Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Teach the Kiddos 2 Sew this Summer..."Havin' a Grand Square Summer" Phase 1

 Hey quilter's..hope your week is going great. I can't believe how hot it is already across the country. Honestly freeks me a bit with Hurricane season but trying to keep positive. I keep hearing my dads last words to me "don't get upset over things you can't change." Oh how those words are so true. So this summer I'll be sharing with y'all inside & outside projects. So depending on your weather situation I've got you covered. If the kiddos are "bored" well jump on this super cute and easy quilt design. If you're havin' great weather I'll be "Stitchin' @ the Lake." Also a super fun "stitchin' project" will start soon for your family vacation time. Trust me,,,we wont be bored. :-) In my previous post (yesterdays) I started this quilt design with y'all. Well...this morning I was looking at the design & a few projects came to mind. Depending on you or your child sewing level this block would make a georgous pillow. The finished square is 12" and most pillow forms are usually 16" or 18" so you would just need to add borders to achieve your desired size. In fact...don't be a bit suprised if I share one with y'all. I love this block design. It's super easy and I love how it gives a bit of a modern flair. One reason why a pillow would be a fun starter project for kiddos. Just coordinate your fabric selects with  their bedroom colors or your home decor. I will mention again with this block that pressing is the key. I use the words "scooch" your seams together but most quilter's use the term "nestle" your seams together. Either way you'll be matching your seams when you sew your rows together. Also if desired you'll be learning to fussy cut around fabric to achieve the second center star design. I love it when a printed fabric allows you to create a second design! Remember to have fun...don't stress. No quilting police on my blog or sewing room. :-) All my supplies used are from Missouri Star Quilt Company and my link will save you 20% off $50. or more for the month of July on most sewing/crafting/quilting supplies. Thanks so much for following & keep checkin' in with me for fun summer projects. Enjoy!

Blessed Quilting from My Home to Yours,

Cat

MSQC Affiliate

Paid Partnership w/MSQC

Follow me on Instagram...Facebook & Pinterest


Here's all you do...

Note...you will repeat the steps for all blocks. Alternate your fabrics in blocks if desired (see previous post) or make them the same...either way you will achieve a 'secondary design" once you have sewn your blocks 2gether. Make as many blocks to achieve your desired size. 

* Press your fabric before rotary cutting.

* Always use a 1/4" seam allowance.

* Using a square ruler & your preferred erasable marking pen/pencil.. "fussy cut" around the Star design on Missouri Star wide back fabric if desired.

* Rotate the direction of the Stars to achieve the Second Star design if desired.


* Rotary cut to a 4 1/2 x 4 1/2 suare for the center of the block.

* From same gray fabric rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 4 1/2 rectangle strips.

* Rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 2 1/2" squares.

* From white (accent fabric or charm pack) rotary cut 4...4 1/2 x 4 1/2" squares

* Rotary cut 4...2 1/2 x 2 1/2 " squares.

* Per design...sew a white/gray 2 1/2" squares together using a 1/4" seam allowance. Press.

* Sew a 2 1/2 " grey rectangle strip with right side together to the left side. Press towards the rectangle.

* Repeat this step for the 4 corner units of the block.

Tip...Per design...lay out your squares to make sure you have them all going in the correct direction. :-)

* First / Bottom row...

* Sew a corner unit with right sides together to the left/right side of 4 1/2" center square. Press towards the center.

* Repeat for the bottom row.

Center row...

* Sew 4 1/2 " squares w/right sides togehter. Press seams away from the center square.

* Sew the rows together matching seams as you go. Press.

Block finishes to a 12 1/2 x 12 1/2" square. Includes 1/4" seam allowance once you join blocks 2gether.

Repeat for as many blocks as desired for your size quilt.

I hope you enjoy making the "Grand Square" block. It's repetitive but I love how it makes the "secondary block"...how fun! :-)

Tip...I like to "lay out my blocks" as I'm sewing them to make sure I'm achieving the desired size/design. Then I "number" the blocks to keep them in order If you don't have a "design wall" a floor works wonderful too. This just helps with a "visual" plus it motivates me to finish :-) 

Remember I'm piecing right along with you so check back soon as I post my progress. Plus I'll be sneaking in some other fun projects too for y'all. 

Talk soon,

Cat


No comments:

Post a Comment