Tutorial Tuesday

Finally as promised, see pinky swearing works!  Cherry on Top Picnic quilt Tutorial.  

Lets start with the yardage.  Now girls, I pieced most of this quilt with scraps, even my whites were from backing scraps,  so the yardage is an EQ7 estimate.  The reason why this could be a tad off is because the Cherry blocks  drafted in EQ isn't the same block that was drafted on paper.   Buying a little extra fabric is always a good rule of thumb.  Also there's a lot of scrap produced by this quilt.  However there will be a tutorial for how to make a my "Sweet Pickins" quilt with the scraps.  It doesn't use up all the scrap but it makes a good dent in them. 

Okay so here's what EQ says you need.

This is a basic 12" finished (12.5 unfinished) chain block.  I'm sure there are some of you that can do this block quicker with strip piecing.  

Now onto the tutorial for block one.

What you will need

White fabric                               Red with white dots          Red Gingham

(60) 2 1/2 x 8 1/2                       (120) 2 1/2 x 2 1/2            (15) 4 1/2 x 4 1/2

(60) 2 1/2 x 4 1/2 

 After cutting set aside 30 of the 2 1/2 x 8 1/2 pieces, with the rest lay them out like below, ready for chain piecing.  One thing before we get started.  I finger press until my entire top(without borders) is complete.  It seems to work better for me but if you can do it with an iron and not get all wonky, Go for it!  I'm just not that talented.  Also I've done my best make this accurate.  If you should find and error please let me know so I can change it.  We all make mistakes but we don't want everyone to know!...LOL!  Thanks for keeping an eye on me.

Okay get stitching!

Now you've got them all sewn!  Press the seams like this...and grab those 30 pieces we set aside, divide them into two piles of 15. We'll be sewing them to the top and bottom of the middle unit.  And you'll notice that I don't have all the blocks stacked up in the picture.  It was for picture sake.  When at the sewing machine they are stacked and ready for chain piecing.

Now lets get this middle section knocked out, sew the sub units together as shown below. Then go ahead and sew the top section to the middle section, then add that lower section and your on the home stretch.

You should have the middle section finished.  We're looking good!  Almost there... I love a super simple block!

Now that the middle section is assembled lets finger press those seams once more.   You got it, go ahead and add those side units and....

 Pressing those last seams out.

 TADA!  super simple, super fast, and super cute! 

Now I've left the harder block for last.  But really its not hard at all, it just not this easy!  Hopefully it'll be posted next Tuesday.  I'm not gonna pinky swear.  You see my 90 yr old gramps is a little under the weather and need 24/7 care.  The family is pitching in and taking shifts with his care.  So should I get the call you gals will get pushed to the back of the line.  You know I love you all but really its the only reason I'd push you!  Thanks for your understanding.

So how about a peak at the EQ drawing gone bad.

Now here's the real block drawing that we'll be making next week.

A big "Cherry" Wave!

Lea