Quilt Along Part 8: Piecing Block C

 

To make Block C, we're basically going to make four miniature Block B's and sew them together.

 

Begin by laying out (and pressing) your squares.  If you're using directional prints, start with your dominant fabric in the upper left-hand corner for the blocks that go with sets one through three, and your other fabric in the same corner for sets four through six. 

 

Following the same steps we used for Block B, make four mini blocks, as shown.

 

Now sew the top two and the bottom two mini blocks together, as shown, pressing seams open.

 

If you're chain piecing, make sure you keep track of the way you're sewing the mini blocks together!  I didn't and you can see above what happened. 

 

That little mishap reminded me that I hadn't included a seam ripper in my original list of supplies.  If you don't have a seam ripper, it's probably a good idea to get one as soon as possible.  Having a good seam ripper will make fixing mishaps like this much less unpleasant.  Mine isn't anything fancy.  There are some available with a larger, grippy handle, but I prefer the slimmer littler Clover one shown above.

 

After that digression, we're now ready to sew the top and bottom together.  Place right sides together (as always double-checking to make sure both panels are facing the right way) and pin together, starting at the center seam and working outward from there.

 

Sew, remove pins and press the seam open.

 

Now that we're done sewing, it's time to square up the blocks.  As with Block B, we can measure 4.25" out from the center seam on all four sides.

This is the block where you may start to notice how easy it is to take more than a quarter inch seam allowance.  Unless your seam allowances are just perfect, you may notice that this block is a little bit smaller than the other two you've made.  There's an easy way to fix that though, using freezer paper.

Freezer paper is a heavy paper with a wax coating one side.  Outside of the sewing world, it's used to wrap meat in the grocery store and to seal the contents in canning jars.  I bought my roll in the supermarket, on the aisle with the canning jars and garbage bags.  (If anyone has suggestions for other places to find it, I'm sure everyone would appreciate hearing them.)

Freezer paper is useful to sewers because the waxy side can be ironed onto fabric and will stay there until you peel it off.  In this case, we start by ironing a larger square of freezer paper onto the back of our block.  Place the block face down on your pressing area, cover with the freezer paper waxy side down, and press in place using moderate even pressure and no steam.  The part of the freezer paper that isn't ironed onto your block will stick to your pressing are, but it can be easily peeled off and shouldn't cause any damage.

 

Now, we'll use our ruler and a rotary cutter to square up the block (again measuring 4.25" from the center seam on all sides).  I should mention that, as it does to scissors, cutting paper will dull your rotary blade.  In order to preserve your fabric-cutting blade, you may want to either keep a cheaper rotary cutter around specifically for cutting paper, or save your blades that are no longer sharp enough for fabric (they're usually still sharp enough for paper) and switch them out before cutting. 

 

Your can see in this photo how my piecing is off, but I now have a nice sharp edge to line up when I'm sewing the sashing.  (Even if your seams are perfect, this method can be helpful -- just because of the stability it adds - when your blocks are made with very lightweight fabrics like well-worn vintage linens.)

 

Keep the paper on the back of your block and set it aside with the others.  When it comes time to sew the blocks into the sashing, we'll sew right through that paper and then tear it away.

 

You can see in the photo above how the freezer paper helped me to get a nice even seam, even with the imperfect edge on that print fabric.

 

And, as always, I'll conclude by showing you my scrappy blocks.  I seem to have picked particularly worn linens for this set and I had a difficult time with my piecing as a result.  You can probably tell, if you look closely!  Hopefully, it won't show once this is all sewn and quilted!

Comments

[Robyn]

I'm all ready to get sewing tomorrow! I'm excited to see it come together. Thanks for the information about the paper.

[Zonnah]

I love the freezer paper idea!

[claudia]

Wowie! You're amazing!
Thanks for the great details/explanations and tips!

[Robyn]

I was looking at something else online just now and happened upon this:

http://www.twiddletails.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=271

Don't know if it is a good deal or not compared to how you buy it.

[Melanie]

Awesome job!!!! Your posts are keeping me motivated to continue cutting my fabric. I've got 2.5 more sets to go, then I can start sewing!! Wahoo!!! Thank you so much for all your hard work, and especially for the freezer paper tip!!

