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Saturday, February 18, 2012

Craftsy Block of the Month - February

I have successfully ignored some unfinished projects in order to start a new quilt project, but I'm so excited to finally take a quilting class. I have found this great FREE class online and want to share it with you.


The class is called, "The Craftsy Block of the Month" with Amy Gibson. The link is HERE .  Every month you will learn a new technique and make two blocks.

February Blocks


This month's blocks were a bit more challenging with 1/4" SCANT seams.  The written instructions don't mention anything about "scant" seams, but if you don't use them, you end up with smaller blocks.  I went back and watched the videos when the Balkan puzzle block was too small and heard Amy mention the SCANT seam on the first seam around the first square.  I then went to the discussions (I was feeling like a looser) and found out I wasn't the only one having trouble. 

Balkan Puzzle Block

The secret to this block is to sew the first seam around the first 4 squares a SCANT 1/4".  The rest of the seams are the normal, 1/4".  It's a great technique and I will use it again to make triangle squares.

The Chunky Chevron Block pattern is made with triangle squares also.  This whole block needs to be sewn with SCANT 1/4" seams.  Yes, I found this out the hard way, AGAIN.  There weren't many posts about this block yet.  But, once again, the written instructions mention nothing about SCANT 1/4" seams.  WATCH THE VIDEO CLOSELY.  Still doesn't help much, but screwing it up will make you figure it out.

Chunky Chevron Block

I used a chain sewing technique to put the block together fast.  I used a tutorial from the blog, Hooked On Needles, on chain sewing a quilt top, I just used it on my little block.  The link to her tutorial is HERE.  It made nesting the rows so easy.  The only tricky part is pressing the seams, when they are so close together, in opposite directions.  Be sure and check out Hooked On Needles.  There are some great tutorials.

January and February Blocks

I am all caught up on The Craftsy Block of the Month class.  Now to get busy on an unfinished project.  Really.

Can't wait until the March class,

Linking up with:
Cherished Treasures
Sew Many Ways...
It's So Very Cheri
Debbiedoo's

7 comments:

Mary Grace McNamara said...

Hey Carla, I am so very happy to know that my tutorial helped you! Looks like you are well on your way to becoming a quilting pro! Isn't it FUN? Thanks for linking to my tutorial and my website too.

Love your blue/brown combination. I don't use brown much, but am always please with it when I do. I should start using it more!

MGM

Celtic Thistle said...

I have signed up for the Craftsy BOM but not started it yet so thanks for the heads up on the SCANT seams, I would have missed that too I am sure!

Your blocks look good too.

Carla said...

Thank you for your very kind comment. Your posts have been very helpful to me :^)
Carla

Carla said...

I'm glad you saw this. It will save you some frustration...trust me. Good luck, it's a lot of fun. Thanks you for the nice comment.
Carla

Joanna said...

I love how your blocks turned out. Wish I had read it a week ago since I've already made my triangles, just haven't sewn them together yet. I may have to do them again. I didn't do scant seams. These blocks seem a little more challenging than last months!

SJ @ Homemaker On A Dime said...

Great to meet you, too :) Thanks for the sweet comment. HOpe you can swing by at 5 pm and join my Creative Bloggers' Party & Hop.

Allison Downes said...

Found you in the hop, New GFC and Linky Follower, Hope you can follow me back!

www.giveawayhog.blogspot.com