Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tutorial. Show all posts

Sunday, June 18, 2023

Boomerang - FREE 10" Transparency Quilt Block

Hi there! Thanks for joining me today! Yes, I see that there wasn't but one post written in 2022 and this is the first post in 2023! We are going to have to change that!

I have been very busy the last few months exploring transparency in quilt blocks. When I was doing my research, I couldn't find any quilt samplers just a few blocks. Then I started to explore transparency in several different quilt blocks and decided we needed to change that too.

I don't want to give too much away, but I wanted to share with you a little glimse of what is to come. I have a FREE Quilt block to share with you. Maybe you will get the transparency bug as well.

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You will be redirected to my website on the DOWNLOADS tab where you can click on the file. Try the block and please post on Instagram using the hashtags: #boomerangeblock. You might be automatically entered into a really fun and exciting contest. But once again, I don't want to give too much away. 😉

Don't forget to check out the other freebies and downloads as well. Or stop by the pattern shop on Etsy. There are over fifty digital and hardcopy patterns to choose from. You are bound to find something you like with varying skill levels.

Stay tuned for more transparency fun! Check it out on Instagram @easypatchwork.

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Friday, August 14, 2020

Locked Squares Tutorial and Quilt


https://www.easypatchwork.de/downloads/

Christine @minerva_huhn, asked me a few months ago to share in her love of quilting bees. She set up a forum with beginner bee blocks for new (German) quilters. Her idea was to introduce them to new blocks and get them started with their own beehives. The first of each month, she releases a new block for members to share with their bee mates. On the fifteenth of the month, a guest quilter also presents her deigner quilt block - one she thinks the newbie quilters would also like to make. The block could be self-designed or an already known block but should have the standard 12” x 12” finished dimensions. 

https://minerva-huhn.de/newbie-bee-germany/ 

When Christine asked me to join in, I was sold on the idea of helping young quilters explore their creative talents. Of course I wanted to share in the fun and quickly agreed to help. After many days of thinking and exploring blocks to present, I finally decided on my own, self-designed quilt block called, “Locked Squares.” It is a beginner block but also designed for experienced quilters. 

Do you remember the little sneak preview in my Instagram feed?

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The block was designed back in February before the entire Corona-Virus Pandemic. I wanted an easy, modern and geometric block that could be used with precuts or scrap fabrics. The design should also be a scrap buster project. Quilting bees are best when you use scrappy fabrics so you can see the same block but in an array of different fabrics. Therefore, each participant can also add in fabrics if needed and all blocks look slightly different. 

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This block could be made with a lot of inset seams, but I wanted it to be do-able for everyone, especially newbies. [SIDE NOTE: I actually drew up and sewed a block with inset seams that you can see on the left side of the photo posted above. Although everything lines up wonderfully, it shouldn't be used as a starter block.] So, it was broken down easily into three sections for the locked squares and then framed. I decided to frame the block to cover any inconsistencies in block sizes which can happen in quilting bees.

You can skip directly to the PDF download here. You will be redirected to the easypatchwork website. Feel free to take a look around. You might find another tutorial or download that is interesting for you. There are two versions for your convenience - English or German. I wrote a full pattern instead of a tutorial, because it is so much more practical to download a complete pattern than to scroll through text and print countless sheets of paper.

https://www.easypatchwork.de/downloads/

As you might notice, I used directional fabrics in this block. The pattern also includes cutting instructions especially for directional fabrics as well. So, you can use all of the luscious small to medium prints including stripes and other pattern repeats in your quilt.

The freebie also includes a full size quilt with twenty quilt blocks! How cool is that! That should be enough to get you and your quilting bee started on a fun quilt.

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So, hop on over to the easypatchwork website for your own instant digital freebie for this quilt block and sofa quilt. Copyright clauses do apply even though it is a free pattern. Please read the pattern for more details. Have fun sewing and please share your makes with the hashtag #lockedsquares. Thanks for joining. 

