Curved Nine Patch Block Tutorial

February Block Inspirations, a photo by owlybaby on Flickr.

These are my inspiration photos for my February Bits and Pieces Bee.  The top 4 photos (row 1) show the block that we will be making and the bottom 3 rows show my color inspirations.  I know I'm super late to the aqua and red party, but the colors look so fresh together.  Especially when I see juicy strawberries in a beautiful aqua colander! 

The pattern for this block can be found HERE.  It's a free pattern from ConnectingThreads.com called Curved Nine Patch.  You will only need to print out the last page of the document with the template pieces.  

I'm hoping people will do either 1 block of red and 1 block of aqua OR two blocks of aqua.  I was pulling fabrics from my stash and noticed that I have lots of red fabrics but very few aqua fabrics.  If you aren't afraid of curved piecing, it would be great if you could add the white curve to 2 sides of each block.  You don't need to add it to each side because the block "share" this piece. (this is not shown)

CURVED NINE PATCH TUTORIAL

So, let's get started! These instructions will cover the steps you will take to complete one block.  

You will need the template pieces A, B, C and D.  We are going to modify template piece D.  
To modify piece D - Cut out the template piece on the solid lines for the curved side and notches for cutting at the top and bottom.  Cut along the DOTTED LINE for the long straight edge.  Then, on a new sheet of paper, trace around the entire piece.  Flip the pattern piece right side down and align the long straight edge of the template with the long straight edge that you have just drawn.  Trace the curve and notches on this side.  You will end up with a long oval-ish template piece.  This is the new template D.  Don't worry too much about marking the middle.  


Now, you will need to gather your fabrics and cut the following pieces.  
Piece A - cut 1.  This is the center block.  

Piece B - cut 4.  Notice the slight curve in one side.  

Piece C - cut 4.  

Piece D - use white fabric.  Cut 2 per block. 

Arrange your pieces until you are happy with the layout. 

Now comes the sewing! Join the pieces using a .25" seam allowance.  Sew 3 rows of squares together.  Don't forget to face the curved edge on piece B to the outside.  Yes, I changed my layout - sorry about that! 

Now, join your rows.  I pressed my seams open, but I don't think it will matter too much in this block.

Make another block, if desired.  

Follow these directions to add the curved white piece.  Never fear, curved piecing is a breeze and nothing to be worried about.  First, fold piece D and your nine patch block to find the centers.  Match the centers up and pin.  

Then, match up each corner piece and pin.  If you are brave or experienced, you can usually skip this part. 

If pins make you feel more in-control, add one more pin between the center and edges on each side. 

Now, I find it easiest to sew with the convex piece on the bottom.  Sew along the curved edge, matching edges as you go.  Take care not to stretch or pull fabrics, but gently guide the edges so they curve together.  I like to match the edges as I go and work 3 inches or so in front of the presser foot.  Notice - to the left of the presser foot there are *gasp* bubbles.  These are necessary at this point.  They will extend almost to the .25" seam allowance but not to the edge.

After sewing, you will have a bowl-ish shaped edge. 

March it over to your pressing board and press the seam allowance away from the white piece.  

 Now, repeat the last step for one other edge.  How about we all plan to do the opposite edge? 

If you'd like to know how to join the pieces together to make a quilt, just continue adding nine patches and curves until it's you're desired size.

Thanks so much to the great ladies from the Bits and Pieces Quilting Bee.  I'm so excited to see your blocks!!  Also - if you don't have enough fabric of the correct color to make a block, let me know and I'll happily mail you a package! 

A peek into the stash

This is a (big) peek into my stash for a fellow friendly sewist!

First up, the FMF!  This is every scrap that I own! 

Then - the (other) Denyse Schmidt fabrics.

Katie Jump Rope

Hope Valley

Greenfield Hill

Joann Fabrics - DS Quilts

Next up, my only Japanese prints.

This is one panel with the full alphabet.

All 3 are Kei, except the elephants, not sure what those are.

And for the grand finale - lots of dots and a few stripes.

H. Bailey, A.Henry, H.Bailey, Urban Chicks, (unsure of the red dot and yellow dots), then a trio of Laurie Wisburn

AMH Polka line, 2x Loulouthi hugs and kisses, Polka line, some random green stripe, polka line again!, then 5 different Kaffe Fasset dots, random red stripe.

