Card Trick Block {Tutorial}

It's my turn to come up with an idea for the month of May for Imagine @ do.Good Stitches charity bee.

I have loved the card trick block ever since I first started quilting 16 years ago.  I actually pulled out my Singer's Quilting Bible (circa 1997...whew...getting old here) and lo and behold?  I still had the quilt block marked!  However, I have different sizes planned then the ones in the book.  One 12" block and one 9" block!  Hopefully, my bee friends won't curse me like they were when they were paper piecing their blocks for Imagination!  I plan to share it as a free quilt pattern in the very near future.  In the meantime, I will share the tutorial for both blocks.

Shuffle The Deck Quilt

Free Quilt Pattern .pdf download will come in the near future.

Hopefully, I can replace the image below with the real thing in June with all the blocks my bee comrades have won!

12" Card Trick Block {Tutorial}
Unfinished 12.5" blocks
 

IMPORTANT:  Fabric Choices. 

I recommend high contrast or value fabrics for this block.  Each “card” will stand out more effectively while overlapping.  Too low of contrast will cause them to blend more.  For the sake of the bee quilt, I am requesting white backgrounds, but I think this would be an amazing quilt with a low volume background print!

1. Cut one 5 1/4" square fabric each of background and four "card" fabrics. A total of five squares.
2. Cut two 4 7/8" square fabric of background and one of each four "card" fabrics.  A total of six squares.

3. Cut through the larger squares (5 1/4") twice diagonally to make four sets of triangles.

4.  Cut through the smaller squares (4 7/8") once diagonally to make two sets of triangles.
Note: the photo below is missing the second background triangle. 
 It fell on the floor when I was taking photos *blush*

5.  Layout your triangle to create the overlapping square effect. Use this photo as a guide.

Note:  You will have two small triangles of each card fabric leftover.  Keep them for a future project. I'm planning on using these on the back of the quilt (flying geese?)

Stitch your triangles together.

Chain-stitching can be your friend. 

6.  Start with the larger triangles in the corners.

Stitch the background triangles to the card triangles.

7. Stitch the marked triangles. 

Stitch the smaller triangles first.

Then stitch the pieced triangle to the larger triangle.

8. Stitch the center block.

  Stitch two small blocks and then the piece triangles together.

9.  Press your triangles and trim off your points.

10.  Assemble each row.  Then each row to each other.

11.  Press block.

 9" Card Trick Block {Tutorial}

Unfinished 9.5" block
Optional sashed block for an unfinished 12.5" block

Note:  Fabric Choices.  I decided to do blocks to show that sometimes your fabric choices might be similar.  The pink in this selection has orange and can read orange when cut into triangles.

  In this case, make sure that the two fabrics are not adjacent to each other and use your other fabrics to have your high contrast!

1.  Cut one 4 1/4" square fabric each of background fabric and four "card" fabrics. A total of five squares.

2.  Cut two 3 7/8" square fabric of background fabric and one of each four "card" fabrics.  A total of six squares

Optional Sashing:  For the purpose of my quilt design there is sashing to take the 9" block to 12"

3.  Cut two 2" x 9.5" strips from background fabric.

4. Cut two 2" x 12.5" from background fabric.

5. Repeat steps 3 through 11 from the 12" block tutorial to have a complete 9" block.  The layout is the exact same, just smaller pieces!

Optional:  Once you have pressed the block, add the 2 short background strips (2"x 9.5") to each side of the 9" card block.  Press the seams.  Add the 2 longer background strips (2" x 12.5") to the top and bottom.

Press block.

Hope this tutorial is helpful!  Stay tuned for the entire free quilt pattern!

Something Folded {Block Tutorial}

Welcome to the second block of the Something New Sampler! You can find more information in our Flickr group and in the introduction post. Sew along with us for a chance to win prizes! 

 I'm Heidi and I'll be showing you how to make a Modern Folded block. I was intrigued when Amy asked if I was interested in doing something new this year.  Something I have never done before.

I think, as quilters, it is always important to not only hone certain skills we have, but also learn new techniques.

I have always been intrigued by folded blocks, especially the Moda Bakeshop Fancy Folded Star tutorial.  When she asked me to take it on, I thought, why not?   Then when she said they were going to a different block size than normal, I sorta panicked!   But after some play, I came up with this.

Something Folded Block Tutorial

Materials:
1 Foundation Piece (8in x15 in)
37 2in x 8in pieces.  18 White. 8 Dark blue. 11 Light Blue

Instructions:

Step One:  Cut your fabrics.  I was able to utilize 2 random Fat Quarter pieces and some scrap white fabric.

