Erik HOMEMADE

Our Susannah! Quilt pattern is available on CD!

Here it is! Our complete Susannah! Quilt pattern on CD!

The perfect project for a group of beginning quilters or an accomplished quilt club that would like to exchange blocks! Our CD contains all fourteen pages of instructions, in PDF format, just as they appeared at Erik HOMEMADE®, as well as two sizes of photos of the Susannah block and two photographs, in jpeg format, of the finished quilt, along with an easy-to-understand End User Agreement.

If you are a quilt teacher, project co-ordinator, or quilt club member, you will like this CD! Once you purchase the CD, you can print as many copies of the Susannah! instructions you like, as well as use the photographs to publicize your event! 

The cost of the Our Susannah! Quilt CD is $6.99 (US)  plus shipping and handling. See order form for complete details. Ohio residents please include sales tax. Each CD will arrive in a plastic case. The instructions are in PDF format; you will need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat to open and read the files.

Click here to print a copy of the order form-->Download Order Form Susannah! Quilt pattern

Final Thoughts--Our Susannah! Quilt

 
(Our Susannah! Quilt, in the yard of the Navarre Cabin)

My mom and her college roommate have kept in touch all these years through all of the laughter and tears sixty years of friendship can muster. My younger sister and I always enjoyed the trip to Litchfield, Kentucky to visit Ginny and her family and to spend time in the steamy summer heat. Ginny took great care of all of us, and it is in her house, that I first remember seeing the quilts that would inspire my love of fabric and quilting for all of these years. To me, they were the most beautiful handmade quilts. For hours I would look at the tiny bits of cotton sewn into the most striking of patterns!

On these trips, we would get to visit "something historical" or of cultural interest: Lincoln's Birthplace, My Old Kentucky Home, and eventually to see the Stephen Foster-The Musical. To my sister, these places lacked excitement. She was always wandering off chasing the wildlife; I was a bit more intrigued and studious; a question of patience, I suppose...

Our Susannah! Quilt Contest!

 

Send us a photograph or your completed Susannah! Quilt top (it does not have to be quilted!) to place in our new photo album and we will enter your name to win these Gingher(tm)Thread Nippers! For complete information and detailed eligibilty information, click on the Contest button above! Contests closes August 31st, 2011.

We can hardly wait to see your quilts! Good luck! 

Sorry, this contest is closed
 
 

Our Susannah! Quilt pages 11 and 12

Let's add the side borders! Measure through the middle of your quilt like we did last time...you will need the remaining Susannah blocks and the last two border strips. See you next week for Our Susannah! Quilt photo and final thoughts!

 
(Join the blocks following the directions)

Following the diagrams on Page 11, join the last ten blocks.

 
(5 blocks in a line)

Make two sets of 5 blocks, matching seams following Erik's tip.

 
(Add the border fabric strip)

Sew the Outer Border fabric strip to each set of five blocks; press.

 
(Measure through the center of your quilt following the diagram on Page 12!)

Measure quilt according to the diagram on Page 12. Use the measurements for both side borders following Erik's tip on Page 7. Like the last step, you will trim the extra fabric from the Outer Border fabric end.

 
(pin, pin, pin)

As in the last step, do not be afraid to pin a lot to match seams and/or blocks! Doing so will help keep your border straight and your quilt flat! Add the Left Side border, matching the first block to the block already sewn across the Top border.

 
(Left border sewn in place)

Once the left border is sewn and pressed in place....

 
(pin, pin, pin)

repeat for the Right border!

 
(Right border sewn and pressed)

Match the end blocks as you did on the last border!

Click here to print a copy of page 11->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 11

Click here to print a copy of page 12 of these instructions->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 12

This is the 7th post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. Next Monday we will post the final thoughts and photographs of the finished quilt as well as announce a contest for those who have made the quilt in this quilt-a-long mystery! 

If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)! 

Our Susannah! Quilt pages 9 and 10

It is time for the top and bottom borders! Good measurements and six Susannah blocks are all that you need! We are on the home stretch now...only two more weeks left to go! See you next time!

 
(joining the Susannah blocks)

Following the diagram on Page 9, join your blocks together as needed.  

 
(Top border blocks)

Due to the way the Susannah block is constructed, all the seams may not "nest". Try turning the block one quarter turn and see if the seams "nest" better. If not, you may need to match the seams, pinning them in place, and then sewing them. There are few seams to match; it should be easy. 

