Block 12: Puff gathering – Textured quilt sampler tutorial

Detail of puff gathering 

This block requires hand sewing.

Block type: log cabin

Block size: 11 inches

Colour scheme: reds and neutrals

Texture/fabric manipulation: puff gathering

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

Needs:

• one 7in x 7 in rectangle in red tones 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 puffs

Puff gathering is the reverse side of star gathering and it is made the same way as star gathering.

Cut one 7in x 7in square and start marking your puffs as per graph above as for the Star gathering block.

Adjust the spacing in the graph below, which I used for the star gathering block, to the following spacing:  mark your circles at 1 1/4 inches instead of 1 inch and 2 1/2 inches intervals instead of 2 inches, ie add an extra 1/2 inch to each measure.

Also I made the circles 1/2 inch instead of 3/8 inches but it will work just as nicely as using the spacing used in the graph below.

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.

Start stitching around the circle from the back of the fabric.

When you end stitching around, pull the thread to gather the fabric  making sure a puff is created on the other side.

If necessary, hold the puff from the other side as you pull the thread.

Finish with a double knot to ensure the thread doesn’t slip.

When you have done all the puffs it’s time to stretch (not press) the square.

If possible pin your square to the ironing board stretching the texture.

Now, put the iron on the steaming setting and place it on top of the fabric without touching. The humidity and heat will be enough to help flatten the square.

Let it dry. When dried remove it from the ironing board.

Trim the square to 5 inches.

Now stitch the border to the centre square.

The block is done.

Variation for this block

If you have a nice geometric print, you could use the pattern to guide you make the grid for the texture as I did (see picture).

I used the pattern to stitch the puffs at regular intervals using the flowers as guides and stitching every two flowers. Polka dots or gingham would work well too.

Textured blocks tutorials

This is the 12th 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.