Underground Railroad Block 4

So sorry for the delay in posting this block.  I had an issue with my blog in posting.  It has now been solved.  The 4th block will follow this posting.

Carol

Underground Railroad Block 4

Carpenter's Wheel

The Carpenter's Wheel Quilt was a secondary code pattern.  To a slave, the master carpenter in their lives was Jesus.  As they worked in the fields, they sang this well-known spiritual about a chariot that was to carry them home.

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot

Comin' for to carry me home.

If you get a dere befo I do,

Tell all my friends I'm comin too.

Plantation owners thought they were singing about joining Jesus in Heaven, but the song held hidden messages.  Future run-always recognized this as a directive to plan their escape.  They were to follow the Carpenter's Wheel to the west-northwest. Imagine the beauty of the sun setting behind the Appalachian mountains to the west on their journey to Ohio and freedom.

Underground Railroad Block 4

 This is the one from the book.

 This is my block. I will be referring to the colors in my block instead of the one from the book.

You will need 4 fabrics for this block.

From your background fabric: 

8  2" squares 

4  2" x 3 1/2" 

4  3 1/2" squares

2  4 3/4" squares

Fabric #1(lighter blue fabric)

8  2 7/8" squares

4  2" x 3 1/2"

8  2" squares

4  2" squares

Fabric #2(the bright orange in the star)

1  2 1/2" x 5"

4  2" squares

Fabric #3(dark blue in the star)

1  2 1/2" x 5"

4  2" squares

The star center:

Use the 2 1/2" x 5" pieces from fabrics 2 & 3.

With right sides together draw a line down the center and then diagonally as shown in the picture.  Stitch on either side of the diagonal lines.  Cut on the center line and then on the diagonal lines.  You will have 4 squares, press toward the blue fabric and square to 2".

Layout squares to make a pinwheel as pictured. Sew you blocks together. After your last seam, press it open for a flatter center.

The star points:

You will need :

3 1/2" squares from your background fabric.

2" squares from light blue fabric

2" squares from bright orange fabric

2" squares from dark blue fabric

On your 3 1/2" square place a 2" light blue-fabric #1 and a bright orange- fabric#2 squares opposite each other and draw a line diagonally through each square.  Sew on the line and trim to a 1/4" seam.  Press toward seam.

Then repeat with the 2" square from dark blue-fabric #3 and light blue-fabric #1.  Draw diagonal line on the squares and sew on the diagonal lines, trim to 1/4" seam and press toward seams. As picture above. Now make a total of 4 of these squares.

The wheel rims:

You will need:

2" squares from the background fabric.

2" x 3 1/2" rectangles from light blue -fabric #1.

Make 4 of the above squares.  Sew 2" background and a 2" light blue square together and then sew the 2" x 3 1/2" light blue rectangle to the side of them. Press toward blue fabric.

You will need:

4 3/4" squares from background fabric.

2 7/8" squares from light blue fabric #1.

Place 2 of the 2 7/8" squares on the 4 3/4" square diagonally, draw a line diagonally and then sew a 1/4" on either side of the line.  

Cut on line and press toward seam.

Place a 2 7/8" square as picture above and draw a line diagonally.  Stitch a 1/4" seam on either side of the line.

Cut on line and press toward seam. Square unit at 2" x 3 1/2". Begin squaring up at the point to insure you have your 1/4" seam from point. Repeat with other unit and with other squares to have 8 flying geese when finished.

Lay your blocks out to make your block using the picture above.  Sew pieces together and press your block.

This is alittle more difficult block, if you have any questions please send me a message.

Enjoy......

Carol

Underground Railroad -- Block 3

Wagon Wheel

Underground Railroad Block 3

The Wagon Wheel was the second quilt to be displayed on the fence.  Wagons with hidden compartments were one of the primary means of transporting escaping runaways.

The quilt was a message to pack provisions for their journey as if they were packing a wagon.  

Sunbonnets and bandannas were indicators of social rank for women.  Bonnets were worn by women above the rack of slave and indentured servants.  But a sun bonnet could help fleeing slaves disguise themselves by obscuring their faces.

