quilt block – 3and3quarters

TUTORIAL: Mini Snail Trail Block!

Now, I’m pretty sure I’ve shared with you just how much I love making mini sized versions of quilt blocks before… My Happy Quilt & Golden Trail Mini may jog your memory! And so today I want to take another opportunity to discuss and teach you how to make this one: the Snail Trail Block!

If you’re regular reader of my blog, you may remember me making this little mini last year…

It was my entry into the Sydney Quilt Show. I was so immensely proud of it. It was the first mini quilt I had ever made and loved everything about it. (And still do, actually!) At the moment, this little mini adorns the door to my bedroom. It represents my love for modern quilting, my love for pattern, texture and direction as well as the love I have for mini quilt blocks!

The inspiration for this quilt block has come from my favourite quilt book in my library, 130 Mini Quilt Blocks by Susan Briscoe. I pour through the pages almost daily, looking for sparks of inspiration or for a reason to simply start cutting up fabric and piecing together a little block!

So after a request and a genuine want to share how this darling little block is made, I created this tutorial for you!

Now at the beginning, I have a small little chit-chat explaining a few little tips that I think will help you when you’re piecing… Then I dive right in and guide you step-by-step in how the Snail Trail Block is pieced together!

If you would like to make this block here are the measurements and cutting instructions:

From the PINK fabric you will need to cut:
– x2: 1&1/8″ squares (for the centre four patch)
– x1: 1&3/4″ square (cut in half, resulting in two triangles)
– x1: 2&1/8″ square (cut in half, resulting in two triangles)
– x1: 2&5/8″ square (cut in half, resulting in two triangles)
– x1: 3&3/8″ square (cut in half, resulting in two triangles)
For the BLUE fabric, cut exactly the same as the pink.

The FINAL BLOCK SIZE measures: 5″x5″ or 12.7cmx12.7cm.

NOTE: I will just say that the more experienced you are at patchwork, the easier the block will be to piece together, obviously. But if you are a beginner, I still encourage you to give this block a go! Take your time, read the measurements carefully and never be afraid to make mistakes! It’s only through our mistakes we learn how to do things better!

So, I hope you enjoyed learning how to make this block and have been inspired to make it yourself!

Happy Sewing, Friends!!

Tutorial: The Pinwheel Block

Good Afternoon to you!

With a comforting mug of tea settling next to the keyboard and my written notes laid out before me, let’s explore the latest instalment in my quilt block tutorials – the Pinwheel Block!

Inspired by a block in the book ‘500 Quilt Blocks’ by Lynne Goldsworthy & Kerry Green, the Pinwheel Block is deceptively easy!

Here’s what you need to do to make this block!

Measurement & cutting instructions

(This block only requires two contrasting fabrics.)

Cut x2: 6″ squares from one fabric for the corners

Cut x2: 4.5″ squares from each fabric for the HSTs*

Final block size: 25.4cm or 10″ square.

And as always, let me know if you’re going to give this block go! You can email your lovely pictures to this address: 3and3quarters@gmail.com

Happy Sewing Friends!

PS. Regarding my Christmas videos: These will begin in December, with the first one due to come out on Wednesday the 3rd! Then every Sunday & Wednesday upload, until the end of the month will be Christmassy related! Whoo! (This is just incase I didn’t really explain it well enough in the video!) I hope you will all enjoy the ideas and projects I have in store!

*HSTs = Half Square Triangles

TUTORIAL: The Maple Leaf Block

Adding to my stash of quilt block tutorials is this one:

The Maple Leaf Block!

I thought it would be fit to dedicate this particular block to all of my friends (that’s you!) who live in the Northern Hemisphere who are welcoming the coming months of fall/autumn!

I hope you enjoy the cooler months!

#totesjealous

So this block, just like others I’ve demonstrated in the past, is super simple and is ideal for the beginner quilter who would like to stretch their legs a bit and give HSTs (that is, half square triangles) a go!

Learning how to make HSTs is an essential skill to learn if you’re serious about patchwork. It will become one of those knowing-how-to-write-without-thinking-about-it type skills that you’ll forever be falling back on again and again.

So if you feel unsure about making HSTs or just have no clue what a HST is, watch the tutorial and you’ll know!!

(PS. You can find all of the measurement and cutting instructions for this block at the end of this post!)

If I’ve inspired you to make this block, then here are just a few creative ways this block can be used to make a beautiful quilt!

Here are the links of where you can find the makers of these darling quilts!

The Quilt by Amy at Diary of a Quilter

The Quilt by Messy Jessy

The Quilt by Annabella at Kech Quilts

The Quilt by Sarah at sew&tellhandmade

#sharethelove

Happy Sewing Friends!!

Measurement & Cutting Instructions

From the x5 ORANGE fabrics cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the centre

– x1: 3&7/8″ square from each of the others for the HSTs

From the BROWN fabric cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the stalk

From the WHITE fabric cut:

– x1: 3&1/2″ square for the upper corner

– x2: 3&7/8″ squares for the HSTs

– x2: 2&1/2″ squares for the stalk

Don’t forget to send me a photo of your finished block!

I would love to see it!

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