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Thursday, October 4, 2018

Two Secret Weapons + Splendid Sampler Block

It's Thursday which means it's time for a new, free Splendid Sampler block to be released.  And guess what?  The books are coming SOON!  I hear that some of the digital copies have already been delivered but I'm still anxiously awaiting my book - so exciting!  If you still need to order yours it's not too late - grab one here on Amazon.


Splendid Sampler block made by Andy Knowlton of A Bright Corner

Along with this week's block, I have a couple of secret weapons (a.k.a. favorite tools) to share with you - both of which really came in handy when I was making this block.  

First let me tell you about this week's block.  It was designed by Jenny Doan, and you can find the free pattern for this block here.  It's a fun version of the Cathedral Windows block and I promise it's faster and easier than you'd think!


Tips for using glue basting instead of pins!  A Bright Corner blog

The pattern first has you pin the window "frame" fabric on one corner of a print square -- but I used my favorite applique glue instead.  It's also called temporary basting glue, but because I use it mainly for applique, around here it's referred to as applique glue ;)

There are two bottle types for this glue-- the standard bottle (find it here on Amazon) and the EZ Squeeze bottle (find it here on Amazon).  I've used both, but personally I prefer the EZ Sqeeze bottle so I can get every.last.drop. out of the container.  


Tips for using glue basting instead of pins!  A Bright Corner blog

  I ran a thin line of glue along two sides of my print square...


Tips for using glue basting instead of pins!  A Bright Corner blog

...and then placed one cream square right sides together on top.  I gave it a quick press with the iron to set the glue.  

Then I folded back the corner.  I added a second thin line of glue along the edge (wrong side) of the white square to hold that in place as well.  


Tips for using glue basting instead of pins!  A Bright Corner blog

Another quick press of the iron and my square was basted and ready for the next step - no pins needed!

Tips for using glue basting instead of pins!  A Bright Corner blog

With the white squares (lightly) glued in place, it was much easier to sew the block together without everything shifting around on me.  

Alright - now for favorite tool #2:


Favorite quilting tools from A Bright Corner blog

When it was time to top stitch, my bent tip tweezers were super helpful!  These are great for holding tiny things in place as you stitch them.  


Favorite quilting tools from A Bright Corner blog

See how the tips get right in close to the presser foot?  Now, keep in mind that at this point I'm sewing slowly, and being very careful to not sew over the tweezers.  

I keep a pair of these tweezers next to my machine and use them fairly often!  I bought them here on Amazon in a pack of 4.  I'm glad I bought the four pack - two pair have already wandered off to help with other hobbies like perler beads.  The secret is out and my kids have realized how handy these are!


Now I need to play catch-up on a few of the older Splendid Sampler II blocks.  I've been working on them here and there but haven't shared photos of them yet!

First up is Tulip in Bloom designed by Nadra Ridgeway (download the block pattern here).


Splendid Sampler block made by Andy Knowlton of A Bright Corner

I also made this block called Point Taken, designed by Susan Ache (download the pattern here.)


Splendid Sampler block made by Andy Knowlton of A Bright Corner

The last catch-up block is called Betty's Bloom designed by Carl Hentsch (download the pattern here.)


Splendid Sampler block made by Andy Knowlton of A Bright Corner

I can't wait for the book to arrive so I can see all of the fun blocks!  You can find the past free blocks here on the Splendid Sampler blog

Happy sewing everyone!  
--Andy


**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission (at no additional cost to you) when purchases are made through links found in this post.


4 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing all of these blocks and your favorite methods and tools! I have been wanting to make a Cathedral Window Block quilt for quite some time now and just have not been able to. I truly like your methods with Jenny's tutorial. Have a fabulous day.

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  2. Great blocks! Point Taken...how clever.

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  3. I adopted glue basting early in my quilting journey. It is such an effective and efficient method, I don't understand why it is not used more. It is prick/distortion free, and allows you to phase your piecing. Where are the time savings? Fewer ripped stitches, phased piecing, phased sewing where there is no shift, and no pins to remove.

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  4. P. S. I also love my eagle beak precision tweezers that are finer than my regular bent.

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