June 28, 2010

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)

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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35 comments:

Terriaw said...

I love how easy these blocks look to assemble! I have seen more and more of these plus/cross blocks lately, but I love your piecing technique - easy peasy. And that double 4-patch looks great with the the contrasting fabrics. Lovely!

Anonymous said...

Exciting. I hope that I will be able to make my blocks tomorrow.

Cindy's Crafty Creations said...

I'm going to join :) I have been trying to finish a sampler quilt on my own and it hasn't been going very quickly, so this might put a fire under my butt :) lol

Lindsay said...

awesome blocks, thanks Amy!! I don't know if i will get to them today, its new menu launch day at my restaurant, and so I will be there all day! Can't wait to see everyones blocks once they are done!!

bethanndodd said...

LOVE the blocks so far!!! I have to admit that I haven't started yet but I plan to soon :o).

I am thinking of buying a new sewing machine and wondered what kind you have and if you have any helpful tips on what to look for? Thanks so much!
you can e-mail me if you don't want to respond in your comments.
beth.dodd@att.net

Amy Sp said...

I just got mine done! I'm home from work today, so I had a little free time. These were also pretty easy, but I know they're about to get harder! Thanks Amy :)

Garilyn S said...

I better get busy. I'm hoping to catch up tonight. We are leaving for 2 1/2 weeks on Friday and I know I'll have more to catch up to when we get back! Yikes...
Oh, and I like to looks of the blocks and the instructions are great!

Anonymous said...

I got mine done. I can't wait to see everyone else's come together. I love Mr. Linky and getting to go see how everyone's project is coming together.

Brittany said...

Mine are finished and I forgot to comment here after I linked. I love getting to see everyone's blocks too!

harleywife57/ Mickey White said...

hello ; I have the 4 blocks cut out (to catch up) .... and I don't flickr or blog , so when I get them sewn up , should I post them on your facebook page ???? THIS IS FUN !!!!

Amber said...

Finished the blocks. I'm really loving the different patterns. Again I'm so thrilled that my corners are consistently lining up. Thanks for great blocks and awesome instructions Amy!

Jacque. said...

done! Quick and easy blocks. Thanks, Amy.

Lucy said...

I have the material ironed, not sure which fabric I am going to use for the next two blocks, I am very happy to be quilting along with you all...
Lucy..

syocom said...

here are my blocks. I feel so accomplished today for getting these done. (and last weeks too) Hey I am caught up now!

Anonymous said...

Somehow I missed the part about leaving a comment after linking. Sorry about that!

Amy,thank you so much for this. I am having a ball, not only with my own blocks, but seeing everyone else's. This is my first quilt along, so I'm a little rusty on the posting details.

Question, why do you open the seams? I learned to quilt about 20 years ago and took a refresher course about 14 years ago and was always taught to press the seam allowances to one side. Has this changed for some reason or just the way you prefer? Just curious.

Thank you, again.

Kristen

Unknown said...

Kristen this is my preference! It lays nice and flat and I can easily match up seams :) I learned to sew garments as a girl - that's been a big influence too!
Also in recent years we've learned that pressing to the side was to increase the strength of hand piecing, as most of us are machine piecing these days, it's not a hard and fast rule anymore.

Lindsay said...

Blocks are done, and posted, and thanks again for the pin tip! I love my new pins!

Rhonda said...

What a great tutorial. I wish I had the time to make the blocks along with everyone else. I do love seeing what everyone else is up to.

rayfamily said...

Thanks again for another great instruction! My computer auto-defaulted when I tried to add my complete blocks and it linked last weeks on my blog. I can't seem to delete it. It should be http://rayfamilyfarm.blogspot.com/2010/06/quilt-along-week-2.html

Thanks!

andie said...

I linked to my Flickr page!! My husband is so proud that I learned to use my "Uniform Resource Locater" or URL. Really like this week's blocks. I will fall behind next week as we are going on vacation to Colorado. I will be excited to catch up though!!

felicity said...

Yay! Just got mine done and posted to the Flickr group.

This is really fun, Amy - thanks so much.

Kendra from missknittas studio said...

Just posted mine -- I love how this week's blocks built on the skills from last week!

Amy said...

These blocks were fun and fast to make, definitely my kind of project! Thanks Amy!

Unknown said...

I'll catch up on the quilt along as soon as the splinted fingers on my dominant hand are better. Should be just in time for the next installment. >.<

2miracles/Tove said...

oops my mister linky must have not worked.! my block are done for week one.

harleywife57/ Mickey White said...

I've got the 4 squares done ; since I moved to work by the computer and follow all directions , no errors the second 2 blocks . pictures later ..... fun fun ! can't wait until MONDAY !

Sue said...

Just posted mine! The instructions were great and these blocks were fun to make. I am definitely becoming more accurate with my sewing! Thanks, Amy!

Jill said...

I am having a blast doing these Amy! Thank you so much!!!!

Lucy said...

I just finished my Third and Fourth Block. I am still very slow and learning, BUT i am having a great time! Looking forward to the next 2 blocks..

Honey Bunny Quilter said...

I made all of my blocks the other night and finally got a chance to post them today. This is my first and it's so much fun! Thank you for taking the time to do this. You are an inspiration. Excited about what is to come . . . thank you!

Molly said...

I'm in!! I'm doing mine in red and white and can't wait to see how it turns out. Thanks for guiding us Amy!

Joanna said...

I caught up and posted my blocks on flicker and on my blog. I think they are looking pretty good. I'm looking forward to the next blocks.

JariJari said...

just added mine...both on flicker and linkin...tq, amy!

Unknown said...

OKay, I finally get almost caught up and then I see week
3 's directions are posted, so I was thankful I had today off and can realyy catch up:) I decided to use some Christmas fabric I bought at the end of last season, only thing is I must've been in a mood to buy fabric with words, since I have several. Oh Well, Just need to make sure I line it up so it's readable. Now I'm off to do week 3's blocks. Thanks for the quilt a long tutorials!

Quiet Quilter said...

It's Friday of the 3rd week and I am now finished with the 2nd week of blocks. Would love to spend this weekend on the 3rd week and be caught up, but will be satisfied if I am caught up by the end of the 4th week.

Sure am enjoying this quilt-along. Thanks, Amy, for starting it.