Have you all heard about Kathleen Tracy's sew along? Aunt Addie's Mystery Quilt. Each month, Kathleen posts a pattern for a block, and we make six 4 1/2" versions of it. I got a late start, but the sew along looks like fun. I am not a fan of mystery quilts in general, but I figure if I have six blocks of something I can at least make the start of a table runner out of them. If in the end, I don't like the quilt, I will use the blocks for something else.
The January blocks are a pattern I call Cat's Cradle. Now that is a dickens of a block to make. I made four of them and am not crazy about any of them to tell you the truth. It is so hard to make this block not come out wonky. The one below is the best of the lot.
I have just been fooling around, and played a bit with a Creative Grids ruler called Cat's Cradle, but to tell you the truth, the blocks I made using that tool didn't come out any better than the ones I made using the pattern directions, which call for sewing triangles. I hate sewing triangles.
The patterns for January, February, March and April are all out, and none of them seems to be quite a fussy as this one. The quilt seems to be a great scrap buster.
I haven't decided if I will commit to this sew along or not, but if I do, I can tell you I will be starching my fabrics before I sew another block!
Are any of you doing this sew along? Does anyone have a tip for sewing Cat's Cradle blocks?
51 responses to “Aunt Addie’s Mystery Quilt”
That sew along is news to me, but there are so many to choose from it’s hard to keep up. What about making that triangle block with two hsts and two solid squares? Once it’s quilted I doubt the seam lines would make any difference. Good Luck!
That sew along is news to me, but there are so many to choose from it’s hard to keep up. What about making that triangle block with two hsts and two solid squares? Once it’s quilted I doubt the seam lines would make any difference. Good Luck!
That sew along is news to me, but there are so many to choose from it’s hard to keep up. What about making that triangle block with two hsts and two solid squares? Once it’s quilted I doubt the seam lines would make any difference. Good Luck!
Have you considered hand piecing the blocks? If you are doing six 4.5″ blocks, it wouldn’t take a lot of time – maybe just a few chapters of a book you are listening to.
Have you considered hand piecing the blocks? If you are doing six 4.5″ blocks, it wouldn’t take a lot of time – maybe just a few chapters of a book you are listening to.
Have you considered hand piecing the blocks? If you are doing six 4.5″ blocks, it wouldn’t take a lot of time – maybe just a few chapters of a book you are listening to.
You are so honest, I find that refreshing. I hate making triangles too, mine are wonky way too often. I’m redoing my sewing room so it’s a real mess right now, no sewing for a few days yet. No mystery quilt blocks.
You are so honest, I find that refreshing. I hate making triangles too, mine are wonky way too often. I’m redoing my sewing room so it’s a real mess right now, no sewing for a few days yet. No mystery quilt blocks.
You are so honest, I find that refreshing. I hate making triangles too, mine are wonky way too often. I’m redoing my sewing room so it’s a real mess right now, no sewing for a few days yet. No mystery quilt blocks.
I swear by Best Press. I know that you’ve talked about starch in the past, so I’m wondering if you used it in these blocks?? Have a good one!!
I swear by Best Press. I know that you’ve talked about starch in the past, so I’m wondering if you used it in these blocks?? Have a good one!!
I swear by Best Press. I know that you’ve talked about starch in the past, so I’m wondering if you used it in these blocks?? Have a good one!!
I’m doing the SAL too, and my suggestions are to starch heavily, spin your seams to get them to lay flat, press well . I prefer to follow Deb Tucker’s directions for piecing the cats cradle units. (Studio 180 Designs) it’s similar to the Creative grids ruler method, so not sure if it will update make much difference to you.https://youtu.be/WQ4txvN_TAw
I’m doing the SAL too, and my suggestions are to starch heavily, spin your seams to get them to lay flat, press well . I prefer to follow Deb Tucker’s directions for piecing the cats cradle units. (Studio 180 Designs) it’s similar to the Creative grids ruler method, so not sure if it will update make much difference to you.https://youtu.be/WQ4txvN_TAw
I’m doing the SAL too, and my suggestions are to starch heavily, spin your seams to get them to lay flat, press well . I prefer to follow Deb Tucker’s directions for piecing the cats cradle units. (Studio 180 Designs) it’s similar to the Creative grids ruler method, so not sure if it will update make much difference to you.https://youtu.be/WQ4txvN_TAw
Kim Diehl had an interesting new method. She made three pieces of a four patch and then did a quick connect corner with a square of fabric – (technique was shown in her newest book Simple Friendships II and her two corner blocks were HSTs, so even more intricate). I would sew on the three patch side to hit that center point exactly. I didn’t read about this until after my blocks were finished but you might give it a try. These blocks are so small, you would not be using much fabric. I am doing this SAL too and pretty happy with my blocks so far.
