Red, White and Blue Blog Hop

July 11, 2012 12:01 am ⋅ Pam

Sew We Quilt and Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts have joined forces to create a Red, White and Blue Blog Hop. Each day 5 or 6 blogs will have a red, white & blue block to share. There may be giveaways. Today is my day! And there is a giveaway! The complete schedule can be found at Jane’s Fabrics and Quilts.

I might have mentioned previously, that I enjoy playing in EQ7 to design new quilts. When I realized my first attempt could be improved, I returned to EQ for inspiration.

I started by searching for blocks by keywords: patriotic, 4th of July, fireworks, freedom, independence, Washington (I really like the Martha Washington block), revolution and America.

This block popped up:

It is block # 3023 in Block Base and is called Star Pattern. I found it because it was originally published in American Needlework in 1923.

I re-colored it red, white and blue, then dropped it into a on-point setting.

I really liked how it looked, so I went looking for a second block. I found Nine Patch Star.

In addition to changing the color, I changed a few seam lines for easier piecing and ended up with this:

But, the designing still wasn’t over. The first block works better at 12″, this block works best at 10″. So I added a 1″ frame using the background fabric to bring it up to 12″ and then dropped it into my quilt.

To me there just seemed to be too much white space, so I added a few more seams to get this:

Which turns out to be a variation on 9-Patch Star Variation.

So, with the corners now colored in (and the 1″ white framing), the quilt looks like this:

Not too much white space and a really nice looking quilt that I would like to make.

Here’s how to make my variation of 9-Patch Star Variation using the Tri-Rec rulers.

Supplies:

2 1/2″ x 21″ strip of blue

2 1/2″ x 21″ strip and a 2 1/2″ x 18″ strip of white

2 1/2″ x 19″ strip of red

Cut 8 – 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ squares from both the blue and longer white strips. Cut 1 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ square from the red strip.

Cut 8 red triangles using the Tri Tool.

Cut 8 pairs of triangles using the Recs Tool. I cut two layers at once with my fabric right sides together so I ended up with triangles going both directions.

I sewed the white and blue squares into 4-patches and did NOT swirl the center seam.

I made sure all my seams pressed the same way, which allowed me to nest all my seams when I assembled the block.

For the red triangles in a white square, I pressed half of my units “wrong”.

Normally, the units are pressed as shown on the left, but I was looking to nest seams, so on 4 of the units, I pressed the seams the opposite way. Once these were made, I squared them up to 2 1/2″.

Then taking two units, one pressed each way, I sewed them together to form 4 diamond rectangles.

The center seam was pressed to the “correctly” pressed triangle.

The next step is to layout all of the units.

Make sure your blue squares are aligned correctly and keep playing with pieces until the seams all nest.

Here’s the back of my block showing my pressing.

Once, pressed, I squared the block up to 10 1/2″.

Now for the give-away.

Leave me a comment telling me if you have ever changed seam lines in a block to make it easier to piece. Be sure to provide a way for me to reach you. I’ll close the comments at 11:30 PM Central on Monday, July 16th and use a random number generator to pick two winners.

Oh, what will you win? Red, white & blue F8s, plus a red & blue stiletto.

Once you have left a comment, be sure to check out today’s other participants:
Nancy R
North Hills Quilter
Michelle N
Sunshine Girl
Grammie Q

P.S. WordPress requires moderation the first time you comment on my blog. I’ll check for comments on my breaks today to make sure they all get released. I love hearing from people.

Posted in: Uncategorized

70 Thoughts on “Red, White and Blue Blog Hop”

Sunshine Girl on July 11, 2012 at 1:15 am said:

Oooh they are all lovely – love the finished quilt. I have never thought to snip the sections at the back so that I can iron the backs in different directions (I just iron all one way with a cross over midway if I have sewn them differently) – cant wait to try this technique out now as I love your really neat backs. Thanks for sharing (its my turn on the blog hop today its very exciting isnt it!).
Susan S on July 11, 2012 at 5:06 am said:

Thank you for taking me through your creative process. From computer to cotton. The block fabric is stunning real RWB.
Thank your for the giveaway – the stiletto will be great on a hat.
Lisa Marie on July 11, 2012 at 5:30 am said:

Yes, I have changed seam lines. I also sometimes convert patterns written for traditional piecing or templates into paper pieced patterns. I used to do this with graph paper but now I use EQ and love that you can easily re-size blocks. Your block is lovely, thanks for sharing!
Julie A. on July 11, 2012 at 5:40 am said:

I love this block!! I think I am going to have to make this quilt too 🙂 Thanks for the give away.
Linda on July 11, 2012 at 5:55 am said:

