Southward Bound – Block Seven of the Dreamcatcher Round the Year BOM Quilt

Cindy Ellerbe’s Test Block – Southward Bound

Which quilter does not have the Mariner’s Compass on her bucket list?

I have been in love with the block for ages; I had to include it as the seventh block in the Dreamcatcher Round the Year Quilt!

This off-centre Mariner’s Compass is a variation of the block, which is traditionally hand pieced or English paper pieced. However, this pattern employs a number of techniques, including foundation paper piecing, machine piecing and appliqué. It finishes at 18″ square, with a 15″ pieced circle. The printable pdf files instructions and templates for the block are now available on my MadsPatch store on Ecwid.

The learning and inspiration for this block cane from this workshop…

…in this book

The blocks were drafted on Quilt Assistant free software and I used Primo PDF to make the pdf templates.

 Instructions

This is the Dusk colourway, the rays of the setting sun lighting up the needles on the right, as the darkness gathers from the East on the left. The name of the block came about as the pattern originally had a circle of geese , recding in size, flying upwards from both sides – I dropped them to simplify the design.

Fabric Requirement

Fabric Colour Code – Block Seven Southward Bound

Four shades of the main colour (blue) and four in a contrast colour way – yellow, gold, light and deep orange – are used here.

The fabric requirements given here are quite generous (according to me!), but you may want to cut fabric as you go along.

Fabric Code		For templates A to H	For templates I to P	Wedges Q to X	Centre YZ
Fabric #1	Deep blue 6″ x 42″Cut more as you need it.	6″ squares for the two large wedges at D4 and E2.6″ HSTs and QSTs can be used for the other wedges.	Cut QSTs from two 6″ squares. Alternatively, you can use scraps.
Fabric # 4	Blue 5″ x 35″		Cut strip 5″x 25″ lengthwise to get 2 strips 2.5″ x 25″	Use (freezer) paper templates to cut the wedge pieces
Fabric # 5	Light to medium blue 5″ x 35″		Cut strip 5″x 25″ lengthwise to get 2 strips 2.5″ x25″	Use ( freezer) paper templates to cut the wedge pieces
Fabric #6	Pale blue 2.5″x 18″3″ square		18″ x2.5″		Cut circle using template Z
Fabric #7, 8, 9 and 10	2.5″ x 17.5″ strips each		2.5′ x 15″		2.5″ squares of each
Fabric # 1 and 2	For background cut 10″ x 19.5″ of each. Join along 19.5″ length to get a square 19.5″x 19.5″

BUY PATTERN HERE

Printing and Templates

After you buy the pattern, download the files from the links you receive in email in .pdf format. You would need Adobe Reader, available free online to read these files on your computer.  The files downloaded will include three files, as follows:

Instructions File – contains these instructions including the fabric requirement, piecing order and Master Template to be used as a guide for assembling the block.

Template File.1 containing paper piecing templates A to P . Print at actual size or 100% in portrait mode

Template File.2 containing templates Q to X and Z . I suggest you print these on freezer paper, if available, at 100% or actual size. These are odd shaped pieces with circular edges, and I personally like to use freezer paper for accuracy for cutting these.

For printing on freezer paper, cut the freezer paper to your regular printer paper size (A4 or letter – approximately 8.5″ x 11″). Iron just the edges of the freezer paper (about ¼”) to a regular printer sheet, so that they are joined evenly, without any creases. Print as usual, taking care to insert the joined sheets in the printer so that the printing is on the freezer paper.

Place freezer paper, sticky side down on regular printer sheet. Iron about a 1/4″ on all edges.

Print the double sheet as usual.

You also need to cut a 2″ radius/ 4″ diameter circle on freezer paper/ stiff paper/ card ( for template Y).

Note : The background template AA and AB are not given for this block, as the circle is appliquéd on to the square.

Master Template – Southward Bound Mariner’s Compass Round the Year Quilt

This  diagram is the Master Template that will help you in assembling the block – remember this is is a mirror image. It shows you how your block will look from the printed paper side, not the fabric side, when assembled. It is included in the Instructions File.

Piecing

The block is partly foundation paper pieced. I have blogged about the paper piecing patterns for this quilt earlier, and also given a few paper piecing tips here. In case you are too lazy to go through those ( I would be, I know!) here is a quick checklist before you begin!

Paper Piecing Checklist

• Have the fabrics been colour coded?
• Has the machine stitch length been reduced?
  
• Are the templates in order specified in the instructions?
  
• Have you picked up the correct fabric pieces or strip/s? The fabric code number is printed on each piece position. It is a good idea to check that once in a while.
  
• When you start, is your piece #1 placed on position #1 on the templates?
  
