Blocks 7 and 9 on
I put off making this block to the last as the instructions looked complex and there was quite a bit of prep work. Once I started I realised it's not difficult, it's just time consuming - fabric origami.
The finished top
The QAYG finished back
It did take a long time to put this block together - there's lots of cutting and pressing
but even though it's not perfect by any means I'm so thrilled with the final block it makes all the effort well worth it.
Here's how I did it/what I learnt:
- I only used a cardboard template for the first 'window' but after that I scored a 1/2" line along each edge of the background fabric squares using my Clover Hera Marker instead as this creates a crisp line in the fabric that folds willingly for ironing.
- I glued along the full length of each fabric seam (not just the corners) using my Aleene's Fast Drying Tacky Glue pen.
- I used basting spray to attach all 18 fabric squares to the 'windows', I didn't sew any of these squares in place.
- I followed Heidi's instructions directly alongside these Moda Bakeshop instructions and I did all sewing on the machine instead of by hand as directed in the Moda post.
- During the folding and pressing stage I wanted to give up as my 'windows' weren't even and most folded sections overlapped or didn't meet up at all and I thought this would ruin the finish. In the end I decided 'what the heck' and carried on anyway. Once the pieces were all sewn together none of it mattered that much so if you're feeling the same way hang on in there!!! Be sure to follow Moda's tip that on the first fold in you need to get the outer corners lined up perfectly regardless of what state the centre's in and on the second fold in you need to get the centre corner edges to line up perfectly regardless of what state the outside corners are in (don't panic - it makes sense when you actually doing it).
- The cut edge corners of each square of fabric that you place in the windows are very likely to be visible and in the final finish you can see that these edges aren't hemmed. I don't know how long these corners will last without fraying, time will tell.
- Adding the finished borders takes away 1/4" of the window edges so don't worry at all if the 'petals' don't point correctly at the outside edge - this won't be visible once the borders are added.
- The best bit of all is when you start to fold and sew back the petal edges. You immediately understand why people make these windows. This part is actually very easy and so exciting just be sure to follow Moda's instructions to "show the fabric who's in charge" and sew an anchoring cross in the centre of each window to help here.
Of course, I'm now doing this as a QAYG quilt so I spray basted the batting and backing and quilted around each petal.
Close up detail of front and back
Next up Block 9 - Machine Applique by M-R @Quilt Matters
This block is based on the Clam shell quilt design and
Amy @thecutelife designed
this free clam shell template for us to use.
I cut out the clam shells and background fabric and then attached them simply using basting spray. Again as I'm making a QAYG quilt I spray basted the batting and backing and then machine appliqued around the clam shells which at the same time quilted the block.
Block 9 - machine applique and QAYG quilting detail
So now I've created all 9 blocks and planned my QAYG backing for each. I'm still not happy with Block 4 - Reverse Applique but I'll finish making everything else first before deciding what to do about that block. I've also decided that I'd like to include a Selvedge Block as this is another technique that I'd like to try and I've got lots of selvedges from these fabrics so it seems like it's too good an opportunity to miss.
I can't wait to do more and I'm looking forward to making up my first QAYG but I'm being dragged away from it all this weekend to visit DC. We'll be doing all the obvious touristy things and while we're there Simon wants to go to the Air & Space Museum :( and Flicky has found a lecture at the Library of Congress that she's desperate for us to attend
"Failure and Memory: How the Rescue of Jews During the Holocaust is Depicted in Post War German Film." , is this what happens when you become a modern history undergraduate? (As I'm typing this she's watching a programme on Hulu called 'Hitler's Women!)
So I have a plea to you all for help to save my long weekend - does any one know of any fabric/quilting stores/museums in Washington DC that I won't need a car to get to?!!!
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