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City Sampler Quilt Along: Blocks 1, 2, and 3

Sew Sweetness



This post is part of the City Sampler Sew Along.
For more information or to see blocks completed so far, click here!

Julie – Hey everyone!! I’m excited to share blocks 1-3 of the #tula100 quilt a long with you.
I started by getting my supplies together. Since all the blocks are 6 ½” unfinished I pulled out my 8 ½” square ruler. I find it easier to cut all the small pieces with this ruler vs. my standard 6” x 24” one. I also grabbed a pen to write notes. 


I’m going to piece my blocks with Tula Pink’s Auriful thread collection.


It has 10 variegated threads along with a light grey and a medium grey. They are a perfect combination of the color spectrum for my fabric selections.


I am going to dig into my treasured Tula Pink stash for this quilt. My plan is to use some fabric from each of her 12 fabric lines.
These are the fabrics I pulled for block #1. They are Neptune, The Birds & The Bees, Prince Charming, & Neptune.


My Block 1 & Tula’s Block 1. I used the same color family, without using the exact fabrics she used.


These are the fabrics I pulled for block #2. They are Nest, The Birds & The Bees, The Birds & The Bees, The Birds & The Bees & Prince Charming.


My Block 2 & Tula’s Block 2. Again using a similar color family shown in the book.


These are the fabrics I pulled for block #3. They are Full Moon Forest, Parisville, Nightshade, Nightshade & The Birds & The Bees.


My Block 3 & Tula’s Block 3. I went with more purples here than reds because of what I had in my stash.


I cut all the fabrics for the 3 blocks and worked on them at the same time. With 6” finished blocks it is very important to cut the pieces accurately. A consistent ¼” is key too. I have a ¼” foot and did a few test pieces first to make sure everything was aligned. Some of the pieces in blocks 2 & 3 finish at just ½” wide. I chain pieced sections, pressed my seams open, and placed them back on my cutting mat so that I didn’t mess up my fabric placement. 


Block 1

Block 2

Block 3
I’m not sure which layout I’ll end up doing. For now I’m just enjoying the process of making a few small blocks at a time!

-Julie
www.jaybirdquilts.com






EmilyI am so excited to have finally gotten started on my blocks. Honestly I could hardly wait! I’m still waiting on the arrival of my Acadia fabric so I decided to pull scraps from my stash to start my blocks. I planned on throwing in other fabrics anyway so the blocks will blend right in with the others. I used at least one print from some of Tula’s previous collections in each block.

After cutting out the pieces for each block (like Sara suggested) I decided to check my 1/4″ seam allowance before I started sewing. I don’t have a fancy schmancy machine that you can just program- nor do I have a 1/4″ foot. So I did a quick test using this tutorial http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2010/04/quilting-basics-the-quarter-inch-seam-pressing-techniques/
I find it is absolutely necessary to have a perfect seam allowance when doing these blocks. With all the little pieces these blocks can get out of hand quickly.
Once my seam was set I started sewing. It took less that 15 min. to sew each block and I love the results! I don’t want to get too ahead of myself before my fabric shows up but I’d be lying if i told you i hadn’t already sewn blocks 4,5 and 6. :o)
For more info on how I’m planning my final quilt layout visit my blog: crazyoldladiesquilts.blogspot.com
HAPPY SEWING!
-Emily


Gina

 


Hey sewists! I hope you are ready to start sewing your blocks together or are busy cutting away! I have been sneaking in most of my sewing these days late at night. For me it is best to cut fabric in the day when I have plenty of light, but at night it is easy to put your pieces together here and there as you have time. I also have been chain piecing my blocks together when possible, to save time. Tula does a great job of laying out in her illustration the easiest order to put your blocks together. If you look closely you can notice the illustration kind of ‘breaks apart’ at certain points. These are her construction suggestions. I found I like having the book out and open right in front of me to make sure I am getting the layout right. It may be a good idea to lay out the entire block before sewing it to make sure it is right, especially if you have fussy cut pieces. I myself have been trying not to handle the little pieces too much so that the edges don’t fray.


This is an example of how I like to “chain cut” my block pieces. I spray starch and iron pieces bigger than the piece I need to cut. Then I clean the edges to the precise measurement, flip and clean the edge again and then cut the exact measurement again using a grid ruler. Some people do not like to starch, I say try it and see for yourself. After the initial starching I never starch it again. I want to stress always iron your fabric before you cut it, not after.


