Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper ™

This article was originally published in the February 2006 issue of 2TCHKeepers, the T2CHK E-Zine.

by Wardeh Harmon

At the Titus 2 Christian HomeKeeper message board, we have begun our first ever T2CHK Quilt Block Swap. The ladies committed to the swap are signing on for quite a bit of work. I imagine there are even more ladies who love to quilt, but don’t have the time to spare to commit to a large project like our quilt block swap.

These Just-a-Few-Quilt-Blocks projects are great for the reason that they use true quilting techniques, but on a smaller — and more doable — scale. You can complete them in a day or two, or even perhaps in a few hours. Fairly soon, you’ll be enjoying your new creations.

Happy quilting! I welcome your comments, questions or suggestions. Email me at wardeh@t2chk.org.

THREE QUILT BLOCK TABLE RUNNER

Finished Size: 30-1/2″ x 11″

This table runner, being constructed of three quilt blocks, creates an ideal setting for a piece of pottery, a vase full of fresh flowers or a candle. Set your centerpiece item in the middle and let the blocks to each side show it (and themselves) off.

You can use any 9-1/2″ unfinished quilt block you’d like. There are numerous ideas and free patterns on the internet. A google search for “free quilt block patterns” will give you a lengthy list of choices. I enjoy looking for blocks at the Fraser Valley Quilters’ Guild website.

Three Quilt Block Table Runner ~ Evening Star blocks in medium greens and cream.

Three Quilt Block Table Runner ~ Evening Star blocks in deep reds and cream.

Needed Materials

• (3) 9-1/2″ unfinished quilt blocks
• (4) 1-1/2″ x 9″ strips (vertical borders)
• (2) 1-1/2″ x 32″ strips (horizontal borders)
• (2) 2″ x 45″ strips (double-fold binding)
• (1) 13″ x 33″ rectangle of backing fabric
• (1) 13″ x 33″ rectangle of batting

All seam allowances are 1/4″. Press seams in the direction that will result in the least amount of bulk. Where possible, press seams toward the darker fabrics.

1. Construct Quilt Blocks

Instructions for completing the Evening Star blocks (shown) can be found here. Whatever blocks you choose, make sure they are 9-1/2″ unfinished, or adjust the pattern dimensions accordingly. Trim blocks to make sure they are all the same size.

2. Add Borders

With right sides together, sew one 1-1/2″ x 9″ strip to the left side of one block and then sew another 1-1/2″ x 9″ strip to the right side of the same block. Trim strips to the correct dimension. Attach a second block to the strip on the right of the first block. Add a border strip to the second block, and so on, until all four 1-1/2″ x 9″ strips and the three blocks are sewn together in a row. Trim strips to the correct dimension as you go. Clip threads. Press seams open with seam allowance toward the border strips.

Sew the 1-1/2″ x 32″ strips to the top and bottom of the row of squares, right sides together. Clip threads. Trim strips to the correct dimension. Press seams open with seam allowance toward the border strips.

3. Assemble Table Runner

Starting from the bottom, stack the pieces in this order:

a. backing, wrong side up
b. batting
c. row of quilt blocks, right side up

The batting and backing should be larger than the row of blocks, so center the blocks in the middle. Pin layers together.

4. Quilting

Use your preferred method of quilting — either tying, or hand- or machine-stitching — to secure all layers together. I machine-quilted the table runners shown by stitching an outline around each star and by stitching at the edge of each block inside the border strips, forming a square around the star.

5. Assemble Double-Fold Binding

Take the (2) 2″ x 45″ strips. Right sides together, place the end of one strip perpendicular to the end of the other strip, with each strip set in 1/4″ from the end of the other strip. Sew a diagonal seam to join the two strips so that they are now one long continuous straight strip. Trim the excess, leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. Press seams open. Fold and press the long strip in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together.

6. Attach Binding

Start attaching the binding in the middle of a side of the table runner, not at a corner. Align the binding strip right sides together with the edge of the table runner top, raw edges even. Fold over the beginning raw edge of the binding approximately one inch. Begin sewing 1/2″ from the fold. Sew the binding to the first side of the table runner, through all layers, 1/4″ from the raw edge.

