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Tuesday, March 27, 2012

TUTORIAL: "X" MARKS THE BLOCK (free pieced strippy quilt)





"X" MARKS THE BLOCK - THE TUTORIAL

Are your strippy scrap bins or bags stuffed to bursting?  This is a great scrappy project to help you reduce some scraps and ALL WITHOUT A PATTERN (sometimes a project without a pattern is like a day without pantyhose...ahhh...).


OVERALL DIRECTIONS:


I don't use a paper or fabric foundation when making these blocks...mostly because I am too lazy to reproduce the foundations, then later peel all those pieces of paper off my sewn blocks.  If you would like to use a foundation, go right ahead...it's all good.  But I challenge you to try one block without a foundation to s-t-r-e-t-c-h yourself.

Here's the ONE I tried with a 8.5 inch paper foundation...it was really harder than doing it without one, believe it or not...


This block/quilt uses mostly "strips" and "chunks."  I define strips as anything from 3/4 - 2-1/2 inches wide.   I try to keep them separate in my quilt cave - that way I don't have to dig through all my scraps just to find strips.  Chunks can be odd-shaped, cut-off chunks of leftovers or wider strips, maybe even extra triangles or squares. 


If you are careful and use fatter strips at either end of the central pieced section,  you don't have to fool with using chunks.  We just don't want to trim down our final blocks and find too many seam allowances in the corners where blocks meet.


The focus fabrics that form the "X" need to contrast the rest of your general scraps.  I used blacks with brights.  You could use something light as well, or maybe a color.  Your "X" strips can either be scrappy like mine or all one fabric/color.  Medium to dark batiks with light "X" strips would look cool.  Maybe red and neutral scraps with green "X" strips for a holiday quilt.  The sky is the limit! 
 

I cut my "X" strips 1 - 2 wide.  The variation just adds to the wonkiness and draws attention away from the fact that the "X" strips don't line up between blocks.  You can see below how the scrappy black strips are different widths and don't match up precisely...charming!  Sometimes, my strips are wider at one end than the other...even MORE charming!




After looking at my available strips and chunks, I chose to make blocks that would finish eight inches square.  I had some short, stubbly strips that were 3.5 to 4 inches long, so I decided on a center diagonal strip that would finish about 3 inches wide.


After looking at your scraps, you may decide to make smaller or larger squares, of maybe even rectangles, triangles, or other shapes.  I will show you how I figured out the rough dimensions of my units, then you can apply what I did to your size block.


Here is my 8.5 inch square ruler with a 3 inch wide ruler on top (which represents my central pieced strip).  See how I have allowed roughly a half inch at each end?



You can see, from the pictures above, that the unfinished length of that initial, central pieced strip needs to be at least 13 inches, once it is pressed.


In my quilts, the strips that define the edge of the central pieced strip and make the prominent "X" design are scrappy black.  Yours could be light, dark, or a certain color.  They can be scrappy or cut from one fabric.  You can see in the pictures above and below how to determine the minimal length of these setting strips.



Each strip added to the central pieced strip needs to be at least a half inch longer in each direction than the edge of the ruler.

Now you can vary the size of your blocks and central pieced strip to please you.  Just be sure to allow adequate overhang of strips so that when you square up your blocks you won't have any holes!

Just because you see brights and blacks in my tutorial doesn't mean that is the only color option possible.  Look at your scrap stash, then decide how YOU want to proceed.  You can even do it without a contrasting color for the "X" strip.

Look at the backside of this finished block to see how you should press your block as you progress.  I pressed the central pieced strip only after piecing the whole thing, then pressed the seams in the same direction, either way. 



Then starting with the black focus strips, I pressed each added strip to the outside.


Now just fill some bobbins, put in a new sewing machine needle, replace your rotary cutting blade, and let's get started!

STEP 1:

I do not cut the short strips to 3.5 inches before chain-piecing the little strips together into a long section...as long as they are at least 3.5 inches long, it's OK of they are a little longer.   

Some of these strip sets have a triangle or chunk at either end, sometimes just a piece of a wider strip.  I do this to avoid an accidental seam too close to the corners where 4 blocks will meet.