 
(Outer border strip added)

Sew two strips of the Outer Border fabric that was cut in Step 5 is in place! This will finish out the border as shown on Page 10. Make both top and bottom strips in the same manner following the diagrams on Page 9.

 
(as always, measure for the borders through the center of the quilt!)

Measure across the quilt as shown in the diagram on Page 10. We are just adding the top and bottom borders this week. You need only measure across the quilt this time! See Erik's tip on Page 7 for cutting the border strip.

 
(pin, pin, pin!)

The pieced blocks can be a bit uneven and stretchy. Don't be afraid of pinning often in order to keep the border straight!

 
(Top border)

Once the Top border is in place, press the towards the Outer border (outwards).

 
(Bottom border)

Once the Bottom border in sewn in place, press it outwards. 

Click here to print a copy of page 9 of the instructions->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 9

Click here to print a copy of page 10 of the instructions->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 10

This is the sixth post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instructions will every post Monday for the next two weeks and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!  

Our Susannah! Quilt pages 7 and 8

(the Inner Border added to the center of the quilt)

Now we add the Inner Border! Cut your lengths as you need them from the strips you made in Step 2! Follow the diagram on Page 8 to add the borders in order. Same time next week for the next step--have your Susannah blocks ready!

(proper measuring will assure a flat and even border)

Measure your quilt through the center to find how long to cut the Inner Border strips. Cut both (top and bottom) strips to this measurement (Erik recommends marking the correct length and cutting the fabric strip a little bit longer, just in case you need a tiny bit of fabric at the end). The diagram on Page 8 shows where to measure for the top and bottom borders.

(measure for the side borders after the top/bottom borders are sewn on)

After the top and bottom borders are sewn in place, measure as before following the page 8 diagram, and sew these borders in place. Always measure through the middle of the quilt; gravity and stress and make the outside edges larger and distort your quilt. If there is a big difference in the measurement taken from the middle and the outside edge, you will need to either gently stretch the border piece to fit, or lightly ease the center of the quilt to the length needed. Usually there is not too much distortion in Rail Fence blocks because they are cut straight of grain (on all sides!). It is a good idea to use this technique for all of your quilts since it really helps to keep the quilt square!

Once your boders are in place, cut the Outer Border strips for the next set of instructions.

Click here to print a copy of page 7-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 7

Click here to print a copy of page 8-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 8

This is the fifth post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instructions post every Monday until complete and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!

Our Susannah! Quilt pages 5 and 6

                                                 (finished Susannah quilt block)

This time we make the Susannah blocks! Use the left over scrap yardage from the Rail Fence blocks you used earlier to cut pieces for these blocks, like we did. Follow the diagram on page 6 to piece the blocks that we updated for rotary cutting and easy piecing. You will need to make 16 blocks for this quilt!

Making the Susannah block is easy!

 
(layout your scraps before you sew them)

Follow the block diagram on Page 6 and cut the necessary pieces. Lay the pieces out to see what the block will look like; lay the D pieces over the C pieces where they will be sewn.

 
(flip the D pieces over to get them ready to sew!)

The D pieces need to be prepared before being sewn into place.

 
(D/C units sewn and ready to be trimmed)

Draw a digonal line through all of the D pieces, layer on top of a C piece; sew on the drawn line. 

 
(trim the corner pieces for the 1/4-inch seam allowance)

Cut off the corners as shown leaving a 1/4-inch seam allowance. Sew the A/B pieces together.

(all of the block units ready to make the block)

Continue to follow the Page 6 diagram to lay out the units that make the whole block. The D/C units turns as it goes around the block. Press your pieces in the direction shown on the diagram but do not hesitate to repress any seam if it creates less bulk.

 
(this block is ready to be completed)

Once you are happy with the arrangement of the pieces, sew the block together. It is sewn Four-Patch style.

 
(scrappy variations of our Susannah blocks)

Make 16 Susannah blocks as scrappy as you like! Once you get the hang of it, you will have fun changing the variations while you make each block. This block will be 8 1/2 inches unfinished.

Click here to print page 5 of these instructions-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 5

Click here to print page 6 of these instructions-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 6

This is the third post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instructions will post every Monday until complete and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!  

Our Susannah! Quilt pages 3 and 4

 
(random Rail Fence blocks)

This time we complete the center of the quilt; Page 4 has the row diagram! We marked our pink strip in the instructions to help you orient your blocks (if you have 1 like strip throughout)...next week page 5!