In Nebraska City, Nebraska, stories still circulate about a minaster who used to drive his wagon with two sun bonneted ladies sitting beside him.  A half hour later, the minister would return with two ladies still sitting beside him.  What no one seemed to notice was that on the return trip, the two women wearing the bonnets had dark complexions.

Getting started:

You will need the templates from the book, if your not using the book email at pinwheelquilting@gmail.com

and I will send them to you.

This is the picture from the book, their are 12 spokes to the wheel so will have to decide how you want yours to look.

Fabrics needed:

      13" square for the background.

      1  5" x 6" piece for ech spoke.  ( In the book they used 6 different fabrics, I used 12.)

      1  4" x 4" square for the center

      1/3 yd of interfacing

I used my Navy fabrics for my wheel.  Cut out your spokes and your center, also cut a circle for the wheel and for the center circle out of interfacing.

Sew your spokes together, 6 together and then the other 6 together.

Press your seams all in one direction.  Then sew these 2 pieces together.

Next sew your Wheel and the interfacing together with right sides together. Sew 1/4" round the outer edge, and trim seam to 1/8", then turn through the hole of the wheel. 

Then pull apart to separate the to pieces.  

Then finger press all around the edge, rolling the wheel fabrics slightly over the interfacing, then press.

Repeat the process with the center circle, after sewing the fabric and interfacing together using 1/4" seam around the edge. Then cut a slit in the interfacing to turn right side out.  Press.

Center your Wheel onto the background square.  You can hand stitch or machine stitch your wheel down.

I hand stitched mine down. Then stitch the center circle down.  Then square your block to 12 1/2" x 12 1/2".

Hope you have fun,

Carol

Pinwheel Bag lady Sale

If you're a Bag Lady this is for you.  Remember to bring your green bag.

This Sunday is the Bag Lady Sale, 1 - 4.  October 26th.

All cotton quilting fabrics will be 40% off (half yard min.)

All quilt patterns 40% off.

All  100% wool, pieces and yardage 20% off (1/4yd min. on yardage.

All wool patterns 20% off.

Plus more specials......

Okay Bag Ladies, you must bring your green bag to get in.

Hope to see you Sunday.

Pinwheel News

LWell, it's beginning to look alot like Christmas around here.  Hard to believe it is the middle of October.  Where does the time go.

Now have more of the "Snowman Stars" kits available.

JUST IN........

The new Primitve Quilts and Projects magazine has arrived. This issue has 15 projects.

Now have kits available for the "Poinsettia" Penny Rug from Lily Anna Stitches.

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Saturday, October 18th - Glendale Crossing Festival.

Sunday, October 26th - Pinwheel Bag Lady Sale - 1pm to 4pm.

         Ladies you know who you are. Must have you "green bag" to get in.

          Lots of specials, giveaways, and refreshments.

Monday, November 17th - Christmas Open House - 5pm to 8pm.

         Hope you can join us in getting the Christmas season started.

Thursday, November 27th - Thanksgiving Day

Saturday, November 29th - "Shop Small"

         Mark your calendars and support your local businesses.  

COMING SOON:

Monthly projects:

Monthly pillow sleeves from Lily Anna Stitches.

Mini Wool Blocks from Lily Anna Stitches. Not the best picture to show but they are in the middle of the picture.

Plus a "Block of the Month" quilt.  More to come later.

Happy Quilting 

Carol

Underground Railroad--Block 2

Block 2

Monkey Wrench

The Monkey Wrench Quilt was the first quilt displayed as a sign for any slaves who planned to escape. The monkey wrench is a heavy metal tool used by the blacksmith.  This quilt symbolized the time to collect tools they would need on their journey north to freedom.

The blacksmith, the most knowledgeable person on the plantation, was known as the "Monkey Wrench".  

Monkey wrench was a person or group of people who turned the wagon wheel.

Making the Monkey Wrench.

Fabric needed: 

For Inner Wrench:  

  (Remember I am using some of my chedder's as lights)

Light-  (1) 2 1/2" x 5".       For background corners.

            (1) 1 1/4" x 15".      For background sides.

Medium-  (1) 3 1/2" square.   For center square.

Dark-  (1) 2 1/2" x 5".       For corners.

           (1) 1 1/4" x 15".     For sides.

My medium is the same as my light.

For Outer Wrench:

Light- (1) 4" x 8".       For background corners.

