Monday, September 6, 2010

FREEZER PAPER PIECING “GOOSE TRACKS LOG CABIN” BLOCK

Note:  this is for quilters only!  Other readers might find it a bit too detailed!

Block pattern:  Goose Tracks Log Cabin    Block size:  3" finished.

Preparing the pattern and the fabrics:

1. Cut freezer paper into 8 ½” x 11” sheets. For a small wall hanging of 12 blocks, you will not need more than one sheet of the 4 master pattern blocks. (Some people use just one of the patterns for all 12 blocks!)
Note:  a friend gave me the master pattern for this particular block. The same methods could be used for any block pattern suitable for paper piecing, but of course the cutting directions would differ.

2. Using a combination copier/printer machine, place the master pattern onto the bed of the copier.

3. Then put the prepared freezer paper into the printer tray, printing the pattern onto the wrong or dull side of the freezer paper. Cut out one of the blocks to use for your first block(s). Make sure to cut well outside the dotted line on the pattern.

4. Choose assorted scraps of medium and dark value fabrics in your chosen color scheme (or in a totally scrappy scheme) and one background light. Use the same light for all blocks. (I used many different mediums and darks for a controlled scrappy look—controlled because I did follow a loose color scheme.)

5. Cut the “logs” from 8 assorted fabrics, 4” long and 1 ¼” wide.

6. Cut the background fabric into two sizes of squares, 1 ¾” and 2 ¼”.Cut the larger squares diagonally into half square triangles.

Paper-piecing the block:

1. First use just a dab of water-soluble to glue the small square onto the middle of the back of the freezer paper pattern, underneath section #1, gluing the wrong side of the square to the unprinted side of the pattern.



2. Next, carefully fold the pattern back on the line between the middle square #1 and log #2. Using the add-a-quarter ruler, trim to ¼”.


First trim about to be made using add-a-quarter ruler and rotary cutter


3. Choose one of the fabric logs and place its right side against the just-trimmed right side of the middle square.

This photo shows log 3 being added to log 2, with the edge of the center square showing.
4. Carefully sew along the edge of the printed line, being careful not to sew into the paper pattern.

5. Next, unfold the pattern, flip over, turn the fabric just sewn right side out. Press the seam just sewn with the tip of your iron (or with a little mini-iron).


This shows log #3 being pressed.

6. Then fold the pattern back between logs #2 and #3 and follow the same procedure.

7. When you get to section 6, this is the first triangle section. Use one of the background triangles for this section. The triangles will be used for sections 6, 7, 12, and 13.
First triangle has just been pressed.

8. If you can remember this sequence, it will soon become automatic: fold, trim, sew, open out, press. Move to next section and repeat.  
Block ready for last 2 triangles

9. After the last two triangles have been sewn, remove the paper pattern. Trim the outside edges of the block to ¾”, lining your ruler up with the seams.

Above is the completed block with the edges trimmed.


3 comments:

  1. Pretty, Alice - interesting, too.I'm just making my first quilt, but , as you know, I enjoy the quilting genre.

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  2. I look forward to trying this pattern and method. Nothing like paper piecing and small patterns for a real feeling of satisfaction. It's especially nice to have Instructions on a blog where one can return and return to kick-start the brain and refer others. Also, there is nothing like good photos to reassure one! Thanks for taking the trouble.

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  3. True, I didn't know what was going on, but the result is lovely.

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