I can't believe we are already on Clue #5 of Grand Central Mystery Quilt Series. I have a few things to share before giving a step-by-step pictorial on Clue #5's technique. I hope you will follow along.
Last weekend, we had a fabulous Quilter's Choice Retreat at the Strong House Inn.
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| 2020 Quilter's Choice at Quilting In Vermont |
We had a great group! We had a blast being snowed in for a few days. We had no trouble getting to the retreat, and thanks to DJ, we had not trouble getting out, as he cleared off our cars. We missed those who decided not to come, but we had tons of fun, and spent many nights up sewing. A couple quilt tops were even completed.
My 2020-2021 Quilting in Vermont Season has been announced and registration is open. The spots are filling up fast, so make sure to make your reservation as soon as possible. Click on the Retreat title below for more information.
My 2020-2021 Quilting in Vermont Dates
2020 Spring Retreat - March 12th-15th - Projects: Retreat or Moonlight Garden - a few spots left
2020 Fall Retreat - November 12th - 15th - Projects: Starflower Surprise or Dogwood Lane
New Pattern - Birds on a Wire - This week I'm release a new pattern. I love it. It has so many possibilities. The pattern offers 5 sizes, 10 quilt settings! Birds on a Wire is a fabulous Stash or Scrap Buster quilt! Pre-orders will ship 2/20/2020
You can use mixed scraps, Fat Quarters, Fat Eighths, etc. for the Assorted Bright Fabrics. The Background can be a mix of fabrics, as well, or yardage. It is important to have a high contrast between the Background and the Bright fabric to give this quilt energy! In addition to Background and Bright Fabric, an Accent Background is required to create the fabulous wire. Neutrals are a great choice for the Accent; it needs to be in contrast to the Background fabric. However, it can be just a few shades away to create a shadow. Birds on a Wire comes together easily with the Studio 180 Design’s Wing Clipper and Tucker Trimmer I tools.
Ticker Tape Parade
The last few weeks, the followers of my last mystery, have been submitting their completed quilt tops. Just wow! I put it together in a slideshow, you have to check this out. There are over 50 finished quilt tops.
Thank you all for participating. Keep sending your photos, in a few weeks, I will publish another one. 😘 If you missed this fabulous Quilt, the pattern will be available for purchase in October.
Grand Central Mystery Quilt Series
We are going to take the Four-Patch Squared from Clue #3 and Cube them! In other words we are going to put the Four Patch Squared, and Square them, and Square them! 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 Cubed technique. This weekly's clue will be available through Thursday, February 20th.
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, lets talk technique and tips:
I can not stress enough, how important it is for you to make sure you get your orientation correct on these units. It will make a difference.
Once you cut your Half Square Triangles, lay out the unit.
I suggest you sew the Assorted Bright on first. So, SEE IT!
VERY IMPORTANT: You want to make sure when you lay the unit out that your Assorted Bright Half Square Triangles are in the upper right corner and lower left corner. Then place your Assorted Bright HST on the right and left side.
Then you are going to FLIP IT.
Split the difference, laying the Four-Patch Squared on top of the Side Triangle.
Sew with the Four-Patch Squared on top, , as the Four-Patch Squared has been precision cut at the end of Clue #3 and you want to make sure you put down your best quarter inch seam. I use the Perfect Quarter Inch foot on my Pfaff, as this foot allows me to move my needle to the perfect alignment based off my 1/4 foot. Remember, just because it says it is a 1/4 foot, doesn't mean it is perfect with your needle placement. You need to check. If you do not have a perfect quarter inch seam, this Clue will cause you problems. Check your quarter inch seam.
Once you stitch, now you need to use your best pressing skills. Remember to set the seam.
Finger press the seams, making sure they are press without a lip or pinch.
Than, press. Do not use a hot iron to push the side triangle over.
I like to put the unit back into the proper layout.
Then I rotate my pile to prep for sewing. SEE IT.
FLIP IT.
SEW IT.
Press well and trim the Dog Ears, so you have a straight line-up for the next set of Side Triangles.
Now, lay out the units with the Background Half Square Triangles.
See it.
Flip it.
Sew it.
Then, the next side. See it.
Rotate it.
Flip it.
Sew it.
Press well and now it is time to trim.
Place the Large Square Squared, Part A over the unit. Center Four-Patch squared unit with the hash marks for the proper size Center Square for the Finished Unit size (details in download), ensuring the hash marks line up with seam intersections in the middle of the proper size Center Square unit, and trim the unit’s side and top of unit.