Start with a chunk, wide strip or triangle at one end, then chain-piece strips together, matching up one end of your irregular, variable in length, short strips.  Do not worry about pressing after each addition of a strip.  Check the length of your pieced strip as you go.  This central pieced strip needs to be at least 13 inches long...make sure you stop in time to place another chunk, wide strip or triangle at the opposite end.


Turn your strip sets over and press ALL the seams in ONE direction, either way.

STEP 2:

Now you are ready to sew on the contrasting focus "X" strips, right sides together.  These should be at least 10 inches long (1 - 2 inches wide), CENTERED along the edge of your pieced central strip. I place the first strip along the "straightest" edge of the strip set, lining up the edge of the shortest strip (the cow strip in the following set). 


Even though this is wonky sewing, I still maintain a quarter inch seam allowance when I can (old habits are hard to shake...).  A consistent quarter inch seam allowance is not critical while making the blocks, but will be very important when sewing the blocks together into a quilt top.


After stitching, trim away extra seam allowance with your rotary cutter or scissors (trim the uneven end of the central strip set even with the quarter inch seam of your "X" strip).


Press strip to the outside.


(I like to chain stitch several of these units, then sew on the opposing strip before stopping, trimming and pressing.) 


Place this opposing strip. face down and centered on the other side of the strip, with the help of a ruler (or just "eyeball" this for extra wonky-ness).  Your stitching line should be at 3 inches (or the outer edge of this strip should be 3.25 inches from the opposing seam).


After stitching, trim away extra seam allowance with your rotary cutter or scissors.  (Would you believe I save some of these longer cut away leftovers?  That will be the subject of another liberated tutorial project!).


Press strip to the outside.  (Again, chain piecing really saves time with this method.)


STEP 3:

Now we can start adding strips, one on each side, building our block, chain piecing and pressing to the outside after the addition of each new pair.


As you continue centering strips (chain piecing), adding strips to each side, notice that they are getting shorter and shorter.  Press toward outside before adding the next pair.


Just make sure the strips are long enough so that when you trim down your blocks there aren't any surprise "peek-a-boo" holes.



Please notice the left side of the block pictured below.  The white-ish strip just under the left corner of the ruler is a little too wide and would cause there to be a seam too close to the corner of the block.  Just slice or cut some of it off so that your last strip will form a larger triangle after the block is trimmed down.  You may need to make a few of this kind of adjustment as you go.


Place your block on a small cutting mat.  Square up your block by placing the 8.5 inch ruler on top, centering the ruler's diagonal line in the middle of your center strip set and sliding the ruler back and forth until the end triangles are centered and all seams are solid under the ruler (no "peek-a-boo" holes...).


Cut away each side, turning the MAT, not your block, as you go.



A small rotary mat works OK, but I like trimming these blocks on a revolving rotary mat, like this Brooklyn Revolver.  It has a 'lazy Susan' mechanism that allows you to easily rotate the block as you trim each side away (I just LOVE a good gadget...).  There are other versions of the revolving rotary mat out there...here's the Olfa offering from Joann's Fabrics online (use your coupon on it!). 


Ta-da!!!  You did it!  Now you can make as many or as few blocks as you want.  For each of the quilts pictured at the beginning of the post, I set 8 blocks across, 10 blocks down, with a 1.5 inch (finished) stop border and outer borders of either 6 or 5 inches (finished).  The green-bordered quilt measured 79 x 95 inches and the one with red borders, 77 x 93 inches.


I recently taught a class on this block at my LQS.  Janet S worked with her medium to dark, earthy scraps, with a consistent light "X" fabric (she cut her light strips the same width throughout).  She ended up cutting her remaining setting strips more consistent in width, while keeping her central pieced strip wonky. 


Lori L used fun, colorful scraps with lime green "X" strips.  I've never seen such a fun bag of colorful, happy scraps (I admit it...I had scrap envy!)  Both had stunning results!


When it comes down to piecing the blocks together, sew in rows, pressing the seams to one side, alternating direction every row.  This way the seams will nest nicely for beautiful, accurate piecing.  Remember that the edges of your strips are most likely bias edges, so handle them carefully until they are seamed in and stable to they won't stretch.

ENJOY!

