Whistle Stop Tour Blog Hop

 

Welcome to my installment of the Whistle Stop Tour Blog Hop!  I'm thrilled to be included - as a Certified Instructor (otherwise known as a CI), as a quilter, and as a fan of the amazing Deb Tucker and her wonderful Studio 180 tools.  

We are celebrating the launch of Deb Tucker's Signature Collection, Steam Engine, designed by the talented Kathy Engle of Island Batik.

If you are just joining us, check out Deb's post with all of the highlights and details on the beautiful Union Station project, which uses all of the FREE (yes, I said FREE) blocks included in the blog hop.

Isn't it lovely?  You'll want to check out each instructor's post for details on how to make your own blocks, as well as Deb's post with overall yardage, tool and technique sheet requirements.

Let's jump right in to my Stormy Chain block!  You'll need just four fabrics (!!):

•   Purple Print (1) 3 1/4" x 24" strip, subcut into (4) diamonds for the diamond centers
  
•   White Floral Print (4) 2 3/4" x 4" rectangles (diamonds rects)                                                                   
  

                                                  (1) 2 1/4" x 20" strip (4 patches)

•   White Dots Print (4) 2 3/4" x 4" rectangles (diamond rects)
  

                                                (1) 2 1/4" x 10" strip (4 patches)

•   Dark Green Print (2) 3 3/4" squares (block center)
  

                                                 (1) 2 1/4" x 10" strip (4 patches w/ white dots print)

                                                 (1) 2 1/4" x 20" strip (4 patches w/white floral print)

Now, before I dive into the step by step - a bit of a disclaimer.  You will NEED your Studio 180 rulers (Diamonds Rects and 4 Patch Square Up).  Each ruler comes with wonderfully illustrated, step by step instructions for creating the units I'll be picturing in my instructions.  Please note I have NOT included step by step cutting using the tools!

You've cut your diamonds (per the instructions that came with the Diamond Rects tool) AND your side triangles (again, per the instructions that came with the tool).  Please note - you will have (2) white flower print and (2) dot prints.  And look at the placement (yes that's right!) - white flower prints on bottom, dot prints on top.  You'll want to do this with ALL four diamond units.  Yes, it's right!  You'll see.

Stitch all four diamond units, trim and press per the instructions.  Your goal?  (4) 3" x 6" (finished) diamond rects units.

When trimming, pay careful attention to your trim lines.  I LOVE to use a stiletto when trimming.  It allows me to "nudge" the fabric into perfect position so I get a really accurate trim.  And that's the secret, folks, to a really accurate block!

Next, on to the four patch units.  You are going to need two different strip sets - a 10" long strip set made up of the 2 1/4" dot print and 2 1/4" dark green print, and a 20" long strip set made up of 2 1/4" white floral print and 2 1/4" dark green print.  Press each strip set to the dark green print.

       

Hint: Sew INTO the seam when possible for perfectly matched points!

Cut (4) 2 1/4" units from the dot/dark green strip set.  Sew these together into (2) four patch units. Open the center seam intersection for the flattest block when pressing.

Cut (8) 2 1/4" units from the floral/dark green strip set.  Sew these together into (4) four patch units. Open the center seam intersection for the flattest block when pressing.

Ta-da! Perfect Intersection!

Use the Four Patch Square Up Ruler to trim down your oversized four patch units.  I know - I thought the same thing when I hear about the tool.  I thought - four patches - super easy!  And yes, they are.  But....absolutely perfect blocks make it SOOOO much easier to get a Mary Poppins style project (you know - practically perfect in every way!). So just do it - use the Four Patch Square Up Tool and get perfect four patch blocks! You'll trim them down to an unfinished 3 1/2" square.

 

So now it's time to lay out all of your pieces so you can assemble your block.

FYI - I do this whenever I'm making a block, to ensure I have all pieces positioned correctly.  You'll want to note the orientation of your dot and floral prints on the diamond units.  Please note that all of the floral prints are oriented to the OUTSIDE of the block.

Begin in the center and stitch a 3 1/2" dark green square to a dot/green four patch.  Note the orientation of the dark green squares in each four patch.  This is essential (ESSENTIAL) to achieve the correct overall effect in the final block.  Press to the 3 1/2" dark green squares.  Sew the two units together, and open the center seam as you did with the smaller four patches, again to achieve a flatter block.  You'll be SO very glad you did!

Next, sew the diamond units to the left and right of the block center.  Press toward the block center.

Sew a floral/dark green four patch to each side of the remaining diamond units.  Again, note the placement of the dark green blocks.  Really, not kidding - placement is super important to achieve the correct effect.  Press to the four patch units.

Finally, sew the three rows together, pressing to the top and bottom of the block.  Whew - you are done, and now you have a stunning 12 1/2" (unfinished) Stormy Chain block!

Here's a link to the PDF of the instructions for you as well!

You'll want to check out the rest of the blog posts over the next few days, and make the rest of the blocks so you can put together your own Union Station quilt!  Good luck, and don't forget to share your progress with us!

The Blog Hop Schedule:

Monday September 9^th

•   Karen Overton – The Quilt Rambler 

Tuesday September 10^th

• Michelle Renee Hiatt – Sew on the Go
• Marie McKay – Ribbon Star Studio

Wednesday September 11^th

• Sarah Furrer – Studio 180 Design

Thursday, September 12^th

• Gail Renna – Quilt Haven Threads
• Kathie Beltz- Kathie Beltz Designs

Friday, September 13^th

• Jackie O’Brien – If these Threads Could Talk

Saturday, September 14^th

• Tammy Silvers – Tamarinis
• Carolyn Ratola – CaTs Quilting

Sunday, September 15^th

• Tina Dillard – Quilting Affection Design
• Bonny Peters – Cat Den Mountain Quilts

Monday, September 16^th

• Sarah Furrer – Studio 180 Design

 

Like what you see here, and want to hear more from Tamarinis? Like me on Facebook, follow me on Instagram, and sign up for my newsletter at www.tamarinis.com!  Following is one way to demonstrate your interest in my projects, patterns, and partnerships.  Your comments are also GREATLY appreciated, and provide valuable feedback regarding what inspires you, as well as what you'd like to see explored in future posts.  And did you know?  I travel and teach!  Contact me to schedule a trunk show and/or workshop!