Tutorial - "Picket Fences" blocks...

First of all, I'd like to point out where this Picket Fences pattern is from, for some of you may have it, and not know it! 8-)

You know all those lovely quilt magazines that we collect, and then have trouble, sometimes, parting with them? Well, a similar pattern is in the QUILTMAKERS - Nov/Dec '94 magazine... Get looking, if you care to... 8-)

CLICK ON ANY PHOTO FOR A BETTER LOOK...


I will also show you how I use "The Angler 2" (A2) in this tutorial...

ALWAYS, always read through all instructions before proceeding with a pattern or tutorial. Saves you time and frustration... 8-)

This is how the A2 comes in the package. The instructions that come in the package are pretty good. Now, don't mind my green painters tape there...

Your first step is to cut the "key" out as accurately as possible on the dotted line provided. DO NOT dispose of this key as it is very important to the use of the A2! 8-)

There is a little circle that you need to poke a hole through. Hole needs to be big enough so that 1/8" to 1/4" of your machine needle can poke into it.

I removed my pressure foot so that you could see better here... Now, lay your "key", facing the right way up, on your needle plate as shown in the photo. Lower your needle just a tad into the marked hole. Now you line up your key to be even with your measuring lines on your plate. Leave the needle in...

Take the remaining part of your A2, making sure it is facing the right way up, and fit it back onto your key from where they were cut apart. Look to make sure it is all lining up with your key, and the measurements on your machine... The center line extending down the A2 towards you must be in line with the needle... Once you are satisfied you can tape the A2 down onto your machine. Do not use masking tape. (I did and it is all yucky) Do use painters tape. 8-)

Raise the needle, remove the "key", and snap the pressure foot back on. You are now ready to sew using the A2!

Picket Fences

Each block "unit" uses:
* 2 light fabrics - cut 2+1/2" by 4+1/2"
* 4 medium to dark fabrics - cut at the same measurement as the lights.
I had to use this measurement because I was using a jelly roll, but I have the original measurement typed in at the bottom of the tutorial if you want to make the bigger blocks. (I simply used a few scraps for the tute.) You can use scraps, jelly rolls, or use a color way of your choice.

Take one of your light pieces (bottom), and one of your medium or dark pieces (top), and lay them out as in photo. You will be sewing in the direction of the line indicated in the photo, but you do not have to draw lines on any of your fabric cuts.

Line up your one corner with the needle, and the other corner with the center line on your A2. The top fabric in the photo is slightly raised for you to see.









Take a few stitches, and double check where your bottom corner is. This corner rides the line all the way under the needle.







I use a stylus to guide it along...


Sew another light and med/dark piece together in the same manner, and then sew your remaining 2 med/dark pieces together as such also...

Remember, can click on any photo to enlarge for a better look...

Here you have your 3 sections sewn together...



Trim seams to 1/4 inch, and iron seams to the dark fabric.





Your "pickets" should all be leaning in the same direction at this point. Your lights should be positioned in opposite corners of each other as in photo. Stitch together, scant 1/4", as laid out....

Press seams to the center section of this unit... Your block should measure 6+1/2". Trim if necessary.

*Take care to make sure your "light points" are leaning into the center section of the unit. I have them circled for you in the photo...

This is what your block will look like once you have 4 units sewn together into a block. There are points to watch while sewing the block together.



In this photo you see 4 blocks put together. If you click on my WIP, you will see all my Picket Fence blocks put together, waiting for boarders...

The first Picket Fences quilt that I took part in putting together was a scrap donation quilt to be raffled off. It can be seen at this link. Our city group made it. The measurement for this quilt had us using 4" by 7+1/2" pieces. We each made 8 "units" at home from our scraps, and at our gathering night we mixed them up on the display wall for putting them together. Gotta love scrappy! 8-)

Click on image below for a better look at my sample drawing for the larger blocks, as you will also get 3+1/4" half-square-triangles that you can use in the boarders if you wish...
Please notify me if any of my directions seem off, or incorrect... Thanx! 8-)