Triangle Thursday #17

Dutchman’s Puzzle

This design is number 1339a in Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. It is also called Wheel by Ohio Farmer in 1894. I’ve always heard it called Dutchman’s Puzzle so that’s what I’m calling it.  Click HERE for a printer friendly version. 

Unlike previous blocks, I paper pieced this block.  I’m sure you can find these double flying geese units some where in a book or on the net but here’s how you can draw the foundations for a 6” block.  You will need four of these units for the block.  To draw your own use 4 squares-to-an-inch grid paper.  Each unit makes 2 flying geese.

1) Start by drawing a 3” square that has enough room around it to add the ¼” seam allowance. 

2) Mark the half way point on the sides and the top – 1 ½” from the edge.  NOTE: Always start your lines at the edge of the finished square.  That’s why I don’t draw the ¼” seam allowance until after the pattern is drawn.

3) Draw a horizontal line from one side mark to the other mark. 

4) From the edge of the horizontal line draw a line to the top center mark. (This should look like a half square triangle.)

5) Repeat this for the other direction.

6) Mark the half way mark on the horizontal line. 

7) Make a line from the bottom corners to the center of the horizontal line. 

8) Add a ¼” seam around the entire block. 

You’re done!  That wasn’t so hard was it? If you aren’t sure what I mean check the diagram above. And, don’t forget to number the piecing order on your papers.

I drew two blocks and then copied them on my printer to Carol Doak’s Foundation Paper. Make sure your printer is set to print at 100%.  If it is marked fit to paper there is a good chance your copy will be too small, just like my first attempt was!

If you aren’t familiar with paper piecing there are several good videos on You Tube.  Just search paper piecing  or foundation piecing.  I’ve paper pieced off and on for years.  I recently took Carol Doak’s class through Craftsy.  I learned a whole lot and now it is much easier for me to succeed.

Cutting directions are for 6”

Fabric	Number to cut	6”
Center triangles	8	2” template
Side triangles	16	Slightly bigger than 1 ½” template

Paper piece four foundations following the numbers as given.  I recommend ironing between each fabric addition. Once all four units are done lay them out as shown below.

By swapping around the placement of the geese units you get a different block.  This is 1338 in Brackman’s book. It was called Mosaic 12 from the Ladies Art Co. as published in 1897. 

Phew!  I got this posted just in the nick of time! 

Happy Sewing All!  

Design Wall Monday, Er, Tuesday

We were traveling this weekend and didn't have much in the way of internet connectivity. So, this will be a Design Wall Tuesday! 

I can't show what I got the most work done on last week.  Suffice it to say I am quite tickled with it.  I'll be able to post it in a few weeks after it wings its way to England.   So, instead of it, I'm showing a ho hum flannel quilt I'm working on.  I was given a small bunch of kiddy print flannel squares.  When I got home I found a bunch of hand dyed flannel I had done years ago.  So, I cut squares to match.  After messing around with the various blocks for a while I came up with this design.  I've started sewing them together as leader/enders.  

While we were visiting in Michigan I went to The Quilt Patch in Tecumseh, Mi. It is great to have close friends who live in a great small town with a fabulous quilt store! I didn't go wild mainly because I didn't have a fabric shopping plan. (What was I thinking? Evidently, I wasn't thinking!) Anyway, I bought a couple of 1 page set of directions.  And, I got this cute little ornament kit. I thought the presentation in a coffee cup was too darn cute.  Will I be able to throw away the cup?  Eventually.  I may take the kit with me on retreat and give it a go.  You can find more about the kits at Happy Hollow Designs.

We had a great time at Matthew's graduation party.  It was wonderful to spend time with Lisa and Kirk, Sarah, Matthew and various relatives we had met over the years.  And, I have to tell you these folks know how to throw a great party!  

Pat and I left to come home early on Monday morning.  We thought we'd take two days to drive home but we just kept going.  With stops it took us 12 hours and 15 minutes.  I doubt we will ever plan to do that again but it worked.  We got a good night's sleep in our own beds last night.  It felt great! 

We saw this barn quilt on the way there but I couldn't get my camera out fast enough.  So, I was somewhat prepared to snap a picture on the way home.  There were several other quilt blocks that we could only see on the way home but the road was pretty busy and I couldn't get any pictures. Fun to see though! 

I didn't have much on my goals last week. And, I didn't get much done on them either, except the small quilt. 

Week of May 20, 2013

Finish small quilt top for swap just need to quilt borders and bind√

Trim Kitty Cat  quilt

Make binding for Kitty Cat quilt

Go visit the Maki’s and celebrate Matt’s graduation√

Here are a few things I need to finish this week.  I better get hopping on them! 

Week of May 27, 2013

Finish small quilt top for swap

Mail swap quilt

Finish sewing down green binding

Make 1 triangle thread holder

Make June Brown Bag blocks

Wash new fabrics

Go to Penzy’s to pick up spices

Make and mail hearts to Quiltville Hearts group

Look at what just got delivered at my house! 

I guess that means we really are starting on the attic finish!  Tomorrow the back side will be opened up and a row of windows will be put in.  Natural light to quilt by!  Woo hoo! 

