Homework and Prework for Classes

Bear’s Paw Homework

You have two options:  One color, set horizontally, or multi colored set on point.  However, you can set your blocks in anyway you want.  Fabric requirements will be based on the basic two ssettings.

Multi-colored on point:

4-5 yards of colors.  I used 70% (app) of blues, for the claws and the sashings and in the paw parts of the blocks.  The remaining colors were used in the paws.  Background for blocks about 2 1/5 yards.  Alternate blocks and setting triangles 3 yards.  Inner border ¾ yard.  Outer border 2 ½ yards.

Two-colored set horizontally—this quilt is bigger than the on point quilt

Blocks/color = 2 ½  yards.  Background, sashings and borders = 5 yards.  Border 2 ½ -3 yards.

No precutting.

Fabric Requirements

The yardage is approximate because of the outside pieced border.  You will need ½ yard of 4 colors for the card trick blocks (generous amount).  You can split this into various colors.  I chose to use lime green, light pink, dark pink and black, using several different fabrics for each color.

For the Hourglass blocks, you will need ¾ yard for the dark squares and ½ yard for the pinks in the hourglass.  Again, I used various pinks and various blacks in my hourglass blocks.

Background for all blocks and borders.  4 yards.  If you have an extra yard, that may come in handy for the pieced border.  You will need at least 3 yards for the blocks and inner & outer border.

Pieced border fabrics:  1 yard of a medium and 1 yard of a dark.  This will be more than you need.

Cutting homework, if you want to pre cut:  The blocks are 12” finished.   You will make 10 card trick blocks and 10 hourglass blocks.

For Card Trick for 1 block:  Background = two 2,  5” X 5” squares, cut on diagonal once (see the Also Note below).  One,  5 ½” X 5 ½” square, cut on diagonal twice. 

 Colors:  one, 5 “ X 5” square of each color, cut on diagonal once (See Also Note below).  One 5 ½” X 5 ½” square of each color, cut on diagonal twice.  NOTE:  You will use only 2 of the resulting triangles from this cut.  So if you are calculating total # of squares for all blocks, take that into consideration (if using the same colors for all card trick sections, you will need a total of 10, 5” squares, and a total of 5, 5 ½” X 5 ½” inch squares).     

Also Note:  You will be making half square triangle for the Card Trick block.  BUT, you need an actual triangle for part of the construction of this block.  If you choose to make half square triangles by keeping the fabric as a square and drawing a line down the middle, sewing on either side, resulting in 2 half square triangle blocks – that’s okay.  Just remember, you will still need to cut 5 squares apart on the diagonal.

For the Hourglass block, for one block:  Cut 4 dark squares and 2 background squares at 4 ½” X 4 ½”.  Cut 2 background and 2 colors at 5 ½” X 5 ½”.  Cut on diagonal twice.  NOTE:  this cutting results in 2 extra triangles of background and 2 extra of color.

Knitting

Ella’s Felted Christmas Stocking by Mary Kennedy, free pattern on Ravelry.

You can follow the pattern and knit until you get to the heel.  You cast on 64 stitches, with size 9 or 10 needles.  You can use double points, or a circular set of needles (probably easiest  if you use something smaller than 16”.  If you can find 9” or 10” cords, that would be easier.  You can also use the Magic Loop system.  We haven’t covered that, but we can go over it on February 28.  You have to use 100% wool. Don’t use superwash wool.  The Brown Sheep wool will work.  It takes a little longer to get it felted, but it felts nicely.

Beginning Quilting Starting March 1

Please bring your sewing machine to the first class.  You will also need a piece of fabric, like a fat quarter, that you can cut up.  If you have favorite cutting tools, you may bring them.  Or you can just use what we have at the shop.

You will need to get the book, You Can Quilt by Leila Gardunia.  You can purchase an ebook on her web site or find a copy on Amazon or other new/used book sites.

All other tools will be discussed in the first and second classes.  Fabric requirements will also be discussed in class.  You will not need fabric until after the first class.  You will need a sewing machine in good order, and you will need to know how to thread it and wind a bobbin.  If you have a new machine or haven’t used your machine in a while, please take it out, make sure it works and make sure you know how it works.  In other words, please make sure it is threaded and ready to sew before class.

Bringing something to write on is helpful.  You can take notes in your book, but you may want to take notes separately in a notebook.