Two more Splendid Sampler blocks

#40 Flights of Fancy

This block is designed by Barb Groves and Mary Jacobson of Me and My Sister.  It's another block that is made up of 36 x 1" finished squares.  I made the half-square triangles using the 8-at-a-time method, cut out my background squares and then ironed them all onto Pellon Quilter's Grid.  I then folded and stitched down the seams and sliver cut the seams to press them open. The seams match up perfectly using this method but it does make the block a bit firmer than the others but I don't think that will matter when they are all sewn together and quilted. I've deviated from the designer's choice of fabric placement by only having one colour for all of the stars and also having solid centres. 

#41 Sew South 

This block is designed by Jennifer Mathis.  I used some paper 1" hexagon templates that came free with a magazine. I knew they's come in useful one day. I've modified the design to make it a bit easier.  The original has an exploded group of hexagons; each hexie sewn to the background separately, with about 1/8" in between each hexie.  I've chosen to sew all of my hexies together first and then applique them to the background using my machine blanket stitch.

I've now decided on the setting for these blocks and have bought the fabric and washed and pressed it ready to cut out.  I shall be sewing the sashings on each individual block over the summer so that when I have made enough  blocks I can decide on placement and then sew them altogether.

#12 Checkerboard

I just knew that somewhere in this QAL there would be a square that was made up of 1" squares, so I've been saving every little scrap.  Made this one without cutting into my bigger pieces of fabric.  It's turned out perfect too, but I did make it the 'cheats' way.

When I went to the Festival of Quilts a couple of years ago I bought a piece of Pellon Quilter's Grid because I had seen a tutorial for making a Postage Stamp quilt using the grid.  It's been sat in the drawer ever since but as soon as I saw this block I looked it out to give it a try.

Oh my goodness, it is so easy to use.  Just cut out 1 1/2" squares, arrange them on the Pellon, cover with a damp cloth and then press.  then you just have to fold it along the joins and stitch a scant 1/4" seam from top to bottom  of each row, and then turn and stitch the rows across.  No matching up of seams, it just matches perfectly. Once stitched the first way I sliver trimmed the seams and pressed them open to help it lay flat and did the same for the across rows.  Start to finish less than one hour, and I spent the majority of the time cutting the squares to begin with.