I love to sew, mainly quilts and bags. I am 66, married to Fred and have one son, Matthew, who is 27. I enjoy embroidery and applique and prefer to machine piece and quilt my projects. I love my vintage Singer sewing machines especially my Featherweight 222K. I’m enjoying treadling on my 201K Singer and I collect Miniature Sewing Machines and currently have three Essex , one Singer 20, one Singer 40, two Vulcan Miniatures and my latest, a Grain. My love of sewing I believe comes from my Grandmother - I still have the drawings she made for me to embroider on tea towels many many years ago!

Sunday 20 March 2011

LOUISIANA BLOCK # 12 CIVIL WAR QUILT

Block #12  Louisiana

Another easy one this week!   You can find this weeks pattern here.  I used a different method to make the Flying Geese units, as I don't like working with cut triangles.


Follow the cutting directions given by Barbara for the  A  pieces only.

As our  A rectangles are 4-1/2" X 2-1/2"  this is the measurement we must remember when cutting our B squares and our C rectangles.   All you need to make one flying geese block is one rectangle and two smaller squares.  A flying geese block is always exactly twice as long as it is wide (finished).

Light fabric  "C" pieces ;  Pink squares  "B" pieces  ;  Dark fabric  "A" pieces


So, for our B squares (in my pieced block this is the pink triangles) you need to cut 8 squares at 2-1/2" square.  (our cut rectangle is 4-1/2" long, divided in two = 2-1/4" + 1/4" seam allowance = 2-1/2")

Now cut 4 rectangles 4-1/2" X 2 1/2" in fabric C (this is my light larger triangle).

Take one of the 2-1/2" squares and either draw on the diagonal with a 2B pencil or fold in half and press.  (I like to press in half, open up and press from the other side, this makes for a nice flat piece of fabric still with a creased line to follow)   Keep in mind any directional issues with your fabric choices!


Now place that square on one side of your C rectangle (I always start on the left side).  Your crease or drawn line will be running from the centre top over to the left bottom corner of your rectangle.  Pin and sew in place.  You need to trim the back little triangles away now, before you add the next square.    Now do the same with the other square, this time your crease or drawn line will be running from the centre top over to the bottom right corner.  This second square will overlap the first square in the centre.  Now trim the back little triangles away and press your flying geese unit.













Now check measure your flying geese unit.  It should measure 4-1/2" X 2-1/2".

















The next step is to join the flying geese unit to the A rectangle.  Follow Barbara's directions for the layout of each segment.  You will end up with two halves made up of two units each.  (Sorry, forgot to take photo of the joined set)

I use the stab pin method when joining the two halves together. (click on the link to read how I did this on the Kansas Troubles block).

Your completed pieced block will measure 8-1/2" square.  I prefer to press the centre seams open, as this reduces the bulk in the centre point of the pinwheels.

So, that is how I constructed the Louisiana block.  I hope my instructions make sense!

Happy Sewing!!



13 comments :

  1. Really like this block, and I clicked back to see the pinning method of your other block, as you suggested..never thought of using freezer paper to help set the block like that before. Thanks...

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  2. Hi Helen,
    That is so funny, two girls doing exactly the same thing, just on opposite sides of the world. Those triangles with all that bias make me nuts!

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  3. Thanks for the tutorial...the block is wonderful!

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  4. This is a really nice block. I am saving all the block instructions as I just haven't had a chance to find fabric ad stqrt sewing these.... I'll definately need to refer backtoo your blog once I get started too!! Your applique tutorial is great -- that is how I do mine as well and it is good to see you expain so clearly. Well done!!

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  5. Very nice. I hope to do mine today.

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  6. Love your block and I agree, another "no problem" piecing this week...
    I always prefer your method of flying geese too.

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  7. Another great little block Helen. Also LoVe the owl from last post too! :)

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  8. Nice block Helen. I will have to have a look at the others. I like the owl on the tea towel :)

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  9. Those are the best center points I've seen on any of the blocks. I'll have to try your method of making flying geese.
    Lillian

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  10. Thanks for your instructions. I made four of these blocks today, 6 inches square for a border and they all came out perfect. Triangles are such a bugaboo for me.

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  11. Your Civil War blocks look great. I agree with you about piecing Flying Geese blocks. There are so many methods on the web that show how to make multiple blocks at the same time. I've tried a lot of them, but I always come back to the tried and true method that works best for me.
    Thanks for sharing your tips about making the blocks. They are very helpful.

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