Stop sewing 1/4″ before the corner. Backstitch and remove the table runner from the sewing machine. Clip threads. Fold the binding strip up away from the quilt and make a diagonal fold. Hold the diagonal fold in place with your finger, while bringing the binding down so the raw edges of the binding are aligned with the next side of the table runner. Repeat this technique around all sides, until you approach the beginning of the binding. Cut the binding end so that it will overlap the beginning binding by 1/2″ to 3/4″. Sew in place. Backstitch and remove the table runner from the sewing machine. Clip threads.

Trim away the extra backing and batting, leaving 1/4″. Turn the binding to the back side and hand stitch in place, covering the machine stitches with the folded edge of the binding.

QUILT BLOCK POTHOLDER

Finished size: 8-1/4″ x 8-1/4″

This is a fantastic project for using up scraps or leftover blocks. I made pairs of these potholders for Christmas gifts in 2005. I constructed the block for each potholder out of leftover half-square triangles from a quilt wall hanging.

Quilt Block Potholder ~ A four-patch variation block in blues, tans and cream.

Needed Materials

• (1) 6-1/2″ unfinished quilt block
• (2) 1-1/4″ x 7″ strips (borders)
• (2) 1-1/4″ x 9″ strips (borders)
• (1) 2″ x 45″ strip (double-fold binding)
• (1) 9″ square of backing fabric
• (2) 9″ rectangles of batting

All seam allowances are 1/4″. Press seams in the direction that will result in the least amount of bulk. Also, press toward the darker fabrics, where possible.

1. Construct Quilt Block

Choose any 6-1/2″ unfinished quilt block, or adjust the pattern to fit another block dimension of your choice. The potholder shown is a simple four-patch block made up of four half-square triangles.

2. Add Borders

With right sides together, sew the 1-1/4″ x 7″ strips to the left and right side of the block. Clip threads. Trim strips to the correct dimension. Press seams open with seam allowance toward the border strips.

Sew the 1-1/4″ x 9″ strips to the top and bottom of the block, right sides together. Clip threads. Trim strips to the correct dimension. Press seams open with seam allowance toward the border strips.

3. Assemble Potholder

Starting from the bottom, stack the pieces in this order:

a. backing, wrong side up
b. batting, 2 layers
c. quilt block, right side up

The batting and backing should be larger than the block, so center the block in the middle. Pin layers together.

4. Quilting

Use your preferred method of quilting — either tying, or hand- or machine-stitching — to secure all layers together. The potholder shown holds five ties made from DMC craft thread, one in the middle and one in each corner.

5. Attach Binding

Fold and press the long binding strip in half lengthwise, with wrong sides together. Start attaching the binding in the middle of a side of the potholder, not at a corner. Align the binding strip right sides together with the edge of the potholder top, raw edges even. Fold over the beginning raw edge of the binding approximately one inch. Begin sewing 1/2″ from the fold. Sew the binding to the first side of the potholder, through all layers, 1/4″ from the raw edge.

Stop sewing 1/4″ before the corner. Backstitch and remove the potholder from the sewing machine. Clip threads. Fold the binding strip up away from the potholder and make a diagonal fold. Hold the diagonal fold in place with your finger, while bringing the binding down so the raw edges of the binding are aligned with the next side of the potholder. Repeat this technique around all sides, until you are approaching the beginning of the binding. Cut the binding end so that it will overlap the beginning binding by 1/2″ to 3/4″. Sew in place. Backstitch and remove the potholder from the sewing machine. Clip threads.

Trim away the extra backing and batting, leaving 1/4″. Turn the binding to the back side and hand stitch in place, covering the machine stitches with the folded edge of the binding.

6. Optional

Instead of making your own double-fold binding, you can use packaged double-fold binding made by Wright’s. One package is sufficient to complete approximately three potholders of this size.

© Copyright 2006 by Wardeh Harmon. Used with permission from the author.