DOUBLE 9 PATCHES INSTRUCTIONS ARE UP!!!

[Annis C.]

I couldn't resist making these cute nine patch blocks. Since I will have no retreaters for at least a month or more I decided I might as well add another project. It's not like I don't already have more than I have time to do but sometimes you just need a break to work on mindless sewing. I'm making mine with 81 half inch squares using the bargello method and my double strip piecing technique. By cutting the strips twice the width and sewing 2 seams down the middle 1/2" apart, at least half of your seams will be accurate. You have to cut that 3rd strip the single width measurement. I don't take time to starch so this method works best for me. To corral the fabric you can use Jaybird & Mais 30/31 1/8" Adhesive Foam cut into 1/2" x 5" strips. Coating it with 1 or more layers of 3M Nexcare flexible clear tape will make it a little stiffer and keep the lint away. Both available on Amazon and 1 roll of each will make enough strips to last forever. You can share them with your friends. Use a ruler to help position the strips accurately (1/4" less than your single cut strip width away from the needle on the left side plus a little more to make a scant seam allowance). The right side should be next to the edge of the fabric but not touching so the fabric will feed smoothly. I usually layer my fabrics before cutting and sew with the lighter fabric on top. Sew a sample strip from scraps until you get it exactly right. Of course I'm using my new and improved seam guide underneath that has all of the markings on it and is still waiting for instructions.

I have all of the initial strip sets done, the center section of the block, and enough strip sets assembled to do 2 more sections. I've decided 48 blocks is enough to do a lap size quilt. Working an hour here and there may get them done in no time. I'm thinking of doing stack 'n whack kaleidoscope blocks for the applique blocks if I can find the right fabric.

[Barbara B.]

Annis, thanks for such a good description and photos. You amaze people with your tiny piecing--the double strip piecing trick is brilliant.

[Annis C.]

I finished assembling all of my strip sets. That was a lot of work deciding which ones went together. Scrappy is not my favorite method for piecing. Then I repeated the process layering 2 strip sets together and cross cutting using the Power Cutting method by Debbie Caffrey. That's not my usual way but I wanted to make sure I had enough width for the 5 sections and that's what worked. Then I repeated the sewing process. No pins were needed for this step, and I am a pinner. I just used my fingers to make sure the seams did not overlap which required a little stretching in places. I decided to press seams open after sewing for awhile so my first strip set sections ended up a little oversized so I made an adjustment to the positioning of the guide bars. It's not easy trimming excess width through all of those seams. Now I have 2 finished blocks to show for days of work and 240 sections ready for making 48 more blocks. I'm thinking of packaging them in sets of 5 and finishing them over a period of time. I may need to do a little sliver trimming on some of them as my first 2 blocks are 1/16" oversize. And I may need to add sashing to my quilt design so the bulky seams won't be next to other pieced blocks. This is the way I do most of my 4-patch, 9-patch, rail fence, and some other blocks, and also whole quilts with a sunshine and shadow type pattern. I like the fact that it makes mirror images which is what is needed for some of these blocks. And if I'm really careful I don't have to square up often.