The Betsy Quilt Along- Week 3
The Betsy quilt measures 85 3/8" x 85 3/8". This quilt along will be free and all of the patterns/posts will be here on my blog.
I'll also be sharing progress on Instagram- @jessicadayon- and we will be using the hashtag #thebetsyquilt
The Betsy Quilt Along Schedule
Week 3- June 18th- Dorothy Blocks
Week 4- June 25th- Florence Blocks
Week 5- July 2nd- Cut the setting units/catch up week
Week 6- July 9th- Assemble the quilt top
For this week, we are making five Dorothy blocks.
The Dorothy Block- we will be making 5 of these
To make the Dorothy blocks, there are PDF directions below but I also wanted to give you a few of the tips that I use when piecing these blocks.
The pattern references stitch and flip geese. You can google how to or watch a video on YouTube if you aren't familiar with this method. But, here is a run down as well...
You take the 3" x 5 1/2" B piece and the 3" x 3" A piece. Lay the A piece along one side of the B piece- here everything except one side of the square is perfectly in line with the edges of the rectangle. Sew from the top outer corner of the square to the bottom inner corner of the square- as shown below.
Trim 1/4" away from the sewn line.
Open up the A portion, which now makes half of the flying geese unit. If you are having trouble with flying geese distorting, I would say not to press with an iron here but just finger press it open.
Put the 2nd 3" x 3" A square on the other side and repeat the process.
You will get one flying geese unit that measures 3" x 5 1/2", including the seam allowance.
Repeat this process as many times as needed.
Something that can make these quicker is to chain piece and then to trim all the pieces at once. To do that, chain piece the first square A to the background B. Cut the chain piecing threads. Then place one piece on your cutting mat with the seam line exactly laying on a grid line (it doesn't matter which one- I usually pick one in the middle).
Then lay the rest out, overlapping the others the previous pieces a little.
Continue until you lay out as many pieces that fit. Lay the ruler with the 1/4" mark directly on top of the sewing line.
Trim away the excess. This leaves you with exactly 1/4" seam allowance.
Press the blocks (either with the iron or finger press if you are worried about distortion). Then chain piece the other side of the flying geese unit. Cut the chain piecing threads. Repeat the layout with the second side of the flying geese units. Trim excess. Then press open.
Also, if you'd like to see the step by step of making the corner units. Here it is-
That's it for today! Make 5 Dorothy blocks and meet me back here for Week 4 next Thursday!
One of my Aqua Dorothy blocks
This pattern is no longer free and will be available for purchase in my shop soon.
Just let me know if you have any other questions! Happy sewing!
Talk to you soon,
Jessica
That is a wonderful block. Dorothy was my mother's name, so I have to make bunches of these, I think! It looks great in aqua and white, too. Thank you for the pattern, and the QAL.
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