March Instructions - 1.5" Challenge Quilt

Challenge Quilt 2012

(1.5 Inch Squares)

March

When working with tiny pieces like this, there are three important things:

Accurate cutting

Accurate seam allowances

If you are careful with rhese three things, ,h. ftr:i,T?fi illtJil:,*ing seams and lie flat. rf not, there win be

trouble all the way.

If you don't have a l/4" presser foot, measure carefully from the needle and put a piece of masking tape or moleskin at exactly 114". Take the time to sew a few pieces and measure, just to be sure you,re right on the mark' There are so many seams in this quilt that just a tiny difference can make a huge difference in

JUSI a Iew seams.

This month we are going to be working with the dark colors.

Cut all the darks into 2" strips' If you're using fat quarters, cut them the longest way (abou t22,, long) for the most efficient use of fabric. If you're using scraps iro. you, stash, just cut iir.rn ,o your strips are fairly close to the same length as each other.

You will be sewing the strips into sets, then cutting the strip sets into 2 inchstrips. Here is a chartof what you

will need when you're finished:

50 2 inch squares

4 strips of l0

l0 strips of 9

93 strips of 8

l0 strips of 7

14 strips of 6

10 strips of 5

198 strips of 4 (put | 84 of them into a zip lock bag. Keep l4 with the dark strip sets)

10 strips of 3

14 strips of 2

1 ' Sew the strip sets' Sew just enough of each set so you will be able to cut the required number of strips

from the strip sets.

2. After you have sewn enough strips, press the seams in one direction.

3. Cut the number of required 2" strips from the strip sets.

Note: It is sometimes possible to remove a strip to get some of the next size down. For example, after you

have cut 4 strips from the sets of 10, just remove one strip and cut sets of 9. Or, you could g.i t*o sets of 5,

etc. The point is that sometimes you will be able to get more than the required number from the strip sets. Of

course, for some of the sets, you will be making many, many strip sets in order to cut the number you need.

Organize your strip sets into convenient piles or bags. I like to use a cookie sheet or box lid, but zip lock bags

can work just great.

Next month we will use the strips to construct parts.