since 2011, using 1-1/2" X 1-1-1/2" pieces.
Could I adapt my Leaders and Enders 16-patch blocks to this design? I headed to my favorite book of blocks in the public domain.
I found it! Sunny Lanes!
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Sunny Lanes block; 8" X 8" finished |
Tutorial
Piecing Leaders and Enders
Sew together 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" squares to make 16-patch blocks, 4-1/2" X 4-1/2" unfinished.
I shorten my machine's stitch length when I'm piecing such tiny patches.
This picture shows the piecing sequence to make a 16-patch block.
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Unfinished block measures 4-1/2" X 4-1/2" |
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Unfinished block measures 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" |
Piece Half-Square Triangle Squares the "Magic Eight" Way
Make eight-at-a-time 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" (unfinished) half-square triangle squares.
Cut 6" X 6" squares of two different half-square triangle square fabrics. I used Painter's Palette solid white and Moda Grunge in the color Chiffon. It's "sunny!"
With a pencil draw an X from corner to corner on the wrong side of one fabric.
Place fabrics right sides together. Sew 1/4" away from the drawn line, on both sides of each line.
For the next step, cutting apart the block, I like to use my Martelli turntable rotary cutting mat.
Use a ruler to rotary cut on the drawn line, between the two lines of stitching. Do this twice to cut an X through the block.
Without moving the pieces, cut a line vertically through the center of the block, 3" from the edge. Rotate the turntable 45-degrees to make another cut through the center of the block.
The result is 8 half-square triangle squares measuring approximately 3" X 3" square.
Press to open seam. I like to use my Strip Stick to make sure the seam is well pressed.
Trim each unfinished half-square triangle square to measure 2-1/2" x 2-1/2".
Piece Half-Square Triangle Pairs
Join two 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" unfinished half-square triangle squares as shown to make right-slanting pairs.
I didn't want to make 8" X 8" Sunny Lanes blocks because 4-patch blocks end up side-by-side (forming another 16-patch block), and broken diagonal angles, as seen in this EQ8 layout.
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This layout measures 16" X 16" finished. |
Rather, I prefer a layout alternating 4-patch and 16-patch blocks. Hopefully, you can see the difference between the two. (This layout is similar to AmityQuilter's, without borders.)
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This layout measures 14" X 14" finished. |
So, while designing in EQ8, I realized that piecing needs to be row-by-row (horizontally).
Piece Row 1
Join:
- a 4-patch block
- a right-slanting half-square triangle pair
- a 4-patch block
- a right-slanting half-square triangle pair... and so on for the quilt width you desire.
End with a 4-patch block.
Piece Row 2
Join:
- a right-slanting half-square triangle pair (pieced left-slanting, but when turned vertically is right-slanting)
- a 16-patch block
- a right-slanting half-square triangle pair.
- a 16-patch block... and so on for the quilt height (length) you desire.
End with a right-slanting half-square triangle pair.
Sew together these units, being sure half-square triangle pairs are slanting the same direction.
Join rows to complete the quilt top.
To make a 62" X 74" Sunny Lanes QuiltJoin rows to complete the quilt top.
Piece 1-1/2" X 1-1/2" Leaders and Enders blocks into:
144 - 4-patch blocks
132 - 16-patch blocks
2 yards - solid white
2 yards - Chiffon Grunge
Cut:
72 - 6" X 6" squares of solid white
72 - 6" X 6" squares of Chiffon Grunge
Use Magic Eight method shown in the tutorial to make 574 - 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" (unfinished) half-square triangle squares.
Make Half-Square Triangle Pairs
Join 2-1/2" X 2-1/2" (unfinished) half-square triangle squares to make:
144 horizontal half-square triangle pairs
143 vertical half-square triangle pairs
Total - 275 half-square triangle pairs measuring 2-1/2" X 4-1/2" (unfinished)
Here's my progress so far. Eleven rows done; 14 more to go!
15 comments:
This looks incredible!!!
This looks so great. I love your bright colors (I do not like drab)
I will try to work on something like this. Maybe even finish something
I hope you are enjoying the last weeks of the year. Time just flies
I've never done leaders and enders, but I guess it's never too late to start. Your quilt will be stunning!
I don't usually do leaders/enders either but it might be the most logical way to approach this challenging project. ;-)
great idea to use up scraps. I have tons of it - only not yet trimmed. Will probably do this when I am retired and bored, ha ha ha :-)
Or maybe next summer when it is warm to cut them in shape outside? Would also be a possibility! Looking Forward seeing this quilt top when it is finished pieced.
Very fun use of scraps, and I love the sunny flavor of the setting--great job, and a great way to use up those blocks you've been working on!
I've don't usually do leaders and enders either but I do love this layout with the HST and the interesting diagonals that result. I especially like the colors you are using. Thanks for putting this into a tutorial for us.
WOW! Just found out we are becoming great! grand parents this July! So a baby quilt is in my thoughts! Haven't followed a pattern in over 20+ years! This looks great for a baby or adult! HMMMMMM I bookmarked your post! Thanks!
Oh, Linda , is this ever going to be nice! I can’t wait to see it finished! How sweet of you to take the time to put together a tute, incl. a color sheet. Your the best!
I'm not a leaders/enders sewer either, but I think this would be perfect to make using my 2.5" squares that I have been saving and sewing. I just need to work out the HST which wouldn't be difficult! Thanks for the inspiration!
Your tutorial is spot-on, and your Sunny Lanes blocks would look perfectly at home in a citrus orchard. So fun to see this old block brought to life in a big way!
It's great to have a specific design in mind when piecing your leaders and enders. This one is lovely! Thanks for sharing your process.
What a wonderful teacher you are. Thank you so much for this so easy tutorial to follow. You haven’t forgotten a thing. Cindy
How nice of you to say so, Cindy! Unfortunately, I cannot reply to you directly because you are a "no-reply commenter," so I hope you see this. You've made my day (August 3, 2019) with your kind words. I love writing clear instructions, and I'm thrilled that you appreciate them. Thank you very much!
I got an Acu GO! for christmas and one of the "cubes" has the die to make these pieces.... a bit bigger but I am going to go for it..... must use stash and the faster the better.....
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