Kim Diehl had an interesting new method. She made three pieces of a four patch and then did a quick connect corner with a square of fabric – (technique was shown in her newest book Simple Friendships II and her two corner blocks were HSTs, so even more intricate). I would sew on the three patch side to hit that center point exactly. I didn’t read about this until after my blocks were finished but you might give it a try. These blocks are so small, you would not be using much fabric. I am doing this SAL too and pretty happy with my blocks so far.
Kim Diehl had an interesting new method. She made three pieces of a four patch and then did a quick connect corner with a square of fabric – (technique was shown in her newest book Simple Friendships II and her two corner blocks were HSTs, so even more intricate). I would sew on the three patch side to hit that center point exactly. I didn’t read about this until after my blocks were finished but you might give it a try. These blocks are so small, you would not be using much fabric. I am doing this SAL too and pretty happy with my blocks so far.
I could go a long time without sewing triangles. They always slow me down!
Mary
I could go a long time without sewing triangles. They always slow me down!
Mary
I could go a long time without sewing triangles. They always slow me down!
Mary
I’m not doing the sew along. But, I think Thelma may be onto something with her suggestion above. On the other hand, if it’s not fun you also may consider bailing before you’re in any further! …but that’s just me…
I’m not doing the sew along. But, I think Thelma may be onto something with her suggestion above. On the other hand, if it’s not fun you also may consider bailing before you’re in any further! …but that’s just me…
I’m not doing the sew along. But, I think Thelma may be onto something with her suggestion above. On the other hand, if it’s not fun you also may consider bailing before you’re in any further! …but that’s just me…
In Bille Lauter’s booklet “Quick Quilt Tricks”, p 14 she has a good method of making thes units she calls ‘Shaded 4 Patch units’. This method works well for me.
Ug – we were up until 2:30am thawing ice build up on the colis of our 25 yera old refrigerator. It’s working well this morning, so hope we can make it to a good appliance sale before too long. I am sleepy!
Hugs!
In Bille Lauter’s booklet “Quick Quilt Tricks”, p 14 she has a good method of making thes units she calls ‘Shaded 4 Patch units’. This method works well for me.
Ug – we were up until 2:30am thawing ice build up on the colis of our 25 yera old refrigerator. It’s working well this morning, so hope we can make it to a good appliance sale before too long. I am sleepy!
Hugs!
In Bille Lauter’s booklet “Quick Quilt Tricks”, p 14 she has a good method of making thes units she calls ‘Shaded 4 Patch units’. This method works well for me.
Ug – we were up until 2:30am thawing ice build up on the colis of our 25 yera old refrigerator. It’s working well this morning, so hope we can make it to a good appliance sale before too long. I am sleepy!
Hugs!
I didn’t hear of this sew-along but six 4″x4″ blocks sounds good and in the end it’ll be a small quilt and not something too big so it’s perfect for me.
Actually I love to sew with triangles but my tip to always oversize them and trim down.
For one of these blocks I would cut two 2.25″ squres light fabric and cut them once diagonally. Sew the small triangles like in the pattern and leave a bit of wiggle space. I know you have the Simple Folded Corners ruler. Use it to trim down the diagonal side to have 1/4″ seam allowance. Now cut one 3.25″ square from the dark fabric (cut diagoanlly) and use one of the triangles to make sew the block.
Hope you can follow this quick tutorial but basically the trick for me is to always oversize and trim down. Oh, and press your seams open is always a great help too.
I didn’t hear of this sew-along but six 4″x4″ blocks sounds good and in the end it’ll be a small quilt and not something too big so it’s perfect for me.
Actually I love to sew with triangles but my tip to always oversize them and trim down.
For one of these blocks I would cut two 2.25″ squres light fabric and cut them once diagonally. Sew the small triangles like in the pattern and leave a bit of wiggle space. I know you have the Simple Folded Corners ruler. Use it to trim down the diagonal side to have 1/4″ seam allowance. Now cut one 3.25″ square from the dark fabric (cut diagoanlly) and use one of the triangles to make sew the block.
Hope you can follow this quick tutorial but basically the trick for me is to always oversize and trim down. Oh, and press your seams open is always a great help too.
I didn’t hear of this sew-along but six 4″x4″ blocks sounds good and in the end it’ll be a small quilt and not something too big so it’s perfect for me.
Actually I love to sew with triangles but my tip to always oversize them and trim down.