Urban Chicks 1974 dots, Amy Butler sunspots, P&B Textiles red/white dots, Paula Prass Cobblestone, Red white stripe is P&B Textiles, 1974 Urban Chicks Plaid, 2x red/white stripes

Amy Butler sunspots, random turquoise dots, Kaffe Fasset dots, Full Moon Dot Amy Butler in Orange, Sunspots (again!) and the Ruby stripe/Scallop.

This was so much fun to pull out fabrics, organize and whatnot! :)

New tablecloth! Score!

I got a major score the other day at a local fabric store.  I've always loved this fabric and have never found it for sale, but FINALLY I found it and bought every inch of fabric that the store had in stock!  The fabric never even made it into my closet - but was made into a tablecloth for our dining room table.  I LOVE seeing those happy little birds!
 

A video tutorial! Foundation Paper Piecing

So - I'm trying to get my sewing mojo built up to tackle some of the blocks in my Patchwork 318 book.  So, without much preamble and scant forethought - here is my first video tutorial.  The 3 videos turned out much longer than I thought they would - so just skip the parts you already understand!

Toddler-practicing-scissors unfortunately happened at the bottom of the block this morning.  Arg!

I will be making the coffee mug from the pattern graciously provided by the talented Kerry of VeryKerryBerry.blogspot.com using the foundation paper piecing method. The foundation paper piecing method I use is slightly different than the freezer paper method that she demonstrates.

Part 1 - Foundation Paper Piecing setup and Mug Handle assembly

Part 2 - Attaching the mug handle to the mug *body*

Part 3 - Finishing steps, paper removal, reveal!

I'm not sure if I'll do more video tutorials - I didn't know I was so long winded!!  It's odd to watch yourself in a video!

::on the worktable::

I got a little hung up on rick-rack and was imagining a cute little peter pan collar edged with rick-rack.  Here is the result.

The white dress is a wee bit small for Lucy - so I had to make another slightly larger.  She's in a size 3 already!  When did that happen?  I'm soo in love with this little dress!

It's 25 below zero today, so it should be called frostbite dress.  Any ideas on names for the new pattern?

Can you see how small it is?  Uber-constricting for an almost 3 year old!

Who loves polka dots?  This is my favorite version!

It's also Hattie's first birthday today!  It seems very fitting that she was born on a -21 degree day and her first birthday is on a -25 degree day!  It may be cold outside but we can't get enough of her sunny personality!   She's already a charmer!

Fellow sewists - advice?
You might notice that from the first version of the dress to the polka dot version I changed a bit. I wanted the collar to be more prominent and I changed the sleeves to a cap sleeve.  I think it looks much better.  I added the apron for fun, but then I had to add a side zipper - yech.  I'm still wondering if I even need the darts on the front of the dress.  Loose dresses look ok on little girls, right?  What are your opinions on darts for little girls and/or side zippers?

Made By Rae Toddler Backpack

We've recently started going to an Early Childhood Family Education class.  After our few potty sucesses this week - I was so excited that I might be able to bring extra pants and undies to class.  So, in anticipation of "class" I whipped up a toddler backpack using the pattern from Made By Rae. 

The bag is the perfect size for this *almost* 3 year old.  Lucy informed me that she wanted an "elephant pack-pack".  So - a little piping, interfacing, home decor fabric later - we are ready for "class".  Unfortunately there are no undies yet, just diapers.  But I'm still hopeful. 

Here's the backpack.  The photos make Lucy's hair look red, but it's just from the indoor lights.  I'll try to add some better photos after naptime. 

I should add that this pattern is wonderfully written, easy to follow and offers tips to enlarge the pattern or add a lining.  I did neither of those options but will likely line the bag sometime in the future. 

Creamy Fish Pullover and Red Gelish

I've knit another sweater for my growing girl.  This time I used a very economical yarn and a wonderful pattern from Veera.  I'm very pleased with the results!  I used Ecological Wool from Cascade yarns.  It's very easy to work with, but has a slight sheepy smell.  The smell did go away after the washing and blocking. 

I also want to show off my Gelish manicure.  I NEVER rave about products - but I'm absolutely in LOVE with Gelish.  I don't ever think about my nails that much (obviously - take a look at my cuticles), but with Gelish - my nailpolish was on for 10 days without a single chip or dulled shine.  I only took the polish off becuase I wanted to change colors!

Seriously - it's the best polish ever!  It is slightly spendy (I used my Christmas cash to purchase it) but totally worth it.  My nails are super shiny AND they last through multiple hand washings, track practices, sewing stints, etc... 

Here's a link to my ravelry page - for the pattern information.