Au revoir Avril

 A couple of accomplishments this week and a nice way to end the month of April.  First the flannel lap quilt is completed and I am quite pleased with it.  I wanted a no fuss quick quilt to do up and have achieved just that.  To go along with it I have created a tutorial to share with my followers and viewers.  It is a simple quilt and easy for beginners.  Even the binding is super easy.  Anyone can do this.  See the pictures following.  I used a charm pack by Bonnie and Camille called Marmalade for Moda.  Nice and soft flannel, it would be great for a baby shower gift.  You can see it pictured in my post from Jan 6, 2013 in the box on the left hand side.  It is quite nice fabric.  The backing is a Riley Blake fabric by Carina Gardner, Dainty Blossoms pattern F2760. 

Material supply list:  1 - 5" charm pack with 42 pieces
                                  42 strips cut into 5" x 2" (strip A)
                                  42 strips cut into 6 1/2" x 2" (strip B)
                                  1 strip cut into 45 1/2" x 2" (strip C)
                                  1 strip cut into 51 1/2" x 2"  (strip D) 
                                  2 yards batting of your choice
                                  2 yards backing fabric
  Note that strips A thru D are all the same fabric, you will need about 1 1/2 yards of this fabric.
  I hope the pictures posted will help.

Charm squares with strip A along the top edge. (diagram 1)

1.   Lay out your charm squares in a manner that appeals to you, on the top edge match strip A to each square (diagram 1 above). With right sides together stitch edges using a 1/4" seam allowance.  Press all seams toward the outside edge - be careful not to stretch your squares out of shape as you press (diagram 2(. Note do not cut your stitching between each set and this will keep them in the order you have selected - in other words chain piece.

   

   diagram 2

2. Next place strip B to the right side of the strip/square set.  If you prefer the left side that is okay - but keep all of the B strips on that side (diagram 3).  Stitch 1/4" seam allowance using the chain piecing method.  Press all the seams toward the outside.

   

   diagram 3

3. Now you should have 6 or 7 rows of  blocks.  You can number each row 1 thru 6 or 1 thru 7 to help keep them in order.  Take row 1 and 2 right  with sides facing and stitch together.  By now you know that all the seams are 1/4" wide.  Continue in this manner until all the rows are sewn together.
4. Next take strip C and sew it along the shorter edge of the row that does NOT have a border.  I like to pin mine at the center and at each end as well as along the rest of the edge so that the seams are kept down in the direction they are pressed.  Also that allows me to make adjustments if needed.  Do the same with strip D.
   
5. Your top is now completed.  Lay out your backing fabric right side down, place the batting on top of that.  Your pieced top will sit on top of the batting.  Baste your quilt sandwich together.  Then go have a sandwich yourself, take a break and stretch!
6. If you have a walking foot on your sewing machine this would be a good time to use it.  Stitch in the ditch up and down each row.  Always start your stitching first in one direction then from the opposite direction - this will help keep your quilt from shifting.  
7. Bind your quilt!

            Next, back to the homemade spray starch - big tip start with ONLY 1 teaspoon of corn starch!  I used three and have enough starch to last until 2020! (Well maybe not that long, but you get the idea.)  I did notice that once it was cooled down it became a bit lumpy, maybe this is because I used so much corn starch - it did need to be watered down quite a bit.  I separated some into a spray bottle (strained) and the rest I drained into a plastic bottle for later use.  I will be trying it out today - wish me luck.