Blocks from 7~11 inches, listed by size:
https://www.quilterscache.com/BlocksbySizeB.html