Great post! I love all the options for you gave. Sometimes I will try and make a block easier to piece by changing seam lines. Anything to save time.
Karen on July 11, 2012 at 6:00 am said:

The quilt sparkles. Very pretty. Thank you for the tutorial.
Karen M on July 11, 2012 at 6:01 am said:

I hate to be first, but here goes. I have never changed a sewing line in a pattern. I would mess it up for sure. I just deal with the seam allowances as they fall. Thanks for sharing your block and for the chance to win.
JudyCnNC on July 11, 2012 at 6:09 am said:

I love your block and so appreciate you sharing the process – it is a wow block and that “EQ quilt” should definitely be made. Judy C
Joyce Mitchell on July 11, 2012 at 6:21 am said:

Love the block – thanks for the tutorial. I’m not very good at set-in seams, so I change the seam lines to avoid them. Thanks for the chance to win.
sharon on July 11, 2012 at 6:24 am said:

Wish I could figure out my EQ – this looks so fun and love how you showed all the planning. I change seam lines and piecing a lot – I like to chain and speed sew, so set in seams and lots of bulky seams need to be eliminated. Thank you for shring with us today – wonderful tips and a great quilt in the making.
evelyn on July 11, 2012 at 6:51 am said:

Thanks for sharing how you created your block. It is wonderful. The whole quilt would be lovely.
Beulah on July 11, 2012 at 7:04 am said:

No I have never changed seam lines…on purpose anyway. 🙂
Usually I just stitch and then if the results are not as I would like, I rip seams and start again. Can’t stand the thought of a pattern getting the better of me. Thanks for such a great tutorial!
oneoldgoatandherlittlefarm on July 11, 2012 at 7:10 am said:

I love the block! I always change the seam lines when I’m doing corners. Corners give me a headache so I work toward the end result regardless of what I need to do. Which is why I would never receive high marks on one of my quilts 🙁

Thanks for the giveaway chance!

Beth
Mdm smm on July 11, 2012 at 7:10 am said:

Terrific block sew many possibilities,,,,,thanks sew much for a great share
Kris on July 11, 2012 at 7:23 am said:

I have often changed seam lines to avoid the dreaded set in…your blocks are wonderful and I love your fabric choices…so nice to hop with you! I have those tri recs so may give your block a try!
Betsy on July 11, 2012 at 7:36 am said:

Fabulous!
Elaine on July 11, 2012 at 7:39 am said:

Your block is wonderful! I’ve printed it out with hopes of making a quilt! Yes – I’ve changed the seam lines – to avoid set in seams! As for the pressing – one of the instructors I had said she NEVER presses the seams until the block is finished – so the nesting is always possible?! Thanks for sharing – and thanks for the chance to win your giveaway!
Margaret R on July 11, 2012 at 7:41 am said:

I always have to follow a pattern. I am not a very experienced quilter so the most I have done is change the width of a seam to make it fit better. Love your blocks. I have to admire anyone who can work with pieces that small and make them look perfect. Mine never do but I am getting better. Practice makes perfect.
proudspirit57 on July 11, 2012 at 7:48 am said:

Your block is just wonderful…the whole design just pops. No I have never changed seam lines..hmmm now I wonder why! Thanks so much for the tutorial just love how it is pieced. Thanks for joining in and I hope to win….
Michelle Harrison on July 11, 2012 at 8:21 am said:

Seeing your thought process leading up to the change in the blocks was fun. I don’t know if I would have figured out how to do the last step. I have never changed seams to a block once I have decided on it. I think if I had EQ7, I would do just that and maybe never get any ACTUAL block making done!
Carol on July 11, 2012 at 8:36 am said:

Love the block! I really must get that EQ7!
carolejm on July 11, 2012 at 8:37 am said:

Wow that looks great! So precise! If I’ve ever changed seam lines it was probably unintentional. Ha!!
Marlene on July 11, 2012 at 8:38 am said:

I do so love your block – and am totally jealous that you have EQ. I’m saving up so I can get it! blessings, marlene
Cat on July 11, 2012 at 9:03 am said:

That one inch border around the first block makes it appear to float and that IMO really makes the block.
This is why I love EQ!
Sherry in NC on July 11, 2012 at 9:09 am said:

I just LOVE your block! There have been so many beautiful blocks for this blog hop. I really enjoyed hearing about your design process.
I don’t know if this qualifies as changing seam lines, but I will work out a way to strip piece if I can, instead of using smaller cut triangles and other pieces. Thanks for the block.
quilted sisca on July 11, 2012 at 9:09 am said:

Love your block : ) very challenging to me and thank you for challenging me : )
Jane on July 11, 2012 at 9:19 am said:

Wow, I love your block and how it would look in a quilt. Stunning. Thank you for the tutorial. I have EQ6 and I am trying to learn, so it was great to read how you went about your block picking process. Thank you so much for sharing and playing!
Mary on July 11, 2012 at 9:37 am said:

That is a striking block! I love it.
Ariane on July 11, 2012 at 10:14 am said:

What a great quilt design. Thanks for the block tutorial!! I will definitely try it!!
kathy h on July 11, 2012 at 10:35 am said:

Love that four patch block. I have changed a seam line to make something easier to piece. Most of the time it works and luckily the project was for me, so if it didn’t work, it was ok. Thanks for the tutorial, made it seem much easier to make.
Sallie on July 11, 2012 at 10:45 am said:

Yes, I’ve changed seam lines to make a block easier to piece. Love what you did! Thanks for the giveaway and for participating in the RWB hop!
Kathie on July 11, 2012 at 10:57 am said:

That’s a beautiful block, truly. Thanks for letting us visit. I, too, am an EQ’r. Please stop by for a visit and follow me, when you can.
Snoodles on July 11, 2012 at 11:05 am said:

Wonderful block, and love the tutorial you shared! So glad to find your blog – glad that you joined the hop! I change seam lines pretty often. I try to avoid the dreaded y-seams when I can. LOL
Kris S on July 11, 2012 at 11:08 am said:

Both variations of your design are beautiful. Your shades of red & blue make your blocks really stand out. Thanks for such a great tutorial, esp. regarding the pressing. That can be such a problem with so many seams. I could have used your guidance on a recent quilt.

I do sometimes change things to make them easier, such as HST’s vs set in seams for an 8 point star.
Linda Egge on July 11, 2012 at 11:30 am said:

Your blog hop entry is so interesting. I love your blocks, but what I really appreciated was your showing of the designing process. It is very informative. I would love to win one of your stilettos. I love it!
Lequilts.blogspot.com
buntyw on July 11, 2012 at 11:48 am said:

A great block! Would you recommend EQ7? a lot of people seem to use it!
I don’t change the seams the first time I make a block but I do on subsequent ones if I can see it would be easier!
Terry on July 11, 2012 at 12:00 pm said:

Great block! Sometimes I do change seam lines to make it easier. Thanks for the tutorial and sweet giveaway!
Fawn on July 11, 2012 at 12:28 pm said:

Yes I’ve changed seam lines. As a newbie quilter sometimes it was done unintentionally. Thanks for sharing about that whole process:)
hankkie on July 11, 2012 at 12:44 pm said:

Love the way you were able to change the design into something that is easier to sew ! Haven’t tried it yet, but you made it look so easy! Thanks for the giveway.
Mrs.Pickles on July 11, 2012 at 1:07 pm said:

lovely blocks
quiltmom anna on July 11, 2012 at 2:09 pm said:

I love the block you have created- quite a unique design. Thanks for participating in the blog hop. There are so many interesting and different designs.
Regards from Western Canada,
Anna
rosa on July 11, 2012 at 2:18 pm said:

A fabulous block and tutorial,Thanks for sharing your design.I`ll try it.Thanks for the giveaway!!
Karen ~ Briarside Lane on July 11, 2012 at 2:22 pm said:

Just love the quilts! Oh, my. I MUST learn to use that EQ design program. Yes, I’ve changed seam lines for block ease of construction and even pressing the seams. Sometimes even the block size because the pattern is just odd.
Judith Handmade Treasures on July 11, 2012 at 2:29 pm said:

The EQ is a handy tool and your block is beautiful. Love the white background drawing the red and blue out. Lovely quilt. Thanks for sharing…Judith, Texas
Carrie P. on July 11, 2012 at 2:31 pm said:

YOur block is perfection. love it.
that EQ is pretty cool.
I can’t recall is I ever changed a seam line or not. Got me thinking about it though. thanks for the giveaway.
Kate Brown on July 11, 2012 at 2:36 pm said:

I dont think that I ever have changed the seam lines but I am definately open to the idea 😉 Love your block!!!!
Gmama Jane on July 11, 2012 at 2:59 pm said:

You are very good at designing and creating your own blocks. I do this but it’s strictly hands on rather than computer designing. Great Job!!!
Blessings
Gmama Jane
Felicia Few on July 11, 2012 at 3:00 pm said:

I do not EQ, but would love to try it. Love your blocks. Yes I have alerter measurment on blocks that require scant 1/4″ or 3-7/8″ I always cut them a little large whole numbers of 1/2 and then cut them down to what I need, usually they are not that far apart. Felicia Few (The Slow Quilter) fafew4429@msn.com
Megan on July 11, 2012 at 3:34 pm said:

Love that 9-patch star! I haven’t used my Tri-Recs yet, now I have a reason too! Thanks for the giveaway too :o)
Catherine Robertson on July 11, 2012 at 3:48 pm said:

I was fascinated watching how your block developed. Gorgeous nine patch star. I haven`t attempted to change a seam line. I`m relatively new to quilting and I`d probably make a mess of changes I attempt at this stage. I enjoyed my visit. Thank you.
Sherill on July 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm said:

I love your final quilt lay out. It was interesting to watch you come up with it. Yes I play with blocks to make them easier for me.
stipplequilt on July 11, 2012 at 7:30 pm said:

Great block and pattern! EQ is so much fun to play in and thanks for the tutorial. Sometimes I change a seam line.
Jennifer Gail on July 11, 2012 at 7:38 pm said:

Wow that pattern really pops. thanks for sharing.
MarciaW on July 11, 2012 at 8:56 pm said:

Thanks you for showing the process you went through from EQ to completed block. You did a good job with the project and the writeup. Yes, I do change seams around to make it easier to make a block, especially pressing or sizes. I do not do well with teeney tiny pieces.
LJ on July 11, 2012 at 9:55 pm said:

Someday I’d like to be able to design blocks/quilts on the computer. You sure make it look like fun. No, I’ve never changed a seam line. Ha! I’m just darn glad to get my (predetermined) block completed so that it looks OK!! 🙂
Kim on July 11, 2012 at 10:54 pm said:

I love your nine patch star….it is very eye catching. EQ seems like it would be so much fun to play with, but I’m a MAC user and I have heard that it does not work well with the MAC. Thanks for sharing your work with us.
usairdoll on July 12, 2012 at 1:35 am said:

I’m in love with your block! I loved seeing how you went through the process of designing your block. I thought it was great at the beginning but your final block took my breath away! WoW! I have not used the ruler you mentioned but I will be on the lookout for it now. hehe. I think by looking at something like a quilt block and seeing another way to do it, is a sign of an artist. Although I have not made major changes, I have altered blocks alittle.

Thank you for a generous giveaway and a chance to win.

usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Michelle May on July 12, 2012 at 6:40 am said:

Gorgeous! Just gorgeous! It’s amazing how much fun can be had with EQ.
xx
Hueisei on July 12, 2012 at 7:59 am said:

Very creative block! I never try before.
Thanks for the giveaway!
dawn on July 12, 2012 at 8:17 am said:

You are very clever and I love how these blocks came together. I really enjoyed your design process. Thanks for sharing. I have changed old template patterns into paper pieced blocks…does that count? Thanks for a chance at your giveaway!
Katherine on July 12, 2012 at 9:47 am said:

Wow. Great block! Thanks so much for showing us how you came up with it and then giving us the tutorial so that we can make it too. What a beautiful quilt this block will make!
Auntie Vic on July 12, 2012 at 10:59 am said:

Hi Pam, I love your red, white, and Blue block, and your directions make it seem simple. Vicki C
MoeWest on July 12, 2012 at 2:28 pm said:

I love the quilt design you came up with! Thanks for sharing your design process and providing a tutorial for the block. Lovely giveaway!
Sharon Keeney on July 12, 2012 at 4:05 pm said:

Your design turned out really nice! I have thought to change seams…and it wasn’t always as successful as yours! Thanks for sharing!
Karen O on July 12, 2012 at 5:02 pm said:

I wouldn’t even know how to begin changing seam lines. Too new at this. Thank you for sharing your process and the wonderful block.
rush on July 12, 2012 at 11:49 pm said:

i always look for an easier way to put together blocks, but i am not sure i changed the lines about. i mostly make up my own blocks, so i decide where the seams go, quicker or not… love your block, by the way.
Diane on July 13, 2012 at 12:43 am said:

What a beautiful and well-done block! One of the best I’ve seen on the blog-hop so far!
Tracy in SW WA on July 13, 2012 at 9:59 am said:

I love the quilt you designed!!!

I *do* change seams in blocks if necessary. Unless it’s useful for piecing to another block, sometimes I throw them out completely! Just last week I made a row of wrapped candy blocks; the top row of each 9 patch block was HST+white square+white square. It made sense (in this case) to just do a HST+rectangle.
Brenda M on July 13, 2012 at 5:57 pm said:

Love your RWB! From Las Vegas
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