RIGHT HANDED
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| LINE UP |
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| TRIM THE FIRST 2 SIDES |
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| ROTATE 180 DEGREES and LINE UP |
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| TRIM THE REMAINING 2 SIDES |
LEFT HANDED
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| LINE UP |
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| TRIM THE FIRST 2 SIDES |
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| ROTATE 180 DEGREES and LINE UP |
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| TRIM THE LAST 2 SIDES |
Now it is time to lay out the next set of Half Square Triangles, these will be the large ones. Once again, the last set of Assorted Bright Half Square Triangles, should be in the upper right and lower left when placing the Assorted Brights on the right and left side. The Background will go on the top and bottom.
SEE IT
FLIP IT
SEW IT. With a good quarter inch seam.
Press, and repeat for the other side; See it, Flip it, Sew it.
Press, trim the dog ears and repeat for the 3rd side; See it, Flip it, Sew it.
Press, and repeat for the 4th side; See it, Flip it, Sew it.
Press well and now it is time to trim.
Place the Large Square Squared, Part B over the unit. Center the unit in the middle of the proper size finished Unit crosshairs, lining up the last seam’s corners with the cross hairs and trim the unit’s side and top.
RIGHT HANDED
 |
| LINE UP |
 |
| TRIM 2 SIDES |
 |
| ROTATE 180 DEGREES and LINE UP |
 |
| TRIM the LAST 2 SIDES |
LEFT HANDED
 |
| LINE UP |
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| TRIM 2 SIDES |
 |
| ROTATE 180 DEGREES and LINE UP |
 |
| TRIM REMAINING 2 SIDES |
TADA! These are so adorable! You should see "S" in these blocks. If you don't check to make sure you places the Assorted Brights on the correct size.
We'd love to see your finished units. Be sure to share them on the Grand Central Facebook Group. Make sure to answer the questions when requesting admission.
That's if for this week. I have a couple busy weeks coming up. Next Thursday, I will be shipping all the pre-orders for my new pattern Birds on a Wire. Then Friday-Sunday, I'm teaching at the Ship and Stitches' Winter Sewfest Retreat. I will get home late next Sunday and then I'm flying to Daytona Beach Florida to teach 6 classes at AQS's Quiltweek.
This weekend I'm knocking out some secret sewing, stay tuned for details!
Keep Stitching,
Michelle
I suggest you sew the Assorted Bright on first. So, SEE IT!
VERY IMPORTANT: You want to make sure when you lay the unit out that your Assorted Bright Half Square Triangles are in the upper right corner and lower left corner. Then place your Assorted Bright HST on the right and left side. 
Then you are going to FLIP IT.
Split the difference, laying the Four-Patch Squared on top of the Side Triangle.
Sew with the Four-Patch Squared on top, , as the Four-Patch Squared has been precision cut at the end of Clue #3 and you want to make sure you put down your best quarter inch seam. I use the Perfect Quarter Inch foot on my Pfaff, as this foot allows me to move my needle to the perfect alignment based off my 1/4 foot. Remember, just because it says it is a 1/4 foot, doesn't mean it is perfect with your needle placement. You need to check. If you do not have a perfect quarter inch seam, this Clue will cause you problems. Check your quarter inch seam. 
Once you stitch, now you need to use your best pressing skills. Remember to set the seam.
Finger press the seams, making sure they are press without a lip or pinch.
Than, press. Do not use a hot iron to push the side triangle over. 
I like to put the unit back into the proper layout.
Then I rotate my pile to prep for sewing. SEE IT.
FLIP IT.
SEW IT.
Press well and trim the Dog Ears, so you have a straight line-up for the next set of Side Triangles. 
Now, lay out the units with the Background Half Square Triangles.
See it. 
Flip it.
Sew it.
Then, the next side. See it.
Rotate it. 
Flip it. 
Sew it. 
Press well and now it is time to trim. 
SEE IT
FLIP IT
SEW IT. With a good quarter inch seam.
Press, and repeat for the other side; See it, Flip it, Sew it. 
Press, trim the dog ears and repeat for the 3rd side; See it, Flip it, Sew it. 
Press, and repeat for the 4th side; See it, Flip it, Sew it. 
Press well and now it is time to trim. 
We'd love to see your finished units. Be sure to share them on the Grand Central Facebook Group. Make sure to answer the questions when requesting admission. 
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