Underground Railroad

With the snow and missing 2 weeks here at the shop has put me alittle behind.  Trying to get ready for Quilters' Day Out this Saturday, totally let the Underground Railroad block slip my mind.  Sorry but looks like it will probably be next Wednesday before I can post the block. I'm ready for Spring and getting back to normal around here.  Thanks for your patience. Til next week. Carol

Only 8 more days till Spring.

Monthly Bitty Banner

Lily Anna Stitches, Monthly Bitty Banner

We are in the middle of doing the March Bitty Banner

Kits are $16.00 and includes pattern.  They are going fast, let me know if want one.

Underground Railroad Block 6

Underground Railroad Block 6

Basket

The Basket Block is a symbol of the provisions needed for the long journey North.

One of the most difficult things faced by escaping slaves was feeding themselves along the journey.  They took what provisions they could carry.  They often depended on safe houses or friends along the way.  Abolitionists would give them baskets of provisions and tools, such as flint and compasses, to aid them in their flight.

One of the ways the provisions were carried was in a laundry or sewing basket.  A story told about a woman who had a safe house where she hid escapees upstairs.  She would carry her laundry basket up and down the stairs, filled with food.  She could carry food to her charges, looking for all the world like an ordinary woman going about her work.

The Block in the book.

My Block.

Fabric needed:

The Chedder is my Background.

The lighter navy is handle and feet.

The dark navy is my base.

Cutting:

From Background fabric --    1 - 8"square      For handle

                                                2 - 3 1/2" x 6 1/2"   For sides

                                                1 - 7"square       For bottom

From light navy fabric --        1 -8"square       For handle

                                                1 -4"square       For base

From dark navy --                  1 -3 1/2"square      For base

Assembly of Block:

Take the two  8" squares, place right sides together and then draw a line diagonally in both directions.

Then sew 1/4" on either side of these lines.

Then cut apart on the diagonal lines and without seprating cut a horizontal line 4" from the bottom and a veritcal cut 4" from the side.

Press seams toward darker fabric.

Lay out to make the Handle, place the 3 1/2" dark navy square in the corner for the base of the basket.

Sew squares together and press.

Now, take the background  3 1/2" x 6 1/2" pieces and the 4" square in the light navy.  Cut the light navy piece in half diagonally.  Lay out as above and sew triangle to the rectangle piece.  Press seams.

Then sew the sides to the Handle block.

Then take your 7" square in the Background fabric and cut in half diagonally.

Now sew one of the diagonal pieces to the Blocks. 

You now have your 6th block.

Enjoy.......

Underground Railroad Block 5

Bear's Paw

The Bear's Paw Quilt was the third quilt used to help prepare slaves for their journey to freedom.  Runaways were directed to follow the actual trail of a bear's footprints.  Animal footprints would indicate the best path through the mountains.  Would also lead them to food and water.  

Underground Railroad Block 5

This is the block in the book.

This is my block.

You will need 4 colors of fabrics for this block.

        Background                               Small Chedder print

        Fabric 1 - for claws                   Navy print

        Fabric 2 - for paw                      Bright Chedder print

        Fabric 3 - for center square.     Light blue print

Cutting:

Background - 

                        Corners......(4)  2 1/4" squares

                        Dividing Strips........(4)  2" x 5 3/4"

                        Claws.......(2)  6" squares

Fabric 1 -       

                  Claws.........(2)   6" squares

Fabric 2 - 

                  Paws.......(4)  4" squares

Fabric 3 - 

                  Center.......(1)    2" square

Making the claws:

     Use the 6" squares from the background and fabric 1.

     Place one of each square with right sides together, draw diagonal lines on wrong side of squares.  Sew a 

     1/4" from either side of the lines.  

Cut on the diagonal lines and horizontally and vertically, as shown above.

Press seams toward the claw fabric.

Square up to 2 1/4" square.

Lay your claw squares into 4 stacks of 4.  As shown above.  Notice the way the claw is facing.

With the first 2 rows, lay 2nd square on top of the 1st square.  Sew together on the right side.  I chain stitched my squares together.

Do the same with the 3rd and 4th rows.  Lay the 4th row squares on top of the 3rd row of squares and sew down the right side of the squares.

Clip apart and press open the sections.  The ones on the left press seam to the left.  The ones on the right press seam to the right.

Now lay out pieces to make the paw.  Sew together and press seams.

Repeat until you have 4 paws.

Using 2 of the 2" x 5 3/4" strips sew blocks together horizontally.  Press seams toward strips.

Using the other 2 - 2" x 5 3/4" strips and the center square, lay out between the paws and then sew together.

Press seams toward strips.  Then sew to the 2 paw sections.

You now have your block.  I square my blocks after I have them all made, but if you want to square yours now you can square to 12 1/2".

I really enjoyed this block.  It's the first time I have made the Bear Claw block.

Enjoy and I'll see you next month.

I've been buzy working on the shop, getting ready for new stock.  I can't wait to get started on my new projects for the year.  Pre-inventory Sale continues through This Saturday the 10th.  Hope to see you soon.

Correction on Block 4

I have made a correction on Block 4 of the Underground Railroad.  It was with the making of the flying geese. Sorry for the mistake.

I'll be posting Block 5 tomorrow.