Signatures or short notes are the highlight of signature quilts.
A signature quilt block is a traditional quilt block that has the signature of a friend or loved one stitched onto the block itself. The popularity of signature quilts dates back to the mid-eighteen hundreds and Victorian quilters. The designs spread across the Atlantic, where signature quilts were made for family members who went West as pioneers. These quilts are still popular, and are a good way to show love and support for the person or family that is receiving the quilt. The following instructions make a six-inch quilt block.
Instructions
1. Cut fabrics. From the solid color fabric, cut one 2-inch by 4 3/4-inch rectangle. From print one, cut one square measuring 3 7/8-inches on all sides. Cut this square in half on the diagonal to make two triangles. From print two, cut two rectangles measuring 1 7/8-inches by 4 3/4-inches. Also cut one square measuring 3 7/8-inches on all sides. Cut this square in half on the diagonal to make two triangles.
2. Cut one 2-inch by 4 3/4-inch rectangle from the freezer paper. Place the freezer paper, shiny side down, onto the wrong side of the rectangle from the solid color fabric. Fix into place with a hot iron.
3. Turn the rectangle with the freezer paper attached to it over so that it is right side up. Sign and date the fabric. Remove the freezer paper before assembling the block.
4. Take the two rectangles of print two and line up one long side of each rectangle with the long side of the signature rectangle. Sew into place with a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press seams toward print. The block is 4 3/4-inches square now, including seam allowance.
5. Place the newly made square right side up so that the signature is in the middle and there is a print piece above and below. Take the triangles made from print two and lay them on the square with right sides together. Line them up so that the points are facing to the middle and the bottoms are lining up with the right and left sides of the square. Stitch into place with the 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press seams toward the triangles.
6. Take the print one triangles and lay them on the square with right sides together. This time, the points are still facing inward, however, the bases of the triangles are lined up with the top and bottom strips of the square. Stitch into place, using a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Press seams toward triangles. When finished, the block should measure 6 1/2-inches square, including seam allowances.
Tags: freezer paper, into place, seam allowance, 4-inch seam, 4-inch seam allowance, allowance Press