I hope you’re staying healthy during this crazy quarantine period.

It’s a strange time for sure.

What are you doing with all of your quarantine time?

Are you making masks?

I’ve made a few dozen by now.

Are you getting lots of quilting done?

I’m actively working on our 3″ blocks…

My stack is considerably taller now.

I’ve also started a new project with our guild.

There are 182, 4″ x 5″ blocks in the book.

I’ve cut kits for each of them.

Yesterday I posted #1.

Just 181 to go!

Oh yes, I’ve also spent COUNTLESS hours trying to get our lousy internet to work properly…

(& my mom’s too. They live just down the street & also having issues).

I guess our crappy service just cannot take the overload.

It’s off, it’s on, it’s off… Welcome to rural America.

Anyone use Viasat?

It’s the only service that looks like it might work,

but I don’t know anyone who’s had success with it

so we’re leery to jump into a 2 year contract with them.

Perhaps you’re working on your flower beds getting them ready for the season?

Can’t really take credit here except

that I have dug some up to share

& to move closer to the house to better appreciate them.

Getting some exercise?

I’m walking 2.4 miles/day.

It was so windy one day last week that it blew this sign loose.

Love that it’s pointing up!

Here’s my sign!

Doing lots of praying, but that’s not new for me.

I realize many are out of work & I feel badly for them.

I’ve had all of my spring into summer shows & teaching opportunities disappear.

I also feel bad for our local quilt shops that have had to close during the quarantine.

If you can, please support them.

Many shops have websites that are open.

Some are offering curb-side pick-up.

It’s going to be hard for many to recover & we need them!

If you’re having problems finding notions

I have all the notions that I use on my website for sale.

If I don’t have something you need I may be able to order it.

Just send me an email SuznQuilts@aol.com.

Sorry, no 1/4″ elastic.

I’d like to see what you’re doing!

Post pics over at my Sewing With Susan Facebook page

so we can all enjoy your progress for some inspiration.

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — The Sickle

April 14, 2020April 13, 2020 suznquilts

The Sickle Block

Odd name for such a cute block that we’ll make today.

Had lots more fun going through my scrap basket!

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Cut:

1 cream sq. 2 5/8″
1 gold sq. 2 5/8″
4 cream sq’s. 1 1/4″
4 gold sq’s. 1 1/4″

Layer the cream & gold 2 5/8″ squares right sides together.

If you’re lazy like me,

slice them corner to corner.

Use that cut edge to sew scant 1/4″ seams for 2 hst’s.

Sew each 1 1/4″ cream square to a 1 1/4″ gold square.

Chain piece to make this go quicker.

I pressed the sewn squares toward the gold fabric.

As I mentioned previously,

it helps the seams nest for best results!

The triangles I pressed open.

Trim them to 2″ x 2″.

Arrange pieces for the block then sew them together.

I pressed the last seam open.

I also removed the stitches in the seam…

You know the drill by now! lol

I debated using more than 2 fabrics

but that would probably change the block to another block!

So many quilt blocks that are almost but not quite same.

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — 9-Patch

April 13, 2020April 12, 2020 suznquilts

9-Patch Block

I hope you had a wonderful Easter.

It was an odd Easter to be sure.

Our family was able to Zoom for a while thanks to our daughter, Clare.

That at least was fun to share some time together!

Now on to our 9-Patch block.

Had lots more fun going through my scrap basket!

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Cut:

5 floral squares 1 1/2″
4 green squares 1 1/2″

Arrange.

Chain piece into rows.

I have better luck not pressing these at this point.

I think it makes the seam nest better if not pressed really flat.

Just pin the seams toward the green fabric.

Perfect match in the corners each time.

I pressed the last seam open &

removed the stitches in that seam allowance.

It shows a bit better on these more contrasting fabrics.

Sorry to be so redundant,

but so quick & easy to make 3!

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

My Life

Happy (quarantined) Easter 2020

April 12, 2020April 11, 2020 suznquilts

Wishing you a blessed Easter Sunday!

Keep the faith & stay safe.

Susan

Image compliments of The Graphics Fairy

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — Basket

April 11, 2020April 11, 2020 suznquilts

Basket Block

Since I don’t want to be sewing on Easter Sunday,

Easter Mass & family celebrations or not,

I thought others might feel the same.

So here’s your block for tomorrow, today!

How fitting that it’s a basket, huh???

Today we’ll make this original tiny basket block

that I designed just this morning.

As always I had lots of fun going through my scrap basket!

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Cut:

1 background sq. 3 1/2″
1 basket sq. 3 1/4″
1 basket BIAS rec. 3/4″ x 5″ (cut on the diagonal of the fabric) for use with 3/8″ bias tape maker (if using another size, check the instructions for your bias tape maker 1/4″ or 1/2″ would also work.)

Follow the instructions on the bias tape maker

to turn the 3/4″ x 5″ bias strip into a fused handle.