Step Two: Fold and press each white and blue rectangle 1/4 inch, lengthwise.

Step Three: Start laying your first set of folded strips. Start 3.5 inches in from the left side. Layer the 10 (one of each) folds in alternating colors to the edge. I used 1/2 inch intervals.  Pin and stitch the ends to the foundation piece of fabric approximately 1/2 inch from the bottom of the strips.

You might notice that my strips are not perfect and a bit wonky.  You could certainly do so, using your clear acrylic ruler as a guide, but I was having fun just eying it.

Step Four: After stitching, begin stacking and layering the second set of folded strips (4 Dark Blue and 3 White) ever 1/2 inch.  Lay them perpendicular to the first set of folded fabrics approximately 4 inches down from the top edge of the foundation piece. Stitch the edge like the first set.

Step Five: The third set of folded pieces starts at the edge of the first set (4 Dark blue and 3 White).  I started with the darker blue next to the first set's white folded piece.   I overlapped them ever so slightly, but even if it isn't perfect, the foundation is white and won't really be tragic if it peeks.   Again, alternate them every 1/2 inch to the edge.  Stitch to the foundation piece at the top of the foundation piece. You may have to turn back the first set of folds to complete it. End at the edge of the last piece.

Step Six: Now to prepare for the fun part, weaving!  Folded blocks are all about weaving to get an interesting look or design.  To prepare, carefully lift each set of folded blocks out to the edges and expose the foundation piece underneath.

Step Seven:  WEAVE! You can see above, that I laid the first white folded strip down first.  Next, overlap the dark blue from the second set.  Then, layer the light blue from the first set. Continue to alternate between the first and second set. 

Keep alternating to the end until the last strip of the second set is down and lay the last three strips down.

Step Eight: There is more weaving ahead, but first you must add the last and fourth folded set (6 Light blue and 7 White).  First, return the third set of dark and white strips back over the other two sets.  Then, start adding white and light blue strips alternating to the bottom (again, every 1/2 inch). Pin well when you have them set.

Step Nine:  Trim.  I decided to trim at this point to the correct block size of 7.5 x14.5 (final size with seams will be 7x14).

 I played around with proportions and liked that the light blue was a bit thicker on the left than the dark blue. I like to think that modern sometimes means improv...and I definitely went for it (out of my comfort zone).

Step Ten: At this point, you could stitch all the way around the edges (less than 1/4 in) to secure all the ends.  I would make sure you either hold the edges as steady and even with the machine or use a table attachment if you have one to keep the weight even on all the folds.

However, I couldn't stop right there.  I had to play some more!  

Step Eleven: I kept them pinned!  Fold back the fourth set (lower set) of folded strips to expose the third set.  Start alternating the dark blue with the lower set of folded strips.

Keep layering until you come to the last two...they get tucked under the same blue strip. Stitch the entire perimeter of the block.

Step Twelve: One last step.  Stitching down the strips is needed. If this were a mug rug or to be for a final quilt, I would make sure I pinned the folded strips well and then sew individual strips like below with coordinating thread colors when I had my batting and backing.  If you can't wait?  Go ahead and stitch the rows down.

Watch out for shifting strips. Spray starch could be your friend in this instant to avoid puckering. Another lesson I learned is to start from the inside of the "center" and then work your way out.

If you don't sew down some of the folds?

You will get the above!!!

After playing around with the block, I decided to do a quick photoshop of what it would look like as a mini-quilt.

Or this.

If this block is just not floating your boat...never you fear....you can play around for days with your pieces.  I did!!  I also think it would be fun to do the block in a more square format!

If you made it this far?  Pat yourself on the back! It was a doozy of a post!

If you missed last week's block, Modern Bargello,  you can still go check it out at Amy's blog at thecutelifesmiles.blogspot.com.

And I am not the only one with a block today, Chelsea @ pinsandbobbins.blogstpot.co.uk is hosting a scraptastic block today!

The Itsy Bitsy Spider {Wicked Blog Hop} and {Block Tutorial}

It's
October 31st....   Halloween!!!!!    

   My turn to be WICKED for the Wicked Blog Hop!   A big thank you to Mdm Samm at !Sew We Quilt! and Wendy at Why Knot? for dreaming up, organizing, and hosting this great blog hop!

If you are new here?  Welcome!!!
An Itsy Bitsy Spider Block for you!

