by Claudia Olson
CLASS FORMAT: Two 5-hour classes
SUPPLIES
- Textbook: 15 Two-Block Quilts by Claudia Olson
- Fabric: Refer to either Castle Weather or Eight Point Puzzle in the book
- Sewing machine, extension cord, power strip
- Basic sewing supplies
- Rotary cutter, mat, and rulers
- White flannel, needle-punch or other fleece for laying out pieces
- Graph paper, drafting ruler, pencil, colored pencils and pencil sharpener
CLASS 1
Introduction
Teacher shares an overview of the two classes.
1. Drafting
Objective: Students will be shown the continuity of lines, use of coloring, highlighting adjacent pieces, and completing the design into the border.
Reference: Two Block Formulas, pages 9-12.
Note: Encourage students to start their drafts at least 2" from all edges.
Drafting Castle Weather
Letting 1/4" = 2", students will draft and color an Aircastle block next to a Weathervane block. Discuss the flow of the lines. The lines of the two blocks parallel one another. Discuss the addition of corner triangles in the Aircastle block. The corner triangles make a connection between the Weathervane blocks. Discuss well-fitted blocks.
Draft the pieced border beside each block previously drafted. Discuss how the navy triangles of the border mirror the spaces between the two blocks when placed beside the Aircastle block. When placed beside the Weathervane block, white squares are formed. Discuss repeating elements of the blocks into the border. Notice the units in the border which are like units in the Aircastle block.
Drafting Eight Point Puzzle
Letting 1/4" = 1 3/4", students will draft and color an Eight Point All Over block next to an Indian Puzzle variation block. Discuss adjacent pieces that are rose-colored. Explain that coloring the adjacent pieces the same bright color makes a secondary crown-type star appear. Discuss making positives from traditionally colored negative spaces. Discuss muting the colors of the Eight-Point All Over blocks to allow the Indian Puzzle blocks and the secondary design to dominate.
Add the pieced border beside each block. Discuss finishing the secondary pattern into a completer border. Discuss the muted colored border section and why it needs to be muted. Discuss creating green stars in the border.
Discussion of other two block designs. Ask students to look at pages 9-12 in their books. Discuss the aspects of the quilts and borders pictured there. Pick out design elements in those pictured quilts that were discussed when drafting Castle Weather and Eight Point Puzzle.
2. Demonstration of Cutting
Objective: Students will be shown the correct ways to cut strips and squares. (Suggestion: Cut 2 1/2" white squares and 4 1/2" light navy squares. Have on hand: white and light navy 2 7/8" squares and white and navy 5 1/4" squares.)
- Cut a clean edge that is perpendicular to the fold.
- Cut a white strip that is 2 1/2" wide.
- Cut squares that are 2 1/2" x 2 1/2".
- Repeat steps A-C for 4 1/2" light navy squares.
3. Demonstration of Piecing
Objective: Students will be shown the correct ways to quick-piece half-square triangles, directional triangles and quick-corner triangles (reference: pages 105-106). They will also be shown how to piece the Aircastle variation block and the Indian Puzzle variation block.
- Demonstrate half-square triangle construction.
- Demonstrate directional triangle construction. (Quarter-square triangles which will always have the darker triangle positioned on the same side of the light triangle.)
- Demonstrate quick-corner triangle construction.
- Demonstrate the construction of the Aircastle block and the Indian Puzzle variation block. (The teacher should have step-outs ready for each block.)
4. Student Cutting
Objective: Students will cut pieces for either the Aircastle block or the Indian Puzzle variation block. Invite students to select one of the two patterns and begin cutting enough pieces to piece one of the demonstrated blocks. Assist where needed.
5. Student Piecing
Objective: Students will piece one block of their chosen quilt. Invite students to begin sewing their pieces when ready. Assist where needed.
CLASS 2
1. Demonstration of piecing
Objective: Students will be shown the correct ways to quick-piece half-square triangles, directional triangles and quick-corner triangles again, if desired (reference: pages 105-106). They will also be shown how to piece the Weathervane block, the Eight-Point All Over block, and the borders from the Castle Weather and Eight-Point Puzzle quilts.
- Demonstrate piecing that students request from the previous class. Please see step III from Class 1.
- Demonstrate the piecing of the Weathervane block and the Eight Point All Over block. (The teacher should have step-outs ready for each block.)
- Demonstrate the piecing for the border sections of both the Castle Weather and the Eight-Point Puzzle quilts. (The teacher should have step-outs ready for each border.)
2. Student cutting
Objective: Students will cut pieces for the other block and the border of either Castle Weather or Eight Point Puzzle. Students will cut enough pieces to piece the other block and the pieced border required for their chosen quilt. Assist where needed.
3. Student Piecing
Objective: Students will piece the second block of their chosen quilt. Invite students to begin sewing the pieces of their second block when ready. Then they will piece part of their border. Assist where needed.
