Hello all, Denyse here with a little housekeeping!

 

While fielding a few questions this past week from fellow wheelers, I remembered I have a Guides & Tutorials section on my new site! This section provides more info and context for many of the techniques used in my patterns and is especially helpful if you're new to quilting. 

 

If you weren't able to attend our Week One Zoom meet up last week, we've got ya! Here's a link for the recording.

 

After you've read through all our super helpful cutting and sewing info, be sure to scroll all the way down to see our Week 1 prize winners!

 

This week's tips and techniques comes from Wendy, at The Next Stitch (she's an Aussie and I kept her spellings intact)!  Take it away, Wendy!

Fill your bobbins! It's time to sew some Wagon Wheel blocks.

 

Our goal this week is to cut out the block and background fabrics, and sew all of the block centres (the round wheel part) you need for your quilt. (This might sound like a lot, but the blocks come together really, really quickly.)

Before you begin cutting, take time to read through the pattern instructions carefully. Note the different cutting instructions (with diagrams) for using fat quarters, OR yardage. The different approaches will help you make the most economical use of your fabrics. If you're new to quilting, you'll find lots of tips on how to save time and effort in your cutting, and get your best results.

 

 

Lots of folks will be using the acrylic templates* which are made to use with your rotary cutter. This reduces the time spent on preparation, especially if you choose to cut multiple layers at once. They are also pretty handy if you are planning to fussy cut or centre any motifs, as you can see right through them. They will last you through many Wagon Wheel quilts!

 

 

* Acrylic template sets are available across the pond from The Next Stitch, in Canada from Fabric Spark, and stateside from Denyse or Sewtopia.

 

Acrylic templates are completely optional though! To make your own templates, make copies of the template sheet (or print out extras if using the digital pattern) and glue these to lightweight cardboard. 

 

Or better yet, get them laminated at the copy shop! Once you cut them out, you will have a crisp edge to trace around, and they'll be more durable than cardboard.

Chain piecing is an easy and efficient way to piece the wheel centres. Treat it as you would a simple nine-patch block. Stack the fabrics as shown below and sew a curved piece A to each side of half of the B (axle) pieces.

When sewing curved (or angled) pieces, aligning where the seam line intersects, not the piece edges, ensures best results.

 

Align the straight end of the axle B piece to the straight side of a wheel A piece, with the curved edges aligned as shown (below left). This ensures a continuous curved edge on your wheel (below right), which makes sewing it into the background (next week's goal) smooth and easy!

Next, sew the remaining Bs to opposite sides of the centre square (piece C). After pressing (see pressing info further down!), pair up block units and sew A1 and A2 to the centre strip (again aligning the curved edges as instructed). These seams can also be chain-pieced. Yay! 

Follow the pressing guidance in the pattern for all the wheel seam allowances, so your that the C piece seams nest, as shown below.

Another quick press and you are done for the week!  

Don’t forget to post a picture of your progress with hashtag #wagonwheelsal24 by midnight September 22 for a chance to win our prizes for WEEK 2:

 

• Two issues of QuiltFolk magazine – the Connecticut issue (featuring Denyse!) and the current Oklahoma issue! A beautiful, ad-free print magazine that features a new region each quarter, QuiltFolk explores the people and places that make it unique. Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just beginning your journey, Quiltfolk offers creativity and connection for all. 

 

• A sparkly and useful prize bundle from Feral Notions! Their adorable Flower Thread Cutter, and a pack of 4 iridescent rulers! Fun!

 

• A fab package from our sponsor Soak! Soak makes eco-friendly products that make sewing, pressing, and caring for your fabric projects a delight! Read more about Soak below!

Soak Laundry Soap is modern care for the laundry (and quilts!) you love. Eco-friendly, deliciously scented (or fragrance free, featuring artwork from Denyse's Ansonia fabric collection!) and no-rinse—the perfect way to take care of your quilts and other delicate washables. 

 

Flatter by Soak is a starch-free ironing and smoothing spray that relaxes wrinkles and freshens fabrics, ideal for pressing seams ultra-flat and getting the factory creases out of fabric, Flatter is your pressing BFF for creating your quilt masterpiece! The mild formulation is easy on sensitive skin, and won’t harm the environment. It’s flat out fabulous!

 

 

Tame your threads! Make your hand-sewing easier – and a little more fun. Cute, compact and totally travel-friendly, Sew Fine Thread Gloss is a natural beeswax product that detangles threads and reduces drag so they glide smoothly through any fabric. 

Last but certainly NOT LEAST! Congratulations to our Week 1 winners! 

 

@craftlean wins two issues of my fave quilt mag QuiltFolk

@aislefours wins a trio of my Patchwork Panels

@debquilts wins a bundle of Celeste  by Sally Kelly from XLN Fabrics. 

 

Looking forward to seeing your fabric pulls turn into wheels, ladies!