She measures 12.5 inches...but can be made ANY size or style you would like.  I decided to showcase her on this 16 inch pillow, so I had to add a few things!

First off, I chose this block because I have been meaning to do a spin off of my Moda Bake Shop  quilt tutorial.

TUTORIAL HERE

The boys are in high Wicked decorating mode! Spiders galore!

Ever since I surprised them last year with My Haunted Mansion decorations

And they decided to scare the neighborhood as best they could

Halloween has become a new family affair.

I made Throw pillows last year,

  but a few chairs have mentioned that they feel much neglected this year. (yes, my furniture and house talk to me). I can't stand to disappoint them, so new throw pillows!!

I took the block (tutorial below) and added large sashing on only two sides so it was juxtaposed in the corner.

A bit of spider web quilting.

I simply stitched in the ditch, and then echoed the hexagon pattern a few times around to the edge. I then used the pieced seams as my guide out to the perimeter. I then added some more in between. I recommend starting in the center each time so it stays smooth in the center. 

And to be a wee bit wicked, a fly with button eyes, button body, and felt wings. Poor thing is trapped in the web.

A cheeky spider made up of buttons and hand embroidery making an appearance to see if he might have caught his next meal.

He is hanging from a double threaded back stitch.

I had to pull out this fabric from my stash for the backing.

And binding.  It reminded me of bug eyes!

 It was the first time I have ever used a binding on the edge of a pillow.
  I really like how it creates a combination of piping and flange. I definitely will keep this idea in my back pocket for future pillows.

Oh?
Why am I in love with this fabric?

It made its first appearance as the binding for my Trick or Treat Charm quilt I made this month for an auction.

Oh. And guess who won it? My sister! I have a sneaky feeling she was very Wicked herself to get it!

Overall, I think this block is fun and has a limitedness of potential!

Want to make one yourself?

_________________________

The Itsy Bitsy Spider Web Block {Tutorial}

Cut several strips in various sizes, I recommend smaller ones for the "webs". I marked on the photo the sizes I used to so this particular 12.5 inch block. I cut the strips from WOF and pulled leftover strips from my long arm machine ventures.

Just remember that you need to make sure the width of the long strip rectangle measures half the size of the finished block you want. In this instance, I made mine 7 inches high because I wanted to trim mine down to a 12.5 inch block. I like to have that leeway!

Sew them together!

Next check your ruler out! Many of your rulers will already have a 60 degree angle on it. Go look!

You simply line the 60 degree line up with the top of your strip and cut the angles.

I have a very detailed demonstration of this cut at the Moda Bake Shop tutorial. You will see that the angle is the same for any size strip. It makes a perfect equilateral triangle by turning your ruler both directions.

Because I made the choice to go larger with my triangle for wiggle room, I did have to make a second shorter striped rectangle to make one more triangle!

 But if you plan to make an exact 12.5 inch block or smaller you should only need a pieced strip the length of your WOF (width of fabric)!

Time to layout the triangles.
 You will have some that match in the center and some that match on the outside. For the purpose of this pillow, I used the one that had the purple toward the center. I plan saving the other triangles for some other ideas I have!

Now split your hexagon in half.

Piece each triangle together by making sure you match up those strings with pins.

 Or just be Wicked and just go for it!
 

After you have pieced both sides. You will have two halves

Simply piece them together and you will have a hexagon.

Next cut a rectangle the height of your other stripped rectangles and double the width of that same measurement. In this case I wanted to play it safe and cut mine 7.5 inches by 14 inches.

I then started cutting 60 degree angles again. This time saving the half triangle ends and cutting the center if the equilateral triangle.

Piece the four triangles to the corners of the hexagon.

At this point you simply trim to make your 12.5 inch block.

 
 I was VERY Wicked and didn't take a picture of the block all alone at this point because I was anxious to get it ready for the pillow!

  Now that you have checked out my Wicked post....Go make sure you check out the rest of the blog hop participants  today!!  It has to be pretty wicked scary today considering it is HALLOWEEN!!!!   

Wicked Wednesday,

October 31st

Beaquilter
Fun Thread Designs 

Stitch, Stitch, Stitch

Made By A Brunnette

Buttons And Butterflies

The Recipe Bunny

Quilted Delights

Sunshine Reflections

Louzeekreativ

Mice In The Mix

Rosemary - That Other Blog
The Fuzzy Hat Quilter
Sew We Quilt


And if you missed the other days...just click on the Wicked Image at the top of this post or in my sidebar.  There are AMAZING projects going on out there!