Joseph's Coat - piecing together Rows one & two

Now for the long awaited and heavily contemplated piecing together of rows one & two!!!

Just a couple of things before we start ...

These instructions cover making up Rows one & two - it is important to remember this as the other rows will be put together slightly different.

You don't have to do this step now! You can save up all of your blocks and piece your rows once you have finished all of you blocks if this suits you better. I would particularly recommend this if you are trying to graduate the colour across your quilt top. The only reason I am doing this now is to spice things up a little which will hopefully help keep us on track by giving us something a little different to do from time to time ... rather than having us slog away at all 49 blocks in one go.

Take your time with this step ... you want your project to sit as flat as possible. Fiddle with it until it sits nicely before you sew it in place ... no body likes reverse stitching when things go pear shaped!!! But if you do end up with a quilt top that waves at you a little ... don't worry too much ... that's where Machine Quilting works it's magic!

For this step you will need...

14 completed blocks

18 made up loose petal shapes - these are needed to make up the two half blocks you will be needing for this step & for the gaps that will need to be filled on the left side edge of row 1.

Twelve 12" x 6 1/2" background fabric rectangles - lightly spray starch and press

Two 10" x 12" background fabric rectangles - lightly spray starch and press

Placement guide

Light box if you have one

Pins, glue stick, needle & matching threads

1. Take one of your blocks position it wrong side up - carefully fold back your background fabric behind one of the outer petals so that you create a fold that runs through the points of the petal. Press.

 
 
 

Continue around your block until all of the excess background fabric has been folded back - making sure that the fabric under where the points meet, are completely folded back.

You should now not be able to see any of the background fabric around the outside of your block.

Do this with all of your blocks. You may also like to pin the fabric back so that this excess fabric doesn't get in your way when you are sewing the blocks together - this fabric will eventually be trimmed away but leave it for now.

2. Lay out your 14 blocks - 2 rows of 7 blocks each. two centre petals should run vertically through each of the rows. The second row should sit with the blocks positioned so that they 'nest' into the first row. Fiddle with the lay out until you are happy with the flow of your colours and the over all look of the blocks.

 
3. Create centering lines on your 12" x 6 1/2" rectangle by folding it in half length ways, finger press. Open out the rectangle and then fold it width ways, finger press. Using your light box (if you have one) and your positioning sheet place the 12" x 6 1/2" rectangle of background fabric over the positioning guide so that the centre point of the fabric is positioned over the centre point of the block and the vertical mid line runs through the centre of the two vertical petals - see below.

 
4. Now take Block #1 of Row 1 and place it over the top half of your positioning guide so that the points that converge at the bottom of the block meet at the centre of your positioning guide. Pin in place.

5. Now place Block #2 of Row 1 below Block #1 matching the points that converge at the top of this block with the centre of your positioning guide. Pin in place.

6. Take a petal shape and position it so that it forms the missing outer edge on the left hand side of the two blocks. Pin in place.

 
7. Take Block #1 of Row 2 and position the left side outer petal to the right side of the two joined blocks. Pin in place.

8. Sew the edges of the petals in place along the inner edges of the two triangle shapes created when you joined the blocks together - see below

 
You may find this stitching a little tricky as there is alot more bulk to hold onto than you will have been used to in previous steps. It can also be a little tricky to keep the petals in place, however, if you glue & pin well you should be right. It also helps to check the placement of the petal a couple of times while you are sewing each petal down.

Once these 6 edges have been sewn in place you may like to trim back the excess fabric on the joining piece of backgroud fabric & the excess fabric around the edges of the blocks to a scant 1/4".

Please Note (this part is important!) - do not trim back the excess fabric from around the edges of your quilt top ie. down the left hand side of Row 1 and the edges of the top and bottom blocks of each of the rows. If in doubt don't trim wait and see the next tutorial which will discuss this more.

Now that you can see how things come together with the piecing of the rows you may or may not choose to trim the excess fabric from the seam allowances of the blocks before you sew them down. This is really up to you, however I would suggest that you continue to fold & press the excess before you trim away the fabric as this will make sure that the seam allowances are well out of your way when you are sewing the blocks in place - AND don't forget that you are NOT to trim the excess fabric from the side edges of your quilt (see note above)

9. Once the first 3 blocks are sewn together, take your second 12" x 6 1/2" rectangle, create the centering lines and position the fabric over the placement guide as you did in step 3.

