Farmer’s Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 13, 14, 41 and 45

My quicker-than-quick version of block 41 - Granny (details below)

This weeks blocks for the Very Kerry Berry sew along are two that I have already made for the Gnome Angel sew-along ......

Block 13 – Belle.  English paper-pieced. 

Block 13 - Belle

Block 14 – Betty.  Patched. 

Block 14 - Betty

For the Gnome Angel sew-along we added another two blocks.  First up was Block 41 – Granny.  I paper-pieced this block and took a very quick shortcut.  

Block 41 - Granny

Here is how I simplified the paper-piecing construction ..... (note:  you will need the templates from the Farmer's Wife 1930s book – the diagrams shown here are for illustration purposes only and are not to scale).

Print out the eight paper-piecing templates that are on the CD that came with the book and cut out each one. Stick the templates together (A to H, C to B, D to E and F to G) to create four corner units that should look like this:

Join the templates to create four corner units.
(Do not print this diagram - it is not to scale or size.  Use the templates that come with the book)

Next you need to draw a line that runs from the corner of the square up to the diagonal as shown by the dotted line below. 

Draw a line from the corner to the diagonal.
(This diagram is not to scale or size.  Use the templates that come with the book)

Then it is a case of simply paper-piecing each corner unit in the following sequence.  Sections 2 and 3 are the same fabric whilst square 1 is a contrasting fabric (see the book for details).

Paper-piece the block in the order given - just two seams.
Use the templates that come with the book - this diagram is not to scale or size.

I have marked the four sections on my photo below so that you can see how it goes together.   

The other block was Block 45 – Jenny.  I patched this block using quick corners. You can find a tutorial over at She Quilts a Lot showing how.

Block 45 - Jenny

It was a simple make and I posted a photo to my Instagram feed.  People were too polite to mention that I had stitched a corner the wrong way round but once I spotted it I was able to just spin the corner.

Block 45 - Naughty Jenny - see that top right-hand corner!

I have set up a page for all my Farmer’s Wife 1930 blocks (see tab above) and will be adding to this collection every week.  Alternatively you could head on over to my Farmer’s Wife Pinterest board.

Until next time...... 

Halloween Coasters and Mug Rugs

Brighten the Halloween table with mug rug fun

A simple way to celebrate special days and seasonal fun is to add a coaster or mug rug to your table, desk or nightstand.  Children especially enjoy having their own holiday mug rug.

Over the years I have created many Halloween patterns from bats to witches .....

Halloween Witch Mug Rug

......... to cats .......

Moonlit Cat Mug Rug - Scaredy Cat version

........ to ghosts  .....

Ghostly Duo Mug Rug

..... and let us not forget the Halloween pumpkins ....

Pumpkin Patch Mug Rug with Halloween templates

You can find all these patterns are more in my Etsy Store.    And if time is really short you can use them to create a little fabric coaster from two 5" charm squares - perfect for a Halloween party or a child’s bedside table. 

One Bat from my Halloween pattern book

But another way to add a touch of fabric fun to your home is to create a shaped coaster like this ghostly apparition .....

Ghostly Coaster

And here is how it is done .......

1.   First - choose your fabric (the hardest part of any task for me!).  For each Ghostly coaster you will need:

                   One 6" square

                   Two 3½" x 6" rectangles

                   One 6" square of batting
                   One 6" square of fusible webbing

                   Fabric for your ghost 

                   Ghostly Duo mug rug pattern 

(Tip:  I cut my ghosts from an old white linen table cloth as it is a bit thicker than quilting fabric and I know it will wash well.)

2.  Fold under the 6” edge of one of the rectangles of fabric as shown and press.

3.  Applique a ghost onto the center of the 6” fabric square following the instructions in the pattern.  Place batting behind the appliqued square and quilt around the ghost. 

Applique and quilt one ghost from the Ghostly Duo Mug Rug pattern

4.  Next lay the two backing rectangles right sides facing upwards, so that the rectangle with the folded edge overlaps the other rectangle slightly, creating a 6” square (the folded edge should lie on top).

5.  Place the appliquéd ghost square on top – right side facing downwards.  Pin to secure.

You should be able to see the quilted line quite easily.  

6.  Now stitch all the way around the ghost, approximately ½” outside of the quilted line.  Accuracy is not essential and smooth corners will work better than pointy ones. 

7.  Once you have stitched all the way around - trim all layers approximately ¼” from the outline stitching.  Take care not to snip any stitches.

8.  Turning out is simple because of the overlapping back.  

(I run my Clover Turner all along the inside of the seam to ensure it is fully turned out.) 

Pink Ghostly Coaster

9.  Give the ghoulish coaster a good pressing and slip-stitch the envelope back closed. 

Easy?  You bet.  So much so you could whip up a whole gang of ghoulish ghosts for your children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and ... oh yes, yourself.  This method would also work well for other shapes.

Perfect for those Halloween cocktails

And if you would prefer a book of Halloween mug rug patterns you will find a paperback version on Amazon or a PDF version in my Etsy store. 

Halloween & Thanksgiving Mug Rug Booklet

Until next time ..... enjoy the Halloween fun and games and keep safe.

Farmer’s Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 11, 12, 49, 78 and 94

Block 78 - Old Maid  

Another week and more Farmer's Wife blocks.  The blocks for the Very Kerry Berry sew-along were .... 