 
(left over Step 2 Cutting blocks)

After you have laid out your blocks as indicated on the quilt center diagram on Page 4, you will have 2 extra blocks. You can use these blocks to trade around as you work on the layout of the center of the quilt! 

 
(sewing the 'A' row) 

Lay all of the blocks out in rows of six across. Once you are happy with the arrangement, sew the rows together. You will need to make 4 A rows; press your seams in th direction indicated on Page 3 of the instructions.

  
(sewing the 'B' row)

Sew the B row in the same manner, making 4 rows. Press your seams as on the instruction page so that they will lay opposite the A rows. 

 
(a happy quilt back!)

Careful pressing of the blocks and rows will not only help your quilt lay flat, but also keep it square! 

Click here to print page 3 of the instructions-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 3 

Click here to print page 4 of the instructions-->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 4

This is the third post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instructions will post each Monday until complete and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)!

Our Susannah! Quilt page 2

This time we cut the blocks for the center of the quilt. For the Inner Border fabric, we chose a contrasting color (bright yellow) that will frame the Rail Fence blocks. Page 3 will post next week!

  
(Step 1 strip set on cutting board)

Lay a Step 1 cutting strip onto the cutting board making sure that it is straight. Use the lines on your cutting mat as a guide. Cut off the selvedge end for the first cut.

 
(cut blocks)

Cut strip set into 5, 8-inch squares. 

 
("square" off a strip set)

If you notice that your strip sets arch a little, or do not seem square, follow the lines on the along the top of the strip set, and lay out the strip again. Trim off the fabric that will re-square the block as shown above. Trim off a slight amount of fabric...and don't be alarmed if you need to do this a couple of times while you are cutting.

 
(the left over scrap)

You will have a little fabric left over at the end of each strip set. Add this to your scrap pile.

 
(blocks cut!)

Repeat cutting for each Step 1 strip set! You will have a total of 50 blocks! Set aside blocks to make rows later!

Making the Inner Border strip

                                                      (cut the Inner Border strips) 

Cut 6, 2-inch Inner Border strips, wof

 
(lay out the strips)

Join the strips, end-to-end with a diagonal seam, but laying the strips right-sides together, crosswise as shown.

 
(drawing the line!)

Draw a diagonal line across the back of the top strip. This is your stitching line. We always pin our strips to keep them straight!

 
(stitching and cutting)

Stitch on the line, then trim 1/4-inch from the stitched line--this will be the seam allowance.

 
(press strip)

With a hot and dry iron, press the seam allowance (to either direction). You will have a little triangle of fabric ("dog ear") that sticks out from the strip. 

 
(trim)

Cut the little dog ear off. Join all 6 Inner Border fabric strips together to make one very long strip. We will use this strip later in the quilt.

Click here to print a copy of the instructions for this post->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 2

This is the second post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instrcutions post every Monday until complete and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R).

**The instruction pages contain cutting information and diagrams. Step-by-step photographs are only posted to the website. If you need copies of the step-by-step photos, we recommend printing from your browser.  
 

Our Susannah! Quilt page 1

  
(bright Civil War reproduction calico fabrics for Our Susannah! Quilt-blocks and borders)

Designed with a center field of classic Rail Fence blocks, we chose 11 different fabrics (plus 2 more for borders) for a super scrappy effect. If you don't have that many, we have included an idea of the yardage you will need.

                                                                  (strips ready to be sewn together)

Cut 50 2-inch strips, width of fabric, from the assorted fabrics. Lay 5 strips out in random order and sew together making 1 strip set. 

 
(1 finished strip set pressed and ready for page 2!)

Press the seams in 1 direction. Your strip set should measure 8-inches across. Make 10 strip sets for the next step. Page 2 will post next Monday!

Click here to print page 1 of these instructions->Download Craft pdf Template-Our Susannah! Quilt page 1

This is the first post in a series to make Our Susannah! Quilt. The instructions will post every Monday until complete and are offered as a quilt-a-long mystery. If you need to print more copies or are missing any of the instruction pages, click on the DON'T MISS A STEP Susannah Block photo button on the right side of our Main/Home Page. If you need help or further instruction, please contact Erik HOMEMADE(R)! 

We have posted close-up photos of the fabrics used in this quilt on Erik's Swatch-a-Day Calendar April 18th-May 1st, 2011 (in the Civil War Category). Click on the calendar from the left side of our Main/Home Page.