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A big THANKS to Ines, Tina, Carola and my husband for translations and corrections into German. 😙

Friday, January 31, 2020

welcome 2020

Hi everyone! Thank you for joining us today. I would like to welcome everyone into the new year 2020! May you all be safe, happy, healthy and prosper in your endeavours in the new year and the new decade.

We rounded off 2019 with a second sew along - The Enchanted Paper Doll Fall Sew Along. I hope you were able to follow along and soak in the beautiful angels, fairies and princesses made by all of the participants in our sew along on Instagram. A great big, wonderful thank you to all who did. I enjoy seeing your creations. Please keep sending them to me.

The winners were:
Dagmar @mamamoose for her radiating Eva for the cutest ever and Jenny @jennymakesstuff for her best use of mix and match templates. Anna @annakroche won honorable mention for her beautiful creations. Thank you so, sew much ladies for participating!

I worked on another fairy quilt block shortly before the holiday. I wanted to show my appreciation to all who participated in the sew along. Each received the free block pattern below. The pattern is now available on Etsy for purchase if you wish to make this fun 16" block for a pillow, quilt or other small design.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/752200512/16-fairy-of-good-fortune-foundation

Here are the quick stats:

Block Size: 16" Finished
Method of Piecing: Foundation Paper Piecing
Skill Level: Experienced
Pattern Document: PDF Instant Digital Download
Page Size: DIN A4
Number of Pages: 8 Instructions, 8 Templates
Templates: Full Size, 100%, No Scaling
Mix and Match Options: One figure with two outfits
Hashtags: #eppaperdollsmarissa, #enchantedpaperdolls

https://www.etsy.com/listing/752200512/16-fairy-of-good-fortune-foundation

Your personal fairy of good fortune is here to help you celebrate the new year. Pattern contains templates for one 16" fairy, Marissa. Designed as a stand alone quilt block with segments that can be mixed and matched. 16-pages of instructions including 8 pages of foundation (FPP) templates to print at home for one 16" x 16" FPP quilt block. Use your favorite foundation piecing method. Instructions for foundation piecing method is not included. Instructions for segment construction, pressing directions, inserting the y-seam and coloring sketches are included. Skill level: Experienced

Copyright © 2020 Karen Ackva | All designs, sketches and templates are protected under copyright laws and may NOT be photocopied, duplicated, digitalized or reproduced in any form other than by the original purchaser for personal, private use. May NOT be used as teaching material nor used in sellable items. Please respect the laws to allow small businesses to survive and thrive.


You can make an oversized pillow for the angel in your life.This design uses the Sunkissed Cross blocks (found in the hardcopy only pattern) in the corners. Can you still recognize them with the change up in fabrics? The finished size of the pillow is ~ 22" x 22". Fabrics from Mystical Land by Maureen Cracknell for Art Gallery Fabrics.

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When I originally designed the 16", Marissa fairy, I thought about how you could integrate her into an arrangement with the 12 other 12" angels, fairies and princesses from the sew along. This design layout appealed to me the most. (Designed in EQ8, of course). I removed the Sunkissed Cross blocks in this design which brought Marissa into the forefront. Marissa is framed with a three finished borders of 1", 2" and 1". This would be a ~63" x 63" quilt.

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Today, I was feeling a little creative, so I whipped up a virtual quilt with Marissa. The fabrics I chose for the mock up quilt are from the Midsommer collection from Pippa Shaw for Figo fabrics available now. 

I used up the original layout with the 3" Sunkissed Cross blocks found in the original Enchanted Paper Dolls Pattern. Instead of a 3 x 4 grid and 12" blocks, I used a 3 x 3 grid with 16" blocks. This would have a 5" print border and 3/8" binding. The finished quilt size would be about 70" x 70". 

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For a 4 x 4 grid you would have a large sized quilt measuring ~ 92" x 92". 

With a 2 x 3 grid you would get a large throw quilt measuring 54" x 73" (138 x 185cm).  This would be a great size for a single bed. You can always add a little more to the border (10" cut borders) as shown below for a 63" x 82" (160 x 208 cm) quilt.

