Those wonderful Tula Pink Blocks

Sew.............

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Our local Modern-ish quilt group is sewing blocks from Tula Pink's

 "City Sampler 100 Modern Quilt Blocks"  

 If you are unfamiliar with the book, it was published in 2013 and has been very popular with ALL quilters.. 

The blocks range from "very easy" to "pay serious attention!"

 All the blocks finish 6 inches square. They lend themselves to some fun fussy cutting and using up small pieces......

I have 25 blocks made from Tula's fabric collection 

"Slow and Steady" (rabbits and snails, of course!)

 and I plan to use them in a spring table topper..

(check back and see if I do!)

But, this past month I have been have a great time, resizing the blocks to 3 inch finished and making a doll bed quilt.. 

The fabrics are a fun mixture of vintage feed sacks, vintage tablecloths and hand towels,

 and hand dyed solids from http://cherrywoodfabrics.bigcartel.com/ and http://www.starrfabrics.com/. 

I fussy cut some of the embroidery from the vintage linens.

 If you are unfamiliar with fussy cutting...watch this....

How to "Fussycut" Fabric for a Quilt - YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mS3BCfko6B

The white linen sashing is from a curtain that I bought at IKEA.
 (I don't recommend using this..it is a very loose weave which is great for curtains, but  difficult to handle for quiltmaking).
I fussy cut some of the embroidery from the vintage linens.

The white linen sashing is from a curtain that I bought at IKEA and had to shorten..
 (I don't recommend using this..it is a very loose weave which is great for curtains, but  difficult to handle for quiltmaking).
I fussy cut some of the embroidery from the vintage linens.

The top is done, and I have been considering how to quilt it..  My friend Julie who I have worked with for 20 years, convinced me that hand quilting in a simple pattern is the answer. I wasn't planning to spend that much time, but, she is right...

 Sew... How do you resize? The math is simple, and the easiest thing to do is make a reference chart.  
Sample:
Cut size             less 1/2" (seam allowance)     Divide by 2           Add  (1/2") seam allowance

 1"                        1/2"                                            1/4"                          3/4"

1 1/2"                     1                                               1/2"                           1"

and so on up to 6 1/2" 

Then..there are the measurements for triangles
Cut size             less 7/8" (seam allowance)      Divide by 2          Add  (7/8") seam allowance

1 7/8"                   1"                                              1/2"                     1 3/8"
and so on..... 

Mini blocks are a bit more difficult to handle.. 
I like to use a scant 1/4" seam, and a finer thread 
(auriful 100% cotton, or Mettler 60wt also cotton are my favorites for minis). 
Press carefully without stretching....
Some quilters use spray starch or sizing  before cutting.... it is helpful if you are having trouble keeping things straight..

Have a great week....Sew something new.. and  Go, Eagles!