Once in place, take the 3 joined blocks and position them with the bottom of Block #1 of Row 2 at the centre point of the placement guide - see below (it is a little tricky but if you look carefuly you can see the placement lines through the fabric)

Take Block #2 of Row 2 and position it below Block #1 of Row 2 matching up the points and following the placement guide. Use one of your other blocks or a spare petal shape to assist with lining up the block correctly on the right hand side of the row - once you have everything lined up remove this block / petal.

The gaps created along the right hand side of Row 2 need to be left unfilled ... see below...

... these will be filled with the side edges of Row 3 at a later point. Pin well and sew in place in place.

Continue in this manner alternating the addition of blocks from Row 1 to Row 2 until all 14 blocks are joined together -

* filling the gaps in the left side edge of Row 1, that form between the joined blocks, with individual petals and

* leaving the gaps open on the right hand side of Row 2.

This should leave you with enough stitching for at least a few days ... once I have all 14 of my blocks together I will show you what to do with the bottom edge of Row 1 & the top edge of Row 2.

Until then .... have fun with it!!!

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Joseph's Coat - Week 9 round up

At the last round up ... which was quite some time ago now, the next goal was 9 blocks ... that didn't take many of you long!!!

Good 4 Once was the first to reach the goal and took out the first incentive prize! Well done!!! Great colours!

Closely followed by Applique Addict who has since put us all to shame with 25 blocks completed at last count!

Marielle who had held the lead for so long is still keeping up with the goals!

Quilts & Threads plans on making this into a King size quilt!!!

Tamara Farm Girl- I love these colours Tamara!

Flossyblossy - Flossy's Flickr page is well worth a visit if you haven't taken a peek already!

Nine Patch Nurse ... who has also made a very cute Honey Bunny Cushion!!!

I just took a look back at my last post and realised that Roma (Birrabank) had already finished 12 blocks at that post so she was most certainly the first to reach 9 block goal (I must be going a little mad! Sorry Roma!) ... mind you knowing Roma she has probably already finished the quilt by now!!!! Roma you also must win a copy of the How does your garden grow pattern ... but you may already have one let me know and we can negotiate this ;)

The random number giveaway goes to BahayKoobo which is 82 of the 100 photos posted so far.

And the last pattern goes to my favorite project since the last roundup which is Tamara Farm Girls gorgeous blocks! They are featured above. To all of the winners please email me your snail mail details and I will get them off to you.

Congrats to those shown above! Great work! An a huge thank you to everyone else for continuing to join in so enthuastically! I really appreciate it!!!!

So according to our schedule by the end of next week (week 10) we should have 14 blocks completed ... and as you have seen quite a few of us have already achieved this! I must say that I have had to work really hard to stay a step ahead of our plan! I think that it is fair to say that we should allow another 2 weeks to have the first 2 rows sewn together - this step is a little fiddly and not as portable as simply making up a block. This will take us to week 12 which will be the first week in February.

Have fun with this step it is really rewarding to see the rows come together!

And finally for the next set of incentives ...

A copy of Wish you were here to;

The first person to piece together the two rows ... this includes the two half blocks which are to be placed at the top or bottom of each row - this part of the tutorial hasn't been covered yet but will be posted next week.

One copy of the pattern to one other person who reaches this goal by the end of week 12 - randomly selected. 

One copy of the pattern for a random photo chosen from those posted between now and the end of the 12th week.

Finally, one more pattern for my favorite project posted between now and the 12th week - those that have already won this category can't win this one again ... sorry.

Enjoy your weekend!

Kellie

Comments

[trashalou]

Oh Kellie these are so beautiful but also so complicated that my head hurts if I look at them for too long. I remain envious of the skill and ability everyone is showing in this quilt-a-long.

[Thimbleanna]

This is SO amazing Kellie! I'm enjoying just reading the construction on these blocks and seeing all the different variations that everyone is working on. What a fantastic quilt-a-long!

[Danielle]

Whew, I need a nap after reading this post! Seriously, the blocks are stunning, and makes me wish I had started this with the group. Just beautiful!

