Stitching Fashion ~ My block for the Splendid Sampler

Today I am so excited to share my block for the Splendid Sampler Sew Along. 

The Splendid Sampler was the brain child of Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson.  

For one year, they are sharing two - 6" blocks per week from over 80 different designers.  

The patterns are free for the year and after that they will be published in a book! 

You can find the patterns [HERE]

"Stitching Fashion" is entirely paper pieced.  I would consider this an intermediate pattern so if you are new to paper piecing, I highly recommend making my Free Crayon pattern first.  It has detailed instructions to make a paper pieced crayon block as well as a comprehensive list of my favorite tools and notions I use for paper piecing. 

You can find the pattern [HERE] 

I also have a tutorial for a fun pencil pouch you can make with your crayon block!
You can find the tutorial [HERE]

  ~Here are a few tips to help you make your "Stitching Fashion" block~

CUT THE PATTERN APART BY LETTER UNIT

You will want to cut the pattern apart by letter unit as shown above.

***My patterns do not include seam allowances.  

I find I get better results without bulky paper seam allowances.***

PAPER PIECE EACH INDIVIDUAL UNIT

Paper Piece each individual letter unit being sure to add 1/4" around each pattern section.

For letter units with only one piece, use a bit of fabric glue or a pin to attach the pattern piece to the wrong side of the fabric.

Cut around the pattern piece leaving 1/4" seam allowance.

MATCHING SEAMS

The reason I prefer to not have bulky paper seam allowances is that it helps make it easier to sew the individual lettered sections together.

I want to make sure that the seams match perfectly.
I will be sewing the top of the spool to the middle spool section.  

(shown with the arrow in the picture above)

First, find the seam intersection and put a pin through that point on the wrong side.

Find the corresponding point on the other piece.  Pin together with right sides together.

Baste over the seam.  

Open the seam and check if the points match.

If they do not, remove the basting stitch and try again.

If they match, stitch the seam with 10 - 12 stitches per inch back tacking at the beginning and end of the seam.


FUSSY CUTTING

I absolutely adore fussy cut blocks.  It is such a fun way to add an extra special touch to your block.

Figure out what motif on your fabric you want to fussy cut.
I decided I wanted a cherry on the center of my thread spool.

Place the pattern over the motif on the wrong side of the fabric.  Use fabric glue or a pin to secure in place.

Fold the pattern back on the seam lines and trim around the section leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

I love the yellow and red fabrics used for the block!
Left to Right
Hope Chest by Connecting Threads, Calico Days by Lori Holt for Riley Blake, Micro Dot by Lecien, Red Scallop by Bonnie and Camille, Yellow Ground Fruit - Lori Holt for Riley Blake.
The brown fabric I used for the spools is an older Japanese print I've had in my stash for ages.  Sadly, there is no information on the selvage.

I hope you enjoy making the block.  It was lots of fun to design!

Happy Sewing
xo
Charise