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Thank you for joining today. I hope I have sparked your creative interest to sew something beautiful. Please share you makes with us.


DISCLAIMER

I have not been compensated by any company to promote their products in this post. Company names have been mentioned to properly identify the use of their information, products, and/or services. All of the designs shown within this blogpost are my own designs and may not be copied, downloaded, reposted, digitalized or used for any purpose of promoting your business or any other commercial intent. By doing so, you infringe upon international copyright laws. This includes but is not limited to social media.

Wednesday, March 20, 2019

mosaic jig block diagonal construction tutorial

Have you ever tried to sew a quilt block together on the diagonal? Did you know this might actually be a quicker way to sew the block together? This would use fewer patches. The seam allowance could lay flat and you would not have to press the seams open. Well, keep on reading, because I have a super cool tutorial for you!

https://www.easypatchwork.de/downloads/


I've been diligently writing the instructions for the Mosaic Jig Quilt Along. I am also a strong believer in making everything in patchwork simpler - simpler block construction and using time-saving shortcuts. So, when drawing up the Mosaic Jig block in EQ8, I chose to remove the typical lines in the center (album block) so as to use fewer patches.

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I cut out my shapes and thought it could be easier to sew on the diagonal rather than horizontal. And you know what? It really is quick and easy to make this way! The extra bonus is clean and crisp seam allowance They just seam (pun intended) to lay perfectly!

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Here is the front of the block. I didn't fuss with the seams at all. I don't think I ripped any of the seams out either. (I love to rip seams!) I just sewed the block together and finger pressed the seams with my finger nail and iron-pressed after the block was completely constructed.

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I am totally happy with this result. : ) I incorporated this method into the Mosaic Jig Quilt Along as well. Of course, you could still assemble the block in horizontal rows, but when everything falls into place, why hassle?

I wrote out step-by-step instructions in a pattern format of how to construct a block in diagonal rows and saved it into a PDF for your convenience.

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Thanks for joining and learning about this block construction method. You can download a PDF of the instructions on my website under the Downloads tab at the top of the page. You can also find patch sizes for these blocks - 5", 6", 9", 12" and 15". Try it out and tell me if this works for you.

Happy patching!

Thursday, March 14, 2019

mosaic jig qal cutting instructions

Okay, today is the big time. It is time to cut into your fabrics. Are you ready to dive in or are you still a bit nervous? If you are nervous or just don't like to cut all of your fabric at one time, don't worry. Each section of the medallion will have a cutting list at the beginning of the sewing instructions in case you want to cut and piece each part of the medallion separately.


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Here's the quilt along schedule as a reminder:

The quilt along will start on Friday, March 1, 2019. Every two weeks, new instructions will be given here on the blog on what to work on for the next two weeks. Share you progress here with hyperlinks if you wish and/or on social media using the hashtag:  #mosaicjigqal or #mosaicjigmedallionquilt

Intro
Material and Fabric Requirements (March 1)
Preparation and Cutting Instructions (March 15)
Center Mosaic Medallion (March 29)
Border Blocks (April 12)
Mosaic (April 26)
Record Blocks (May 10)
Finishing (May 26)

Also, I updated the materials list to include the batting and the backing fabric. Sorry, I forgot to mention it. Please accept my apologies. There will probably be some mistakes in the instructions as well, so please tell us if you find one or two or three. : )

Copyright
All designs © 2019 Karen Ackva. All designs, illustrations, photographs and contents is copyrighted. No portion of this pattern may be copied, reprinted or distributed without written consent from Karen Ackva or easypatchwork per copyright laws. May not be used for commercial use of any kind. May not be used to teach a class nor for instructing material without written consent. For personal and private use only by the original purchaser.

A lot of time and effort is put into writing patterns. Please respect these laws. If your friends want to make the medallion quilt too, tell them where they can find the information and let them download it themselves. Thank you!