• Is the wrong side of the fabric piece touching the paper?
  
• Is the incoming piece placed right sides touching the previous one?
  
• If strip chain piecing the templates, have you sufficient space between one template and the next?

Now to begin with the piecing!

1. For best use of fabric, piece templates in the following order:
2. D. E, F, G, H, I, A, B, C.
3. Beginning with the bigger templates, you will be able to use the trimmed off scraps of fabric #1 (deep blue here).
   
4. Piece templates I, J, K… to P.
5. Attach the wedges Q to A, R to B, S to C…. X to H using the Master Template below as guide.
6. Piecing the inner circle YZ: Use the 2.5″ squares of fabric 7, 8, 9 and 10 to make a 4-patch

   

   Make a four patch. Dont worry about accurately matched centre.

7. Fold the fabric circle Z twice to find the centre. Match centres and applique it to the centre of the 4-patch, using your favourite method.

   

   Applique inner circle on centre

8. Place card template / iron freezer template on wrong side of the fabric. Trim to size – remember to add the seam allowance! This makes the inner circle YZ.

   

   Place card template, add 1/4″ seam allowance

   

   Trim.

Assembly Instructions

Template Assembly Checklist

• Have you a print out of the Master Template in front of you?
  
• Avoid removing paper pieces before your template is ready to actually go under the machine! Arrange the templates, printed side up, using the Master Template as a guide.
  
• If you do remove the paper, ensure you have the template (alphabet) name pinned to wrong side of the pieced template, to guide you during assembly.
  
• At all times, keep the printed/ wrong side up, pick up the templates to be assembled, (remove the paper, if you wish to) sew them together. Put back in place, wrong side up. Go on to the next. At all times, remember to keep track of template names!
  

For this particular block, assemble the outer circle A to X and then attach it to the background square AA-AB. Applique the inner circle YZ last.

Refer to the Master template at all times during assembly to ensure all is in order! Reminder: If you take off the paper before assembly, remember to stick a post-it note or pin a piece of paper with the template name on the pieced template.

Assemble as follows:

AQ to I; BR to J; CS to K…and so on, till HX to P.

Join the adjoining wedges, anticlockwise when looking from the wrong/ printed paper side as follows:

AQI to BRJ to CSK

DTL to EUM

FVN to GWO to HXP

On flipping over to right (fabric) side, this is how your partly assembled templates should appear.

Complete the assembly to form a ring…

Applique to the background square. Finally, appliqué the centre circle YZ and trim excess fabric from behind the appliqued circle if you like.

And we are done – the Mariner mastered!

Before I sign off, here is a look at the Rainbow version of the block. Remember, the templates and instructions can be purchased from my Ecwid online store Madspatch!

Please note that the downloadable patterns and instruction files for the Dreamcatcher Round the Year quilt blocks are being migrated to my store MadsPatch and are not available for download for free from 15th November 2020 onwards.

Buy SOUTHWARD BOUND PATTERN Here

Rainbow Venus – Block Five of Dreamcatcher Round the Year Quilt

This is Rainbow Venus, Block Five of the Block of the Month Quilt, Dreamcatcher Round the Year. I have named it after the birth star for those born in October, like my husband and son! Completely paper pieced, It is inspired by the beautiful folded star, which is made by folding squares or circles of fabric around a centre point. The block is 18′ square with a 15″ inset circle.

I used Quilt Assistant free software to design this block.

The quilt itself is being designed in two colourways, Dusk and this one, Rainbow. Would you like to see the Venus at Dusk? You can do that and download the pattern from this link.

To get back to the Rainbow Venus, the colour design above uses a black and white geometric/ text modern print to set off fluorescent or bright coloured solids against a blue background, and a hint of grey.

Fabric Requirements and Cutting Instructions

I like to nicely starch and press my fabric before cutting – besides pressing after each step of piecing – to ensure a neat, crisp finish to my block. By the way, the `x’ in the chart after each Fabric number refers to the number of pieces of the fabric you need to cut. Just so that you can boast about it, there are 112 pieces in this block!

FABRIC USAGE

Important – If appliquéing the circle to the background, you need a 19.5” square of fabric#1  instead of 18” x16” specified in chart; do not cut fabric according to templates I and J.

Instructions

Master Template – Venus Quilt

Print the Instructions file and keep it at hand.

Print all templates from the Templates File in portrait mode at actual size (or 100%) setting on your printer. Note that I have provided only one template of each kind– (viz A. B. I and J) – whereas you need four of each. So you can either print four copies of the templates file, or use any method you like ( like tracing or needle punching) to replicate the templates. If you plan to applique the circle to a background square, do not print the templates I and J on the first two pages of the Templates File.

