Sunday, October 25, 2015

How to Hand Piece a Quilt Block

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Let's do some hand piecing of a quilt block 

I hand piece or hand quilt EVERY Monday at my small group quilting group. Really...I'm just to lazy to get my sewing machine up to class, plus then I couldn't walk over. A new member last Monday and she asked LOTS of questions about hand piecing. 

So, I'm re-posting my basic hand piecing class,  first posted in 2010.

I feel all quilter's should at some time do hand piecing, I know you think I'm nuts, but it brings me back to the tradition of what quilters are all about. I try to do one every year or so. Your piece need not be a huge project, but please, try it.

This is my travel quilt box, would you believe it's an old Ethel M Chocolate box from Las Vegas about 25 years ago. It has everything but scissors, you just can't travel with them anymore. I have gotten into the habit of keeping it all together. This box has been on many vacations, fishing trips and even at baseball/football games in many towns, when the boys still lived with us, they are 35 and 33 now ! 


hand piece a quilt

Cut an assortment of fabric, 
For one block you will need
8 - 1 1/2" x 1 1/2"
and
4 - 2 1/2" x 1 1/2"
I just cut a pile of each and put the colors together as I piece.

marking lines to hand make a quilt

Mark a 1/4" seam line on fabric back, I use a ruler and pencil.

hand stitch a quilt

Knot your thread and do a rocking stitch. After a bit you will not need the line, notice my thumb,
 I use it as my measurement guide, some add a mark on their nail, but I don't like mess up my nails, aka manicure !

how to hand piece a quilt block

I use a thread about 18-20 inches long and string piece, knotting at the beginning and end of each block. Finger piece them open.

sewing a quilt by hand
Draw seam line if needed. Place good fabric to good, pin and sew.

how to hand piece a quilt



Open and finger press. Add 2 1/2" x 1 1/2' to side.
how to piece a quilt
Draw sewing line, Pin and sew on line,

hand piece a quilt

Finger press to the outside.



how to hand piece a quilt block

Take 2 1/2" x 1 1/2" and draw sewing line on each end, sew to 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" Do 2 times.
how to hand piece a quilt block
Draw seam line if needed. Place good fabric to good, pin and sew.

how to hand piece a quilt block

This is the back of my hand pieced block.


how to hand piece a quilt

Two finished blocks, each block has a finished size of 4"

Take some time, don't take it all to serious, pick a comfy chair, good light and just have some HAND piecing fun.

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