DIY Quilt at The Featherweight Shop ~ Part 4 Block 1

Welcome back to the DIY Vintage Featherweight Patchwork Sew Along! Read the DIY Vintage Patchwork Sew Along Part 3 HERE. Who is ready to start sewing a block?! I know I sure am. Using the Cake Mix Recipe, you will have enough "ingredients" to make 42 9" blocks. By this time, I will lay out on a piece of paper which blocks I want to make and how many of each for my quilt! This way, I can plan out which HTS, QTS, and mix pieces I want to use. Have fun, enjoy your "baking" and post your progress pictures in the comments.

*More Information On Fabric Used In Quilts Located In Footnotes Of Blog

Last week we were working on the QTS pieces, so I need to make sure that I have an accurate scant 1/4" seam to my piecing. Using the Featherweight Accurate Seam Square, I measure my seam and tighten down my Featherweight Accurate Seam Guide. Time to get sewing!

(Learn more about the Featherweight Accurate Seam Guide and Featherweight Accurate Seam Square.)

We are working on Block 1 from Miss Rosie's Cake Mix. I have laid out the placement of the dark, medium and light color fabric picks for this block. I am adoring those blue ditsy flowers from Edyta Sitar's Blue Sky line! It is so much fun to mix and match to see all the different combinations!

Next, we are going to work on sewing the seams of the corner blocks, starting with the lower right hand block! "Fold" over from left to right (like a book) the lower cream square of fabric onto the lower right HTS dainty blue flower/cream square of fabric, right sides together. I do this section by section (see how I have each part in a block of 4 pieces?) This way, I can keep track of my layout easier.

After you have matched up your pieces, chain piece each set with a scant 1/4" seam.

Snip the threads in between each of your sewn pieces, press the seams open on the Quilter's Pressing Fleece, and layout your squares once again to make sure you have aligned each piece correctly.

"Mesh" your seams so that each of your center seams align. By doing this, you will ensure that your points will be perfectly pointed! Pin as close to the seam, on both sides, to keep the fabric from shifting.

Continue to chain piece these squares to create the little flags in the four corners of the block.

After you have completed this step, press your seams open! Your square should now look like the photo below with the "darker" square in one corner opposing a "lighter" square, with two darker triangles pointed towards the center! This will have the darker corner directed at the center of the block.

Lay out your squares one more time in the pattern of the block. As practiced above, sew from left to right, creating three rows. Press your seams open.

Mesh your seams one more time when you sew your three rows together! Make sure that you double-check the direction of the arrows before your pin. I have made that mistake more than once followed by a bit of un-sewing. Press your seams open and you have now completed Block 1! Congratulations!

See you next week on Monday, November 22nd for the DIY Vintage Featherweight Patchwork Sew Along ~ Part 5 Block 2

Footnotes: Additional Fabric Suggestions

3 Yards of "Background" Fabric:

White or "Light" Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection.

Shop HERE

3 Yards Total of "Block" Fabric:

Medium Blue Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection: Shop HERE
Dark Blue Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection: Shop HERE

1 Yard Total of "Charm Pack" Fabric:

Medium Blue Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection: Shop HERE
Dark Blue Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection: Shop HERE

1 Yard of "Sashing" Fabric:

White or "Light" Fabric from the Bella Solids Collection

2 Yards of "Border" Fabric:

Medium Blue Fabric from Edyta Sitar's Collection: Shop HERE