QuiltMouse

Chain Piecing is another method of quickly assembling blocks and is another method that I used in making this quilt top for Fabric Café.

 In my last post I demonstrated Strip Piecing and mentioned that I would be able to make 18 Nine-Patch Blocks using only 10 seams (sort-a).

While Strip Piecing, I used 8 (long) seams to assemble 4 strip-sets which were then sub-cut into smaller segments.

Now I have to assemble the 18 blocks using 18 of one segment and 36 of another.

Following the directions, I take one of the larger 3-piece segments and match it with one of the smaller 3-piece segments.

Using pins to help keep the seams matched, I start sewing.  I always sew with the smaller segment (or block or row) on top.

When I get to the end of the segment, I do not remove what has been stitched.  I just take another larger 3-piece segment, match it with one of the smaller 3-piece segments, pin, and continue stitching.  Continue adding segments until all of the larger 3-piece segments have a smaller 3-piece segment stitched to the right side.

You will have something like this when you finish. (Sun was shining in the window and the picture didn’t turn out great, but you get the picture.)

Technically, you could call this all one ‘seam’  – you didn’t stop/start, waste thread pulling it out & cutting it between stitching segments.

Repeat the process.  You don’t have to cut the stitches   between the blocks, just start at the end and sew the second small 3-piece segment to the other side of the larger 3-piece segment (which actually now has 6 pieces).  This will be your 10th long seam and you will now have 18 Nine-Patch Blocks completed!

Your choice – cut the blocks apart and then iron, or iron and then cut the blocks apart.

More Chain Piecing – There are now 18 Nine-Patch Blocks and 18 fabric rectangles and the rows are ready to assemble.  Pair one Fabric Rectangle and one Nine-Patch and again Chain Piece the pairs until there are 18 pairs.

The pattern calls for 6 rows of 6 blocks each, so take 6 pairs of blocks and Chain Sew them to another pair making sure you are alternating  the blocks (and if using directional fabric, keep the fabric going the right direction).

The rows are now almost done.  Take the 6 rows of 4 blocks and Chain Piece the remaining 6 pairs to make 6 rows of 6 blocks each.

So, there you have it. Eighteen Nine-Patch Blocks stitched in only 10 (long) seams and 6 rows of 6 blocks each Chain Pieced.

Next comes the Borders & Corner Blocks.

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse

OK, Gotcha Attention, didn’t I?!? <Big GRIN>

I’m talking about Strip Piecing.  Some people find it boring, but I find that it helps me to keep moving and get a lot done.

This is what I mean – when piecing a quilt top, sometimes you cut all the itsy, bitsy, tinnie, tiny pieces and individually sew them to one another and keep stitching larger pieced segments until you get a complete block.  Often this is what you need to do.

But there are times when you are piecing several blocks – like today, I’m piecing 18 blocks – that all have the same sized pieces in the same positions. In this case, Strip Piecing makes the work so faster.

This block is a 9-Patch –  See the nine segments? 

I ‘could’ cut each little piece and stitch them one-at-a-time.  This would be 8 seams per Block times 18 Blocks – you do the math, but that’s a lot of seams.

I can accomplish the same result in only 10 seams by sewing strips together and then cutting the strips into segments which are then sewn together to make the block.

The first step – cut strips of fabric the width of your yardage – that is from selvage to selvage. This pattern is one of Fabric Café’s.  Donna’s patterns are so very easy to follow and fun to make.

I cut strips of one fabric and strips of the second fabric, following the pattern’s directions.  Now I only have 8 (long) seams to stitch.

Following the Pattern Directions match 2 of one color and one of the second color and begin stitching.

Repeat until you have one strip sewn to one larger strip.  With this pattern, after 4 long seams, I have 4 pieces with 2 strips each.

This next step is optional – to iron or not to iron.  If you need to stretch your legs, go ahead and iron this strip.  In this case, I have ironed the seams open.  Your choice!

Now proceed with stitching the 2nd narrow strip onto the 2-piece strips you have on the opposite side of the wider strip.

Ironed –

Not Ironed –

TA DA!  After sewing only 8 (long) seams, I now have 4 strip sets.  If you haven’t ironed them yet, this is the time to do it.

Now I sub-cut each of the 4 strips into the sizes required, and I’m ready to assemble my 18 blocks.

After cutting the required number of pieces, I have all I need to finish up my 18 Nine-patch blocks.  So far, I’ve only sewn 8 seams!

Now, isn’t strip piecing fun?  Sometimes it’s nice to stitch something I don’t need a degree in higher mathematics!

Next I will show how these 18 blocks come together with only 2 more seams (sorta).

Happy Stitching!

Quilt Mouse