Folded Bowtie Tutorial

This was my entry for  my guild’s (Thumbstall Quilt Guild) challenge: 

I used a technique to make the squares on top three dimensional.

Here is how I did it. There are lots of pictures but the block takes about 5 minutes to make.

The basic technique is to make a four patch block with an extra square folded in.  You can make the block any size;  mine finishes at 6” so I cut :

two (2) background squares at 3 1/2”

three(3) bowtie squares at 3 1/2”

Take one of the bowtie squares and fold in half wrong sides together.

Layer your pieces:

Background-right side up; then the folded square.  Make sure that the fold is in the middle and the raw edges are at the top.

Then put a bowtie square on top, right side together.  The folded square will be sandwiched between.

Sew with a 1/4 “ seam.

And you get this:

 

Flip the sewn pieces to the left so that the folded square is to the right.

Layer again:  Background square on the bottom, folded square and bowtie square on top (right sides together)

Yes , this is the same picture as before but I wanted you to see that you are sewing just like you did before.

Open out your block and it should look like this.

The next step is easy to do but wordy to explain.  You are going to put the block together like a regular 4 patch. But first you need to open and spread the folded square out and flat. Use your fingers to pull the folded square evenly to both halves of the 4 patch. The fold you see where my finger is will be below your seam allowance.

 

This next picture shows that the part of the folded square that is part of the seam allowance will be flat  but under that the square is still folded.  Does that make sense?

 

This is how I pin: first I match the center seam (like a normal 4 patch; then I pin either side of the folded square.  Yes it looks wonky but as you sew, you fix the ends so they meet.

 

And this….

becomes this!

 

Press as you normally do

   

      Ta Da!

   

Honestly they are very easy to do.  To change the look, just change the size of the folded square.  For my challenge quilt, I used 2 1/2” squares for the 4 patch and then a 4 1/2” square for the center.

Let me know how you do.  Enjoy!

Update at Beauty’s Tattoo

Adrienne has updated her blog.  Check it out!

Tuesday’s Tip: June 15, 2010

Monday, I cleaned up  my sewing room.

When I am really into a project or I am working on several projects at once, my room gets very messy.

Then I start losing things and I get frustrated. 

So before I started sewing, I picked up my room.  Yes it is still cluttered, but now I know where everything is.  And I won’t accidentally cut into fabric or patterns left on my cutting table-which I have done more often than I care to admit.

Trust me-cleaning up will make you feel better!  That is my tip for today!

So What HAVE You Been Doing, Diane?

Keeping Busy.
This is my challenge quilt for our guild show.  The challenge was to use only squares (except for the borders) and to use the dotty fabric.  It is hard to tell from the picture but the dotty fabric is actually folded and sewn into the yellow and green 4 patches.  I learned the technique making 3 dimensional bowtie blocks.

This is my fat quarter quilt for June.  I still need to get it quilted.
While in Lancaster, I picked up this kit.  It is called Spin Star.  You start with log cabin blocks.  I really like the way it turned out.

   
Have you tried needle punch embroidery yet?  It is very addictive.  It is like rug hooking on a very small scale.  This little beauty is 2” x 4”.

I have made a few samples for the shop.  This is a table runner I am working on.
Now aren’t you glad you asked?

And in Other Family News…

Four birthdays in April:  Adrienne, Lauren, Michael, and Dylan.

Lauren has moved into her own apartment AND bought a new car.  My husband and I are learning how to be a couple again.  To celebrate, we replaced the liner in the swimming pool and got a new dishwasher.  WooHoo!  And yes, the dishwasher is really that small.  Our kitchen only has space for an 18” dishwasher.

Adrienne is growing a BIG baby.  She is due in just a few weeks and we are all getting very excited.  Did I tell you we all know what the sex is but Adrienne doesn’t?  Joe called and told us but Adrienne wants to be surprised.  Can you believe that none of us has spilled the beans?

Thanks to Katie, I have a garden in my front lawn.  She came over a few days before Mother’s Day and planted pansies and marigolds and some perennials (OK, I don’t know what they are!) and they look great.  She also babysits Buddy when I am at work.  I am lucky to have her living close by.

Next Post?  Some actual QUILTS!

Happy Birthday Buddy!

   

Tuesday’s Tip for June 7,2010

       

When was the last time you changed your needle in your sewing machine?  If you can’t remember, DO IT NOW!!

Some of us change our needles when we start a new project; some of us have been told every 8 hours and some of us wait until our needles bend or break.

I am somewhat fanatical about changing my needle.  I have spent (OK-let’s be truthful here- my wonderful husband has spent) mucho money on my machines, fabrics and sewing needs.  I am not going to cheap out when  needles are less than $1 each, even cheaper when the notions wall at you know where is 50% off.

So how often do I change my needle?  I don’t have a hard and fast rule but here are some guidelines I follow:

• after I have emptied 2 bobbins if I am working on a large-ish project.
• if I am working on smaller projects or more than one project at a time, I change my needle after putting on a binding (I do both sides of the binding by machine, btw)
• starting a machine applique project
• starting a machine quilting project
• if I haven’t sewn in a while and cannot remember
• if I hit a pin while sewing (no, I do not always remember to remove my pins while sewing)
• if I hear “thunking” while sewing, I know I have waited way too long

So this is my first Tuesday Tip.  I plan to update very soon (are you asking where I have been?) with my latest projects and family events. 

Have a great week!

Where Did March Go?

March came in like a lion and went out like a cheetah!  A month that normally drags for me just slipped right by.  I didn’t even post my goals for the month; consequently very little got done.  I can say that I am back to my normal routine although I still have occasional twinges in my back.

So what did I accomplish?  I finished this top:

I just need to do the quilting.  It is from the Fat Quarter Quilts book by Lori Smith.  It is 16” x 20” and those triangles were tiny!

I also went to the quilt show in Lancaster with my friend Mimi.  I have no pictures!! My battery was dead-aargh!!!  The quilts were gorgeous, of course, and we did lots and lots of shopping.

We also got to see Eleanor Burns.  Her lecture was awesome and the next day, she was at her booth most of the day signing autographs.

And what did I buy?  Take a look:

I have my bag packed so full it split open!

This is everything in my guest room.

I got the kitties in black and white!

Christmas fabric from Zook’s in Intercourse.

A couple of kits.

My $3 a yard specials-I got 3 yards of each.

Some new rulers and such- I am a sucker for notions!

And some new repros.

I had better get to work fun!