Monthly Archives: July 2016

#jensfillerblocks Hunter’s Star

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Hunter's Star

This Hunter’s Star block was one that was requested awhile ago for a Filler Block and I am so pleased with how this one turned out. This block looks best when you use bold prints, or something with a lot of contrast from your background. I chose red prints for this reason. Here’s what you need to create your own for your sampler quilt.

(8) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ background

(8) 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ prints

Use all 8 prints and all 8 background squares to create (16) 2″x 2″ half square triangles (HSTs). This is easiest if you draw a line down the center of each background square, then sew a line 1/4″ away on both sides of the center line. Cut these apart and trim to 2″x 2″ square. Lay out your HSTs to make sure they are oriented correctly, sew into rows, then assemble into your block. Enjoy!

Modified Spell it with Moda Letter X

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I had seen a modified X floating around on instagram and even had a sweet friend mention it to me as I was making my Spell it with Moda quilt (Thanks, Meg!), but I couldn’t find a pattern or tutorial for it anywhere. I used the hypotenuse theorem to come up with an alternative way to make the letter X and felt my 15 year old self cringe as I did, indeed, need to remember how to use it. Let’s get started!!

Here’s what you’ll need to cut:

(1) 8 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ background

(2) 2 1/2″ x 14″ print

Start by cutting the background rectangle in half on the diagonal. Pin one 2 1/2″ x 14″ strip of print to one triangle along the longest side. Sew it on, and press to the print. Attach the other triangle along the remaining side of the same strip and press to the print.

Cut this new rectangle in half in the opposite direction. This will make a space for the other cross of the X. Follow the same steps as above, attaching the 2 1/2″ x 14″ strip to both triangle halves. This is what it should look like at this point:

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Find a piece of computer paper and cut it down to 8 ½ x 10 1/2″. Place this “template” on top of your block like this:

Trim around the pice of paper. I used a ruler to ensure accurate cuts. Once you’re done, you’re all ready for sashing.

Voila! It is so easy and you could absolutely do a better job of lining up your lines than I did, but I still love it and it took a fraction of time as compared to the actual letter X in the pattern booklet.

#jensfillerblocks Mini Geometric Sewing Machine

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13561959_618932114938467_1775259944_nStarting today, I’ll be posting a new #jensfillerblocks and calling it Filler Block Friday. I know many quilters have their most sewing time on the weekend when they’re not at work, so Friday seemed like a great day to add something else to the to-do list for the weekend. 🙂 I will sometimes share blocks I’ve shrunken down and sometimes share blocks that you can find elsewhere. Today’s block comes from Kristy over at Quiet Play. She makes such fun foundation paper pieced patterns. If you’ve been scared to paper piece, youtube will be your very best friend. Once you wrap your brain around it, you can totally do it!!!

You can find the pattern for this awesome mini geometric sewing machine in Kristy’s Craftsy store. I would highly recommend coloring it in before you dive in. I thought I could keep everything straight and I couldn’t. Thankfully I colored in each segment with colored pencils first, but even then my brain had to make sure it was seeing pink, not red. Have fun and make sure to tag me on instagram @heritage.threads and also use the #jensfillerblocks hashtag. I love seeing what people are creating and it inspires me!