Delilah Quilt - Block 11

Month 11 of the Delilah Quilt is the Princess Cut block.  This is a 6-inch block with 32 pieces!  The construction isn't difficult but it is very time-consuming.  For tips on how to construct this block check out my Princess Cut tutorial post.

Here's the final round-up of my nine blocks.

Click here for more great Delilah Quilt inspiration, or visit my Delilah page to see additional blocks.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Busy Hands Quilts. 

Princess Cut Tutorial - Delilah Block 11

The Princess Cut block (Delilah Block 11) isn't terribly difficult to piece together, but it does take some accuracy and precision to get everything lined up well.  I've put together a series of photos with some tips for getting accurate points and matching seams.  If you're going to take a few hours for each block, might as well get it right!

These tips assume that you are machine piecing and that all seams are pressed open.  Also, you have to sew over your pins to keep everything lined up.  Do this at your own risk.  I use fine pins and go very slowly with a short stitch length.  I chain piece all of the pieces together until I have the eight triangle units formed.  Once you get to this point you need to start pinning. 

The best way to get points matching up on this block is to use your pins in two specific ways.  Using two triangle units, put your pin directly through the tips of your points from the back of one unit into the front of the other unit and then all the way through.  Take your time lining up the points.  Then push the pin head all the way down to the fabric and 'nest' the fabrics together.  Once you have the fabrics in the right spot, the second step is to put a pin on each side of that seam/point.

Remove the pin that is pushed through.  Next line up the two ends and pin.  Lastly, check the alignment of the remaining seam join and put a pin on each side of the seam.  Fold down your fabric a quarter inch to make sure you have the seam perfectly matched. 

When you sew the seam watch for the small triangle which will indicate where the point is on the inside.  Make sure you sew your 1/4 inch just below the point, do not sew over the point.

Repeat four times to join the eight triangle units.  Now you will have four square units.  Use the same pinning techniques to match the squares together as shown below.  Start by matching the corner points with the pushed through pin.  

For the two halves, you will need to push through three pins, one for the center point of the pinwheel, and one at each corner.

Then put two pins on both sides of each pushed through pin to match the points, then remove the three pushed through pins.  Next match the seams for the outside edges of the pinwheel squares by using two pins on each side of the seam.  You will need ten pins in total here. 

Sew the last seam to join both halves.  There you have it, points and seams matched through the use of expert pinning and slow sewing.

Good luck with your Princess Cut blocks, can't wait to see what you make!

2018 Finish-A-Long Quarter 1

The 2018 Finish-A-Long has started and I'm going to make a short list for the first quarter.  I try to limit my WIPs but I do have a few, so here goes.

There is a (very small) chance that I might have all of my Delilah quilt done since February is the last month of this template of the month program.  We'll see how it goes.  If you're working on this also, check this out for more inspiration. 

I actually have this quilt almost finished, it's a big king sized bed quilt.  I need to make binding and then finish it.

I'm adding this back on my list.  I have about three quarters of the triangles cut out, so I'll keep working on that.

Last is my AMH scrappy trip.  I still need to get this sewn together and I may try to embellish it a little, so I don't think I'll get back to it this quarter, but it's a good reminder to put it on this list.

Thank you to the 2018 FAL hosts.  Here's to a lot of finishes for everyone participating!

Link up here to participate for Quarter 1.  

Mayflower Tutorial - Delilah Block 10

I've noticed a little bit of a slowdown with the Delilah crowd lately and I can't say I blame anyone...this program continues to be a challenge.  Last month's Sprinkled Delight was full of small curves.  Mayflower, block 10, seems easier but requires y-seams.  Directions for the month state "This block includes a Y seam, so you may find hand piecing easier for each block."  Well, I'm committed to doing this thing completely by machine, so this was another time to figure out a construction method for the block on my own.  I've come up with some steps that might help if you're also machine piecing.  Even though this is December's block, I think people are still catching up, so I hope this helps a bit!

Cut out all the template pieces to make your block.  Place T40 on top of T39 as below.  Mark the bottom point on T40.  Starting at the top, sew down to the marked point and backstitch two stitches.  Press seam open.  Repeat with one other T40 and T39 piece.  If you are using two fabrics for T39, repeat with same fabric.  

Next, line up your second T39 piece on top of the first unit as shown below.  Turn over, sew from bottom point into seam with your needle down (will be at 1/4 mark).  Lift presser foot, and pivot the top fabric to line up with the bottom.  Lower the presser foot and stitch to the end.  Press seam open.  Repeat to make two units.  

Take one of your units and two T40 pieces.  Mark both T40 pieces at the bottom point.  Sew one T40 to the right side of the unit starting at the top and stopping and backstitching at the point.  Press seam open.  Add the second T40 piece to the same unit on the left side, starting with needle down at the point mark and sewing to the end.  Press seams open.  

Now you should have two units as shown below.  

Lay the smaller unit on top of the larger one with the T39 piece on top of the bottom T40 piece, matching up the sides as shown.

Holding the units together at the bottom, flip it over so that the bottom is now at the top and so that the larger piece now has the open seams facing you.  Start sewing from the top and stop and pivot (needle down) at the 1/4 inch point.  Sew across the center and match up the center seam as you go, stopping with your needle down right in the next 1/4 inch seam join.  Pivot again, match up the fabrics and sew to the end.  Keep a true 1/4 inch seam as you sew and line up each side carefully as you pivot.  Sew across to join both units.  Press open.

Add your four corner triangles and that's it!  

I'd love to hear how your Delilah blocks are coming along.  Are you hand piecing or machine piecing?  Can't wait to see your Mayflower blocks - Happy New Year and happy sewing!

Linking up with Busy Hands Quilts.