Moda Blockheads BOW #2

 KT Winner

Congratulations to:

Chelra - I plan to give your way a shot. I love learning new ways to do things. Thanks for the opportunity to continue my quilting education. 

You're the winner of (8) KT tan fat 1/8's. Perfect for backgrounds of the Blockheads' blocks.Reply to lynne@ktquilts.com with your mailing address. We'll send them right out. 
 

Moda Blockheads Question of the Week

Do you have a question for the six of us - Jan, Lisa, Jo, Betsy, Carrie and me? Comment on any of our blogs on Wednesdays with your questions about quilting, the block-of-the-week or whatever you'd like to know and we'll all respond with the answer of the week. Watch for your question over the next few weeks. We'll answer as many as we can.

This week's question: Where do you stand on prewashing fabric?

I do not prewash my fabrics. Mainly because I start with alot of precuts which cannot be prewashed easily, and because it removes the sizing that gives the fabric body for better pressing. Also, Moda's fabric shrinks so little, it's not worth the time and trouble. I try to save time quilting by not doing things that don't make a big difference.

 

Welcome back to Week #2 of Moda Blockheads. 

All of us are delighted by the positive response to our block-of-the-week. Join our Facebook group, post your completed blocks with the hashtag #modablockheads and let's see how many variations are out there! I'm trying to see and "Like" all the blocks you're posting, but it's beginning to be an all morning job! Just know they're all turning out great. Thanks to everybody stitching along.

Click here for the traditionally pieced block by Betsy.

Block 2 - Aunt Dinah - Betsy Chutchian
http://unitednotions.com/Block2BC_AuntDinah.pdf

Piecing by Kathy Limpic. Love those Betsy blues!

Just as nice on the back. Seams pressed open for fewer lumps.

Click here for my layered patchwork version.
Block 2 - Aunt Dinah Layered Patchwork Option by Lynne

KT Layered Patchwork Basics

I've read several questions regarding my layered patchwork (LP) technique on the FB group. Here are some basic guidelines when trying this method:

1. Fabric glue is perfect for holding the layered pieces in place while topstitching. Pins allow more movement, especially on triangle points. I add a dab of glue on triangle points or the corners of squares. No need to cover the whole piece. It's merely to hold the layered piece in place securely while topstitching.

My favorite glue pen is Sewline. It has a thin tip for easy application, doesn't make my fabric stiff, washes out well, and as a bonus, is refillable.
Find them at Lynnes Favorite Notions - Sewline Glue Pen.

2. I cut my layered pieces so all the exposed edges are on the bias to prevent raveling (Moda's pinked edges on precuts works well, too). A bias edge will simply soften and curl over time after handling and washing for a dimensional, primitive effect I love. After 3 rounds thru the washer & dryer, on regular wash (like a pair of grankids' dirty jeans, not like I usually wash a quilt) this is what a layered block/quilt looks like:

No raveling, just soft, dimensional raw edges that add to the primitive look I love.

Aleece's Charming Stars from Layers of Love book

3. Never square up a half square triangle again. Simply layer a triangle over the background square for perfect seam allowances every time. Since we're just adding the triangle over the top of a square and not trimming out behind, there is no more chance of a layered block coming unstitched in a quilt than a traditionally piece block. In fact, with fewer seams and doubled fabric in some places, my grankids have a hard time wearing their quilts out!

4. In the block below, I pieced traditional half square triangles for the corner units. Sometimes, it just makes sense to go the traditional route. The squares in the corners layered on top keep the unit square. Be sure to cut the squares so all sides are on the bias (on point).

5. I topstitch 1/8" from the exposed edge of my layered patchwork, but always use traditional 1/4" seam allowances to piece the block. Every time we stitch a seam and every time we press or trim a block, we've given ourselves another chance to distort or change the size. Fewer seams, less pressing, no trimming, all add up to flatter, more square and correctly sized blocks. Give it a try! 

To save about 16 seams and have much less pressing to worry about, try my layered patchwork version, pieced by Joy.

Great job, Joy!

Fewer seams, less pressing = flatter block.

Comment or ask a question this week to win a 6-pack of red fat 1/8's. Who doesn't love an assortment of good dark reds?