Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along Part 1, The Magic Begins, HSts

Hello Folks,

It's time for the first installment of the Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along.  For your convenience, I have a link-party and flickr pool at the bottom for you to share your progress with the QAL group.

The magic begins--we're going to change all of those charm squares into half-square triangles (HSTs).  I am a big fan of chain piecing so I sew all of my squares into HSTs all at once.  However, you may want to "take it easy" and sew one block at a time.  This will mean that you will need to start each block by selecting 8 prints from your charm square collection and 8 white (or back-ground color of your choice) 5" pre-cut squares.

Note: Charm squares are pre-cut to 5", including the serrated (pinking-shears looking) edge which leaves a useable size of 4 7/8".  If you are using your stash, cut your squares into 4 7/8".

Here we go:

• Draw a diagonal line down the center of all of the white charm squares.  This will become your cut-line later on. I use a regular pencil for this.

  

  There are two ways I like to do this.  I like to use a drafting ruler with a right triangle at the bottom.  If your fabrics move, place them on a piece of sandpaper to avoid the stretch.  The two yellow pins show where I plan to sew both  1/4" seams.

Another way is to align your fabric on your rotary cutter mat with its right-triangle (45 degree) angle and draw the cut-line.

• With right sides facing, layer one white (or back-ground color) 5-inch charm square on top of your 5-inch  charm square print.
• Sew a 1/4 inch seam on both sides of the drawn line.

  

  I like to chain-piece these.  To do this, take a pile of white-marked squares and a pile of prints to the sewing machine.  Sew one 1/4" seam as shown--not cutting thread, and align the next one.  When all one side is over,  rotate the chain around (last is now first) and sew the other side.

Close-up of the 1/4" seam away from the cutting line.

• After both sides are sewn, cut these in half on the drawn line.  I use scissors, but it is more commonly done using a rotary cutter and mat.

• Press all squares open and toward the print fabric.
  

If you are using charm squares, ignoring the serrated edges, you will now have 4 1/2" HSTs--ready to be made into our various sampler blocks.  If this bothers you, trim off all serrated edge to a finished size of 4 1/2".  I've done it both ways.  If you choose to trim them, it is more likely that you will get sharper points in your sampler.

I hope you've enjoyed this first installment.  Don't be afriad to ask comments below and when you're ready, I'd love to see you share your pictures on my flickr pool.  Thanks!

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<a href="http://moderntraditionquilts.blogspot.com" title="Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQUYYoNu4QavbsYY-1Mdr801citK1JNlmeCnxkkGGovkvuiR1hO9zX2kNRdANUmspR21fQmn9i1x6v371eY65d9hHozBhD3WK7twCbsiirUnZPLVw6-6vxxCfBE44FgAr4EwwgC111DlP/w214-h212-p-no/" alt="Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

An InLinkz Link-up

Charm Square Sampler Quilt Along

A special thank-you goes out to the Grab My Code Generator so I could make this Quilt A Long (QAL) button.  This really is the fastest and easiest way to create a blog button.

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<a href="http://moderntraditionquilts.blogspot.com" title="Charm Square Sampler Quilt A Long"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQUYYoNu4QavbsYY-1Mdr801citK1JNlmeCnxkkGGovkvuiR1hO9zX2kNRdANUmspR21fQmn9i1x6v371eY65d9hHozBhD3WK7twCbsiirUnZPLVw6-6vxxCfBE44FgAr4EwwgC111DlP/w214-h212-p-no/" alt="Charm Square Sampler Quilt A Long" style="border:none;" /></a></div>

I am flattered by the interest shown after Monday's announcement and grateful that some of you are going to join in.

I had a nice email asking me the "rules" for the QAL.  In short, I don't have any.  If you would like to copy the code and paste a button on your blog, that is great.  If it is a daunting task to do so, then don't worry about it.  I'm doing the QAL for fun--not for publicity.  It's simply my next pattern to be developed and thought I would share it for you.

Also, I do not "expect" you to purchase the pattern.  As with my other QAL, all of the instructions will be posted here.

FYI, I started a flickr pool for easy photo sharing of projects.  I would love for you to join and share your blocks and progress there.

Lastly, some folks have asked for a schedule.  Here is my TENTATIVE schedule. I am sorry that it is tentative, but I figured you would understand.  I am doing a Master's Degree right now, juggling 4 kids and it is their basketball season--so not a lot of free time around here!  The plan is to construct one block a week (not too bad, right?).

I will post every Saturday with the next week's instructions.  Here is the planned schedule:

January 10--How to change your charm squares into Half-Square Triangles (HSTs)--the Magic begins!  (wink wink)
January 17--Block 1
January 24--Block 2
January 31--Block 3
February 7--Block 4
February 14--Block 5 & Happy Valentine's Day!
February 21--Block 6
February 28--Block 7
March 7--Catch-up week and Happy Birthday to Me!  I will be featured on Moda Bake Shop this week with another pre-cut fabrics quilt tutorial.
March 14--Block 8
Block 9 & Celebrate all of our blocks being sewn
March 21--Block 9 & Celebrate all of our  blocks being sewn.
March 28--Sewing the Settting Sashing
April 4--Add the Borders

I separated this into 12 sections.  Why?  Because if you don't want to do the whole quilt in three months, you could do just one block a month and have a great project at the end of this year.

Here is your Fabric Requirements:

• 2 packages charm squares in your favorite print (pre-cut 5" squares).  Now, if you want to use your stash, cut strips of 4 7/8" and cut these into 4 7/8" squares.  Why?  Well, charm squares contain a serrated edge, which makes their useable size 4 7/8".
• 2 packages white (or background color of choice) charm squares (pre-cut 5").  Also, if you're using your stash, follow the instructions above.
• 2 yards white (or color of choice) fabric for the sashing.
• 2 1/4 yards print fabric for the outer border.

When I design a quilt, I don't always know what color I want to create it in--which is what make QAL's so fun!  I get to see the quilts worked up in multiple colorways.  This quilt could also make a great stash-buster.

Print this off and color your own!

Denim and Blues

Heirloom Reds

Modern rainbow colors and grays.

Stash-buster!

I am going to use the Honeysweet collection from Moda Fabrics.

Reproduction prints--a similar colorway to my Honeysweet Moda Fabrics Collection.

Well, I hope that is enough information for now.  Thank you for your excitement over this project.  It means a lot to me.  When I did my first QAL, I never got a single comment on any of the posts!  My second QAL, got comments but I don't think anyone actually sewed the project, so those of you that have expressed your excitement and commitment, know that it means a lot.

Happy Quilting!