Block 11: Star gathering – Textured quilt sampler tutorial

Closeup

This block requires hand sewing.

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: star gathering

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

Needs:

• one 7 in x 7 in square in white
• two 5 in x 3 ½ in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 ½ in rectangles for the border
• matching stranded cotton

Making the star gathering

Cut one 7in x 7in square and mark it in a grid at 2 in intervals alternating in rows on the wrong side of the fabric. See drawing below.

The circles are 3/8 in in diameter. They are spaced 2 inches apart from top to bottom and 1 inch apart from left to right.

I drew the circles by hand though you could use a template. I don’t think it will show in the result if the circle is not perfect.

You will notice I drew double circles. This is so because I started with 1/4 inch circles and they turned out too small so I drew them larger.

Now, following the circle lines start stitching with a running stitch. When you reach the starting knot, pull the thread very tight to make a very small puff and then secure the thread by making two more stitches on top of the last one and cut the thread.

I stitched all the puffs on the diagonal though it doesn’t matter how you stitch your puffs.

This is the reverse side of the square.

This is the right side.

Stretch the square on to some padded board or iron table and pin. Then use the iron to steam the square really well without pressing. This is enough to flatten the piece and preserve the nice gathering.

This is what the square looks like after steaming.

The texture is quite subtle because the circles are only 3/8.

And the back.

Now let’s trim the square to 5 inches. Mark the back of the square to 5 inches.

Trim.

Cut two 5 in x 3 ½ in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 ½ in rectangles for the border.

Attach the border and you’re done.

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 11th 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.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.

Block 7: Cross tucking – Textured quilt sampler tutorial

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: cross tucking

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

Needs:

• one 10 in x 10 in square in white for the textured centre square
• 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 tucks

Mark your fabric on the reverse side at 1 1/4 in | 3/4 in | 3/4 in | 1 in | 3/4 | 3/4 | 1 in …. intervals (see picture) on both directions.

Press along the lines in one direction.

Now stitch with the following seam allowances, starting on the side where the first press is at 1 1/4 inch from the edge and make a 1/4 inch tuck. Then the following two tucks are 1/8 in depth, the next one is 1/4 inch and so on, i.e. depth of tucks: 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/8 | 1/4| 1/8 | 1/8…

Now press all the tucks to one side.

Time to press along the cross lines now to mark where the cross tucks will go.

The pressing may not produce a very squared piece of fabric. This is fine. We will be trimming the square to 5 inches later.

Stitch the tucks with the same depth as before starting with a 1/4 tuck from the side where the first interval was marked at 1 1/4. Then make a 1/8 tuck and another one. The next one will be 1/4 deep, i.e. 1/4 | 1/8 | 1/8 | 1/4| 1/8 | 1/8 | 1/4 and so on.

Iron the tucks to one side again as you did before. Press well.

When finished, square the resulting piece into a 5 inch square. The result may not be quite straight as far as tucks go but that’s fine. This quilt is about texture not perfection!

Cut two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border

You’re done!

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 7th 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.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.

Block 6: Gathered strip – Textured quilt sampler tutorial

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: double gathering

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

Needs:

• 2 rectangles 2 1/2 in x 5 in  in red fabric
• 1 strip 1 in x 12 in in red fabric
• two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border

Double gathering the strip (photos from my Tote bag tutorial)

1 strip 1 in x 12 in in red fabric.

Using basting stitch, sew along the sides of the strip (see photo below).

Pull from the top thread while you hold the strip of fabric.

Pull from both sides and distribute the folds along the whole strip.

Gather the strip evenly to reach 5 inches in length.

Pin to one rectangle and stitch.

Do the same with the other side.

The centre square is ready.

Detail of gathering.

Cut two 5 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles and two 11 in x 3 1/2 in rectangles for the border. Attach the borders to the centre square to finish the block.

The block is done.

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 6th 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.

Share your pictures

Are you making this quilt? Share your pictures on Flickr’s TeresaDownUnder group.