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| BLOCK 7 CIVIL WAR QUILT |
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| BLOCK 7 DONE IN COURTHOUSE STEPS |
This weeks block was fun and very easy. I can't believe that I have NEVER made a log cabin block before!!! and I have NEVER made a courthouse steps block either!!!
My fabric choices for the log cabin actually look better off camera. I had no trouble with this block! I did find that it needed a true 1/4" seam, not a scant one. My block came out at 8 1/2" square with no trimming required.
I was so taken with Spiral's courthouse steps version of this block, that I made one too!!! Thank you Jeanne! I love the courthouse steps block!!
LESSONS LEARNT
Well not too much to say here. The block went together very well. As I said above, a TRUE 1/4" seam allowance is required, NOT a scant 1/4". Well, that's how it went for me anyway!!
Now, my general quilting tip for today.......
You know how you change your blade on your rotary cutter??? I always change mine as soon as it starts missing threads. Well, I changed the blade on my cutter only a day or two ago and yet today it was groaning through the fabric! I decided to take the cutter apart again and give it a good clean.... inside the blade area was a heap of lint! Once I cleaned it and replaced all the bits, it cuts like a dream again!! Now, keep in mind this was a NEW blade just a matter of perhaps 48 hours ago!! (yes, I did clean the whole darn thing when I replaced the blade!) Then it hit me... I am using the 10" squares of 19th Century fabrics which I collected last year and DID NOT WASH! The way I see it is that this fabric will have much more lint and fluff in it than fabrics I have washed prior to cutting. So, it makes sense to me that I will need to clean the rotary cutter more frequently during this project.
So, if you are having trouble with your rotary cutter not playing nicely, take it apart and give it a really good clean!!!
Now I can go and make some more of those delicious Hot Cross Bun blocks!!
Happy Sewing!!
