Vintage Block Quilt Along - Block #1, Rose Dream

Vintage Block Quilt Along
One Vintage 12" Quilt Block per month
Starting in October 2012
for 1 year!

Here is the tutorial for the first block in the quilt along - Rose Dream.  This block is one I just adore. It is from the Kansas City Star Newspaper circa 1930.  There are lots of curves and I promise you will be an expert after making this block!
  My helpers include lots of pins and starch!  

You can download the pattern [HERE]
I am reworking the pattern - join my email list for pattern updates.
You can find the link to sign up on the right side of my blog.

This pattern makes a 12" finished  / 12 1/2" unfinished block

FABRIC
*You will need approximately a F8 each of light and dark fabrics for one block.
-OR-
*If you want to make it scrappy you will need:
DARK FABRIC - 2 squares 5" x 5", 4 squares 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", and 2 pieces 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"
LIGHT FABRIC - 2 squares 5" x 5", 4 squares 2 1/4" x 2 1/4", and 2 pieces 2 3/4" x 4 3/4"

OTHER SUPPLIES
Acrylic Ruler
Cutting Mat
Rotary Cutter
Sewing Scissors
Fine sewing pins
Spray Starch
Matching thread
1 sheet cardstock

CUT
A - 4 dark and 4 light
B - 2 dark and 2 light
C - 4 dark and 4 light

Printing out the Template
Set your printer to "page scaling - none".  You may want to do a text print to make sure your 1" test square in accutate.  When it is,  print the template onto card stock.    The templates includes a 1/4" seam allowance. I use a scant 1/4", so when I am sewing my seam edge is just inside the 1/4" mark on my sewing machine.

Assembling the Block
The following instruction are for 1/4 of the block.  Repeat these instructions for all four sections of the block.

1)  Place your blocks on your work surface as you will be sewing them.

2)  We will stitch block A to B first.  Fold piece A and B in half along the edge you will be stitching.  Finger press at  the center fold.

3)  Place piece A on piece B matching the center finger press mark, right sides together. 

Pin the center fold mark first.

Gently pull on the edge of piece A to fit the raw edge of B. 

This is most easily done flat on a table or flat surface.

Pin the edges and then towards the center.  As you can see, I use lots of pins.  I find I get a better seam this way : )

4)  Stitch the seam with a 1/4" seam allowance. 

I like to sew over the pins to keep the raw edges in place.

Just be careful to slow down when you approach a pin and remove it if your needle is going to hit it.

5)  Press your seams towards the darker fabric. If you have puckers and some creases, that is OK!!  Spray the block with starch and give it a good pressing!! Because the curve is on the bias you can manipulate this seam fairly easily.

6)  Stitch the top portion of the block together - A + C.  Press the seams towards the darker fabric.

7)  Fold both the top section - A/C and bottom - A/B section in half, matching seams.

Finger Press.

8)  Place the A/C section on top of the A/B section, right sides together.

First - match the center fold marks, pin.

Second - match and pin both seams.

Third,  slightly pull on the bias curve of piece A/C stretching to fit section A/B and pin the seam.

Stitch seam with a 1/4" seam allowance.

9)  Spray you block with starch and give it a good pressing making sure to pess the seams toward the darker fabric on piece A.

It is OK if your block is not 100% square!

Get our your acrylic ruler and cutting mat and true up your block to 6 1/2" square.

Repeat for the other three sections.

10)  With right sides together, pin the two bottom blocks together matching seams.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance. Press seam open.  Repeat for the two top blocks.

Place the top two blocks right sides together with the bottom two blocks.  Match and pin seams.  Stitch with a 1/4" seam allowance.  Press seam open.

Yay!!! You have completed the Rose Dream Block.  If you have any questions, please comment below and I will add any replies to the thread.

I'd love to have you join my Vintage Block Flickr Group HERE!!

xo

Charise : )