Yesterday, while I worked on the second scrap quilt using 3” x 3” fabric scraps, I briefly wrote about threads and how I like using neutral colors when sewing. It’s amazing how these two neutral threads blend so well with my quilting cottons: GÜTERMANN Cotton 50wt Thread 250m – Lt. Slate and the GÜTERMANN Cotton 50wt Thread 250m – Ivory.
GÜTERMANN 50wt Thread Lt. Slate and Ivory
My two go-to needle sizes are the SCHMETZ #1709 Universal Needles 80/12 and the SCHMETZ #1710 Universal Needles 90/14. When should I use which? It all comes down to the quality of the thread used. Within the same brand, such as GÜTERMANN, all 50wt are the same size threads. Other brands may be a bit thinner and others a bit thicker. With GÜTERMANN 50wt thread I use a SCHMETZ 90/14 needle. If I use the GÜTERMANN 60wt threads, then I would use a SCHMETZ 80/12 needle.
Note: Although most threads will pass through the eye of any needle it does not mean the needle is well suited for the thread. The wrong needle size could cause issues with the thread such as breakage, fraying, bad tension, and other issues. Use the correct needle for the fabrics and threads being used. This link will show all the SCHMETZ needles that are available. SCHMETZ Needles
SCHMETZ needles
Here are the fabrics needed to make today’s quilt.
· 5150 – 1½” x 1½” squares (5120 for the blocks + 30 for the corner stones)
· for each of the 20 blocks, four strips are needed: two measuring 1½” x 16½” and two measuring 1½” x 18½”. For these, I went looking in my scrap stash of solid-colored strips that were at least 3” x 36”.
· 1⅛” yd for 49 black 1½” x 18½” strips
Today’s quilt will measure 77½” x 96½” before quilting.
I started by cutting the 49 black 1½” x 18½” strips using the OLFA 6″ x 24″ Ruler and the OLFA Splash Handle Rotary Cutter 45mm. Then I proceed to cut the colored strips that would be next to the blocks.
Cut 49 – 1½” x 18½” strips.
In Monday’s post, I wrote about using my squares cut from scraps as leaders and enders, which for the most part I do. There are days when I want to sit at the machine and sew for the sake of sewing. On those days I simply chain piece so I get to sew and sew without putting much thought into it. It’s surprising how many squares can be sewn in one day!
Chain piecing
Anytime I make blocks using scrap squares, my blocks will always be sewn in multiple of twos: a four-parch, a 16-patch, or in today’s case a 256-patch.
The reason for this is, I find it easier and quicker. Once my pairs are sewn together, I pair them up with another pair making them into fours, I then take the fours together and get sets of eights, and I keep going.
Sewing pairs into sets of four, then eight and then 16.
When there are 16 rows of 16 squares, I sew them all together to get a block.
A 256-patch block
A complete block with a border.
Make rows with black strips and cornerstones.
Sew the black strips between each row of blocks one on the top of the first row and one on the bottom of the last row.
Adding the black strips.
Once the above step is completed all there is left to do is to quilt and sew on the binding.
The completed quilt, quilted by Angi Anderson.
Make sure to have spare SCHMETZ sewing machine needles at the ready (military term), can’t go wrong with SCHMETZ #1709 Universal Needles 80/12 and SCHMETZ #1710 Universal Needles 90/14.
Tomorrow, I have ideas on how to use larger pieces found in stashes. Join me!
This is part 4 of 5 in this series
Go back to part 3: Scrap Quilt 2 – working with 3” x 3” fabric scraps
Go to part 5: 5 ideas for using large-size leftover fabric in quilting projects