KT Stitch With Me - Week #1

KT Winner

Congratulations to the winners from the past 2 weeks of blog giveaways!

Janie won the patterns from the cruise (blog post Jan. 18th) -  

Janie - I am freezing here! It is 11 degrees! Just sayin! Have a lovely trip. Thank you for the giveaway.

Sandy won the new Crazy for Minis book (blog post Jan. 11th) -

Sandy F - I love those. Always have a hard time figuring out what to do with minis. They are so fun to buy. Maybe now I can use them!

Now that I'm back from the cruise, we'll get your patterns sent right out. 

Cruisin'

What a wonderful time Jenny and I had with a great group of gals. Eighty quilters joined us for a week of stitching, sunning, relaxing, playing and delicious food. I'd forgotten how fun the formal nights and casual days are on a ship. Can't wait to do it all again in April!

KT Stitch With Me - Week #1

I'm so excited you've joined me for my first KT Stitch With Me series. Today is our first day of piecing together a mini charm sampler featuring my layered patchwork technique. The Crazy for Minis book has 6 simple projects using mini charms with several additional home decor bonus projects. Jamie finished printing it while we were gone, so we wanted to give you a sneak peek at some of the blocks we redesigned for easier, more perfect piecing. By the end of the series, you'll be a pro at layered patchwork and ready to whip up any of the projects in the book.

First up, this floating layered star. When stitching tiny pieces, especially with points, it's difficult to keep the star points from being cut off in the seam allowances. My solution? Extend the background so the star floats! It's also a great way to add size to your block so it will fit an odd dimension in a design plan.

Let's get Started!

Supplies for MC Sampler Quilt:
    2 KT Mini Charm Packs
     tan - 7/8 yd.
     navy - fat 1/8
     red - fat 1/8
     green - outer border/binding

I chose 2 KT Mini Charm packs from two different fabric collections for more variety, a tan tone-on-tone print for the background, a navy small geometric print for the star background, a red tone-on-tone for the 1st border and a green print with multiple colors for the outer border.It's not too late to call KTQ for a kit - 785-488-2120.
    

For the Floating Star block, you will need:
          fat 1/8 navy for background
          (5) tan mini charm squares with pinked edges


CUT:            Tan Mini Charm (MC) - A - (1) 2 1/2" sq.
                                                             B - (4) 2 1/4" sq. (X)
(X) = cut a square twice diagonally to create (4) triangles

                       Navy -  C - (4) 2 3/4" x 2 1/2"
                                    D - (4) 2 3/4" sq.

Follow the diagram below to trim and cut (4) tan mini charm (MC) squares. Cut 1/4" from two sides, then cut the remaining 2 1/4" sq. twice diagonally. We'll use the (2) triangles that still have the long side pinked, indicated by the circles. Why, you ask? Because the pinked edge is on the straight grain of the fabric and keeps it from unraveling. It will be the exposed edge for the star points. If a square cut just once diagonally would work for this block, the cut edge would be on the bias and it wouldn't need to be pinked.

Rule #1 of Layered Patchwork - exposed edges need to be either pinked or cut on the bias.

How to cut B tan mini charm squares for star points.

 

Now that all of our pieces are cut, we'll lay out the background of the star in a 9-patch with the D-navy 2 3/4" squares in the corners, the C-navy 2 3/4" x 2 1/2" on the sides, and the A- tan 2 1/2" MC in the center.

 On each C-navy rectangle, position (2) of the B-tan triangles, right sides up with corners aligning and the center points overlapping, right over left; glue in place. I like a good quality fabric glue like Sewline (see in above picture). The slender design and small tip make it easy to use and it's refillable! Put a dot of glue on the tan star points, especially where they overlap, to keep the triangles from scooching (yes, it's a word) when stitching. I used red thread so you can see the 1/8" topstitching better. My choice is Aurifil 50wt. tan#2370 to blend with most KT tans.

 

Stitch 4 star point units.Make each star point using matching tans or mix it up for a scrappier look.

Return star point units to 9-patch layout. Sew block together in rows; press top and bottom rows toward corners, press middle row toward center tan square. Sew rows together; press all rows in one direction.

Star block measures 7" square. Trim your block to 6 3/4" square using a square ruler. Draw a chalk line thru the center of the star at 3 1/2" in both directions. Align the  3 3/8" lines on your ruler with the chalk lines; trim the excess navy from two sides. Turn block around and trim remaining two sides. The Floating Star block now measures 6 3/4" square.

Great job, ladies! Wasn't that easy? Perfect star points every time. Comment on making this block to win a copy of Crazy for Minis. Hope to see you again next Monday for the next block in our MC Sampler quilt.


Do you have a KT Spare Change ruler? It's not required, but you'll love how it makes the next block even easier. Special blog offer for Spare Change ruler - Retail $8; sale price $5. Orders over $20, including Spare Change ruler, receive free shipping! Go to our website at ktquilts.com today to make your list, then call KTQ to place your order.  The website will not have the ruler on sale or the free shipping offer. It's a secret sale JUST FOR YOU! Call Jamie or Robert today at 785-488-2120 and they'll send your Spare Change ruler right out!

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See you next week!
Lynne

Moda All Stars Blog Hop

 Are you following the Moda All Stars All in a Row Blog Hop??? I'll be here January 28th along with Kaari of French General to share our rows. Check back for a chance to win the All in a Row book.
Go to Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings and Joanna Figueroa of Fig Tree Quilts for today's posts!