Quilt Tutorials from Nancy's Fabrics Blogwww.nancysfabrics.info In loving memory, 1925-2003.I will always love you, Momma.

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Quick and Easy Flying Geese

Hello again. Here is another tutorial fromNancy's Fabrics. This tutorial is about making quick flying geese using one large square and 4 smaller squares. This technique only works when you have a larger square that is 2 times larger then your small squares. Lets get started.

First lets get the math out of the way. You can get special rulers and gadgets to do this but the easiest and less expensive is toAdd 7/8" to the finished height of the small triangle. Cut 4 squares this size.
Add 1 1/4" to the finished base of the large triangle. Cut 1 square this size.

Example: If you small triangle is 2" in height your square would be 2 7/8 and if the base of your large triangle is 4 inches you cut a square that is 5 1/4". This is the measurements we will be using for this turtorialMaterials:Fabric Scraps(or yardage if you wish to make a border for a quilt)Rotary CutterCutting Mat6" x 24" quilt rulerThreadSewing MachineSeam RipperDirections:1.)Select fabrics and cut 4 - 2 7/8" squares out of sky fabric and a 5 1/4" square out of "geese" fabric.

2.)Lay your large square right side up and then place a small square in opposite corners as shown and maker your sewing and cutting lines as shown. Your sewing lines are 1/4" on either side of you cutting lines.

3.)Cut on your marked cut line and press open as shown.

4.)Place a small square diagonally on the large peak fabric as shown in photo and mark. You sewing lines are 1/4" on either side of your cutting line.

5.)Cut on your cut line and press open as shown.

You now have 4 flying geese!!! I hope you found this tutorial helpful and informative. Check back often or sign up for email notifications of new posts to Nancy's Fabrics blog.Double Slice Layer Cake Quilt TutorialGreetings. Here is a tutorial I have put together showing how to make a Double Slice Layer Cake Quilt. This is a fun fast project. Easy cutting and piecing so you can put this quilt together rather quickly. I took liberty on the pattern by adding sashing, corner stones and 3 borders to my quilt. But that's what I like about this pattern, you can make it as simple or intricate as you would like.

This is my second attempt at a quilting tutorial. I hope you find this helpful. If you have any suggestions for tutorials or content you would like to see onNancy's Fabricsblog please leave your suggestions in the comment box. Thank you. Peace, Robert fromNancy's Fabrics.
Double Slice Layer Cake Quilt

Materials:
Sewing Machine
Thread
Cutting Mat
Rotary Cutter
6" x 24" ruler
Seam Ripper

Directions:
1.)Open layer cake and stack 4 layers right sides up.

2.)Cut layer cake stack into a 3.5" and a 6.5" pieces. Repeat till cut all layer cake into 3.5" and 6.5" 3.)Keep your layer cake in order as this will help in making sure you have the contrast needed for this block.
4.)With all pieces cut turn over the stack of 3.5" pieces showing the wrong side of fabric.

5.)Now take a piece from each stack and chain piece them all together. Sewing one 3.5" piece to a 6.5" piece.

6.)Now clip apart, set seam and press open. 7.)You still have a 10" block. Cut each of the new blocks in half as shown making 2- 5" wide strips. Cut all your blocks in half this way before proceeding.

Make sure to turn one of these stacks over with wrong side up to mis-match your fabrics.
8.)Now you will sew one piece to another as shown. You want one short piece on top and on short piece on bottom as shown. Piece all your blocks before proceeding.

9.)Set your seams and press open all your new blocks.

10.)You can decide at this time if you wish to add sashing around your blocks or not. We will proceed using no sashing for this tutorial. I added sashing and corner stones to my quilt.

11.)Piece your blocks together as shown. Turning blocks short pieces up and down the ther other short pieces on side.

12.)Once you have your quilt top pieced you can decide on borders ten all that is left is sandwiching and quilting your top. Using the batting and quilting technique of your choice.

This ends my tutorial on the Double Slice Layer Cake Quilt. I hope you have found this helpful and informative. Please leave comments for any tutorials you might like to see onNancy's FabricsblogPeace, Robert fromNancy's Fabrics.Charmed, I'm Sure!!!Here is are some great uses for your 5" Charm Squares!!! You will be charmed, I'm Sure.
First some abbreviations explained: WS = Wrong Sides, RS = Right Sides, WOF = Width of Fabric
Here are some great ideas for using up those 5" Charm squares you have laying around. These are some quick and easy techniques for making some quick quilt tops you may need for a baby shower or a new grandchild.
Half Square TrianglesDraw a diagonal line on the WS of 2 stacked charm squares(RS together). Sew 1/4 inch on each side of the line. Cut apart on the diagonal line. Press open to make 2 half square triangle 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches.

Pieced CharmsPlace 2 Charms RS together. Stitch a scant 1/4" seam up outside edges, cut in half. Press open to make 2 pieced charms 4.5 inches by 5 inches with seams.

4 PatchPlace 2 pieced charms RS together, nesting seams. Stitch a scant 1/4" seam on outside edges, cut in half. Press open to make 2, 4 Patch blocks. 4.5 inches by 4.5 inches with seams.

