Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial - Part IV - Sailboat Block

This is my tutorial for my sailboat block from my Summer Beach Quilt (instructions to complete the row is at the bottom). This block finishes at 16"w  x 16.5"h . To make the sails I used half-rectangle triangles and used a tutorial from the Modern Quilt Guild to figure out how to make them. In this tutorial I will be using their recommended techniques to make the sails. 

PLEASE READ: Just like with half-square triangles, when you make half-rectangle triangles you will render 2 completed units for each one you make. I hope that makes sense. For example, to make my quilt I made 3 different sets of sails, and had 3 sets left over when everything was done. But that just means I can make some coordinating cushions or something:) 

To make one block you will need the following fabric pieces:

Note: To make a scrappy/striped sail like mine, just sew (5) 2.5" x 8" strips together on the long edge:)

When we make our sails we need to mark our fabric 1/2" inside the corners. To make this easier, use a small piece of cardstock and trace around your ruler on the corner at the 1/2" mark. 

Now, lay out your two 12.5" x 8" rectangles side by side with the short edge on the bottom. Make sure your white fabric is on the port side (left) and your print fabric is on the starboard side (right). 

Using your cardstock, mark a 1/2" dot inside the lower left corner. 

Mark an additional dot in each of the corners indicated by the arrows.

Now, using your ruler, draw a line across your white fabric using the dots as a guide. You are essentially "connecting the dots" but you want your lines to extend to the edge of the fabric.

Now, take your white piece of fabric and rotate it clockwise and match up the dots on the white fabric with the dots on your print fabric. The dots will still be on the outside, you are just placing them on "top" of each other. The top of the white fabric is now on the lower right. 

Lift up the fabric and make sure the dots are on lined up on the top AND bottom. 

Now pin your fabric into place (but not near the drawn line). 

Sew 1/4" from both sides of drawn line.

Cut your pieces along the line to separate.

And open them up and press. 

I pressed towards the white fabric because I didn't want to fight the scrappy sails, but it's up to you which way you press:) 

Now we are going to make our left sail(s). Lay out your 9" x 13.5" pieces of fabric with the print on the left and the white on the right (a reverse of the last). Mark your dots 1/4" from the corners indicated by the arrows. Using the dots as a guide (and your ruler) draw a line to "connect" the dots on the white piece of fabric. 

Doing the same thing as we did before except this time you will place your white fabric on top of the print fabric with the dot on the top of the white fabric aligned withe the dot on top of the print fabric. Make sure the upper and lower dots are aligned. 

Next, pin the fabric, sew a line 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line...

Separate, open them up and press! Your sails are all done. 

You now have enough sails to make 2 boats, but for this tutorial we are only completing 1 boat. 

Next you will need your (2) 1" x 7.5", 1.25" x 16", 1" x 13.5" strips. 

Sew your 1" x 7.5" strips to the top and bottom of the right sail. Then sew the two sails to the 1" x 13.25" center.

Next, sew the 1.25" x 16" strip to the bottom of the sails.

Then you will need your 3" x 16" color fabric for the boat, and your 3" x 3" white squares. Draw a diagonal line through the center of the white squares and place them on your boat as pictured. Sew a line through the drawn line on your squares.  

Now, trim the corner of the square leaving a 1/4" seam allowance from the line you sewed. 

Press the squares towards the white, and sew your "boat" to your sail unit. 

Square your boat to 16" wide and 16.5" high. And you're done! 

If you are making your the Summer Beach Quilt, make 3 completed sailboats and sew a 2.25in x 16in sashing between the sailboats. Please refer to the layout diagram for quilt layout and assembly. 

And now it's on to the little houses row:) 

Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial - Part 3 - Water Row

This is part III of my Summer Beach Quilt tutorials--the Water row. 

Here's what you'll need:

2 - 5.5in x 3in white rectangles

33 - 3in x 3in white squares

1 - 8in x 3in rectangle

16 - 5.5in x 3in aqua rectangles (I used Michael Miller Cotton Couture aqua) 

The first step is to make the 16 flying geese. If you've never made flying geese before it's really fun and easy. 

First, draw a diagonal line on the back of 32 of the 3" x 3" squares.

Place the square on your aqua rectangle as pictured in the diagram making sure it is flush with the outside edge.

Sew along the drawn line. 

Trim off excess fabric on the outside of the line leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

Press towards the white fabric. 

Place a second square on the opposite side as pictured. 