I like to cut out the templates just a little larger than printed and trim to size after piecing. For this block, one can use a rotary cutter for trimming the straight sides after piecing, for a neat finish.

Piecing

The 8 templates A to H are pieced like individual two-sided log cabin blocks, beginning with the centre piece as Piece#1. Align the straight edge of the strip with the printed seam line at each stage. It saves time if you work on all the templates at the same time. Complete the piecing at each step, trim the seams and press, before moving to the next step.

Assembly

Join the 8 wedges to respective background pieces using the colour design and the Master template as a guide. Join in pairs to make the 4 squares that make up the block. Assemble these to make up the full block. The Master Template is a mirror image of the final block, which should not really matter here, as the design is symmetrical.

Step by step piecing instructions, with photographs, are available on this post with the Venus at Dusk pattern.

I leave you to consider two more options that I liked, when designing this block. Or, you could try out your own colour combinations on the Master template.

Happy star gazing!

Paper Piecing Templates for Rainbow Venus, Block Five of the Dreamcatcher Round the Year Quilt

Instructions File and Fabric Requirements for Rainbow Venus, Block Five of the Dreamcatcher Round the Year Quilt.

Please note that the downloadable patterns and instruction files for the Dreamcatcher Round the Year quilt blocks are being migrated to my store MadsPatch and will not be available for download for free from 15th November 2020 onwards.

Sapphire Fire – Block Four of the Dreamcatcher Round the Year BOM Quilt and some Paper Piecing Tips

Sapphire Fire Quilt Block

Sapphire Fire
is the fourth block in the Dusk colourway in the Block of the Month Quilt, Dreamcatcher Round the Year. The templates and instructions for the other colourway “Rainbow” have already been posted last week.

Like the previous three blocks, this one is also paper foundation pieced and finishes at 18″ square with a 15″ inset circle. The pattern, fabric requirement and piecing instructions can be downloaded from the links at the end of this post.

I am yet to make this block in this colourway. I plan to use 4 shades of blue fabric from deep to light in this block, contrasted with 4 fabrics ranging from deep orange through light orange and gold to yellow. The background is planned in 2 shades of grey. Here is a look at some of the fabric I have been auditioning for the block! It is Fossil Fern by Benartex – I just love that fabric!

Fabric for the Sapphire Fire Block

Meanwhile, I am utilising this post to list out of a few do’s and don’t’s to keep in mind when paper piecing the blocks from this quilt!

Templates

1. Reminder – the templates for the Round the Year quilt blocks are printed mirror images.
   
2. Check to see if the templates are to be printed in portrait or landscape mode – adjust the printer setting accordingly.
   
3. Take print outs of the Template file with printer settings at 100% or actual size.
   

I often have people ask me if they can increase the printer settings to, say, 120% if a larger block is needed. It does not work that way, if you have the ¼” seam allowance added on to the template ( as is the case with the Dreamcatcher Round the Year block templates). You will end up increasing the seam allowance also to 120%!

4.    I hate all the paper wastage involved when printing the templates – often one template occupies one whole page! Where possible, I like to use my unthreaded sewing machine to needle punch up to 7-8 templates at a time from waste paper stapled to a printed template. Tissue paper works great!

5.  I like to cut the templates a bit larger on all sides and trim them after piecing. It may be just superstition, I don’t know! I just like the thought of some margin in case things go wrong somewhere!

Cutting Fabric

6.  This can never be stressed enough – starch and press your fabric! It makes all the difference between a block that looks like it has been pieced by an experienced quilter versus a beginner! Every minute spent on this stage will be well worth it!

7.   What I love about paper piecing is that you don’t have to be very accurate when cutting the fabric. All my fabric requirement charts give you plenty of margin. Personally, I like to keep a boxful of all the scraps from the quilt blocks to look into before I start cutting fresh fabric.

8.   After cutting the fabric pieces, I can save a lot of heartburn if I remember to pin the pieces to the respective templates! At this stage, I also get a chance to check if I have missed out on a piece or two.

Piecing

9.   I like to sort out the templates shape wise unless specifically asked not to. There is a possibility you can chain piece them and why miss the opportunity?

10.  Set your machine stitch length to 1.5 (or about 15-20 stitches per inch). You want to be able to tear away the paper, without getting the stitches all loosened up.

11.   It may sound obvious, but please remember to begin with piece #1 and #2 when you start piecing a template!

Now to the piecing itself:

• Place fabric piece #1 with the wrong side touching the paper on the unprinted side. Hold it against the light to see that the entire area of piece #1 is covered plus a ¼” seam allowance.
  