In stitches,
Teresa  :o)

30 comments:

  1. Thank you Teresa - now this is my kind of block! I think this is my next fun project with grandson - he call pull stips while NaNa puts the pedal to the metal.

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  2. Neat quilt. Thank you for sharing.

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  3. Very nice quilt, and thanks for the tutorial!

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  4. Excellent tutorial Teresa - thanks for sharing. I've always used a foundation when making string blocks but I'm definately gonna try your way. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Wow, I loved looking at your block close ups and saying, "I've got that one!" seeing all those great scraps from years of sewing. Great tutorial. Thank You!

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  6. Thanks for the complete tutorial!

    I've loved this one since you started doing them and love the idea of a no pattern scrap project. I have another string project to work on when my kids go on Spring Break and now I hope to piece the leftovers from that into some of these blocks for me!

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  7. Genious!! Thanks!

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  8. Absolutely fabulous strippy block. I love it. I really like how graphic your two quilts are in the first two pictures. The black strips really stand out. Thank you so much for sharing such a clear tutorial.
    Judy

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  9. Amazing how it works out! And a lovely tutorial...thanks for the hard work you put into creating that for the rest of us. I think I'm going to start saving my scraps and give that one a try!

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  10. I abSOlutely love this block and your tutorial is wonderful--sounds like fun....thank you so much for your generous sharing....Julierose

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  11. Teresa, I fell in love with these blocks when you originally showed them, and then when you showed them AGAIN I just had to "figure it out" and make a quilt for hubby. It's in fishing/outdoor prints and I used a blue batik for the x's. Took me a day to make it and now it's being basted. He LOVES it. Thanks for the idea.
    Marei

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  12. What a fabulously detailed tutorial. Thanks for sharing!

    MaryLiz

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  13. what fun! great tutorial and I love studying all the novelty prints!
    thanks!

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  14. I am always looking for new ideas for my Linus quilts and this will fill the bill! Thank you! I actually have tons of strips already sewn together for the center portion. I had an idea for a Linus project then set it aside and forgot what I was going to do. Now I have lots to work with, woo hoo!
    You have some of the best prints. I love the Teletubbies and Harry Potter.

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  15. That is so cool! I'm a new quilter but some day - when I have enough scraps saved...YEAH!

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  16. I love a scrappy quilt. I have been collecting 1 1/2" strips but I think now I will cut them in various widths and work on making some of these neat blocks. Your tutorial is so easy to follow..thanks for posting it.
    I enjoy reading your blog.

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  17. thanks!!!! oh my I am so thrilled you posted this.
    I haven't been on line much at all this week and LOOK what I almost missed!
    thanks so much
    I can't wait to start making one...
    I am thinking RED where you used black, bet your not surprised :)
    ok maybe I will use brown
    Kathie

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  18. Teresa - dahling...PANTY HOSE? I remember that term from years ago :)....still have a few lingering around...they work great for tying up trailing plants!
    Loved this post and do plan to get moving on my scraps with your excellent tutorial.
    thanks
    jean
    quiltsetcetera.blogspot.com

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  19. Thanks for this tutorial. I am going to try this once I get all my scraps sorted. Thanks for all you do.

    Elaine

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  20. Thank you very much for the tutorial - it is very tempting :-)

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  21. Thank you for the tutorial, but I wish your post was printer-friendly.

    Have you seen or used this site?
    http://www.printfriendly.com/

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  22. Teresa - I'm using this as one of my 2014 Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects. I've added a link to your tutorial in my sidebar. THANKS for sharing it with all of us . . . .

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  23. Ohh, it`s a wonderful quilt...thank you for Tutorial!

    LG Klaudia from Germany;-)

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  24. I love how you put the quilt together, lively colors and designs, thank you

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  25. Just found this post in a link from quiltdivajulie. It's fantastic and will become my Florida trip project next February. If I can make myself wait that long. Thanks for the detailed tutorial.

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  26. Just found this I am going to give it a try Thank you for sharing

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  27. Muchas gracias por su tutorial.
    Muy bien explicado y un resultado sensacional.
    Un abrazo!

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  28. Thanks for the fun scrappy tutorial. This is one I want to try.

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