Corner TrianglesCut a light and a dark 5" charm square into 4, 2.5" by 2.5" rectangles. Cut the 2 dark rectangles into 4, 2.5" squares. Sew a 2.5" square to each end of a light 2.5" rectangle. Cut as shown, press open into 1 flying geese unit.

Block Ideas Using 5" Charm Squares

How to Speed Piece 9 Patch Quilt BlocksHow to Speed Piece 9 Patch Quilt BlocksStart with two squares, one light and one dark, 1-1/2" larger than you want your FINISHED nine patch to be. Stack the squares right sides together with the light square on top and all edges aligned. Sew a scant 1/4" seam on the left and right. (Fig B) Cut this apart vertically into three equal sections. (Fig C) This will give you two pieced sections and two single strips. (Fig D)...Sew the dark single strip to the light side of a pieced unit (Fig E)...and a light single strip to the dark side of a pieced unit ( Fig F).After pressing all seams to the dark side, stack the two pieced units with the strips horizontally. Again sew a scant 1/4" seam on the right and left. (Fig G) This will give you two pieced double wide units and two pieced single wide units. (Fig H).Sew the light/dark/light to a dark/light/dark side...and a dark/light/dark to a light/dark/light side....and you just made two Nine Patches at once!

Be sure to check outNancy's Fabricsfor all you quilt fabric needs.Easy Continuous Prairie PointsThe image http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3007/2759992495_8761348203.jpg cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
Super easy, continuous prairie points:
What you will need:6"X Width of fabric strips (as many as you need to go around your project)2" wide rulerrotary cutterfabric glueiron and ironing boardspray starchDirections:1. Using one of the 6X wof prairie point fabric strips, fold it in half longways and press.

continuous prairie points step 12. Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut a straight line from the edge of the fabric just to the center fold line every 1.5, alternating cuts from the top edge of the fabric to the lower edge.

I used a two inch wide ruler to do this, lining the previous cut edge up with the 1.5 mark on the clear ruler to make even cuts.3. Cut off the first 1.5 flap of fabric at the fold line
4. Cut off the last two flaps of fabric at the opposite end.
5. Fold each square in half to form triangles, making sure to fold each one in the
same direction and press as you go.

6. Place a dot of fabric glue on the outside tip of each triangle and fold the triangles in half, bringing the raw edges even with the center of the fabric strip. Press as you go.

7. Fold the top triangles over on top of the lower triangles, pressing and using spray starch as you go.

8. Baste stitch 1/8 from the straight edge, and you're done!Now just make as many strips of these as you need to go around your project, and you have instant, super easy prairie points!Be sure to check out Nancy's Fabrics for all you quilt fabric needs.

Disappearing 9 PatchHello, all. This is my first attempt at a quilting tutorial, so bare with me as I stumble through this first one. I promise they will get better as I progress. The first tutorial I am doing is theDisappearing 9 Patch(D9P)quilt block. I really like this block as it is so versatile in how you can put them together. Pictured below is a table topper using the D9P block. I used some colorful blender fabrics and set it off with a black border. It still needs the binding but will get to that soon. LOL.

This technique works great with 5" charm squares. So lets get started!!!Materials(1 block):
9 contrasting 5"(charm) fabric squares of cotton fabric
Thread
Rotary Cutter and Mat
6" x 24" Ruler
Pins
Directions:
1.) On your design wall play with the placement of your 9 squares till you get the layout you like and desire.

2.) Now sew your squares into rows using a 1/4 inch seam. Press each seam as you go You will have 3 strips, each having 3 squares. Strips should measure approximately 14 1/4 inches long.

3.) Sew your 3 strips together as shown using a 1/4 inch seam. Pin seams to match up square corners. Press each seam as you go. Your finished block will be approximately 13 1/4 inches square.

4.) Now lay your finished 9 patch block on your cutting mat and square up your 9 patch block.

5.) Now you make it disappear. First make a cut using your rotary cutter and ruler down the center of your block from top to bottom(see picture below. You will have 2 halves as shown in picture.

6.) Using again your rotary cutter and ruler, cut your 2 halves in half again as shown in the picture below.
You will have 4 small blocks that you can now rearrange and sew together in various combinations. Your design wall will come into play again for this.

7.) Once you have decided on you finished design, you begin to sew your small blocks together with a 1/4 inch seam, matching up seam allowances, again pressing seams as you go. I sewed my blocks into rows then sewed my rows together as shown in the pictures below. You may need to square up your finished block but it should measure approximately 12.5 inches square.

You now have a completed D9P block. You can make 4 blocks and make a table topper or make more blocks for a whole quilt. The table topper pictured at the beginning of this tutorial used 4 - 9 patch blocks cut up and pieced using the D9P cutting technique. To make the topper you will need 36 - 5 inch squares and approximately 1 1/4 yards of border fabric. I hope you have enjoyed my first attempt at a quilting tutorial. Peace, Robert from Nancy's FabricsBe sure to check out Nancy's Fabrics for all your quilt fabric needs.