Hummingbird Quilt Block Tutorial

As promised, a paper piecing instructions for a Hummingbird Quilt block.

FOUNDATION PATTERN available from
 my online store here ($4.00):

HUMMINGBIRD BLOCK - FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING PATTERN

This tutorial is quite lengthy however I have included photos of all steps required to successfully complete one Hummingbird block.  Do I think this quilt pattern is suitable for a beginner?  Probably not, however by simply trying this block you will learn so much!  One of my early quilts was a very involved foundation paper piecing quilt with lots of pieces, arcs and curves. I learned so much from simply tackling that project one step at a time.  You can do this.  Really, all you are doing is sewing on a marked line ...

PREPARATION

Make one copy of the block foundation by printing the pdf file directly from your computer. One copy of the pattern is needed  for each block.  Print or copy as many foundations as blocks required.

Print the pdf pattern actual size - do not scale to fit.  

Cut the paper piecing foundation apart into the four separate foundations that make up the block. I like to allow another 1/4 inch or so around the outer edge of the pattern (in addition to the seam allowance) and use a rotary cutter and ruler to cut the paper foundation.  

TEMPLATES for cutting fabric - sacrifice one of your foundation paper patterns to make paper templates to cut fabric pieces. Mark an arrow on your template to indicate fabric grain. When cutting fabric pieces ensure that you place the arrow on the template on grain with the fabric.  In the top right hand corner (pictured above) are the templates that I have used to cut fabric for my quilt.

FABRIC REQUIREMENTS - for each Hummingbirds Block you will need:

• BLUE:   3" x 5" cut TWO and use the diamond shaped template to cut the required shape.
• PINK:   3" x 5" cut TWO and use the diamond shaped template to cut the required shape.
• YELLOW*:  Cut a A 3.25" strip from the width of your background fabric and use the template to cut pieces, flipping the template as you go to minimize fabric waste. Cut 8 background triangles for each Hummingbird block.

* For the purposes of this tutorial I have substituted white solid fabric with a solid yellow fabric for ease of photographing.

I also found that with careful placement of the diamond template it is possible to use 5 inch charm squares - and cut 2 on grain diamond fabric pieces as is required.

Ready to go!
8 yellow background triangles
2 pink diamonds
2 blue diamonds
4 paper piecing foundations

STEP BY STEP PAPER PIECING

1. Select a yellow background triangle and looking through the printed side of the foundation place the fabric behind the #1 area.  Check to make sure that the fabric extends at least a 1/4 inch beyond the #1 area.  Pin in place.  In case you are using a printed fabric ensure that the printed side (the right side) of the fabric is facing away from the foundation paper.

2.  Place the diamond shaped piece of fabric - right side down on top of the background fabric.  Align edges.  Pin if needed.

3.  Start at the red dot and sew on the line between #1 and #2.  You can extend your stitching into the seam allowance at the end of the stitching line (but do not stitch ahead of the red dot). Reduce the length of your stitches; this will make removal of the foundation papers a breeze and keeps your seams in tact after the paper has been removed.

4.  Check the width of your seam allowance:  with the lined side of your foundation paper facing up fold the foundation paper at the seam line you have just stitched.  Trim any fabric in excess of the 1/4 inch seam allowance. I have used an Add a Quarter Quilter's Ruler which has a specially designed 1/4 inch lip that conveniently aligns with the edge of the paper. Any ruler will however suffice.

5.   Press using a warm dry iron.

6.  With the lined side of the foundation paper facing up, place a sturdy card (postcard, stock card etc) on the line between area #2 and #3.  

7.  Fold the paper (on the line) over the edge of the card thereby exposing the excess fabric. 

8.  Again using a ruler and adding a quarter inch seam allowance - trim excess fabric.  You want to cut 1/4 inch away from the fold line.

9.  Place the second background triangle right side down on top of the diamond.  Align the edges.  Pin if required.

10. Turn over and with the lined side of the foundation up.  Start at the red dot and sew on the line between area #2 and #3. You can extend your stitching into the seam allowance at the end of the stitching line (but do not stitch ahead of the red dot).  Turnover and press the background triangle.

Again - as in step 4 - you may need to check the width of your seam allowance and trim if required. You will however find that as you have already trimmed the diamond shape to size in step 8 above that your seam allowance won't require further trimming.

11.  Using a rotary cutter and ruler trim both excess fabric and foundation paper.  Be sure to leave the 1/4 inch seam allowance all around.

12.  In exactly the same way - starting at area #1 and finishing with area #3 - paper piece the remaining foundations.  Four foundations are required to complete each Hummingbird block.

SEWING TOGETHER THE FOUR FOUNDATIONS

Join together a blue and pink foundation as pictured above.  You will notice that the seams of these two foundations nest together:

Carefully nest seams and sew as follows:

Start sewing at the red dot and sew on the line.  You can extend the stitching line into the seam allowance however do not stitch ahead of the red dot.

At this point remove foundation papers. Press the seam in the direction of the arrow, as pictured.  Both of these half units are exactly the same.

Sew the two half units together using a 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Press seams as indicated by the largest arrows - opening the center point seams as pictured:

You'll notice that all seams are now pressed in a clock-wise direction.

