Month 6: Mary Fielding Smith

This month's pioneer sister is Mary Fielding Smith. We introduced this block at our work meeting last night, and several sisters brought their first 5 completed blocks and got a prize! If you weren't able to join us, be sure and pick up her story and pattern on Sunday.  We will try and have another work meeting so stay tuned, and hopefully you can join us next time.

Her block is Duck & Ducklings:

                 

To make this block, cut your squares as directed, then cut most of them in half diagonally, except for the center square.

Make four units using one dark triangle and one light triangle like this:

Then add another triangle and stitch along the straight edge of the dark triangle, make four. Press this triangle out, then repeat the process for the other side.

Your finished triangle units should look like this: (the left is sewn together, the right one isn't which is why it looks bigger)

Sew these units to the large triangle, forming a square.

Follow the diagram in the instructions to put the block together. Call me if you need help!  I always have a sewing machine out and ready if you want to come by and have me help you.

A peek at the finished top!

This top was made by Kathryn L.  This is one way to set your quilt, notice that she has made two of some blocks in order to make it a decent size. The duplicate blocks are made in different colors so they are tricky to spot, and you don't notice that there are actually two the same! This quilt top is approximately 50" by 62.5" and could easily be made larger by adding a border or two. I hope this inspires you!

Patience Loader

Patience is one of my ancestors, one of Amy and James' many children. She emigrated from England with her family and joined the Martin Handcart company in 1856.

Her block is the Patience block:

 

This is still your basic 9 patch construction.  After you have cut your pieces, assemble your flying geese units like this: layer one 3" square on top of one rectangle and sew corner to corner as seen in the photo below (top piece).  Flip the corner back and press, then trim out the excess fabric.  Repeat for the other side of the rectangle, also shown below.  Make four of these flying geese units.

Assemble your block and sew together in rows and press:

Sew your rows together and press to complete your block!  Email me or call if you need help. It has been suggested that you may want to make 2 of each block because this will make your quilt large enough.  Making two at a time is really no more difficult than making one, trust me!

Month 3: Sarah Alexander/Wagon Tracks

Our November meeting was a dinner, and we decided not to present a block that evening.  You may pick up your handout from me on Sunday, I will have them with me! Here is the tutorial for the Sarah Alexander block, or Wagon Tracks.

This block is put together much the same way as the previous two, in a basic nine patch formation.  You will be making 4 half square triangle units in your dark and light fabrics, and 5 four patch units, using small squares in your medium and light fabrics.

The final look is all in how these units are placed, so be sure and follow the diagram carefully as you sew your units together!

A more detailed tutorial will be posted soon, comment if you need me to do that!

Month 2: Lucy Mack Smith/New Hampshire Granite Rock

October's block is in honor of Lucy Mack Smith, called the New Hampshire Granite block.  Here is a brief tutorial in case you missed our fun apple meeting, or need a refresher!

 

After cutting your pieces as directed, take your dark squares and your small light squares.  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the small squares, then place this in one corner of the dark squares, then stitch on the drawn line.  Flip it back and press.  Repeat for the opposite corner, then the other two corners. Make four.

Next, sew your rectangles together, one of each color. Make four.

Put your rows together like the diagram on the instructions and press. You are finished with block 2!

FAQ

I have had a few questions, and I am excited that so many of you are going to participate!


Q. How many blocks will there be?

A.  12.  The biographies and quilt block demos will be presented at each monthly Tuesday night Relief Society meeting. So be sure and attend so you get your patterns, and so that you may get tips on construction your blocks.


Q.  How much fabric should I buy for my blocks?

A.  A good start will be to buy 12 fat quarters, a mix of light, medium and dark fabrics.  A fat quarter is a precut section of fabric that measures 18" by 22".


Q.  How much fabric should I buy for the rest of the quilt;  sashing, back, and binding?

A.  This will depend on how you set (lay out) your blocks.  In a future post I will make specific suggestions for this, but let's focus on the fat quarters for the blocks for now.


Q.  What if I don't have a sewing machine?

A.  These blocks are easily hand pieced, or you may borrow a machine from me. ;)


Q.  Where is a good place to buy quilt fabric?

A.  Any quilt store will have a fine selection of fabric suitable for quilting. K &H Quilt Shoppe in Kaysville, Quilter's Attic in Bountiful, Sweet Lavender in Roy, My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe in Logan, and Quilter's Haven in Bountiful are all great shops.  Bennion Crafts in Kaysville has quilting fabric, and sales and coupons.

A Beginning!

The first block of our Pioneer Women quilt is a nine patch, in honor of Eliza R. Snow.  It is a simple block meant to get you started! Please refer to your instructions on how to construct the block.  In future posts there will be tutorials for you to use as a reference.

If you are just starting out in quilting, there are a few points to remember:  Always use a 1/4" seam allowance when sewing your pieces together.  A rotary cutter and mat will yield the most precise pieces, and take care when pressing not to distort your units and blocks and press to the dark whenever possible.

Try to make each month's blocks as it is presented so you won't fall behind!  I am excited to take this journey with you as we make our quilts and learn more about or pioneer women heritage.