Wind chill factor is 21 degrees here today . . .

Making it the perfect day to stay inside and work on a QOV project.

Alycia has posted instructions for a new QOV block that she is collecting and there's a contest to boot.  So hop on over to her place and check it out.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Introducing Block B

Begin with 4 blue (5-1/2") squares and 8 white (light) (4-1/4") squares.

Blue squares can be of the same fabric or a coordinating pair, as you see here.

Press white / light squares in half along the diagonal.

 Sew along the inside of the fold line.  Leaving a 1/4" seam, trim off corner triangle.

 Fold and press.

 Repeat with white / light square on opposite side.

Sew a 1-3/4" folded and pressed red square at each blue point along fold line.

Trim end triangle leaving 1/4" seam allowance, fold, and press.

Assemble 4 blocks together and trim.

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For 24 B Blocks, cut the following:

Blue (5-1/2") squares - 96

White / light (4-1/4") squares - 192

Red (1-3/4") squares - 192

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Some folks have inquired if prints or plain muslin can be used for the background fabric.  I suggest that if using prints, be sure they have a geometric pattern, as opposed to flower sprigs or hopping baby bunnies.  

If using plain muslin, choose warmer blue tones for a muted effect.

If you have any questions, just e-mail me.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

The News You've All Been Waiting For . . .

I've spoken to many of you about our upcoming QUILTS OF VALOR sew-a-thon.

The quilt top we'll be doing this year is from McCall's Quilting Magazine, December 2004 issue.

Below are the instructions for Block A.  (I'll post Block B this weekend).

You may choose to bring your pieces kitted up and ready to sew or you may choose to bring your finished blocks ready to put together.  It's entirely up to you.  If you have time to join us for 2 days, that's great.  If only 1 day is available, that's fine also.

Here goes . . .

Cut 4 white squares - 5-1/2" square
Cut 8 blue squares - 4-1/4" square

Press blue squares in half along the diagonal.

Align 4 blue squares along 4 white square corners.

Sew just inside the fold line.  Trim off 1/4" outside sewing line.  Fold over, iron flat.

Sew 2nd set of 4 blue squares to opposite white square corners.  Trim and press flat.

Cut 8 red 1-3/4" squares.  Fold in half and press.  Pin to white corners of each square.

Sew along inside of fold line.  Trim off inside triangle, fold, and press flat.

Sew 4 squares together, creating white X in the middle.

Trim so square is even.

Please be sure to pre-wash all fabrics and test for dye loss.  Place fabric in dryer for adequate shrinkage.

Tear and align edges of all fabric for straight of grain.  For further instructions, refer to this posting: Straightening grain.  (My dear friend Louise, are you listening???)

Be sure to starch fabric well so it's stiff enough to have body, but not like cardboard.

It's perfectly okay to use up left over pieces of white.  You can throw in some tone on tone white if you have that also.  So long as everything is torn on grain, starched, and trimmed straight it will work out fine.

Repeat process with BLUE fabric.  And RED.

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For block A, you'll need 24 sets of 4 - WHITE (5-1/2") or 96 squares.

And 24 sets of 8 - BLUE (4-1/4") or 192 squares.

And 24 sets of 8 - RED (1-3/4") or 192 squares.

Just e-mail me if you have any questions.  And on behalf of our veterans, thank you for joining in on this year's QOV sew-a-thon.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .