Sampler Quilt 2011 - Finishing

Quilt Sandwich

1. Backing & backing should measure at least 60 inches by 75 inches.
2. Place pressed backing right side down on a flat surface large enough to lay flat; tape in place at sides, then corners.
3. (Optional) Lay batting on top of backing and smooth wrinkles; tape in place at sides, then corners. (If using slippery batting, spray baste to baking and top.)
4. Put pressed quilt on top right side up.
5. Smooth borders and blocks square, pushing excess toward middle. Quilting will take up slack and quilt will hang better.
6. Pin baste 3 to 4 inches apart in quarters down length and width. Finish pin basting each quarter 3 to 4 inches apart.
7. Quilt as desired.

Binding

1. Lay 2 binding strips right sides together and sew short edge with a ¼ inch seam. 
2. Repeat with remaining strips to make a continuous strip. 
3. Fold and press strip lengthwise in half wrong sides together. 
4. Place binding strip on quilt top lining up raw edges and begin sewing leaving a 5 inch tail using a ¼ inch seam. 
5. Stop ¼ inch before corner with needle down and pivot work as if to sew next side and reverse sew off quilt top. 
6. Fold binding back creating a 45 degree fold, then fold forward matching fold to previously sewn side. 
7. Continue sewing binding and repeat #5 and #6 for each for each corner. 
8. Stop sewing at least 5 inches from beginning. 
9. Trim ends to overlap about ½ inch. 
10. Unfold binding ends, match right sides together and sew short raw edges with a ¼ inch seam. 
11. Refold binding and finish sewing to quilt. 
12. Trim backing and batting close to quilt top edges.
13. Wrap binding around quilt edge to the back side and hand sew using a blind stitch.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Border

Cut 6 strips 4½ inches wide. Sew border strips together with a ¼ inch seam end to end to form a continuous border strip. Press seams to one side.

Cut 2 pieces from continuous border fabric strip the length of quilt top measuring from middle of quilt top.

Sew borders to sides using ¼ inch seam.

Press toward border.

Cut 2 pieces from remaining continuous border fabric strip the width of quilt top measuring from middle and including previously sew side border pieces.

Sew borders to top and bottom using ¼ inch seam.

Press toward border.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Sashing

When choosing a sashing fabric pick a color that stands out from quilt blocks but doesn't over power them. Darker colors will set blocks back and lighter colors will bring blocks forward. The cornerstones can stand out and glitter.

Cornerstone Fabric: Cut 4 strips 2 inches wide. Sub cut 7 rectangles at least 18 inches long.

Sashing Rectangle Fabric: Cut 6 strips 6½ inches wide. Sub cut into 6 rectangles at least 18 inches long and 56 rectangles 2 inches by 6½.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 48 - Autumn Tints

The Autumn Tints quilt block is made with squares and four patch units using 4 fabrics set in a 2 by 2 square grid layout.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 47 - Bachelors Puzzle

The Bachelors Puzzle block uses 4 fabrics of squares and half square triangles set in a 2 by 2 square grid layout.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 46 - Arkansas Crossroads

The Arkansas Crossroads uses 4 fabrics of squares and half square triangles in a 2 by 2 square grid layout.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 45 - Broken Pinwheel

The Broken Pinwheel block is made with tri square triangle units using 3 fabrics and is set in a 2 by 2 square grid. There is a subtle difference between quarters of this block, so pay careful attention to how the quarter square triangles are sewn together.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 44 - Whirlwind

The Whirlwind block uses half square triangle and quarter square triangle pieces to make a sailboat unit or what I like to call a tri square triangle unit. You'll need 2 fabrics, a half square triangle ruler and a quarter square triangle ruler to make this block.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 43 - Windblown Square

The Windblown Square block is set in a 2 by 2 square layout using 4 different fabrics and half square triangle units.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 42 - T Block

The T-Block quilt block is made with half square triangles and squares and uses 2 fabrics. It's set in a 3 by 3 square grid layout.

A fabric and instruction calculator is available at www.myquiltgenie.com for your own projects using the T-Block.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 41 - Pineapple Star

The Pineapple Star block is constructed with squares, square goose (a.k.a. peaky and spike) units and a square in a square unit.

You can design your own projects with the Pineapple Star calculator setting variable sizes and quantities.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 40 - Economy

The Economy block uses squares, half square and quarter square triangles and works best with block sizes that are easily divisible by 2.

Visit the Economy block calculator for your own projects of various sizes and quantities.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 39 - Diamond Star

The Diamond Star block is set in a 4 patch layout with each quarter foundation paper pieced and using 3 fabrics. You'll need to print 4 copies of the foundation template printed at 100%.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 38 - Signature block

The Signature block can be made using between 2 and 12 different fabrics and is set in a 2 by 2 square grid layout.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 37 - Contrary Wife

The Contrary Wife block is made from squares and half square triangles unit, set in a nine patch layout and uses 3 fabrics.

You can use the Contrary Wife block instruction and fabric calculator to create your own projects. The calculator allows you to change the piecing & cutting method, the block size, the number of blocks to make as well as the fabric size you're cutting from to give you a custom instructions and fabric requirements.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 36 - Box Kite

The Box Kite block is set in a 3 by 3 square grid layout of half square triangle and square units using 3 fabrics. Choose a background with 2 accent fabrics, medium to dark.

A Box Kite instruction and fabric calculator is available for different sizes and number of blocks as well as piecing methods for your own project.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 35 - Nine on Point

The Nine on Point quilt block pattern uses 3 fabrics, background and 2 accent fabrics. When working with angles, it can be difficult to get exactly a 6" inch finished square. Check your work and square up to 6½ inches (including seams allowance) being sure to trim all sides equally as needed.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 34 - Clown's Choice

The Clown's Choice block is made with 2 fabrics using quarter square triangle units and squares. A Clown's Choice calculator is available for different size and number of blocks as well as piecing methods for your own project.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 33 - Tree Everlasting

The Tree Everlasting block is set in a 3 by 3 square grid layout made with half square triangle units using 2 fabrics - a background and accent fabric.

Sampler Quilt 2011 - Week 32 - Pennsylvania

The Pennsylvania block is a 3 by 3 square grid layout with squares and four patches. We'll be using 2 fabrics, a background and accent fabric.