My Favorite Block - 9-Patch

It's my day for sharing my block for the My Favorite Quilt Block Blog Hop, hosted by Carla of Creatin' In the Sticks. And what could it be? The ever-versatile 9-patch, recently featured in my Fall Leaves quilt.

Not only does Fall Leaves feature the favorite 9-patch maple leaf block in two sizes, but the wall hanging version has a 9-patch setting.

The 9-patch block can be simple squares, 

or incorporate HST's, like in the leaf block,

the shoo fly block,

a snowball,

and the friendship star.

Of course, HST's aren't the only possible design change. The possibilities are endless when other designs are introduced in the squares - check out these blocks:

this could go on forever!

And how about quilts, especially the disappearing 9-patch? A very popular quilt pattern created by cutting 9-patch blocks both horizontally and vertically, then rotating the results. 

Convinced about how great a 9-patch is?? Want to make some, but not sure what size squares to start with for a given finished block size? No need to do any math - it's all done in this handy chart!

The first column is the size square to cut, the second column is the unfinished block size after nine squares are sewn together, and the last column is the finished block size once it's sewn into a quilt top. Notice the finished block size gets pretty big toward the bottom of the chart, but that number is useful to determine a quilt size with a 9-block setting.

And last but not least, create more time for quilting - check out the tutorial Efficiently Sewing a 9-Patch using the chain stitching technique. Now I'm off to play with more 9-patches!

Happy Quilting!

Fall Leaves Quilt

No denying it - fall is on it's way! My oak tree has started dropping leaves, providing a pretty background for my newest beginner friendly quilt pattern, Fall Leaves.

The Fall Leaves quilt pattern features maple leaves in two sizes, accented with small bits of orange and turquoise. Pictured above is the Fall Leaves wall hanging/baby quilt size, with 3 additional sizes - lap, twin, and queen - included in the pattern. Along with easy to follow block and quilt construction details, all fabric quantities, block amounts, and border sizes are clearly presented. 

Materials Chart Exerpt

For the wall hanging, I chose a simple color scheme of dark value reds for the small maple leaves, and lighter value golden yellows for the large maple leaves. With a larger quilt, add in additional colors - fern green, plum purple, burnt orange, and peanut brown - as seen in this lap sized mock up diagram. This is easily a fat quarter friendly quilt!

Of course, the best way to choose additional leaf colors is from the leaf border print, which ties the whole quilt together. The small bits of orange and turquoise add the pop!

Quilting can be an all-over pantograph, or the custom quilting of a favorite fill (stipple, leaves, swirls, etc) in the background and veins in the leaves. I chose a wavy design, upon request from my son - he envisioned the leaves blowing in the wind.

And of course, another leaf print finishes off the back.

I'm so looking forward to fall with all it's magnificent colors, and enjoying the beauty of Fall Leaves - 

Happy Fall!

Joining Binding the Easy Way!

Do you struggle to join quilt binding ends? Can't figure out how much binding length to leave, or which direction to sew the diagonal seam? 
Then struggle no more! Today's class is for you, and I'm going to change your quilting life forever with a tutorial for joining binding ends the easy way.

My original tutorial on this subject, Joining Binding in 3 Easy Steps, is my #1 viewed tutorial, which tells me the binding struggle is real. And what I'm showing you today is such an awesome technique, it bears repeating. So say goodbye to complicated measuring, confusing angles, and binding that doesn't fit. Just try this method for joining quilt binding once, and I guarantee you won't look back!

Before we get started, let's talk about binding width. I cut all of my bindings to a 2 1/2" strip width, which gives me enough to turn to the back and catch when finishing with a machine stitched binding. Some quilters like less, and if that's you, just be sure to fold back the same amount as your strip width in the first step.

Step 1: Fold back the binding end

Fold back 2 1/2" (or your strip width) at the binding beginning and pin. Start stitching approximately 6" away from the fold. 

Continue all around the quilt, stopping the stitching within 6" of the folded binding.

I like to leave as short a gap as necessary, 

as I've found that a larger gap can cause the binding to ripple toward the end of the final stitch down. 

Step 2: Trim the binding where it meets the folded piece.

Lay the quilt flat, then adjust the binding flat against the quilt. Trim the free end where it meets the fold. I usually trim that end piece a wee bit less - no more than 1/8" - which helps to make a snugger fit along the quilt edge. 

Step 3: Join the binding ends

Unpin, unfold, and open up both pieces. Don't twist them - just let them open naturally. Overlap the pieces, right sides together, at right angles, with the piece that had the 2 1/2" folded end on top of the piece that was cut. Line up the two outer edges, placing a pin to hold them together. 

If necessary, mark a diagonal line to follow when stitching, from strip tip to strip tip. Notice the direction of the line creates excess to trim off. Any other direction is incorrect as there is no excess created.

Stitch along the diagonal line, then check the length against the quilt for snugness. Now is the time to make adjustments before trimming. When the length is good, then trim the excess and finger press the diagonal seam open. 

Step 4: Finish attaching the binding to the quilt top 

Pin the binding in place,

and finish stitching it on. Fold it to the back of the quilt and either machine stitch, or hand stitch it in place.

Wasn't that easy? I know this technique has changed my quilting life - it's so simple that I don't fret over bindings all!

And if you would like to improve your binding corners, check out my Reduce Bulky Corners tutorial - it too will change how you finish a quilt. 

Feel free to share your new-found quilting knowledge with all your friends - Happy Quilting!