           (2) 2" x 14".     For background sides.

Medium-  (2) 2" x 14".    For sides.

Dark-  (1) 4" x 8".      For corners.

Now you're ready to start sewing.

For the inner wrench:

Using the 2 1/2" x 5" light and dark pieces, place right sides together cut down the center for a 2 1/2" square.

Then draw a diagonal line through both squares and sew a 1/4" seam on either side of the line to make 4 half square triangle squares.  Square up the squares 

to 2" x 2".

Sew the 1 1/4" x 15" light and dark strips together then sub cut into (4) 3 1/2" segments.

Then lay out your inner square.

Now make the Outer Wrench:

With the 4" x 8" light and dark strips, put together with right sides together and cut into (2) 4" squares. Draw a diagonal line on the squares and sew a 1/4" seam on either side of the line, making 4 half square triangle squares.  Square up the

squares to 3 1/2" x 3 1/2".

With the 2" x 14" light and medium strips sew together then sub cut into (4) 6 1/2" segments.

Then lay your block out and sew together.

This is what my block looks like:

Have fun with your block and I'll see you next month.

Happy Quilting 

Carol

Bluegrass Quilt Festival

Day two at the Bluegrass Quilt Festival in Shepherdsville.  What great fun to everyone and the great ideas that are offered by the venders.  Here are a few pictures from the Festival:

These are from my booth at the festival.

The following are some of the quilts on display:

Hope you can come by to see us.

Happy Quilting .........

September Pinwheel News

I know everyone is enjoying this great weather we are having, seems Fall is in the air.

What's New:

Now through September 27th, "Lily Anna Stitches" Trunk Show.  Come see 17 beautiful designs by Lori.  Patterns available for all 17 samples plus a few more.

I have also received the Fall banner pattern that some of you have been waiting for.

September Table Mat Kits are going fast.  This is the monthly table mat by Kathy Schmitz, Autunm Time.

I started the Underground Railroad Quilt Sew a Long on my blog this month.  Check it out and see if you want to join us.  This is the first block:

"Baskets from the Past" this is my latest pattern.  I was inspired by a 1830's Antique basket quilt.

Upcoming Events:

This weekend is the Heartland of Kentucky Quilt Show in E'town, KY.

Will be held at the Pritchard Community Center Sept. 19th & 20th.Doors open at 9am.  After the show, I hope you have time to stop by for some special deals I will be running during the show.  Shop hours are 11-6 Friday and Saturday.

Next weekend is the Bluegrass Quilt Festival held in Shepherdsville KY. at the Paroquet Springs Conference Center.  September 25, 26. & 27,  Doors open at 9am.  I will have a booth at this show.  Come by and see me if you make it to this show.

Classes: 

I will be posting some classes in the next week.

September is National Sewing Month, visit your local shop for a new project.

Happy Quilting,

Carol

Underground Railroad - Block 1

I Block 1 is the Underground Railroad 

Also known as Jacob's Ladder, this block has an alternating path of dark and light that can be used to show direction. 

There is a story about a slave owner chasing a runaway who swore the man vanished as if he had stepped on some kind of "Underground Railroad."  The idea of an Underground Railroad taking people north to freedom was used to describe the network of abolitionists and safe houses that helped escape to Ohio and Canada.  Safe houses along the way were known as "stations," those who guided the escapees were called "conductors" and the runaways themselves were called "passenger."

Reaching a "station" in the North meant food, clothing, and a place to hide when capture was imminent.  But it did not yet mean freedom.  The Underground Railroad took them all the way to Canada in some cases.  Estimates are that as many as 100,000 people escaped slavery between the American Revolution and the Civil War.

Block 1

You will need 3 fabrics:

Chedder -- cut a 2 1/2" strip 30" long.    

                   cut 2 - 5" squares

Cream --  cut a 2 1/2" strip 30" long

Navy -- cut 2 - 5" squares

Note that I am using Chedder as a light in this block, and may do it later in other blocks.

Sew the two 2 1/2" strips together.

Make 4 half square triangles using the 5" squares.  Square to 4 1/2".

Make 5 four patch squares.

Then lay your squares out  and sew together.

This is the block from the book:

See you next month for Block 2.