Now Boarding - Clue #3 of Grand Central Mystery!

Now boarding Clue #3 of Grand Central Mystery Quilt Series! Today, we are going to talk through a couple updates on Grand Central and I will walk you through Clue #3.

First, I need to share some sad news.  Several of you know why I've been so quiet this week on social media, but for those that don't, we had to say goodbye to our Hunter last weekend.  

Hunter just turned 9, but was diagnosed with Degenerative Myelopathy 18 months ago.  DM is a progressive disease of the spinal cord.  It begins with a loss of coordination in the hind limbs. They start to wobble when walking, knuckle over or drag their feet.   We noticed this and took him in for DNA testing.   We were saddened with the news, they told us he would probably have 6 months to 1 year before he would become a paraplegic.  Steve and I were determined to make sure he had as full of a life as possible.  

As the disease progresses, his limbs became weak and he was unable to stand or walk. So, about 11 months ago, we got a cart for him, and he took to it well.  It allowed him to still roam the yard (I let him run over any plant he wanted), catch short throws, and explore the outdoors that he loved. 
   

Over the last 3-4 months, Hunter started to take seizures, the disease worseness and made its way to his front limbs.  Additionally, his body started to breakdown on him.   It was extremely difficult to say goodbye.  


Hunter was such a gentle soul.  He loved to watch tv, as I've bored many of you with the stories.  He was a rescue that came to us at 6 months old.  He was afraid of his own shadow.  He would jump up and hide behind us on walks when approached by another dog or person.  He would investigate anything out of place, until you put it where it belonged (I think Steve taught him that).  It took him a while to trust anyone.  My nieces adored him, he would actually sleep with Lauren and Anna when they would stay over.  He wouldn't join them until they were asleep but then he would sleep at their feet, protecting them.  

We tried to focus on his happy moments in this last week.  The rest of my pack mourned with us.   May our Hunter rest in peace.  

Thank you for taking to time to read about my Hunter.  I wanted those of you in  the Grand Central Facebook group to understand my lack of presence this week. 

Thanks to all of you that sent or share kind thoughts and prayers.  

Okay, let's talk about Grand Central.  Unfortunately, I have an update on the yardage. 

Grand Central - Yardage update

I pride myself on publishing over 25 patterns, 3 Blocks of the Month Series, and 4 Mystery Series without a yardage error.  Unfortunately, my streak ends with Grand Central. 

With Mysteries it is tough, I have a limited test pool on purpose to ensure that the Mystery stays a Mystery, but neither my tester nor I realized I made a calculation error until this week.

I've updated the overview, that you can re-download.  However, here is what you need to know.

Large Throw Size - 

• Assorted Brights - You will need 2 more Fat Quarters or another 1/2 yard.  Basically you need a total of 3 yards
• Background Fabric - You will need another 3/4 Yard, for a total of 3 1/2 Yards

Queen Size - 

• Assorted Brights - You will need 1 more Fat Quarter.  Basically you need a total of 4 1/2 yards
•  Background Fabric - You will need another yard, for a total of 4 1/3 yard.

My sincere apologies.  I know the additional Background yardage may stress a few of you out.  However, I'm hoping you may have purchased extra, or you can get more from your favorite Quilt Shop.  If you can't, you could always use something similar and go scrappy with it.    I feel just awful and hope you understand that things happen, I do my best to ensure correct information gets out, but sometimes I miss something.  

Okay, onto better news.  Clue #3!

Clue #3

We are going to be making Four-Patch Squared.  We will be using the Large Squared Squared.  If you have a new Square Squared, you can also use for this unit.  A later unit will require the Large Square Squared.  Again, I recommend the Tucker Trimmer II for cutting your squares as the measurements end in 1/4 and 3/4 inches. 

Per usual, the details are in the download, but below I've provided tips and a pictorial on the Four-Patch Squared technique.    This weekly's clue will be available through Thursday, February 6th.  

If you missed or lost prior Clues, you can purchase them for a nominal fee, for a limited time only at: Purchase Previous Clues. 

Okay, let's talk about cutting.  When cutting the Assorted Bright strips and squares for the HST, I would try to use the greatest amount of fabric t o get the greatest amount of variation.  

• In other words, use as many fabrics as possible.  I'm making the Queen and I used 11 Assorted Brights for this Clue.  However, you may elect to use less, but I would have at least 4-5 different Fabrics.  
• You can see below, I used 6 HWOF strips for my Four-Patches.