I have done my best to ensure accuracy of all the dimensions and instructions. My close, quilty friends were kind enough to be my testers, but there may be more mistakes to follow. Sorry in advance! Thank you for helping me, friends. : ) 

Abbreviations and Definitions

BG - Background Fabric
HST - Half Square Triangle
LOF - Length of Fabric (Parallel to the selvage)
Patch - Cut piece of fabric used to make a block
QST - Quarter Square Triangle
Med - Medium Fabric or Print
RST - Right Sides Together
Template - Shape used to make a patch
WOF - Width of Fabric (Cross grain of fabric or perpendicular to the selvage.)

Preparation

First, you will need to print out your templates. I have them listed here on my Instant Downloads page of my website. Choose from DIN A4 or Letter Size according to your printer and convenience. Please make sure you have no-scaling selected when printing. I accidentally had "fit to page" selected when I initially printed and wondered why all of my templates were a little smaller than required. You can imagine my relief when I realized it was a simple mistake. Please print at 100%. Verify the one-inch square on each page. You can cross-reference the templates with the size written on the templates as well.

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Glue your paper templates to poster board or a piece of lightweight cardboard such as a cereal box. Cut out exactly along the seam allowance line. Please note, pictured above was an older version of the DIN A4 template sheet. Your template page will look different.

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Pre-cut your pieces for the templates as written in the instructions. Finish with your selfmade templates or use your circle cutting ruler if you have one. Line up the curved edges of your template with the curve of the ruler and mark with an erasable marker or washi tape for future cuts. Cut through the slot with a 28 mm rotary cutter in an upward position (perpendicular to the cutting mat) per manufacturing directions.

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I have also included a page of patch markers to identify what you have cut. Since some of the patches are cut in different fabrics, you may want to print this page three time; no patch requires more than three different fabrics per these instructions for this design. Keep your patches together, number the amount cut and set aside until we start sewing the blocks together on March 29, 2019.

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Even if you will be cutting the patches later and working section for section, please cut the outer border patches T & U first, along the LOF.


Do this be folding the entire 2 yards/meters in half several times ensuring the edges are parallel on both the fold and on the selvages. Square and cut off the selvage. Measure 4 1/2" and cut. (Two pieces of fabric are cut at once, because it is folded in half across the WOF.) Measure 4 1/2" and cut for your second pair of outer borders. Cut both pairs to the correct lengths (60 1/2" & 68 1/2") or wait until the entire medallion quilt is sewn and cut to the exact length you need.


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Cutting Instructions

To make cutting fun for all of us, I wrote out two different ways to cut your fabric. For those of you who like to read and cut strip-for-strip, faric-for-fabric, there is a Text Version for the cutting. For those of you who like to read in a table form and basically cut each block, there is a second cutting version. Choose which one works best for you. The table version will also aid in a scrappy design of the medallion quilt and will be used for future posts as a patch guide.

Cut out the larger pieces followed by the smaller pieces. Use a sharp rotary cutter and layer fabric whenever possible when you are using a rotary cutter. Trace templates onto the backside of your fabric (all patches are symmetrical) and cut out or use a circle cutting tool. Label all patch groups with letter as indicated.

You will notice on Template B - "Trim template back to this yellow line after all Patch B's are cut." The template will also be used to fold back the end of Patch B shortly before appliquéing. You can do this right before assembling the Record Blocks. Those instructions will follow later.

Two Template C's should be cut from one 6 1/2" x 9 1/2" rectangle as shown below. This is for ease of cutting and reduces fabric waste. Please refer to the photos below for more help on cutting.

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For Patches E & F, you have a choice of how to construct the block. You can either cut out patch E & F with the templates provided to make the Rounded Corner block OR you can cut out squares and "fake" the curve. This will be explained later when sewing the block together. If you are unsure of what I mean, just cut the squares for now. 

Tip: Punch holes in the dots on the templates and mark your fabric through the dot with a pencil to know where they need to be pinned later.

