Sisters' Ten Modern BOM January Block: Grandmother's Frame

**Get the latest dish from Andover Fabrics here**

Welcome to the first block of the Sisters' Ten Modern Block of the Month Club!  We're getting started with a great block called Grandmother's Frame.  It has a large center square that is perfect for fussy cutting a larger print if you like.

Cutting Instructions.

For 12" blocks.

• Cut (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric A (background).
• Cut (4) 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" squares of Fabric A (background).
• Cut (2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric B.
• Cut (2) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric C.
• Cut (4) 3 1/2" x 3 1/2" squares of Fabric E.
• Cut (1) 7 3/4" 7 3/4" square of Fabric D.  (fussy cut if desired)

To fussy cut is to target and cut a specific motif that's printed on fabric, rather than randomly cutting yardage as we normally do.  

For 9" blocks.

• Cut (4) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric A (background).
• Cut (4) 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" squares of Fabric A (background).
• Cut (2) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric B.
• Cut (2) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric C.
• Cut (4) 3" x 3" squares of Fabric E.
• Cut (1) 5 7/8" 5 7/8" square of Fabric D.  (fussy cut if desired)

To fussy cut is to target and cut a specific motif that's printed on fabric, rather than randomly cutting yardage as we normally do.

Piecing Instructions.

1.  Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric A and Fabric E.  Use the (4) larger Fabric A squares and the (4) Fabric E squares to make (8) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial.  The HSTs should be trimmed down to:
                      12" blocks:  2 7/8" (unfinished size).
                        9" blocks:  2 1/4" (unfinished size).

2.  Make Half-Square Triangle (HST) units with Fabric B and Fabric C.  Use the (2) Fabric B squares and the (2) Fabric C squares to make (4) total Half-Square Triangle units using the method in this tutorial.  The HSTs should be trimmed down to: 

                      12" blocks:  2 7/8" (unfinished size).
                        9" blocks: 2 1/4" (unfinished size).

3.  Layout the Half-Square Triangle Units, remaining Fabric A squares and Fabric D square as shown below.

4.  Sew the rows on the left and right sides of the large Fabric D center square together.

5.   Sew the rows from step 4 to the left and right sides of the Fabric D square.  Next sew the top and bottom rows together.

6.   Sew the top and bottom rows to the center section.  And you're done!

7.   Make (2) blocks.  They may be identical blocks or made from differing fabrics for a scrappier look.

Fabric is Alison Glass for Andover, Lucky Penny with background Quilter's Linen in Straw by Robert Kaufman.

The Infamous HST: Half-Square Triangle Tutorial

There are a few basics I thought I would write into tutorials for the Sisters' Ten Block of the Month Club.  This way I can let you know my method, and refer to the tutorial, instead of having to give the same directions over and over again.  Today we start off with Half-Square Triangles.

Cut 2 squares the same size.  One from Fabric A and one from Fabric B.

Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric A square.

Layer the Fabric A square atop the Fabric B square with right sides together.  Sew pairs together, stitching 1/4" on each side of the drawn line.

Cut the pair apart along the drawn line to make two half-square triangle (HST) units. 

Press open the half-square triangle blocks, pressing seams toward the dark fabric, Fabric B.

To square up the blocks, I like to mark off the unfinished size I am going to trim the HSTs down to.  I lay post-its on the ruler so I can see the unfinished size without getting confused.  (In this example, I have gridded off a 2 7/8" x 2 7/8" square.

Lay the diagonal of the ruler on top of the diagonal of the HST.  Make sure to center the marked-off section of the ruler over the block so there is a small amount of fabric to trim on all sides.

Use your rotary cutter to trim the excess on all sides.

All finished!

HALF SQUARE TRIANGLE RESOURCES

• How To Make Half Square Triangles TWO At A Time
• VIDEO TUTORIAL: How To Make Half Square Triangles Two At A Time
• How To Make Half Square Triangles EIGHT At A Time 
• VIDEO TUTORIAL: How To Make Half Square Triangles EIGHT At A Time
• How To Square Up Half Square Triangles Using the Quilt-in-A-Day HST Ruler 
• Free Printable Half Square Triangle Cutting Chart (when you sign up for my Newsletter)

Sisters' Ten BOM: The Details

With all the holiday hustle and bustle behind us, it's time to start thinking about new projects.  The Sisters' Ten Block of the Month Club is kicking off just in time.  There is nothing like starting a new project with a fresh new year.  Let me tell you the nitty gritty of Sisters' Ten...

The Sisters' Ten Blocks.

This Block of the Month quilt has a theme centered around your favorite women.  Be it a Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Aunt, Sister or Friend.  We all have a woman that we look up to and aspire to be like.  These ten quilt blocks all honor those women, using their name as the block name.  Sister's Choice, Grandmother's Frame.  Quilts are a great way to commemorate these women.

The Design.

Frequently Asked Questions.

1.  When are the new block tutorials released?  Each month, a new block tutorial will post on the first Friday of the month.

2.  How long does the BOM run?  This BOM will run one year.  January though October will have block tutorials.  November and December will be spent finishing the quilt.

3.  How many blocks are there in the quilt?  Each "half" of the quilt has 10 blocks.  There will be 10 block tutorials.  We will make 2 of each block during the month.

4.  What size is the finished quilt?  There are two finished sizes of the quilt depending on the block size you choose.
                Lap.  60" x 60" (9" finished blocks)
                Large Twin  78" x 78" (12" finished blocks)

5.  What size are the blocks?  You may choose to make the blocks as either 9"x 9" (Lap) or 12"x 12" (Large Twin) finished.  Cutting instructions will be given for both sizes.

6.  What are the fabric requirements?  

Lap.

• 9 fat quarters
• 3 yards background and sashing

Large Twin.

• 12 fat quarters
• 4 5/8 yards background and sashing

I will be using Lucky Penny by Alison Glass for Andover Fabrics.  I have the full FQ bundle, so I will use more prints than just the 12 required.  I will also be using any leftover fabric for the backing. 

7.  I like the Sisters' Ten blocks, but prefer a more traditional setting.  Can I still join?  Absolutely!  You are more than welcome to make blocks along with us throughout the year, and if you prefer, set the blocks in a more traditional manner (i.e. 3 x 4 rows with cornerstones for example).  It's really up to you.  However, I will only be giving finishing instructions for the modern layout above.

You can make only one set of the blocks (instead of two), and then add in two additional ones of your choice for 12 total for the traditional BOM 3 x 4 setting.  -OR- make all 20 blocks and lay them out in a 4 x 5 row grid.  Let your creativity flow!

8.  It's already halfway through the year.  Can I still join?  No problem!  Block of the Month Clubs online are great because you can really work at your own pace.  No one is going to prevent you from skipping a block because you don't like it or working at your own pace, be it ahead or behind.

To me, quilting is fun and about interpretation.  I am providing the tutorials to you as a guide.  Feel free to adapt them to your liking.  After all, YOU are the person who will keep the quilt or gift it to a loved one.

9.  Is there a flickr group for this BOM?  Yes - please join the Sisters' Ten flickr group here.  It is more fun when we can share our fabric selections, progress and blocks with each other.

What do you think?  Sound like fun?  I hope you'll join me!  I am so excited to be starting this new and funky BOM with you.  The first block instructions go up on Friday, January 4.  If you have any questions, please leave me a comment.  I will try to address all getting started questions here in this post for all to read.

I can't wait!