See my tips on Clue #1's Blog Post for tips on cutting, sewing, and pressing your strips. 

Once, you have your strips pressed, you want to pair them up, try and pair different Assorted Brights together.    Alternating the Assorted Bright as shown below.

I like to use my Tucker Trimmer I, when sub cutting the Four-Patches.  As a lefty, it matches up nicely in the proper size square.

Left Handed - Tucker Trimmer to sub cut Four-Patches

Tada

Right Handed - Tucker Trimmer to sub cut Four Patches

 I like to turn stack my pairs for easy sewing.

When sewing my pairs together, I like to turn them so, my pressed seam away from me, this lets the feed dogs do their job and push my seams together, making for a nice center.

Pressing (of course I have advise)....  Let's Swirl!

You want to set your seam first... 

Next, take your fingers, place them just off the center intersection, on the Assorted Bright fabric and give a little push. 

Finger Press these seams flat. 

You should end up with a little four square on the back of your block as shown above.  Make sure you give these units a good press on the front and back ensuring seams are fully open. 

Next, we are going to trim this Four Patch down to the perfect size center for our Squared unit.

This can be tricky the first time you try this, be patience, and don't cut until you have it lined up correctly.    We will use the Large Square Squared.

• Line up the center of the 4-Patch with the hash marks for the “Center Square" for the proper size Finished Unit, ensure that the hash marks line up with the seam. Cut the 2 sides (top and side).

Right Handed:

Line up

Trim two sides

Then lift the ruler, rotate the unit, lining the center of the 4-Patch with the hash marks for the “Center Square" of the proper size, ensuring that the hash marks line up with the seam, and the just cut sides should line up with the bold line representing the Center Square for proper size Finished Blocks.

Line up and Trim

Tada

Left Handed:

Line-Up

Trim

Then lift the ruler, rotate the unit, lining the center of the 4-Patch with the hash marks for the “Center Square" of the proper size, ensuring that the hash marks line up with the seam, and the just cut sides should line up with the bold line representing the Center Square for proper size Finished Blocks.

Line up and Trim

Tada

 Next, we need to pair with the HSTs.  Very important - to ensure that your Assorted Bright Squares are in the upper right and lower left when applying the HSTS.

 Also note:  You should be pairing different HSTs with the Four-Patches. 

 You want to implore the same steps.... See it as it should be sewn

Flip It.  Splitting the difference.

Sew it.  Doesn't need to be perfectly centered on the HST, but close.  Use your best 1/4" seam.

 Now, press (Set the seam, finger press, press).

 Lay them back on your plate (or surface).  See it.

 Flip it.

 Sew it.

 Press.  Now you have Dog Ears.   Let's cut them off to have less bulk in our seams and also it will give you a nice sewing line.

Place it back on your plate or surface.  Put the Background HSTs on the two unsewn sides.

See it :

 Flip it.

 Sew it.

 Repeat for the other side.

Now, it is time to Trim your oversized unit down.  

Center the 4-Patch in the middle of the proper finished size unit's cross hairs, lining up the Four-Patch’s seam corners with the cross hairs and trim the unit’s side and top.

Right Handed

Line up

Trim

 Lift the tool and rotate the unit 180°, placing the tool back over the unit. The just cut edge should line up with the proper cut size square, and the 4-Patch alignments should fall back into place.  Trim the remaining two sides.

Line up and Trim

Tada

 Left Handed:

Line up

Trim

 Lift the tool and rotate the unit 180°, placing the tool back over the unit. The just cut edge should line up with the proper cut size square, and the 4-Patch alignments should fall back into place.  Trim the remaining two sides.

Line up and trim

Tada!

 Fabulous!  How fun is that?  Aren't they cute.  Did you realize you could square a four patch with your Large Square Squared?  Wait to you see what else with do with the Large Square Squared.

Woohoo!

Well, that is it for this week.  I hope you are enjoying the Mystery and forgive me for the yardage error.  

Hope you have a great week.  This weekend, I will be preparing for next week's Quilter's Choice Retreat at the Strong House Inn.  Runs next Thursday through Sunday (6th-9th).  There are still a couple spots, it isn't too late to sign up.  It is a small, wonderful retreat that you can pick from anyone of my projects or bring a UFO and get "her" done!

Have a great week.

Keep Stitching,
Michelle