If you do not have the ability

to fuse the bias strip as your make it,

just cut a 3/16″ x 5″ strip of fusible web

& fuse it to the bias piece after you make it.

Crease the background square in both directions.

Find the center of the bias strip.

Align it with the crease 1 1/4″ from the top of the background square.

Use this as a guide to fuse the handle.

Be sure to align it well inside the 1/4″ seam allowance

at the two sides of the background square.

You may need to use a bit of glue too since the curve is so tight.

I didn’t.

I just went right to my sewing machine & stitched it down.

I used the same tiny blind hem stitch

that I use for all of my little Dresden plates & other applique.

My second basket block’s fabrics have more contrast

& may be easier to see.

The thread should match the basket fabric.

Align the 3 1/4″ basket square with the

BOTTOM

corner of the background square as shown below.

I used my “Lazy Susan” technique once again,

aligning the 1/4″ line of the ruler

corner to corner on the

BASKET FABRIC

square.

Next, I trimmed away the fabric outside the edge of the ruler.

I then used this edge to sew the scant 1/4″ seam.

I think the backs are so cool!

I truly just love figuring out the mechanics to make this work!

I hope you love making some “Easter” basket blocks.

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — Bow tie

April 11, 2020April 10, 2020 suznquilts

Bow tie Block

This is one of my all-time favorite blocks!

Today we’ll make this cutie.

A quick job going through my scrap basket today!

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Cut:

2 background sq’s. 2″
2 bow tie fabric sq’s. 2″
2 bow tie fabric sq’s. 1 1/4″

I used my “Lazy Susan” flying geese technique today.

It makes this block even quicker.

Just put the 1 1/4″ bow tie squares

on the corners of the 2″ background squares

then trim & sew.

Simple.

Arrange then assemble the block.

So quick & cute!

More fun…

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

& I hope you have a happy Easter tomorrow!

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — Friendship Star

April 10, 2020April 10, 2020 suznquilts

Friendship Star Block

We’ll make this tiny friendship star block today.

Had more fun going through my scrap basket!

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Cut:

4 cream squares 1 1/2″
1 solid green square 1 1/2″
Make 4 cream/green half-square triangles using 1″ FINISHED Thangles™ or see instructions below for traditional piecing.

I used Thangles for the half-square triangles.

~~~~OR~~~~

If traditionally piecing the half-square triangles (hst’s),

Cut 2 green & 2 cream 2″ squares.

Place a cream square on top of a green square.

Draw a diagonal line on the cream square.

Sew a scant 1/4″ on both sides of the drawn line.

Cut apart the squares on the drawn line.

Press flat, then toward the green fabric.

Trim hst’s to 1 1/2″.

Use your favorite method.

Assemble your block.

Then if you want, make more!

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — A Quilt Of Variety

April 9, 2020April 8, 2020 suznquilts

A Quilt Of Variety Block

It takes more time to say the name than to make this block!!!

Today we’ll make this very simple & fast block.

Not too many decisions going through my scrap basket for this one!

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Cut:

2 black sq’s. 2″
1 pink sq. 3 1/2″

Aside from my 1-Patch from April Fool’s Day,

you can’t get much simpler than this.

FYI this “pink” fabric is one of my favorite Thimbleberries fabrics

& that’s saying a lot knowing how many I have!

I used my “Lazy Susan” technique again today.

You can cut both corners at once then sew

since the corner squares don’t overlap each other.

Press, then voila!

So easy you’ll make a bunch in 5 minutes!

Show us your blocks at my Sewing With Susan FB Group.

We want to see your progress too!

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SewingWithSusan/

Just Keep Sewing…

Susan

A Quilt Along, My Life

1-A-Day, 3″ Blocks — Louisiana

April 8, 2020April 7, 2020 suznquilts

Louisiana Block

Today we’ll make this cutie.

Hopefully not the one below.

It’s cute but when you change the placement of pieces you change the block!

Had lots more fun going through my scrap basket!

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Cut:

8 black sq’s. 1 1/4″
4 medium green rec’s. 1 1/4″ x 2″
4 light green rec’s. 1 1/4″ x 2″

I used my “Lazy Susan” method again with the black squares and medium green rectangles.

I like to press to the path of least resistance so the first seam was pressed open and the second pressed toward the triangle.

Sew the flying geese to light green rectangles.

Careful of placement!!!

Press seams toward rectangles.

Arrange units into pinwheel design.

Sew units together to finish block.

I removed the couple of stitches in the last seam allowance which allows the seam to spin on the middle like on other blocks we’ve made recently.

Have fun making more!

I played with value placement in each of the blocks. It looks different with each fabric group don’t you agree?

Barbara Brickman’s illo looks different than all 3 of my blocks.

Oh & my first block that I was working on while being frustrated to waking to no internet AGAIN & also interrupted by AT&T calls because of our loss of internet, became a different block altogether…