Simple Sampler Quilt Along -- Week 2

Happy Monday!  I'm all set and ready to share the next two blocks, are you ready!?  Just in case you are starting now, these will catch you up -

Simple Sampler Quilt Along Details (includes a pic of the quilt)

Simple Sampler Quilt Along -- Week 1

I have a flickr group here too!  Amy's Creative Side on Flickr

Also, if you have one block smaller than the other, most likely your seam allowance is a teeny bit big.  If you were making the same block for an entire quilt it wouldn't matter too much, you could just trim them all to the same size.  With this sampler, you could trim all to the same size when you find your smallest block after sewing them all. Or, if you would like to have more accurate seams check out my tutorial - Sewing Accurate 1/4" Seams.

Here's our first block for this week: Plus

Here's what you need:

From one fabric cut

1 - 4 1/2" x 12 1/2" rectangle and 2 - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares

From a second fabric cut

4 - 4 1/2" x 4 1/2" squares

If you need help with cutting go back and look at the first set of instructions, or ask in the comments.

Then layout as shown here:

 We are going to work on the sides first.  Lay the top squares down over the center squares.

 Pin and sew your pieces together.

 Press your seams open, and set it back down with the other pieces.

 Lay your bottom pieces onto the center.

 Pin and sew together.  Then press.

 Almost there!  Pin and sew one side to the center.  Since there aren't any seam to match up begin pinning at either edge and work your way in.

 When I'm sewing a piece that has seams in it to one that doesn't, I like to keep the seams up so that I can keep track of them and make sure that they are flat going under the needle.

 Now repeat with the other side to finish the block!

 Not too bad - right?  Next up is the Double Four Patch:

It's a mixture of the two blocks that we made last week.

 Here's what you need:
From one fabric -
2 - 6 1/2" squares and 4 - 3 1/2" squares
From a second fabric -
4 - 3 1/2" squares
Lay them out to make sure you have it in the right spots.

 Starting with the smaller pieces, lay them over each other as shown, and pin.

 Sew them together and press seams open.

 Lay one pair over the other, match seams, pin and sew.

 I've made lots of silly mistakes by sewing my pieces together differently than I had intended, which is why I always lay them out in between each step :)

 Lay one of the four patches over the 6 1/2" square.

 Pin and sew them together.

 Press your seams open.

 Lay one half over the other.  Pin and sew.

 Check and press seams open, one last time.

 Here's my blocks to date --  yay!

**After you make your blocks, post about them on your blog, then post a link here:

It's been fun to go visit and see your blocks, feel free to post to your flick picture if you aren't blogging.

Let me know if you have any questions!  I will answer them in the comments :)

Happy Quilting!

Amy
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