Here are my first three blocks! So far they have been quick blocks to put together. I like to have an ironing board right next to me while I am at the machine to make assembly even quicker. A squirt bottle with
water is great for steaming without having to fill up the iron a lot. I press after each seam, but I typically do not press my seams open. Every now and then if there is a bulky seam I will press it open, but for the most part that is not for me. I am not going to worry about cleaning up the sides of my blocks until I get closer to sewing them all together. I have a 6.5″ grid ruler that I can use to true them up.


I actually did not end up completely in love with my Block #3. I decided I should make one that I love a lot. I could have saved myself some time by laying it all out before sewing it together and double checking how I felt, but sometimes it is better to just jump in and try something and decide later when you are done how you feel. I am so glad I made a second block because the new version i LOVE! This Lazy Stripe from the Birds & Bees collection is one of my favorite prints and I love to highlight how it radiates out from the center. I added a dark orange shot cotton, Persimmon instead of the wine Kona that was there before. The dark orange wasn’t nearly as dark and so the contrast isn’t as high, but still passable.


This is an example of how I like to look at fabrics. I always step back and give fabrics “the 10 foot rule” that is, “how does this look from 10 feet away? Do I still see the shape and or the color I am going for?” I like to take my glasses off and look at fabric. You may not have the benefit of needing glasses, but taking a picture and looking at the small version gives the same reducing effect. I also love to use iphones and cameras to take black & white photographs of fabric to show the value and contrast to each other. Tula does a lot of this work for you naturally in her book and I am so glad to have the color illustrations to follow along with. I already have my little pile of next week’s blocks ready to sew and I can’t wait to see the new blocks everyone is coming up with!

Gina
http://www.ginapina.com 

So, if you are sewing along at home, be sure to link up ONLY blocks 1, 2, and 3 in this post (you will have time to link up your other blocks in future posts). Please link up separately for each block. As a reminder, you can link to your blog post, Flickr, or wherever else you are hosting your pictures. You must link up here on this post in order to be eligible for the monthy prize! The linky will be left open for 1 year (although the monthly prize for these blocks will be drawn on June 30, 2013).

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12 thoughts on “City Sampler Quilt Along: Blocks 1, 2, and 3

  1. Nilya says:

    This is going to be a gorgeous quilt. Of course I love your fabric full – I love her collections!

  2. Katy Cameron says:

    Looking great so far! I got to pet a signed copy of the book this weekend, but I suspect the owner might have noticed if I’d acquired it (along with any visitors, since it has her name in it ;o) )

  3. DeeAnn says:

    So much fun to see everyone’s blocks!

  4. Nancy H says:

    I highly recommend you guys make some of Lori Holt’s mini design boards! (Tutorial on her blog beeinmybonnet)
    Using the 10″ size, you could lay out the cut pieces for one block, top it with another board, lay out the next block, etc, etc. ou can easily transport your laid out blocks from cutting area to machine to iron, all without losing your original layout. They are fabulous! Make them in assorted sizes!

    1. Sue says:

      I totally second this.

  5. Beth says:

    I have my book and some fabric. I haven’t had time to think through what I am doing. I will though and then I will be cutting and sewing my blocks. So far the blocks posted are looking beautiful.

  6. margaret says:

    have done the first 3 blocks, only a beginner so not too good but now do not know how to lad them onto the sight, please advise how I go about it, thankyou. The ones you have shared with us today are lovely,

  7. Laurie says:

    Not sure why my blog link has to be “approved” before I can link the other 2 pictures in my blog post?…. Having difficulty with linking up all 3 pictures – please help. (The tool doesn’t like that I have already submitted my blog address for the first block I posted – therefore, it won’t “approve” me using my link again for my last 2 blocks I blogged in the same post).

  8. Lyanna L. says:

    Are you going in # order for this series? I did some blocks, but I didn’t do them in # order, just random. Thanks! =)

  9. Linda R says:

    This is for Laurie – I had the same problem, however I added a 1….2…..3 at the end of each blog and it took them. Each blog had a different number at the end to make them seperate. Hope this helps.

  10. goecker says:

    Love all those new blocks – simple but beautiful. Have tried some and want to do more when time permits soon.

  11. Marilyn Smith says:

    I have just found your site via Pinterest … and only five years late want to join the quilt along LOL Ii love the modern look and intend to make it in white/grey/white tones. I am always looking for quilts that might mbe appropriate for teen boys and this seems perfect!

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