• Place piece#2 on top of piece #1, right sides together. ALWAYS – right sides touching each other. Align the edges of the two pieces at seam between #1 and #2 – overlapping ¼” beyond the seam line.
  
  
• Pin the two pieces together before flipping to printed side of paper and stitching on seam line.
  
• Trim the seam allowance to ¼”.
  
• Press open fabric piece #2 and hold the template against light to check that it covers the printed area #2 plus ¼” seam allowance on all sides.
  
• We are now ready to stitch piece #3…repeat as for pieces #1 and #2!
  
• Repeat for all the numbered pieces – in the correct order, till the whole template is pieced.

12.  When all the templates are pieced and ready to be assembled, trim the templates to the right size – to the outer dotted line in the case of my block templates.

Assembly

13.  Each of the block patterns includes a Master Template, which is a guide to how the templates are to be assembled.
REMEMBER – The Master Template is also a mirror image and shows the printed side of the paper templates.

( You can also use the Master Template to try out your own colour schemes; use colour pencils! )

14. Unlike in the case of the templates, numbering or alphabetical order does not work here! So that it is not necessary that A is joined to B is joined to C etc…Follow the assembly instructions given in the pattern (Instructions File). In case of confusion – yes – refer to the Master template.

15. There are several alignment markers in the form of crosses and tiny lines cutting across the seam line. Use these to pin the templates together.

16. You can tear away much of the paper before you start assembling the templates, especially if it does not have any alignment markers!

17. What you need to be careful at this stage is which edges you join and which template is on top when it goes under the needle. How do I know? Guess!

I think I have listed all the things to be taken care of when paper piecing these blocks! In no time you should have a perfectly pieced and assembled block. If you can think of anything else, do share it here!

Before I forget, here are the promised pattern downloads for the Sapphire Fire Block! The files are huge, and may take time to download. You need Adobe Reader on your system(downloadable free online) to be able to view/ download these files. Happy piecing and quilting!

Instructions – for Sapphire Fire, Block Four of Dreamcatcher Dusk Round the Year Quilt.

Paper piecing templates – for Sapphire Fire, Block Four of Dreamcatcher Dusk Round the Year Quilt.

Please note that the downloadable patterns and instruction files for the Dreamcatcher Round the Year quilt blocks are being migrated to my store MadsPatch and will not be available for download for free from 15th November 2020 onwards.

BUY PATTERN HERE!

Card Trick Block – Instructions File (My Bad!)

I have just corrected the link to the instructions for the Card Trick quilt block ( Block Three of the Block of the Month Quilt, Round the Year) posted earlier today in the main blogpost.

The correct links are also given here!

Card Trick Paper Piecing Template File

Card Trick Instructions File.

Sorry for the confusion!

While all my Dreamcatcher patterns are free and will continue to remain so, may I suggest you visit the webpage of my favourite NGO Samarpan and donate whatever you deem fit towards the wonderful work they are doing to spread joy, peace and happiness through the world? Thank you!

Assembling the Evening at the Pond Block

I had posted the instructions for piecing the second block of my block of the month quilt, Round the Year, here
When I left you, this is where we were, 16 templates pieced and ready for assembly, using the master template as a guide.

Evening at the Pond templates ready to be assembled

 

Actually, with this picture, gasping in admiration at what you had put together!

Paper piecing done!

So after you’ve finished admiring your templates, head back to the sewing machine. This will come up really fast, and before you know, your block will be ready!
The order of piecing will be
1. Template A to template I; B to J; C to K….H to P!
Place templates A and I right sides together and push pins to align them. Secure with pins along the seam line and remove the hanging pins.

Pond and flying geese template pinned together

Hanging pins removed

Sew all the pairs, AI, BJ, CK…HP. Remove the paper from the seams and the paper pieces that do not have alignment markers.

Press seam line in alternate directions  – as in the corresponding pond template.

And then there were eight!

Join these eight segments in pairs to make quarter circles. AI to BJ, CK to DL, EM to FN and GO to HP. If you want you can remove the paper pieces on the pond templates now.

Align the two adjoining segments with pins. I need to be very careful at this stage, as I always end up joining the pairs along the wrong edges – pinning helps prevent that.

Two segments being aligned together with pins

 

…the hanging pins on the other side

Secure the two sub blocks together with pins and remove the hanging pins. Ready to sew!

Ready to go under the needle

The quarters are finally ready to be joined to the respective background pieces.

Rainbow against a blue sky!

The rainbow against a cloudy sky…

The next block is ready to be revealed on the first of the next month! While you get your second block ready, I’ll get my blogpost ready!  Do post pictures of your block on my facebook page Patchwork of My Life!