Quilt-As-You-Go Bird Quilt

For this quilt you will need:

16 backing squares--10" each

16 batting squares--9" each

16 squares of focus fabric (birds)--4 1/2" each

Strips of 1 7/8" assorted fabric matching the focus fabric. You will use 8 fabrics per block, so at least 8 different fabrics or more, about 1/4 yard of each.

Cut 10 strips 2" x the width of the fabric (usually 42") Press together to form a 1" strip. From 3 of the strips, cut twelve 4 1/2" strips. These will be used to cover the seams on the blocks.

Put backing fabric wrong-side-up on your table. Cover it with the batting, leaving 1/2" on all sides. Pin in place.

That is a shadow in the photo, not a new kind of batting.

Place a square of focus fabric in the center of your square. Use a ruler for placement. Pin in place.

Sew a strip of the 1 7/8" fabric to one side of focus fabric. Cut strip even with the bottom of the focus fabric. Press or finger press.

Sew a strip of contrasting fabric on the second side. Cut strip even with bird fabric. Press. Continue with 3^rd and 4^th strip until center square is surrounded.

Start a second row, continuing as with the first row of strips.

All of the batting should be covered. Press well.

Make 15 more blocks. Arrange the strips so they are different in every block.

Press front and back and remove any thread ends.

Arrange the blocks in rows of 4 each. Pin with right side together.

Sew together using 1/2" seams. Sew four horizontal rows.

When rows are completed, trim the seams to 1/4 inch.

Using the 4 1/2" strips, cover the seams.

Butt the raw edge of the strip against the seam, and sew with 1/4" seam

Press over the seam, and topstitch it down.

Complete the four rows of block using this method.

Sew the rows together; trim seams to 1/4".

Using the same method, cover the seams with the long strips.

When finished, press thoroughly, both front and back.

Trim all threads. Cut outer edge even with the blocks.

Using two long strips, bind the top and bottom of the quilt.

Top stitch the binding down.

The sides of the quilt are done the same, except at the top and bottom, press 1/2" fabric inside to make a finished seam.

Press the binding.

Now you have a completed quilt! And just because, autograph it!

Comments

Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (o...

Out of the Dirt: Bragg-ing

Like every reader, I have my favorite writers. There have been so many that have stirred my emotions and made me a part of their world, and I'm thankful for that. The one is love the best, the one I cherish , is Rick Bragg. Yesterday, Rick was in our area. We were privileged to see a newly released documentary about his life called Out of the Dirt . Afterwards, he talked to us about family and roots. His first book, All over but the Shoutin' , was recommended to me years ago. Very early in the book, I was thinking, "Who is this? He is writing about me, about my family." I have never actually met anyone in the book, but they are all my neighbors and kinfolks. His other books are just as well-written. In his book, Writing for the Soul , Christian author Jerry Jenkins had this to say about Rick Bragg: I read other writers and strive to be like them. I read others, like Rick Bragg, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times columnist, and simply surrender, knowing I will ...

Faith, Folklore, and Friends

Search This Blog