Cuddle Quilt block tutorial using precut strips

For those who couldn't make it to this year's Cuddle Quilt workshop, this is a tutorial on how to make the quilt blocks. These blocks use pre-cut (2.5") strips.



Be aware that once the strip sets are cut and opened, all the edges of the blocks are on the bias. Careful pressing and spray starch will help keep their shape.

Paper Piecing on display!

Our September Choo Choo Quilters guild meeting will focus on paper piecing, presented by Team Two. Please bring the following supplies to the meeting:
::   Hand sewing needles
::   Thread
::   Scissors
::   Fabric scraps in green, brown, and white or ecru

We will be making a small paper pieced tree for the program.

We will also be basking in the glow from the AQS Quilt Show in Chattanooga the week before, so we'll have a time for Show and Tell, with special emphasis on classes you took, things you bought at the show and fun stories of your adventures at the show.  

We'll see you on Monday, September 19, Valleybrook Presbyterian Church starting at 6:30 pm!

Cuddle Quilt workshop 2016

Thanks to our fabulous Cuddle Quilt Coordinator, JoAnn, and the CQ committee, the annual Choo Choo Quilters Cuddle Quilt workshop this Saturday was fun and productive.

JoAnn (left) and Martha cutting strips sets at the August Cuddle Quilt Saturday.

In addition to working on Cuddle Quilts, those attending also discussed and pondered the great mysteries of the world: the Single Sock Syndrome, why "bra" is singular and panties are a "pair," and the invention of the "Needle Trip Meter" to notify quilters when to change the needle in their sewing machines.

Saturday's activities started with kits for the "Summer on the Beach" strip quilt. The majority of the strips were cut from the Choo Choo Quilters CQ stash of donated fabrics. However, a few packages of strips were needed to have enough for the kits. The additional pre-cuts were purchased at local area quilt shops: Chattanooga Quilts, Hyderhangout and Pins and Needles Quilt Shop. Note: the Choo Choo Quilters shop local! 

Step-outs for the quilt top.

JoAnn had examples of various steps in the process and gave demonstrations throughout the day. Everyone sewed, sewed, sewed... chain-piecing strips together.

Janice (left) and Teresa sewing strips.

 Look at those piles of strips behind the sewing machines!

Cristy chain piecing.

Then to the irons to press the seams...

Ironing the pairs of long strips.

After hours... and hours... and hours of sewing strips, the cutting went quickly. Using the diagonal line on the ruler, the blocks were quite easy to cut from the strip tubes. Each strip set yielded 6 blocks.

Martha cutting strip sets into blocks.

The fun part was seeing all the colorful blocks emerge and arranging them into a quilt top.

Veronica laying out the blocks.

This is one example quilt layout using batik fabrics.

Batik blocks in a diamond pattern.

Then we decided to swap a few blocks and introduce polka dots, checks and prints to the mix.

Blocks from different strip sets makes a fun, scrappy quilt.

When cut, these blocks are approximately 8.5" or 8.25" square (about 8" finished). The quilts can be rectangular or square, in any design. To make a child size lap quilt at 40" x 48", use a 5 x 6 layout. Alternate plain blocks might also be an interesting setting.

Quilters should bring any unused or leftover blocks to the next guild meeting so they can be combined to make additional quilts.

We missed those guild members that could not attend the CQ workshop. We didn't solve all the mysteries of the universe, but we enjoyed fabulous door prizes, food and beverages, and we got a huge pile of quilt blocks made!

Be sure to visit the Choo Choo Quilters Facebook page for more photos.