Creating the first block

Here's a "how to" for the first block to help you get started.  If you look at the block, you can break it up into four smaller blocks.  Upper left, upper right, lower left and lower right.

Please make sure that you either press with an iron after sewing each seam or "finger" press each seam after you sew.  I usually press both seam allowances to one side instead of opening up both seams and pressing them. 

The upper left is the easiest.  Cut out a 3 1/2" square from white fabric and a 3 1/2 " square from a light colored fabric.  The cut each piece diagonally.

Sew a white and a light piece (right sides together) on the long side of the triangle using a 1/4" seam allowance. 

For the other three small blocks, you will need to cut out the following:

Three 1 1/2" yellow squares:



For the dark gray pieces, two 1 1/2" squares and three 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" rectangles:

 For the black pieces, cut out two 1 1/2" squares and three 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" rectangles.  Then cut the 1 1/2" squares diagonally:

For the white and light gray pieces, cut one 2 1/2" square each, cut the squares diagonally then cut one triangle from each in half again.  For the medium gray, cut two 2 1/2" squares and cut diagonally:

Now you can lay out all the pieces to match up with the block design so you can see how to sew them together:

 Starting with a yellow square, a triangle of dark gray and a traingle of black, sew together like this:

Add a rectangle of dark gray to one side then a rectangle of black to the other side:

Add a medium gray triangle to the bottom right corner:

Add a light gray triangle to the top left corner:

Sew the upper left block to the upper right block together along the side seams. 

Sew the two lower blocks together using the same method as you sewed the upper right block.  Just make sure that you take into accout the different pieces used in the upper left corners of each.

Lower right:

Lower left:

Sew the two lower blocks together along the side seam.  Sew the upper blocks to the lower blocks together.  Here's what it looks like when it's finished with the sides trimmed and squared:

Until next Sunday when I will post the next block, Happy Sewing!!!

Let's get this party started!!

My vacation lasts a little longer than I expected.  It rained the one day I was at the beach, so I stayed a little longer :D.

Anyway, down to business; the supply list for the mystery quilt.  Hopefully, you will have fabric on hand for the blocks so you won't have to purchase any.

Here's a little hint as to what we will be creating, think The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh.  The sky at twilight with the various shades of the sky and the buildings.

Border 1: 1/4 yard

Border 2: 1 3/4 yard

Backing: 1 2/3 yards (make sure the fabric is at least 44" wide without the selvages otherwise you will need two additional scraps 3" x 60")

Binding: 1/2 yard

For the blocks, you will need at least 12 different 1/8 yard pieces of fabric.  Here's the color key for the blocks:

white - lightest colored scraps - example - white on white
light gray - examples - ecrus, light blues, light greys
medium gray - examples - reds, tans, medium greys, greens, blues, violets
dark gray - examples - browns, purples, dark greys, dark greens
black - very dark colored scraps examples - eggplants, forest greens, maroons,
yellow - warm prints to simulate starlight and window lights

And here's the first block (Garret Windows), make one, finished size 6 1/4" x 6 1/4" (includes a 1/4 seam allowance):

Here's the color code for this block; see above for color suggestions.

white = white or lighest colored scraps

light gray = use light/medium colored scraps

medium gray = use medium colored scraps

dark gray = use medium/dark colored scraps

black = use darkest colored scraps

yellow = starlight/window lights

I'm still available to anyone who wants to meet up on Sunday, July 10th.  If you find you can't understand my directions or need any additional help, feel free to send me an email; crazyseams@gmail.com 

Final thought, I really hope none of you have seen this before LOL!  If you have, please don't spoil it.  I will reveal the site I borrowed this mystery quilt from when we complete all the blocks.

Have fun and happy quilting!!!