The Big Leap - Finishing Instructions

Assembling your Quilt top

The set of instructions listed in green are for the smaller  56” x 56” version of the Big Leap.   Please note:  Instructions for the larger quilt  are similar but require more blocks and a border.

Identifying the blocks that you will be assembling into rows  ---->






You will lay your blocks out by Rows.   For the small quilt you will lay out 4 blocks in each row.  The large quilt will require 5 blocks in each row.

Small quilt –  block order for row is: A,B,A,B   make (2) rows                                                                                                                              

Large quilt – block order for row is: A,B,A,B,A  make (3) rows

Small quilt – block order for row is: B,A,B,A    make (2) rows                                                                                                                              

Large quilt – block order for row is: B,A,B,A,B  make (3) rows 







Example of row sets A & B  for the larger version quilt showing 5 blocks in each row.

To make the SMALL quilt, lay your sewn rows out like this:

 Once you’ve sewn your 4 rows together in this order you finished top will look like this:

Optional - Sew 6  print strips together (left over from your jelly roll) to create your binding.








To make the LARGER quilt (82” x 82”) lay your sewn rows out like this: 

Once you’ve sewn your 5 rows together in this order you top will look like this:

Take your (8) border strips (6 ½” x wof strips) and sew them together into pairs.  You will now have 4 border sections.

To create the side borders you will cut  2 border sections that each measure       6 ½” x 70 ½”.  Sew a section to the left and right sides of your quilt top.

Cut the other 2 border sections to measure    6 ½” x 82½”.  Sew these to the top and bottom of your quilt top.














Your finished quilt top should measure approximately 82” x 82”

Optional - Sew 8  print strips together (left over from your jelly roll) to create your binding.

The first picture of this post and the one to the right are of my finished Big Leap.  I am calling this one Winter Blues.  It was quilted by Patti Snyder of Quilts as Desired and will be gifted to my 5 year old Grandson once I stitch the binding onto it.

If you are participating in the sew along please share a picture and link up with us here:

No need to create a new blog post if you've already posted your block progress. Simply add the url address of that post where indicated when you click the link above.

every quilt tells a story...

The Big Leap - part 3

Optional Idea:

I've decided to embroider in the center section of the B blocks for my 2nd Big Leap quilt.
(the open space is 10" square in the center of these B blocks)
I think applique' motifs would also look lovely in the center of these blocks.













Set B… sewing the blocks together


Amounts for the smaller version quilt are specified in GREEN

The Side Sections:
Begin with (24) 2 ½” x 6 ½” background rectangles OR - (16) for the smaller quilt and the (48) 2 ½” squares that you cut from the Jelly roll prints OR (32) 2 ½” squares.
Sew a 2 ½” print square to one side of each rectangle. Press toward the print squares. Repeat on the opposite side of each rectangle.







Top & Bottom Sections:
Match the remaining Jelly roll print ½ strips up with the remaining background ½ strips. Sew (6) sets into pairs. OR (4) sets for the smaller version quilt. Press open each set (toward the jelly roll print fabric) then sub cut into 2 ½” wide sections as shown.

You should have (48) 2 ½” x 4 ½” sections. OR (32) for the smaller version quilt

Sew one of these pieced sections to the left side of each of your remaining (24) 2 ½” x 6 ½” background rectangles. OR (16) if making the smaller version .

Pay close attention to your fabric placement when sewing. (the print fabric squares should be next to the background rectangles)





Assembling the Blocks:

 

Sew the shorter pieced sections to the left and right sides of your 10 ½” background squares.

Then stitch the longer pieced sections to the top and bottom to complete your Set B blocks.

You will now have a total of 12 Set B blocks for this Quilt. 
(8) for the smaller version quilt.

Next week I will distribute the sewing instructions for assembling your quilt top.  I've decided to post them on FRIDAY - February  26th to give you time to finish your quilt top before Leap Day.
Feel free to share your fabric and/or block progress in the link up below:

every quilt tells a story....

A few Dutch treats this week

It was one of those crazy busy weeks around here filled with fun AND chaos.
I'm sure that you can all relate to this.
I did manage to eek in a little evening sewing time though to work up a few more Dutch Treat blocks for February. These are the 3 I finished:

DANDELION

GOLDFISH

CAPSTONE

every quilt tells a story...

Part 2 - the Big Leap Sew Along

Before we begin, I’d like to share a suggestion regarding how to keep the blocks looking super scrappy, without identical fabric  patches touching each other.   This is just my own personal preference/opinion.  Feel free to choose a method of organizing your fabric strips that works best for you.

Does your Jelly Roll contain more medium value fabrics than light or dark?  Or perhaps more of one color than all the others?  I chose a blue Jelly Roll which had more medium value prints than lights or darks.  Whatever you have the MOST of in (color or value) choose those prints for your  EVEN numbered rows.  For example: rows 1,3,5 and 7 in my quilt I used light & dark blue strips and rows 2,4 and 6 I used medium blue fabric strips.  You could do the same simply by splitting up your colors according to rows if you wish.  OK,  moving on...

