Are you wondering about your fabric choice and how it may look in a block? I have designed a little project to show off your fabric and help you organise your block as you sew. One side is a pressing mat, the other is a design board. On the front is a pocket for your 6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ square ruler.
(fabric is from several French General Lines from Moda)
For the block case you will be using a block designed by Pat Sloan for the Moda Sampler Shuffle.
Before you start wash your fabrics and batting. This will allow for shrinkage to occur before sewing and will allow you to wash your mat if required. The best way to wash the batting is by hand with a very gentle detergent in warm water. Submerge the batting (before cutting) into a tub of warm water and mild detergent. Do not agitate the batting as it may cause it to tear and separate. Drain and refill the tub to rinse out detergent. Remove from tub and gently roll in a towel and squeeze the excess water out. Lie flat in shade to dry or if recommended by manufacturer, place in dryer on low heat setting. Note: Always check the washing instructions from the individual batting manufacturers.
The pattern uses 3 layers of batting. The reason for the layers of batting is that you can use one side of the mat for pressing. There should be enough layers to protect the surface beneath the mat.
Materials
- Moda Shuffle Block by Pat Sloan ( requirements for block are listed in pattern)
- Block and border fabric / Centre binding strip: 12″ x 12″
- Ruler pocket: 2 squares of assorted fabrics- 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″
- Backing fabric: 12″ x 22″
- Binding: 2 strips – 2 1/2″ x width of fabric
- Batting: 25″ x 40″ (Alternatively, flannel can be used).
- Ribbon: 50″ of 3/4″ wide ribbon
- Basting spray
- Matching thread
Cutting
From block and border fabric cut:
- 2 rectangles – 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ (A)
- 2 rectangles – 2 1/2″ x 10 1/2″(B)
- 2 strip – 1 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ (C)
From batting cut:
- 3 rectangles – 12″ x 22″
Block Assembly
- Follow the instructions to make the shuffle block. Unfinished block size is
6 1/2″ x 6 1/2″. - Sew a 2 1/2″ x 6 1/2″ rectangle (A) to top and bottom of block. Press seam toward border.
- Sew a 2 1/2″ x10 1/2″ rectangle (B) to sides of block. Press seam towards border.
- Unfinished block will measure 10 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ square.
Pressing mat and design block assembly
- Find centre of backing fabric. Find the centre of the ribbon. Sew ribbon to backing fabric. Measure 10 1/4″ from one side, mark it. Measure from the other side 10 1/4″ mark it. Now sew the ribbon Between those marks which leaves enough space after trimming to add binding without catching ribbon.
- Layer the backing and 3 layers of batting. Make sure the batting is centred on the background piece. Use basting spray between each layer to secure the layers.
- Position the finished shuffle block on background and batting sandwich and baste in place. (Make sure the ribbon ends are out of the way)
- Press 1 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ strip (C) in half lengthwise. Open strip and press sides to the centre. Make 1 – binding strip.
- Find centre of backing/ batting sandwich and sew binding strip to centre stitching. Topstitch on both sides. Note- Left side is your design board and is only batting.
- Quilt the block.
- Trim background and batting to 10″ x 21″. ( Be careful not to cut ribbon)
- Place 7 1/2″ x 7 1/2″ ruler pocket squares right sides together. Sew 1/4″ around the square leaving a 4″ opening at the bottom. Turn pocket right side out. Gently poke out corners. Press.
- On back of pressing mat side, centre the pocket and topstitch on 3 sides.
- Bind your project (Be careful not to catch the ribbon ends).
- Enjoy your combined design board and pressing station.
We would love to see your finished projects. Use #TheSplendidSamplerOrganiser on all social media.
- Pat has written a book on the many ways to sew Triangles, buy at her Pat’s Pick page, or here online, which has a digital option, or at your favorite quilt shop!
- The Splendid Sampler Project Details and join us ONLINE!
Comments are closed.