Block 9: Cross shirring – Textured quilt sampler tutorial

Cross shirring closeup

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: cross shirring

Quilt size: The finished quilt is 52 ½ x 52 ½.

Needs:

one 7 in x 7 in square in cream / white
two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border

Making the cross shirring

Cut one 7 in x 7 in square.

Using a baste stitch start stitching at 1/4 inch from the edge in one straight line.

Continue to stitch at around 1/2 intervals until the end. No need to mark the lines. The last stitching line should also be 1/4 inch from the edge.

When finished, start pulling the bottom thread from each stitching line. Do this from each side. Spread the gathering all along the stitching line. Stop gathering the fabric once the width is 5 inches.

Do this for all stitching lines.

Now do the same as before but in the opposite direction.

Again, pull the bottom thread of each stitching line and gather the fabric until you reach 5 inches width.

Make your square edges as straight as possible so it is easy to attach the border to it and the block irons as flat as possible.

Cut two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border and sew to the centre square.

Your block is done!

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 9th block in a series of 25 exploring texture in fabric.

Each block is made out of a centre 5 inch square featuring some fabric texture such as pin tucks, smocking, shirring and the like. Then a 3 1/2 wide border encloses each centre square.

The colour scheme is red and white/cream alternating reds and white/cream for the centre square and border.

Some of the textures show better on plain colours than on heavily patterned fabric.

See all Textured quilt sampler tutorials for this quilt.