For one of these blocks I would cut two 2.25″ squres light fabric and cut them once diagonally. Sew the small triangles like in the pattern and leave a bit of wiggle space. I know you have the Simple Folded Corners ruler. Use it to trim down the diagonal side to have 1/4″ seam allowance. Now cut one 3.25″ square from the dark fabric (cut diagoanlly) and use one of the triangles to make sew the block.
Hope you can follow this quick tutorial but basically the trick for me is to always oversize and trim down. Oh, and press your seams open is always a great help too.
Please make that “coils” in our ‘fridge!
Please make that “coils” in our ‘fridge!
Please make that “coils” in our ‘fridge!
Thank you for being so honest. It’s good to know that other people’s triangle efforts come out wonky sometimes, too. Good luck!
Thank you for being so honest. It’s good to know that other people’s triangle efforts come out wonky sometimes, too. Good luck!
Thank you for being so honest. It’s good to know that other people’s triangle efforts come out wonky sometimes, too. Good luck!
I have made that unit with squares and rectangles~ I had no idea Creative Grids made a ruler for it. LOL
I have made that unit with squares and rectangles~ I had no idea Creative Grids made a ruler for it. LOL
I have made that unit with squares and rectangles~ I had no idea Creative Grids made a ruler for it. LOL
I think I’d use paper piecing. The pieced squares are small enough to make it worth your while to draw a pattern. It would be easy peasy with perfect results – my favourite kind of block.
I think I’d use paper piecing. The pieced squares are small enough to make it worth your while to draw a pattern. It would be easy peasy with perfect results – my favourite kind of block.
I think I’d use paper piecing. The pieced squares are small enough to make it worth your while to draw a pattern. It would be easy peasy with perfect results – my favourite kind of block.
I recently had to make 2.5″ Cat’s Cradle blocks for Mrs. Miller’s Apprentice. Yes very fussy for a block that small and the border is filled with them, but larger. I used a similar method to Deb Tucker, but had to be conservative with my fabric because it’s a BOM. I think your block is fine. I love Kathleen Tracy’s work, and yours as well.
I recently had to make 2.5″ Cat’s Cradle blocks for Mrs. Miller’s Apprentice. Yes very fussy for a block that small and the border is filled with them, but larger. I used a similar method to Deb Tucker, but had to be conservative with my fabric because it’s a BOM. I think your block is fine. I love Kathleen Tracy’s work, and yours as well.
I recently had to make 2.5″ Cat’s Cradle blocks for Mrs. Miller’s Apprentice. Yes very fussy for a block that small and the border is filled with them, but larger. I used a similar method to Deb Tucker, but had to be conservative with my fabric because it’s a BOM. I think your block is fine. I love Kathleen Tracy’s work, and yours as well.
I’m doing the sew along, but I really didn’t have issue with the block. Not sure that I did anything special to get them to work. Now this month’s I had trouble with until I decided to trim the last edge before sewing the last triangle bit on. But I will I had not done the Flying Geese pieces and used a different construction sequence. Oh well, they are done, but 3 are getting a redo because of my background choices.
I’m doing the sew along, but I really didn’t have issue with the block. Not sure that I did anything special to get them to work. Now this month’s I had trouble with until I decided to trim the last edge before sewing the last triangle bit on. But I will I had not done the Flying Geese pieces and used a different construction sequence. Oh well, they are done, but 3 are getting a redo because of my background choices.
I’m doing the sew along, but I really didn’t have issue with the block. Not sure that I did anything special to get them to work. Now this month’s I had trouble with until I decided to trim the last edge before sewing the last triangle bit on. But I will I had not done the Flying Geese pieces and used a different construction sequence. Oh well, they are done, but 3 are getting a redo because of my background choices.
My friend Libby taught me the easiest way ever to make these units – here’s a link to her post:
https://hillsidequilter12.blogspot.com/2017/12/orl-part-4.html
If you mark your seam line and sew before doing any cutting (I use an Easy Angle ruler), you don’t have to deal with triangles or bias edges at all. (Is this the Cat’s Cradle ruler method without the ruler?)
My friend Libby taught me the easiest way ever to make these units – here’s a link to her post:
https://hillsidequilter12.blogspot.com/2017/12/orl-part-4.html
If you mark your seam line and sew before doing any cutting (I use an Easy Angle ruler), you don’t have to deal with triangles or bias edges at all. (Is this the Cat’s Cradle ruler method without the ruler?)
My friend Libby taught me the easiest way ever to make these units – here’s a link to her post:
https://hillsidequilter12.blogspot.com/2017/12/orl-part-4.html
If you mark your seam line and sew before doing any cutting (I use an Easy Angle ruler), you don’t have to deal with triangles or bias edges at all. (Is this the Cat’s Cradle ruler method without the ruler?)