Visit Patchwork Times to visit design walls across the internet. 

Happy stitching all! 

Design Wall Monday 5-20-13

Do you like paper piecing?  I hated it for the most part until I took Carol Doak's Craftsy class, Mastering Foundation Paper Piecing.  Wow, what a difference that class has made in my paper piecing.  I hated it because I always (I mean all the time) came up with the wrong size fabric to cover the foundation and didn't put it in the right place.  Carol has been teaching her paper piecing methods for years and she knows what she is talking about.  I enjoyed listening to her and I suspect in person she would be sparkling with little stories and comments while teaching.  I am putting most of her ideas to work on my current project. 

Here's what I am working on right now.  I can't tell you much about it as it is a surprise.  I will tell you I am not using the clips the way Carol suggests.  But I think this will work.  If not I'll change them.  

The other big news in the household, is Ruthie has been taken apart for the time being.  Her rails are going out to be powder coated.  And, yippeee!  We found some one right in our own area to do it.  Originally I was planning on transporting them to Manasas to have them done.  

Here's what Ruthie's room looks like now. This is from the window side of the room. 

And here is where that "stuff" came from. 

And that, my friends, is where my new studio will be.  Yep, it is huge!  Just about all that you are looking at is going to be my studio.  You can't see where a storage closet is going.  We have very little storage in the main part of the house -- just closet bedrooms, a the pantry which we enlarged with the kitchen remodel and a set of Ikea shelves in the laundry room, which we also put in.  Hopefully out of season clothes, blankets and quilts can be stored in the climate controlled closet. New windows will be going along the left side.  I am having a hard time getting my mind around how big the space will be and where all my stuff is going.  And, yikes, most of my stuff is on built in shelves and they are staying put.  I'll need to get some new storage units of some kind.  All in good time.  

The good news is the construction will be starting next Tuesday.  Maybe earlier if they decide to work over the weekend.  I need to start cleaning up the current studio with the fabric and Bernina and Featherweight so I can make the move later this summer.  I'll keep you posted.  

WOW! I was very focused this week and got every last one of my goals worked on! Amazing!!! (ok, enough exclamation points...) 

Week of May 13, 2013

Finish quilting FCQ Charity Quilt√

Make backing for Kitty Cat quilt√

Load and quilt Kitty Cat quilt√

Begin small quilt for swap√

Figure out Backing for CP charity quilt√

Load and quilt CP Charity quilt√

Work on strip charity quilt All blocks done, time to sew the rows

Sew flannel block quilt together√ some are sewn together

Week of May 20, 2013

Finish small quilt top for swap

Trim Kitty Cat  quilt

Make binding for Kitty Cat quilt

Continue sewing flannel blocks together

Go visit the Maki’s and celebrate Matt’s graduation

Not many goals this week as we'll be traveling for part of the week.  Plus that secret paper pieced project needs to get finished -- soon!  Maybe even this week.  

Don't forget to visit at Judy Laquidara's Patchwork Times.  I really enjoy surfing quilter's blogs and see what they are working on.  I hope you join me! 

Happy Quilting All! 

Triangle Thursday #16

Lattice

This design is number 1181 in Barbara Brackman’s Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns. It is attributed to Nancy Page with no date listed. As often seen, the block acquired additional names through the years.  In 1938 the “Kansas City Star” named the block a “Quilt of Variety.”  Then in 1941 it became “The Quint Five Quilt.”  My guess is this is a reference to the Dionne Quintuplets who were born in 1934 and became a major tourist attraction.  You can search Wikipedia.org for more information on the quints, the first quintuplets to survive infancy. You can find a printer friendly version here. 

Cutting directions are for 6”

Fabric	Number to cut	6”
Background Squares	4	3 ½”
Various Fabrics Triangles	8	1 ½” triangle template

Here are the pieces for one section laid out.

Sew the triangles onto opposing corners.  Make sure the points are toward the center and the blunt edges are even with the background fabric.  Stitch exactly ¼” away from the long cut edge.  Iron the triangles toward the outer corners. 

You can choose to leave the background fabric under the points or trim them at ¼”.  One thing to watch for is that the triangle pieces actually cover the background fabric or at least a enough to catch in a seam. I decided to trim mine to eliminate the excess bulk. I squared up the blocks before I trimmed though to make sure what was there was accurate.

Here are four sections ready to be sewn into rows.  

 Here are the two rows. I ironed the seam open to eliminate bulk.

Before you sew, see what else you can do with this block!  I’ve seen these two together called hugs and kisses.  Wouldn’t they make a cute Valentine’s Day quilt in white, reds and pinks? 

Sew the two rows together matching the centers and the triangles. Your all done.  A quick, easy block.

To change the look of this block consider using either the 1” or 2” triangle templates.  The 1” would show lots more of the background fabric while the 2” would show much less.  Consider what size scrap triangles you have left.  Change the size of the background square to use the triangles you have left.  Have fun playing with this design.

Did you miss Triangle Thursday last week?  I’ve decided to post TT on the first and third Thursday every month.  If I were truly organized I would have a bunch of these already written up and ready to post.  I don’t!  I do them every week!

Happy Quilting All!