Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Economy Block Takes a Trip Out West

Howdy, y'all. Today I'm taking you to the wild, wild west. (Disclaimer: It's actually Corrales, NM, which is more acurately the southwest.) Be forewarned, cowboy jargon awaits. Dude translation is available. 



Pony up, and take a gander (Dude translation: Hurry up, and take a look) at my latest finish. 



Here's the whole kit and caboodle (Dude translation: whole thing)


I used Economy Blocks comprised of solids and prints from Sarah Jane's Wee Wander collection.

Michael Miller Wee Wander Summer Ride Seafoam  Michael Miller Wee Wander Summer Ride White  Michael Miller Wee Wander Meandering Seafoam

They are all available from Fabric.com.


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I think the horses in the center are of the first water (Dude translation: first-class)! A few centers do not have horses; I wanted it to look like they absquatulated (Dude translation: left) their squares.



Isn't it fine as cream gravy (Dude translation: very good)? I think so.



Mosey along your little dogies (Dude translation: shuffle your calves along),




while taking time to stop and smell the roses. Word to the wise, take a moment to ponder whether you are giving it a lick and a promise (Dude translation: behaving recklessly) by setting your quilt in a rose bush. When you try to remove it, there will be regrets. I tend to go through the mill (Dude translation: learn the hard way.)




At risk of playing to the gallery (Dude translation: showing off), I'll leave you will one more shot. The backing is Glow Friends in Sea. 
Michael Miller Wee Wander Glow Friends Sea



If you think my Wee Wander quilt is of the first water (Dude translation: amazeballs),  I'll explain so you can twig (Dude translation: understand) the process for making you own.  Doesn't that take the rag off (Dude translation: beat all)?


First, you'll need to cut your center squares. These are ideal for fussy cutting. Since I made six rows of four blocks for a crib size top using 10" finished blocks, I cut 24 5 1/2" squares.

Economy Block Cutting Chart from Catbird Quilt Studio

Get a wiggle on (Dude translation: hurry), and attach one of the smaller triangles to one side of the center square by hook or by crook (Dude translation: to whichever side of the square you want). Align the raw edge of the square with the longest side of the triangle. Don't just give it a lick and a promise (Dude translation: do it haphazardly), make sure the excess is extending evenly over each side. Sew with a 1/4" seam. Chain your squares through the machine without severing the thread between blocks. Flip the entire line of blocks around, and chain them through again. This time attach a triangle to the opposite side of the center square. This allows the piecing to be done across lots (Dude translation: most efficiently).


Press both triangles away from the center square.




Cut off the protruding corners.







Add triangles to the remaining two sides.




Press outward.




Fetch (Dude translation: Get) masking tape to mark the measurement that is 1/2" larger than the visible part of the center square from corner to corner. I also mark the halfway points with a pen. Line up the block so that there is a 1/4" from the edge of the ruler and each corner of the center triangle. Trim the right and top sides. Then, rotate the block and repeat the process.



Attach the longest side of two of the larger triangles to opposite sides of the square.




Press outward.




Cut off the protruding portions of the triangles.





Here's what it should look like once the tiny overhanging corners have gone up the flume (Dude translation: are removed).



Attach two additional larger triangles to the remaining opposite sides. Be careful to leave the same amount of fabric sticking out from the top and bottom.






Square up your block to the finished size plus an additional 1/2" for seam allowance. There should be 1/4" distance between the edge of the block and the corners of the larger square. Making sure of this keeps your seam allowances in apple pie order (Dude translation: in perfect order).




When sewing together blocks, put a pin through the corner of the square to make sure your points match. 



Pressing seams open reduces the bulk and results in a flatter, easier to quilt, top.




I welcome your comments, especially if it's soft solder (Dude translation: flattery). If you make your own ace-high (Dude translation: first class) version of this bully (Dude translation: outstanding) quilt, I'd be powerful proud (Dude translation: very glad), if you'd add it to the Quilting Mod Flickr group.

Download a PDF of the pattern on Craftsy.

I'm linking up with the parties on my Linky Parties Page.

13 comments:

  1. Very cute quilt and great tutorial! Bravo!

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  2. Hi Afton. Lovely finish. It always feels good huh?

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  3. Great looking quilt and tutorial!
    I have a little joke that I think you might like...

    Why did the cowboy buy a daushund?

    He wanted to get a long little doggie.

    :)

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  4. Well you've confused the hell out of me (I'm just too English I think!!) but I LOVE that wee wander line. Great finish.

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  5. visiting from crazy mum quilts. love the quilt you finished. don't get the cowboy joke from Dana though. Guess you need to be a cowboy!!

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  6. Thanks for sharing this tutorial @ MamasBlogCentral.com :) I may try my hand at making a quilt of my own :)
    Have a great Memorial weekend!!

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  7. Your quilt is amazing and your post made me smile :)

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  8. What a fun post. I thoroughly enjoyed it, dang wish I could speak cowboy :)

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  9. That's a really cute finish. You did a great job!

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  10. I'm singin' along with ya, honey! I grew up on a farm in Idaho, and my mother was a cowboy poet, so I get most of these! Haha, Dana - "get along little dogie!" love it! Pert near the cutest little economy block I've seen!

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  11. love your finished quilt :) and great tutorial

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  12. You are so cute. I just discovered your blog and I am in love with it. Thank you for the dude translation and the tutorial on making your quilt.

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  13. Love your economy blocks! This post cracked me up--love the cowboy translations! :)

    Thank you for linking up to Fabric Frenzy Friday!
    -Lindsey
    Fabric Frenzy Friday

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