CONSTRUCTION SLIDE SHOW OF BLOCK #1

Construction of Block #1 is "old hat" for a seasoned quilter, but ones of you who are new to this game, will enjoy seeing a slide show I made of the construction of the first block. The main thing is to mark your sewing machine presser foot plate with a Sharpie permanent pen where to line up 1/4" seams. This makes it so easy to keep a quarter in. seam through the whole quilt. It's your machine, and marking on it is your privilege! I do it all the time! It finally wears off, but, just mark it again! Another thing to remember on this block, but sure that all 8 blocks have the 3 1/2" red block in the BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER! It's ok to have it another color, but be sure that all of them are exactly alike. Your Mystery quilt will not work exactly any other way.

Mystery Quilt of Valor BEGINNING THE CUTTING OF THE FABRIC and Sewing instructions for Block #1

Once you have folded selvage edges together, cut off selvage at least 1/4". Some fabrics' selvage is even 1/2" whatever, cut it off before starting to measure. Block #1 uses 3 fabrics: dark, med. and light makes a nice block. Block #1 requires strips that are 3 1/2" wide. I started another QOV using red batik for the 12 1/2" X 3 1/2" strips. Cut 8 since we are making 8 blocks like Block #1.
Then cut 8 strips that are 9 1/2" X 3 1/2" out of the same color fabric. Follow the pattern given with Aug. 24th entry. Look at the picture of all of the pieces cut and ready to assemble.
Once you are ready to sew them together, begin with the bottom small 3 1/2" red square. This pattern is called a "Log Cabin" block. The bottom right corner square is the "hearth" of the cabin, and is usually red.
1. Sew the 3 1/2" white square to the red square using a PERFECT QUARTER INCH SEAM. Finger press light seam to the dark side. LOOK CAREFULY AT THE FINISHED PICTURE ABOVE!
2. sew the 6 1/2" white piece to the side of the two squares. LOOK CAREFULLY AT FINISHED PICTURE ABOVE!
3. Sew 6 1/2" blue piece to top of project. Always finger press to dark side when possible.
4. Sew 9 1/2" blue piece to the side of project.
5. Sew 9 1/2" red piece to the top of the project.
6. Sew 12 1/2" red piece to the side of the project, finishing the sewing of the block.
Press seams carefully on the back using a DRY HOT IRON. NO STEAM, ever!!!!!!! Once the seams are pressed nicely, press the top of the block.

MYSTERY QUILT OF VALOR STARTS TODAY

Here are the yardages needed for the quilt top:
white for blocks: 2 1/2 yds.
red for blocks: 3 yds.
blue or navy for blocks: 2 1/2 yds.
For Borders: chain sew together: Navy 6 (1 1/2" strips) (1/3 yd.)
white: 7 (2 1/2" strips) 3/4 yd.
Backing and binding fabric: you'll need 4 1/2 yds.
Cut length in half resulting in 2 pieces 78" X 44"
Cut off 1 selvage edge from each and sew 2 pieces together to make 1 piece 78" X 88"
Cut off 4-2 1/2" strips 78" long for binding which leaves 1 piece 78" X 78" for back.
Please wash fabric with COLOR GRABBERS or COLOR CATCHERS until the reds and navy or blues do not stain a white washcloth. I buy cheapy washcloths to test this fabric!


I do hope you are planning on making a Quilt of Valor, whether you are planning on using my pattern or something else. We need many more made ASAP. There are still so many wounded troops in hospitals around the U.S. and you and I can make a difference. We can show them that we care and support of military in all of their endeavors.

If you are making my MYSTERY QUILT, the very first thing I want you to do is to wash all of the fabric to be sure that the colors do not run. There are things called, COLOR CATCHERS Or COLOR GRABBERS that you throw into the washing machine with the fabric. I pour at least 1/2 cup white vinegar in with any fabric that tends to bleed its color. Red and navy fabrics are usually the worst for doing this. I had to wash a red MODA fabric 9 times and used a gallon of white vinegar before I could throw a white washcloth in with it and it didn't turn pink. Since I wanted to use white fabric along with these colors, I had to be sure that they did not run.
After washing and drying fabric I fold it very carefully smoothing it out as I fold. I do not iron my fabric, as I know I'll press every seam as I make it.
Once I have my fabric ready to use, I make sure that my sewing machine is in good running order. New needle is always a good thing to have, and I load several bobbins with gray thread, as i use that for all my piecing.
Before I start cutting the fabric, I study to be sure that I have my rotary cutter nice and sharp, or a new blade inserted; my cutting mat at waist high (I use my kitchen cabinet as it kills my back to bend over a table; my 18" X 3" ruler is great to use.
I always cut going down the selvedge edge of the fabric, saving the long pieces on the other side for borders. Cut off the selvedge edge first.
I shall be putting step by step pictures for each pattern that we are going to use. There are 5 blocks.
Check for the beginning block after you have finished all of the above assignments. I shall post pictures beginning tomorrow, Sept. 25th.

Scarf pattern in Winter Colors

This pattern is pretty using almost any yarn..........
Cast on 26 stitchers.
Knit 6 rows.
Start pattern: K6, *yo,k1,yo twice, k1,yo three times, k1,yo twice,k1,yo, k6*
repeat above twice
Row 2: knit across dropping all yarnovers as you go.
Row 3 and 4: knit
Row 5: k1, *yo k1,yo twice,k1,yo 3times,k1,yo twice,k1,yo,k6*
repeat between * across, ending with a k1 instead of k6. You will do the repeat one more time on this row than you did on Row 1.
Row 6: knit across dropping all yarnovers as you go.
Row 7 & 8: knit
Continue these rows until almost out of yarn...end with another 6 rows of garter stitch. stretch knitting as you go after doing the yarn overs and knitting them.

Directions for cutting out the Pretty Pink Purse Pouch

I promised the directions for making a BRIGHT PINK "purse pouch." The reason for this color is it reminds us to have our mammograms every time we reach into our purse. I cut our two pouches at a time by leaving the fabric folded as it was when I bought it. I can make two pouches out of a half yard of pink fabric, and 1/4 yard of lining fabric.
Cutting directions for main fabric:
Fronts and Backs: 8" X 5 1/2"
Bottom and sides strip: 17" X 4"
Side A: Cell phone and Camera holder: 11 1/2" X 5 1/2"
Side B:Small pocket on left side: 8 1/2" X 3"
Card holder 22 1/2" X 5"
Lining:Cut 2 for Fronts and Backs
Cut 1 Bottom and side strip
Cut 2 lining pocket pieces: 8" X 4 1/2"