[WendyLou]

Freezer paper?? What a great idea!! I was worried about my blocks coming out wonky ... being off by just a little bit can make a BIG mess. But now I'm fearless and ready to go!! THANKS!!

[Robin]

Oh! That freezer paper idea is very clever! Thanks so much for the fabulous tip! :)

[Isa]

Thank you soooo much for the freezer paper tip. That is going to save my future quilts. And again, beautifull colours.

[Elizabeth]

I'm pretty sure I paid less than $5.00 for my 150 square foor roll. It's made by Reynolds and comes in a package just like waxed paper or foil, but it's 18" wide. I prefer having it on a roll because I can cut any size.

[katy]

wow, Elizabeth - that is an awesome trick. Thank you so much!!!!

[Shelly]

Take your show on the road, girl! You have great teaching ability and the freezer paper trick takes the cake. Looking forward to the frosting!
Cheers!

[Susan aka FlossieBlossoms]

I'm so glad I'm following along and not jumping ahead, I'm learning so much with every block and your tips are outstanding.

My husband hunts, so freezer paper is a staple around here. We get it at WalMart in the foil/plastic wrap aisle, huge roll for about $5.

I really appreciate how you aren't afraid to show us that your piecing isn't flawless. I know my seam ripper quite well, thank you! And I used it on my B blocks when I found out that one of my fabrics really IS directional, although at first glance, I didn't see it. Every little mistake I make makes me sharper for the next block.

Thank you!

[Isobel]

I am learning so much from this - and I haven't even started cutting my fabric out (still waiting for the postman...). I've never come across freezer paper in the UK, so I'll have to see what I can find.

Thankyou!

[Nas]

Heya, I just discovered your blog and what you're doing is amazing!
I sew and crochet, but have never quilted before - thinking there's not that much to it and only old people do it (sorry, and no offense to anyone here) - after looking though your posts I am so impressed, maybe I'll join you for your next quilt-along!
Thanks for showing me the light!!! :D

[Dot in NC]

Another wonderful session. Even though I quilt, this process of yours is one of the best instructions I have seen. Book and/or video should be considered.
Your gracious sharing is very much appreciated.

[cozy at home]

thank you, thank you!

[Julie]

Thanks for another great lesson!

I wonder if you have any thoughts on the advantages of cutting individual squares and piecing them one by one versus making a strip set and cross-cutting it into units. As a committed speed-piecer, I would have thought this block would be a natural for that technique, BUT I imagine, given how beautifully your quilts turn out, there's a very good reason for putting it together meticulously, bit by bit. (Although it's a stretch for me, I'm following your instructions to the letter on this quilt, because I so admire your results and suspect that technique has a lot to do with it.)

[Kat]

I am in love with the scrappy version. I might have to consider tracking down some vintage linens of my own.

[Pea]

Thanks so much for the freezer paper idea! That is brilliant and I almost ALWAYS end up with blocks that are just a touch undersized...

[Rachel]

Looks wonderful! I finished cutting my fabrics last night, and will start sewing later today. I'm a little bit behind, but I'll catch up soon! :D Is there a possibility of you putting together a list of people participating in the quilt-a-long? I would love to look at the blogs of some other quilters! Just a suggestion.

[Regina]

Rachel if you click on the name that fo the person who posted it, it will lead you to there blog. If the name is Highlighted in blue if its not they don't have blog. :)

[Rachel]

I never knew about the freezer paper trick! Thanks. I'll have to go get some today! I'm learning so much!

[mary]

I love the freezer paper trick! I am going to have to pick a roll up.

I did my piecing for this block ahead of time, and did it a little differently. I did 4 strips of four, ironed, then sewed them up.

[Jodie]

Oh my gosh! That freezer paper trick may have just saved my sanity! Thank you, thank you!

[JulieFrick]

AWESOME trick. I just started block C last night when the post wasn't up yet because I was so eager, but I'm so glad I came to read this, because that trick is worth the "price" of the whole quilt!

I suppose, now that I look at it, that this isn't one of those blocks where it matters what you put in the "top left" or "top right," because you can just rotate it into position!