Oops! Eight

Layouts.

I just figured out what one of the things wrong with the old laptop is--it won't recognize the USB port so there is no way to save a file to go to this computer to post from. No worries, there is more than one way...

Screenshot gets a new look!

Baby size. For Lap and bed size just add rows.

 Wider table runner

 Narrow runner

 Border idea

 

Step 7 --putting together blocks.

I have laid out some blocks from our three types of units:

 And sewn four blocks together for a sample:

 You may have some other ideas of what to do with these units, such as:

 or:

I have to get the EQ rolling again to give you some layout sketches for the various sizes. Then, hopefully later tonight, I will give you some border ideas.

Step 6

I have all my rails done and extra, but need to get some more HSTs finished before I start putting things together. How are you doing?  Somebody is anxious for step 6.
When I got through with my rail strips, I had these leftover bits and pieces which I sliced into as many 1½ inch lengths as I could. These we are going to put together into nine patch units like those shown below.

Depending on your scraps or fabrics, you may have enough to do this without cutting more. If you need more, then cut enough strips to make nine patches in the quantities indicated for your size.

Baby --ten of each combination.
Large table runner--five of each
Small table runner--three of each
Lap--15 of each
bed--21 of each

Step 5--another unit

Step 5
Everyone has a favorite way of making half square triangles.

You can cut squares  x + 7/8 (7/8 inch larger than your finished square size), put them right sides together, draw a line down the diagonal and sew ¼ inch each side  of it and cut down the middle.

You can cut those x + 7/8 squares into triangles and sew them. These tow are illustrated above.

My favorite is using the EZ Angle tool. I will show you how it works.  But first here is the step. You will make as many half square triangle square units as you have rail fence units. Dark/Light. These will be 3½ inches square, so using the methods above, cut your squares 3-7/8 inches.

With the EZ Angle, you cut strips the width of your unfinished blocks--in this case 3½ inches. Put right sides together. Lay the ruler on the  squared off strip and cut the angle. Flip the ruler and cut the square side. Continue to the end of your strip.

The EZ Angle tool (or ruler) eliminates one of the dog-ear triangles that need to be cut off to square

up the units.
Here are all my finished units. I will have to make more, but first a trip to get more white fabric.

Step 4--second cutting step

Are you wondering what this is going to look like in real fabric. I have actually started to sew some so that we have a real example.

Once you have cut your strips and sewn them together you will have something like this.

 Note that because I am using my pink scraps, I have pieces that are not width of fabric. I go ahead and sew them to width of fabric pieces and when one runs out, just start at that point with the next. I don't worry now about measuring.

These strip sets should be measuring 3½ inches wide. If any are way off, check our quarter inch seams. If they are all off but by the same amount, well, adjust. You can make other units the same size.

(Teaching beginning quilters, the rail fence is a good starter block. It is simple, and if they go together the wrong width, we cut them the width that they are into squares. The learners learn the importance of the quarter inch seam allowance, but also the value of adapting along the way instead of giving up.)

Oh, in case you didn't figure it out, these strips are being cut into rail fence units. If your seams are accurate and the strips are 3½ inches wide, then cut them into 3½ inch squares. (Whatever the width, they are cut into squares the same width as the strip sets. If you need to adjust, let me know and I will help with the arithmetic later. I am awake now and can actually count, add, and subtract.)

You see some scrap ends and miss-cuts below. If they are like those on the left, save them for another step later. Those bits on the right I will toss.

We call this "Number Three"

I am going to start numbering these, especially for Facebook where someone commenting can scramble the order of posts. The fabric estimates would be post one. The cutting instructions would be post two.

 So this one is number three.

It's the first sew.

You are going to make strip sets --half of them that are dark/light/dark and half that are light/dark/light. I am going to avoid the math, so instead of counting out the numbers for each size, do this:

Line up a dark strip and a light strips and stitch clear across the length. Set aside a light strip. Press the seam to the dark. Now do the same only set aside a dark strip.

Now add the single dark strips to the light side of the strip sets, and the light ones to the dark sides of other so that you have an equal number of dark/light/dark strips as light/dark/light.

Do you know that when you sew strips together like this you should alternate directions? If you don't you are more likely to end up with a curved strip set.

Press this last seam to the dark, too.
What you will have is a bunch of these"