Trim off corners.  Your Hummingbird block now measures 5.5 inches x 5.5 inches.

JOINING BLOCKS INTO A QUILT TOP

Sew blocks into rows - and because you have not sewn into the seam allowance during block construction you will once again be able to "twist" open the seam where the points meet.

Sew rows together into a quilt top.  Press seams in either direction or press seams open if preferred.

The finished quilt is for sale and is listed in my Etsy Store:  Hummingbirds Quilt

NEED MORE HELP WITH FOUNDATION PAPER PIECING?

Carol Doak's Mastering Foundation Paper Piecing Craftsy class.

ANY QUESTIONS?  Please leave a comment and I will answer by reply comment - thereby helping anyone else who may have a similar question.

Happy Stitching!
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
Hummingbird Quilt Block - foundation pattern 
Hummingbird Quilt - Work in Progress

Hummingbirds Quilt [work in progress]

A new week and a brand new project.

I have been looking forward to making this particular quilt for some time; it is inspired by a quilt that I saw at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City back in 2010:

Hummingbirds Quilt
Artist Unknown
Indiana 1920-1930

It seems the traditional name for this quilt block is Hummingbirds but it is also known as Periwinkle, Four Pointed/On-Point Star.  I think I am going to go with the Hummingbirds name - which is also the name of the above Amish quilt.  [Check out this short YouTube Video: Hummingbirds Quilt by Elizabeth Warren - Exhibition Curator for more information about this quilt.]

I used EQ7 to draft up the block and decided that for me foundation paper piecing was the best way to sew this particular block.  Each block is made up of four foundations and although it was slow going I do admit that I actually enjoy paper piecing. I like structure and routine as well as the accuracy that comes effortlessly with paper piecing.

I have enjoyed choosing fabrics and as my block is fairly small (5.5 inches x 5.5 inches) I have used primarily small scale prints as well as some solid fabrics for a stronger contrast. I haven't as yet sewn any of the blocks together but what I did do was ensure that all seams will nest together when I do start sewing the blocks together into a quilt top.

I am working on making the foundation paper piecing pattern for this block available as a free download (hopefully by the end of this week) together with details for successful project completion.  So much to do, so little time!

Thank you for stopping by,
Rita

RELEVANT LINKS:
American Folk Art Museum - visit in 2010
Hummingbird Block Tutorial and Foundation Paper Piecing Templates
The Finished Hummingbird Quilt

Sunday Stash #202 - A is for .... by My KT

A is for .... by My KT (Windham Fabrics)

A is For by My KT is a cheerful 30's inspired collection in a bright color palette. Pictured here is not the complete fabric collection as I had to trade-off between all prints versus yardage of some.  Yardage won.  

A is For - Alphabet in Black, Red, Blue and White

I particularly like the (above pictured) Alphabet fabrics ~ I love the clear colors and simple, classic design. Yardage of these prints have been added to stash. 

A is For - Blossom, Flowers and Apostrophe

You'll also see some of these small scale designs appear in my quilts.  These are great stash basics and will blend well and easily with other fabric collections. I have in fact already cut into these prints and look forward to sharing pictures of my work in progress next week.

A is For ...  by My KT is now in stores and available from:
Pink Castle Fabrics
The Fat Quarter Shop
Fabric Bubb (Etsy)

Enjoy Sunday!
Rita

Philadelphia Pavement Quilt - A Finished Quilt

And a Picture Post

Philadelphia Pavement Quilt
Each square measures just 1.5 inches x 1.5 inches.

Yes, I have finished the Philadelphia Pavement Quilt!  I don't know why I was so concerned about basting and quilting this quilt (all fabrics were cut on-grain but were now placed on-point and thereby adding stretch in directions that I am not normally used to) as really - and thankfully - it all went very smoothly.

Rather than add more detail to the quilt I have instead ditch-stitched ALL seam lines using black thread to quilt the seam lines that join the blocks together and a more neutral grey thread to quilt all remaining seam lines.  For bobbin thread I have used a neutral beige thread that blended well with the backing fabric.  Ditch-stitching is tedious and time consuming but I do love the texture created by the 1.5 inch grid of intersecting quilting lines - and here we need a touch screen for hands on texture ...

For the back of the quilt I have used a single fabric: Leaf and Dot in Green from the Flea Marker Fancy collection by Denyse Schmidt - very much an old fabric favorite.

There was no indecision about binding fabric this time; a solid black fabric for quilt binding was the obvious choice and I love that it blends with the quilt edge and thereby finishes the quilt perfectly.  

I have loved making this quilt - I enjoy repetitive block making, selecting and cutting fabric then piecing each block and watching the blocks blend together despite the overall scrappiness of fabrics used. This quilt has also reminded me to use more solid fabrics in my quilt making; solid fabrics add such strong contrast and color. Love!

I have listed this quilt in my Etsy Store.

All of the listing details are here:  Philadelphia Pavement Quilt

Ready for shipping.

RELEVANT LINKS:

Red Pepper Quilts Etsy Store
Philadelphia Pavement Quilt in Progress 1
Philadelphia Pavement Quilt in Progress 2

As always, thank you for stopping by,
Rita


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