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Cutting Instructions (Text Version) 

Follow these instructions if you prefer to cut all of your patches fabric-for-fabric.


Accent                  
(7) Strips 2 ¼” x WOF – Binding (S)
(2) Strips – 1¼” x WOF. Subcut (4) 1¼” x 20 ½” rectangles. (R)
(2) Strips – 4 ⅝” x WOF. Subcut (5) 4 ⅝” x 4 ⅝” squares. Cut once diagonally to get (10) HST’s. (H)
(3) Strips – 4 ¼” x WOF. Subcut to (21) 4 ¼” x 4 ¼” squares. Cut twice diagonally to get (84) QST’s. (I)
(3) Strips – 2 ⅜” x WOF. Subcut (46) squares 2 ⅜” x 2 ⅜”. Cut once diagonally to get (92) HST’s. (J)
(4) Squares – 3 ½” x 3 ½”. Cut (4) Template D’s.
(2) Strips – 2” x WOF. Cut (40) Template A’s.

Main                     
(4) Strips – 4 ½” x length of fabric. Subcut (2) 4 ½” x 60 ½” rectangles (T) and (2) 4 ½” x 68 ½” rectangles (U).
 *(4) Squares – 3 ½” x 3 ½”. Cut 4 Template F’s.
(2) Strips – 5” x WOF (31”). Subcut (8) 5” x 5” squares. Cut (8) Template B’s.
(2) Strips – 8 ¾” x WOF (31”). Subcut (4) 8 ¾” x 8 ¾” squares. Cut twice diagonally to get (16) QST’s. (G)
(1) Strips – 4 ⅝” x WOF. (8) Squares – 4 ⅝” x 4 ⅝”. Subcut to get (16) HST’s. (H)
(8) Squares – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”. Subcut twice diagonally to get (32) QST’s. (I)
(2) Strips – 2 ⅜ x WOF (31”). Subcut (10) squares 2 ⅜” x 2 ⅜”. Cut once diagonally to get a total of (20) squares. (J)
(1) Strip – 2 ⅝” x WOF (31”). Subcut (12) squares 2 ⅝” x 2 ⅝”. Use previous strips to compensate. (M)

Medium 1            
(2) Strips – 5” x WOF. Subcut (16) 5”x 5” squares. Cut (16) Template B’s.
(2) Squares – 5 ¾” x 5 ¾”. (K)
(1) Strip 2 ⅝” x WOF. Subcut (10) 2 ⅝” x 2 ⅝” squares. (M)     

Medium 2            
(2) Strips – 5” x WOF. Subcut (16) 5”x 5” squares. Cut (16) Template B’s.
(2) Squares – 5 ¾” x 5 ¾”. (K)
(1) Strip – 2 ⅝” x WOF. Subcut (10) 2 ⅝” x 2 ⅝” squares. (M)

Background         
(4) Strips – 9 ½” x WOF. Subcut (20) rectangles 6 ½” x 9 ½”. Cut (2) Template C’s from each rectangle for a total of (40) Template C’s.
(4) Strips – 1 ¾” x WOF. Subcut (8) rectangles 1 ¾” x 20 ½”. (Q)
(4) Squares – 3 ½” x 3 ½” for the background of the Dot Blocks (DB).
*(4) Squares – 6 ½” x 6 ½”. Cut 4 Template E’s.
(2) Squares – 8 ¾” x 8 ¾”. Subcut (8) QST’s. (G)
(1) Strip – 4 ⅝” x WOF. Subcut (5) squares 4 ⅝” x 4 ⅝”. Cut once diagonally to get a total of (10) HST’s. (H)
(5) Squares – 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”. Subcut twice diagonally to get (24) QST’s. (I)
(1) Strip – 5 ¾” x WOF. Subcut (4) squares 5 ¾” x 5 ¾”. (K)
(6) Squares 4 ¼” x 4 ¼”. (L)
(1) Strip – 2” x WOF. Subcut (20) squares 2” x 2”. (N)
(1) Strip – 3 ½” x WOF. Subcut (20) rectangles 2” x 3 ½”. (O)
(1) Strip – 5 ½” x WOF. Subcut and compensate to get (8) rectangles 3 ½” x 5 ½”. (P) 

*Cut squares as indicated. There are two different methods/designs for you to choose from. If you do not want to make the small curved piecing, cut squares for now.

