QM Introduces Fold & Sew for Precuts
Today’s post is by Peg Spradlin from Cozad, Nebraska. Peg has been sewing for Quiltmaker for a couple of decades and she has a new column in 2014 issues called Fold and Sew. We’re very excited about it and we asked Peg to tell you more.
The technique I’ve named Fold and Sew came about when I was trying to decide what to do with a set of 5″ and 10″ precuts I’d gotten as a gift. I’d just finished a technically challenging quilt containing precision points and tons of rotary cutting.
I needed a break from both, but just joining the 5″ and 10″ patches in rows seemed too boring.
I happened to place a 5″ square on top of a 10″ square.
I liked the look, but didn’t want to do the cutting and piecing to make it happen.
All of a sudden I had the idea of folding one side of the 10″ precut over the 5″ precut,
sewing a 1/4″ seam to enclose the raw edge of the 5″ square,
ironing the seam open,
and repeating the steps on the other three sides of the 5″ square—and that’s how I came up with my square in a square block.
This block was the first of many fun, fast blocks that I and my students have since developed.
Here’s the first quilt I made using this method.
Quiltmaker is publishing one Fold and Sew block in each 2014 issue. Blue Diamond is the featured block in the March/April issue.
The basic technique of Fold and Sew can be adapted and built upon to make an almost limitless number of designs, and this block is an example of that. A student in one of my Fold and Sew classes took one of my simplest blocks and changed it by adding a unique fold to the 5″ precut. I built on that by adding 2 1/2″ precuts folded into triangles.
Then I used the blocks to make this wallhanging.
Instructions for this quilt and other Fold and Sew blocks can be found at Handicrafts by Peg.
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In September, Carolyn and I had the chance to teach Peg’s technique during Original Sewing & Quilt Expo in Atlanta. It was a “make and take” format. We showed this method to about 50 quilters in just a few hours—and they loved it! The simplicity makes it fast and the concept makes it intriguing! Within a few weeks we had photos coming in of completed quilts.
Give Fold and Sew a try for yourself and please let us know how it goes! More blocks and instructions. Remember to check out page 64 of the March/April ’14 issue for Peg’s column.
Can’t seem to find this pattern. I looked through the March/April 2014 issue of Quiltmaker – the instructions for the Blue Diamond are linked to Peg’s website, which is no longer active. Please tell me how to find this pattern.
Thanks,
Sharon