[Mariëlle]

I realy have to look at this a few times. Because I use the green background I can't use a light box, so i realy have to give it a second thought how to solve this.
i will start by printing the instructions so I read them again and again.

[Jessica]

Wow, have I got some work to do! I better get going on my blocks.
Thanks Kellie for all the hard work you are putting into this!

[Mary on Lake Pulaski]

I think I need to sit next to my computer with my blocks to get this right! Thanks again Kellie! Although I don't have 14 blocks finished, I'm rolling along!

[Vreni]

I must admit, I'm a tiny bit confused.... but I guess it gets clearer once I do it myself. The result is fabulous though, there's no doubt about that ;). Thanks very much Kellie for all your efforts. You are a STAR!!!

[Isabel]

It´s beautifull! thank you for the tutorial!

[Norma]

Wow this step looks a little complicated! I guess it will become clear when I get there.

I recently decided to join your quilt-along and finally got all my fabrics and materials.

I couldn't find a compass big enough so I made up my templates in Illustrator. I have made these available for download on my blog (for others who might have troubles finding a compass.) I hope you don't mind that I made that available (let me know if you do and I'll take it down.)

[flossyblossy]

I'm not sure i 'geddit' but i am full of cold, and it's late. I think i'll come back again in the morning when i have had some sleep and it will make perfet sense :-)
Just finishing block 23 and i'm LOVING it. Can't wait to start putting the rows together!

[Cathy]

Wow Kellie, fabulous 'stitching together' instructions! I'm hoping to get a move along this week with my blocks, I am so behind, but on holidays now yay!!! Seeing your blocks coming together like this is so very motivating, thanks for all the work you have put into this gorgeous tutorial so far xo

[Kirsty]

I just found your blog last night through 'whip up' and I have to say I am officially IN LOVE! I have always wanted to make a quilt but never found anything beautiful enough to make me want to race out and buy the equipment and start right away, until I came here!

I will probably start with a small project like one of the pillows, but gee whiz, I think you have converted me!

[Janet]

Thank you for putting the time and effort into posting this next step Kellie. I'm a little behind because I'm too busy stitching up another couple of your pillow patterns, lol. The step by step instructions are excellent, I'll hold my breath and hope the blocks fit together.

[Lynn Taylor]

How did I miss this post lol! Great instructions Kellie! I have only made one block but am hoping to get back in the swing of things soon. The holidays kicked my butt lol. Have a great week!

Lynn

[Edna]

I am finding it difficult to follow the instructions for joining rows as well. I am wondering if perhaps a guide showing numbers on the circles so that we know which circles are from what rows... like... 1-1 for row 1, circle 1 etc. I also am unsure which end of the row you are beginning on.

[Kellie]

Hi Edna
If you look at my photo with my 14 blocks in it ... they are set out in two vertical rows of 7 blocks each. Block 1 of Row 1 is obviously at the top of the photo as is Block 1 of Row 2. They are then numbered sequentially down each of the vertical rows.
If you look at each of the steps, the blocks in the photos are identified in the instructions.
Try actually laying out your blocks as you are going through the instructions and see how you go.
Kellie

[periwinkle]

A day late but happy 2 year blogiversary my friend :-)

[Bernadette B]

Lovely but lots of work! I will see you at the class in Ballarat.

[Juliann]

I am just getting started on my quilt but can't seem to find out the final size of the quilt. Can you tell me how big it will be?

[Nerys Jenkins]

Hi Kellie, I've nominated your blog for a Sunshine Award. Visit my blog to collect it:
http://craftyjemima.blogspot.com/2010/01/sunshine-blog-award.html
Nerys x

[Sarah]

And I've given your blog a Lemonade Stand award from The Last Piece.... gees you're a popular little thing aren't you :)

[Carolyn S]

I've just now found you and am gong to attempt the Joseph's Coat quilt along.

[tropical bedding]

WOW! You just do not know how happy I am to have found your blog..Thanks a lot! Great stuffs here.

[funny pics]

Your works are gorgeous! I cannot wait to make some myself! :)

[Pauline Caller]

Have you a printed copy of this pattern? I think it's just brilliant.