Posted by Shari on August 7th, 2024
Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along: Month 2
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| Hello! Thank you for all the "Get Well Wishes" and your patience in my delay in this post. While the walking boot on my right foot is a bit cumbersome, I am learning to handle it and mobility is getting easier and easier. Ok, onward to our August post..... |
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| Susan's instructions are very clear and easy to follow. If you are creating the Summer Picnic Quilt following her book instructions, you will create Basket Two Blocks this month. You will create a total of 16 Basket Two Blocks that will go together in 4 - 4 block units. |
| Here is the Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along Schedule following the book: 07/04/2024 - Month 1: Basket One Blocks 08/04/2024 - Month 2: Basket Two Blocks - We are here! 09/04/2024 - Month 3: Basket Three Blocks 10/04/2024 - Month 4: Basket Four Blocks 11/04/2024 - Month 5: Basket Five Blocks 12/04/2024 - Month 6: Assembly |
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| I have to admit I am not as organized as I usually am with this project. Partly because I am using it as a leader/ender project with other projects. I am learning it takes a different kind of organization when running two projects at the same time. (My cutting/staging table is not big enough!) I have not decided if this method is for me or not. I am finding it nice to batch sewing, trimming, pressing jobs so I can elevate my foot when needed and still stay busy from the couch. If you are following my Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along adventure, keep reading..... |
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| Here are my finished Cat's Cradle Blocks from July. 64 blocks are needed for the pattern. When I stopped creating and counted, I am at 110 blocks. The extra blocks will be perfect for creating a table topper, a runner, or adding on to the quilt. I have not decided which yet. |
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| This month I am creating a gazillion Half Square Triangles (HST). Each Flower Block needs 5 Half Square Triangles. 5 x 64 Flower Blocks = 320. Ok, when doing the math, that does not sound so bad. And they are quick and fun to make. Kristin Laura Designs has a printable 8 At-A-Time Half-Square Triangle Cheat Sheet you can print out. You will need 2 - 5" squares to make 8 Half Square Triangles. To make 320 Half Square Triangles you will need 40 sets of 5" squares of fabric. The fabric square color will depend on what color Half Square Triangles you need. I am doing all of mine with half white and half another color; red, blue, gray, etc. That means one of my 5" squares is white and the other is my colored fabric. Place fabrics right sides together. (I like to place two pins so the fabrics don't shift.) Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner. Stitch a 1/4" on both sides of the line. Press to set your seams. Cut on the diagonal line. Then cut those 4 units in half. You have 8 - Half Square Triangles! |
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| You can press the Half Square Triangles open and then square them up with a regular ruler. The Half Square Triangle size is listed in the pattern book for the Summer Picnic Quilt. I prefer to use the Creative Grids 4-in-1 Half Square Triangle Ruler. Line up the Ruler measurement with the sewn seam line. Trim both sides. Does it get any easier than that?! When pressing, I pressed my seams open to avoid extra bulk. |
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| I found it nice to use my little Oliso travel/project iron for pressing these smaller pieces. |
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| I took my large pile to the couch and clipped the dog-ears with scissors while watching tv. Caution, you may find little dog-ears throughout the house. They are like glitter! |
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| As I mentioned above, you need 5 Half Square Triangles for your Flower Block. I sewed 2 HSTs together into an unit and then 3 HSTs together. Watch your orientation or you will have to rip out stitches! |
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| Next, sew the 2 piece HST units to the Cat's Cradle Block. (Image A above. My image shows them pinned and ready to stitch.) Watch the orientation. Press. I am continuing to press my seams open to reduce bulk. Sew the 3 piece HST units to the Cat's Cradle Block. (Image B above.) Press. Ok, only 63 more block to create! |
| Here is my personal Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along Schedule: 07/04/2024 - Month 1: Create Cat's Cradle Flower Block 08/04/2024 - Month 2: Create Half Square Triangles (HST) - I am here! 09/04/2024 - Month 3: Finish piecing Flower Basket Blocks 10/04/2024 - Month 4: Sew Flower Basket Blocks into 4 block units 11/04/2024 - Month 5: Finish sewing Summer Picnic Quilt top. 12/04/2024 - Month 6: Catch-Up, if needed. |
| See you in September! |
| All monthly Summer Picnic Quilt Sew-Along posts will appear on our blog. This is not a Zoom class or a specific time to check in. Sew at your own pace as you follow along with me on the Sew-Along schedule. The Summer Memories Pattern Book is required to participate as no cutting/sizing information will be given. The Summer Picnic quilt pattern is one of many patterns in the Summer Memories Pattern Book. Our Bear Creek Quilting Company Exclusive Sew-Alongs private Facebook Group is available to join. Be sure to complete all the questions and agree to the group rules or the automated-moderator may deny your request to join. |
| Questions?? Email us at sales@BearCreekQuiltingCompany.com |
 and the BCQC Team |