 

Cutting Instructions (Table Version)

Cross reference this chart against the patches cut.
You can also use this chart if you wish to make your quilt scrappy. Cut the number of patches according to the fabric given.


Total Number of Patches
Shape
Patch
Dimension in Inches
Subcut
 Accent
   Main
 Med 1
Med 2
    BG
Templates
A
2 x 2
A
40




B
5 x 5
B

8
16
16

C
6 ½ x 6 ½
C




40
D
3 ½ x 3 ½
D
4




E*
6 ½ x 6 ½
E




4*
F*
3 ½ x 3 ½
F

4*



Triangles
G
8 ¾ x 8 ¾
(4) QST

16


8
H
4 ⅝ x 4 ⅝
(2) HST
10
16


10
I
4 ¼ x 4 ¼
(4) QST
84
32


24
J
2 ⅜ x 2 ⅜
(2) HST
92
20



Squares
DB
3 ½ x 3 ½





4
K
5 ¾ x 5 ¾



2
2
4
L
4 ¼ x 4 ¼





6
M
2 ⅝ x 2 ⅝


12
10
10

N
2 x 2





20
Rectangles
O
2 x 3 ½





20
P
3 ½ x 5 ½





8
Q
1 ¾ x 20 ½





8
R
1¼ x 20 ½

4




S
2 ¼ x WOF

7




T
4 ½ x 60 ½


2



U
4 ½ x 68 ½


2



*If you do not want to make the small curved piecing, cut squares and follow Method 2 for the Rounded Corner Blocks as listed on the templates. If not, cut templates with rounded corners.


Also, when cutting HST and QST, divide the total number needed by 2 for HST and divide by 4 for QST. Otherwise, you will have too many if you don't.

Update and correction.

Cutting Template C - a Mini Pictorial Tutorial

Pre-cut your rectangles to 6 1/2" x 9 1/2". Lay your template on the fabric and trace twice on the backside of your fabric rectangle. You can use a pencil or erasable marker and the lines will disappear. If you use a pen, they will not.

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Using a ruler and 45 mm rotary cutter, line up and cut the straight lines marked on the fabric for both patches. Extend the cut further than the line drawn. Please do not cut into the other drawn patch. : )

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Here you can see both straight edges (not already pre-cut from the rectangular shape) of the patch are cut.
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Finish the curve of the patch with a circle cutting tool. (I use the Circle Savvy Ruler.) Do so by lining up the seam allowance edge on the ruler with the seam allowance edge of the cut patch AND the cut edge of the patch with the slot of the ruler. Click on the photo to enlarge it for a better understanding.

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Now you can see the patch is completely cut out. Rotate your cutting mat and repeat for the other patch.

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TIP: You can also use the cardboard templates to make these cut, but please be extra careful!! Also, I find it easier, being a right-handed person, to cut in a clockwise direction when cutting the inside curve of a template rather than a counterclockwise direction. Why? Because the cardboard template holds the fabric in place when cutting in a clockwise direction. If you do it the other way, nothing is pressing and holding your fabric in place. Try it out and see what works better for you. You can always use scissors to cut the patches out.

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And that my dear ladies (and gents) concludes the great cutting event of the Mosaic Jig QAL. I look forward to seeing your cut fabrics. You can link up with the linky party below.


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If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me. I will do my best to answer.

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Please join us on March 29 for instructions on how to sew the Center Mosaic Medallion Block. Here's a little sneak peek to satisfy your curiousity. Have a happy and safe weekend! Happy patching (or cutting).
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enter