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  • Spinning wool, the basics
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Everything neatly ironedAll fabrics are neatly ironed. Now I can finally start with the blocks. I am about 21 blocks behind, so it's time.

Besides the emailed blocks, I will also start with the center piece and the four outer large corners. I want to make all of them from the same fabric, and there are fairly large areas in them. If I make them first, I avoid running out of the right fabric later on.
Material for rotary cuttingThere are various techniques to cut and sew the fabrics in a block to the correct size. For this quilt, two techniques could be applicable:

  • It is possible to make a template for each piece of fabric and transfer it onto the fabric. The piece is then cut out of the fabric. Once all the necessary pieces for a block are cut out, the block can finally be assembled.
  • Strips of the correct width are cut using a rotary cutter. These are then cut into blocks of the correct length. The blocks can also be cut diagonally into triangles.

I choose to use the second technique, with the rotary cutter. This technique is also known as rotary cutting. We need a large cutting mat, transparent plastic rulers, and a rotary cutter. A small sharp-pointed pair of scissors is also handy. Sometimes not all threads are cut, and you need to carefully cut the last threads with these scissors. By the way, this often means you need to replace your rotary cutter blade because it has become dull.
cutting fabricWorking with the rotary cutter goes (for right-handers) as follows:

  • Make sure the left side of your fabric is cut straight.
  • The ruler is placed on the left side of the fabric. The required amount of fabric is under the ruler.
  • Press the ruler firmly with your left hand and cut with the rotary cutter in your right hand, cutting away from you along the ruler.

If you need a strip of, for example, 1.5 inches, then the ruler is placed 1.5 inches over the fabric. The fabric to the right of the ruler is the piece that remains.
Quilting foot for the sewing machineIt's time, I can begin. It is very important to cut the blocks precisely and sew them neatly. I use a quilting foot on the sewing machine. That foot is exactly 1/4 inch wide, the same width as the seam allowances. If you let the edge of the fabrics run along with the quilting foot, you always have the correct seam allowance.
press to the dark side of the fabricThe seams are not finished or zigzagged. That would create too thick lumps. After the pieces are sewn together, the seam is pressed first, and then the pieces are pressed open. If possible, the seam is pressed towards the darker side.
measuring the sizeThe first blockThe first block is done. This block is somewhere in the inner dark-tinted ring. The quilt is very large. The smallest blocks are 3 inches square, which is about 7.5 by 7.5 cm. If all blocks deviate from the size, you will have problems sewing them together. All blocks are therefore measured.
The start of the new quiltAfter a few hours of sewing, I have completed the first blocks. Keep working, and then I will be back on schedule.