By the way, I just notice my cutting mat needs a serious wipe-down!

Anyway, sew along the drawn line on the second square.

Trim leaving a 1/4" seam allowance.

And press towards corner and square to 5.5" x 3". 

Note: Squaring up IS SO IMPORTANT. I cannot stress this enough. Whenever I get lazy and I don't square up the blocks I always regret it later because of the amount of frustration it can cause:) 

Now just make 15 more flying geese. 

Lay out 10 flying geese and sew together. Press seams open.

Lay the second row of water out in the following order:

3" x 3" white square, 1 flying geese block, 5.5" x 3" white rectangle, 3 flying geese, 5.5" x 3" white rectangle, 2 flying geese, 8" x 3" white rectangle

Sew the second row of water together and press seams open.

and now sew the two rows together. This should measure 50.5" in length. 

In the next tutorial, we will be making the sailboats:) Please refer to the layout diagram for sashing/assembly instructions.

Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial - Part II - Assembling the Fish Row

Hello everyone!! This is Part II of the Summer Beach Quilt tutorial. Last time I showed you how to make the fish blocks, and this now I'm going to show you how to put them all together. I alternated the placement of each one to give the fish a little movement, instead of being in a straight line...so to get started you'll need:

8 - 3" x 5 1/2" white rectangles
8 - 2" x 13" white rectangles

Lay your fish blocks out in two rows of 4 fish each--one on top of the other. Arrange them how you'll want them in the quilt.

I also created some layout diagrams in the Threadbias quilt design tool to make up for whatever my pics may lack.

Now that your fish blocks are laid out we are going to use this guide--made up of rows and columns--to add your new pieces. Don't get discouraged--it's easier than it seems!

We'll start with ROW 1--the top row of fish.

Sew a 3" x 5 1/2" white rectangle to the front or "nose" of each of the 4 fish on the top row.

Now sew a 3" X 5 1/2" white rectangle to the tail-end of each of the 4 fish on the bottom row.

Your fish should look like this so far

Now we are going to work on the columns

Sew a 2" x "13 rectangle to the top of each of the fish in columns A and C and to the bottom of each of the fish in rows B and D

Now start sewing the columns together (one fish on top of the other from each row)

Then sew them all together

And you are all done with the second part...next week we'll be working on the water row!

Summer Beach Quilt Tutorial Part I - Fish Block

This is Part 1 of the tutorial for my Summer Beach quilt. Some of the blocks used to make the quilt include half-square triangles, half-rectangle triangles (so fun!) and flying geese. This week I’m going to start with the fish, because it uses the half-square triangle (HST)—a basic and extremely versatile block and that's why I've chosen to start out with it. (Note: for experienced quilters, you can simply make 3 - 5 1/2" x 3" flying geese units in lieu of the HSTs for each "fish"). Once you know how to make a HST you can make all kinds of crazy designs—chevrons, stars, pinwheels, and diamonds--to name just a few. I love this block. Today, though, we're just making a fish.

But anyway, to get started, first you are going to need

3 - 3 3/8" background/white squares
3 - 3 3/8" color squares
1 - 5 1/2" x 3" color rectangle

Next, using your ruler and a pencil, draw a diagonal line on one side of each of the background squares. I use a mechanical pencil for this, but in desperate times I have used almost anything that can mark a line!

Evenly place one background square on top of a colored square, with right sides together, and sew a line a 1/4" from each side of the drawn line. Repeat for a total of 3 blocks.

Next, cut along the line to separate your HSTs.

Open up your block, and using your iron, press the seam on the back open. Repeat for all HSTs.

Now we are going to square up our block.

Lay your ruler over your block, using the 45 degree line and match it up to the diagonal line on your block, and at the same time measuring your block to a 3" square. Trim any excess. Turn the block clockwise and repeat for the other side.

Repeat for all 6 blocks.

Now take two HSTs, evenly place right sides together, check to make sure the seams match up on the inside of corners. Also, make sure the background and color sections mirror each other.

Sew a 1/4" seam on the side with the color. When you open them up you want the color triangles to match up on the inside, and the background color to be on the outside. Press seams open.

Next, bring back your 5 1/2" x 3" rectangle, and lay your pieces out like this

Sew them together, and press seams open...

And now you have super cute fish block! Make sure to give it a good press on the front, and square to
10 1/2" x 5 1/2".

To make the summer beach quilt you will need to make 8 fish blocks. The next segment will be how to assemble them together to create some movement!!