Sixteen Patch Quilt Blocks

The sixteen patch quilt blocks can be simplified by using a rotary cutter with a cutting mat and straight edge. Once you determine the size of the squares in your block, add 1/2 inch to each dimension. If you want four inch squares, you will cut your squares at 4 1/2 inches. You only need two colors or shades of fabric to make the sixteen patch blocks. Sashing may be added in an additional color or colors after you put the block(s) together.

The number of blocks you will need is determined by the size quilt you are making. For a sixteen patch quilt block to be used as a wall hanging you will need a quarter yard of each of your two fabric choices. This will make one block that is 16 inches by 16 inches square.

First: Cut your fabric into four and a half inch wide strips.

Second: Sew the strips together, alternating the two fabrics. For example, if you are making the blocks with a white fabric and a blue fabric, sew a 4-strip sets alternating white and blue. Press seams open.

Third: Place the 4-strip set on the cutting mat and cut it, running across the strips, to make four and a half inch wide strips that have alternating colors.

Fourth: Pin cut strips together in alternating colorways. Match white squares to blue squares, for example, and pin or baste seams together. Match edges.

Fifth: Stitch along basted or pinned edges, removing pins as they approach presser foot. Press seams open. Turn block over and press flat using ironing cloth.

Add sashing as desired and press. Quilt block is ready to be embellished with embroidery, beads, etc. or to be layered with batting and backing to make the classic "quilt sandwich" and secured with quilting. Embellish as desired.

If you are making a larger quilt, you will need approximately 1/4 yard per block. The finished blocks will be 16 by 16 inches. You will need to calculate how many blocks will be needed. Sashing is the strip of fabric between the squares. It may be the same fabric used in the block, or it may be a coordinating fabric. Decide how wide you want the sashing to be, then cut strips in that width by 16-1/2 inches. Stitch the sashing to each side of a block, then add a block to the far edge of a sashing strip. Continue until you have the width you need, adding a strip of sashing on the outside edge of the last block. Press seams.

Once you have assembled your sixteen patch blocks into strips the appropriate width, cut sashing strips to a length to fit the width of the quilt. Stitch a strip of this sashing to the top and the bottom of your quilt block strip. Press seams. Add another row of quilt blocks. Continue adding rows of quilt blocks until the quilt top is the desired length. Add sashing to the outside of the top and bottom row. Press seams. Check that quilt top lies flat.

Add sashing along the sides of the quilt top. Assemble the quilt sandwich. Baste quilt sandwich or place in non-baste frame and you are ready to quilt.

creativity

there are times when life compresses upon us
creativity flattens
the entire view of life becomes skewed
going through the motions of living
energy is fully expended in dealing with the current life emergency.

finally a sense of direction
knowing where to be
beginning to function again
lostness begins to resolve

the feeling of loss and brokenness will fade
creativity senses new hope
awakening as if from a long winter nap
it begins to move around, to seek inspiration

creativity will spring back to life
eagerly as it once did

Book Fairy Project Final

So - after much soul searching and locale-exploring I was at the library.  They had a lovely art show going on in the gallery.  I enjoyed the art and then was struck by a sudden urge - a feeling that this was the place to leave the 88th book from the 100 Books Project. 

I set the book on a bench, took a couple of pictures, and left hoping and praying that the "right Person" would be along shortly.  Hopefully we will hear something soon!

Birthday Bouquet

Petunias growing on the deck

branching out

I haven't posted in a while - partly because I've been busy attempting different types of art. Both sketches and watercolor have occupied my time as I have been going through "Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain" again. I have realized that when I am doing "right sided" activities, I either do not feel pain as much, or else I do not recognize it as much. I am not sure why - I kind of think it is still there, but my left-brain articulation is preoccupied and I don't notice it as much.

I have been to my first quilt show now - I was blown away. There were magnificent works of art there. Only one quilt was hand pieced and hand quilted. The detail work was amazing. In fact, the stitches were so straight and even that I was looking at it and believing it to be machine quilted until I read the notation about it. It was amazing.

Learning Curve

Totally enjoying Kim's stay-cation http://kimklassenstaycation.blogspot.com/ and learning SO MUCH!  I am a little slower than I want to be, but I think I am absorbing more this way - at least I hope so!

I now have a flickr page and have learned to upload to it.  I have seen SO much inspiration!  Even though photography as an art form has never been my thing, I am getting inspired to get some sort of Photo Shop and learn it!  The photos in the flickr pool are amazing!

Also seeing so many amazing "how-to's" I just can't get them all done at once - but I am totally loving it!

My inspiration has taken a different form today:
SOUL BIRTH
no matter what you try to use to bury what is in you,
what MUST COME OUT –
it will not go away
it may not choose to be born in a hostile environment
that would kill it –
but like a wildflower seed waiting for a rainy spring
it will wait,
hold itself in readiness, and then when it is time –
it will burst forth with all the power and energy
that has been building
and it WILL be as it was meant to BE
at this point you cannot hold it back any more
it comes as a baby that must be BORN!
Sharon Gunn McMahon 8/5/2010