Block 11 – Bea.  Paper-pieced.  My notes in the book read: “Went together well.  Only just 6½ .”

Farmer's Wife Block 11 - Bea 

Block 12 – Becky.  Patched.  “Easy, very easy.  Great stash buster.”

Farmer's Wife Block 12 - Becky  

For the Gnome Angel sew-along there were three blocks this week:

Block 49 – Katherine.  I patched this block using quick corner triangles.  “Very easy patchwork.  Pretty Block.”

Farmer's Wife Block 49 - Katherine

Block 78 – Old Maid.  Initially I attempted to make this block using the templates provided on the CD.  However, due to the bias diagonal cuts I lost my points so I reverted back to the tried-and-tested paper-piecing.  I noted that it was important to “leave papers on when stitching sections or you will lose your points.”  So I did and it turned out lovely.

Farmer's Wife Block78 - Old Maid 

Block 94 – Susannah.  Like block 49 this was patched using those versatile quick corner triangles and a little bit of strip patchwork.  “Nice easy strip patchwork.”

Farmer's Wife Block 94 - Susanna

If you want to see all my Farmer’s Wife blocks in one place then head over to my Farmer’s Wife Pinterest board or click on the Farmer's Wife 1930s tab at the top of the page.

Until next time...... 

Farmer's Wife 1930s Quilt Blocks 9, 10, 13 and 24

Block 10 - Ava

This weeks Very Kerry Berry sew-along blocks were:

Block 9 – Autumn.  Paper-pieced.  My notes in the book read: “Take papers off to join sections – it gives a little bit of ‘wiggle’ room that paper never can.  Perfectly to size.”  This block turned out a little too busy for my liking. 

Block 9 - Autumn

Block 10 – Ava.  Paper-pieced the four corner blocks – patched the center and patched the block together.  Notes read:  “Okay block – nothing special.”  This is then scribbled out and replaced with “Changed my mind – really like.”  Sometimes a block just takes a day or two to grow on me!

Block 10 - Ava

For the Gnome Angel sew-along the two blocks were:

Block 13 – Belle.  I EPPed (English paper-pieced) this block prior to starting the sew-along to see if I would be able to mix-and-match techniques.  I found out I can, with a little help from the quilting community as my notes reflect:  “Jo at My Bear Paw showed me how to recover the ¼” seam allowance.  Neat.”  Now the block can be stitched into place alongside the paper-pieced and patched blocks.

Block 13 - Belle

And here is Block 13 Belle with the seam allowance recovered (just take out the tacking stitches around the outside of the block or, if you glued the templates in place gently pull the fabric away from the paper and press your seam allowance open): 

Block 13 - Belle with seam allowance.

The last block is Block 24 – Coral - a simple eight-point star with an off-center patch in the middle.  Gotta say I didn’t like the look of this block prior to patching it and I still don’t.  Notes read: “An ‘odd’ looking block.  Not one I like or will include in my finished quilt.”   I don't think it fits in with the other blocks in the book - most of which are symmetrical.

Block 24 - Coral

I have completed quite a few of the other blocks too – your can find them all on my Farmer's Wife Pinterest board.

Until next time...... 

Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Blocks 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 14, 16 and 20

Block 20 - Caroline

Well the Farmer’s Wife 1930s sew-along over at Gnome Angel got over to a chaotic start due to there being over 4000 participants – WOWEE!  But all is settling down now with two blocks every week. 

The order of the blocks for each sew-along is different so I shall post the blocks I have made for both sew-alongs this past fortnight.  Below you will find a picture together with the journal notes for each block. 

Block 5 - Anne.  Paper-pieced.  “Made slight error in fabric placement but block is still pretty.”

Farmer's Wife Block 5 - Anne 

Block 6 - April.  Paper-pieced.  “A lot of work.  Important to have pieces marked with colour as it is easy to get muddled.”
Tip:  If paper-piecing you can combine E4 and E5 into one piece and F3 and F4 into one piece.

Farmer's Wife Block 6 - April 

Block 7 – Augusta–the-First.  Paper-pieced.  “6¼” finished which is disappointing as it was a lot of work.“ 

Farmer's Wife Block 7 - Augusta-the-First. 

I remade this block using Very Kerry Berry’s wonderful tips and the paper-pieced Augusta-the-second turned out to the correct size of 6½" ......

Farmer's Wife Block 7 - Augusta-the-Second 

Block 8 - Aunt.  Patchwork.  "Easy patchwork block."

Farmer's Wife Block 8 - Aunt 

Block 12 - Becky.  Patchwork.  “Easy – very easy. Great stash buster.”

Farmer's Wife Block 12 - Becky 

Block 14 - Betty.  Patchwork.   “Quick and easy patchwork using half-square triangles”.

Farmer's Wife Block 14 - Betty 

Block 16 - Bonnie.  Patchwork.  “Easy to patch.”

Farmer's Wife Block 16 - Bonnie 

Block 20 - Caroline.  Patchwork.  “Easy patchwork using half-square-triangles.  Very pretty – love it.”  If you want to patch this block with easy half-square-triangles then this tutorial from Elven Garden will show you how.

Farmer's Wife Block 20 - Caroline 

Now the sew-alongs are settling down I shall post each week showing the four blocks made that week from both groups.  If you want to have a gander of my blocks so far you can pop over to my Pinterest board . 

Until next time ........