Set A… sewing the blocks together 

ROWS:  1,3,5 and 7              56" x 56" increments are shown in Green

Make a total of 7 assorted fabric strip sets.       
5..oops (should be 4 sets for smaller quilt)   Each strip set will consist of (4) Jelly Prints and (3) background strips.  Please note: the row starts and ends with a Print fabric strip. 

Tip #1:  once laid out, I found it quicker to sew the strips into pairs. (1 print & 1 background per pair)  Then I stitched the 3 pairs together and added the final print strip to finish the set.                                                                                                                

 Tip #2:  line up your strips so that the cut edge is along the top (where you begin sewing) and the selvage edge is at the bottom.  This will make sub cutting into sections less wasteful..                                                                                                            

 Tip #3:  always press the seams toward your Jelly print fabric strips.

Once you have completed 7 Strip Sets    
(or 4 sets for smaller quilt) you will sub cut these into (52)  2 ½” x 14 ½” sections. (or 32 for smaller version)  
These are your ODD ROW Sections. 

(I was able to cut (8) sections from EACH strip set) save just 52 (or 32) sections.

ROWS:  2,4 and 6

Make a total of 5 assorted fabric strip sets. 
or (3 sets for smaller quilt) 

Each strip set will consist of (3) Jelly Prints and (4) background strips.  Please note: the row starts and ends with a Background fabric strip. 

Once you have completed 5 Strip Sets 
(or 3 sets for smaller quilt) you will sub cut these into (39) 2 ½” x 14 ½” sections. (or 24 for smaller quilt) 

These are your EVEN ROW Sections.  

you should be able to cut (8) sections from EACH strip set) save just 39 or (24) 

Assembling the Blocks 

You will make 13 Set A blocks for this quilt.  8 if you are making the smaller quilt.

EACH block will consist of 7 rows of 2 ½” x 14 ½” sections.    

You will assemble the rows as follows: Odd, Even, Odd, Even, Odd, Even, Odd.

Note: the picture to the right only shows 5 of the 7 rows needed to complete the block.

Assemble your rows into a block according to the pictures below.  

Press all of your rows in ONE direction.

You will now have a total of 13 Set A blocks for this Quilt.
Or 8 Set A blocks for the  smaller version quilt

Part 3 of the Sew Along will be posted next Sunday - February 21st.
I decided to post Part 2 early as a Valentine Treat for everyone.

If you'd like to share pictures of your progress or finished block/s this week, please link up with us below.  Or you may email your pictures to me and I will share them on this page.

No need to create a new blog post if you've already posted your block progress. Simply add the url address of that post where indicated when you click the link above.

More Show & Tell pictures from quilting friends:

every quilt tells a story...

First Dutch Treat blocks of February

SEGMENTS

LATTICE

2 done 6 to go for February, the grid is slowly filling in....

every quilt tells a story...

Part 1 of the Big Leap Sew Along - cutting instructions

Today I'm providing you with the cutting instructions for your Jelly Roll friendly Triple Chain quilt. A version that finishes at 82" x 82" and a smaller lap size version that finishes at 56" square.

Cutting instructions for the 82" version are provided in the tab above found HERE.
Cutting instructions for the lap size version are found HERE.
They will remain on my blog for FREE thru February 29, 2016 - LEAP DAY.

I am providing a few picture examples to help those in need of visual aid thru the cutting process. Click on any of these pictures to enlarge them if necessary.
Your background strip sets should look like this (before sub-cutting)

FYI: ALL 2.5" x wof strips (cut selvage to selvage) will be sub-cut in HALF along the fold line. this includes your jelly roll strips and background strips.

Set A background fabrics cut and ready for sewing:

Set B background fabrics cut and ready for sewing:

Set A with Background AND Jelly Roll fabrics cut and ready for sewing:

Sew B with Background and Jelly Roll fabrics cut and ready for sewing:

Next Sunday, on February 14th, I will post Part 2 of the Sew Along instructions. I've created a blog link up below. If you wish to share your fabric choices or the start of your Sew Along journey feel free to link up below this week. Don't have a blog but wish to share? Send your picture/s to me via email and I will post them here as well.

Wishing you all a Happy & Productive week!

No need to create a new blog post if you've already posted your block. Simply add the url address of that post where indicated when you click the link above.

February block for the SVBAQ Sew Along

February's Botanical Album block was announced on the 1st over at the Shenandoah Valley Botanical Album Sew Along Blog found HERE.
The official block name is Yellow Pink Tulip. This is my Red & Taupe version.
Dawn added some lovely information to the post about the origins of Tulips.

To see more variations of this block be sure to stop over to the blog on the 15th when we post our mid-month Show & Tell. Quilter's have been sharing some amazing pictures of their blocks with us each month.

every quilt tells a story....