The Splendid Sampler Sew Along Block 26

The Splendid Sampler Sew Along Block 26 is an adorable Dresden block designed by Jane Davidson from Quilt Jane.  Be sure to join in on the fun of these free quilt blocks delivered to your email or available online twice a week!

With 74 blocks to go there are so many creative blocks to make.  I have been using this event to build my skills as a quilter and am finding that it has been helping me be more productive in my other sewing as well.

I am still using my yellow scraps for the #bescrappy event on my gogokim Instagram with my sewing  friend Susan!  I decided to make a brick wall for my yellow scrappy Dresden using Zen Chic Modern Backgrounds for Moda Fabrics.  I love the way it looks!  For all of my piecing and appliqué I used Aurifil 50wt.  I normally do not love appliqué but I discovered that the #45 blanket stitch on my Bernina produces the most perfect little stitch that is tidy and perfect for small appliqué.  YAY for new discoveries! 

Speaking of new discoveries,  I am not very great at drawing seam allowances.  Not on straight lines so my comfort level with curved lines is completely nil.  I was deciding how best to draw ( UGH) the seam allowance around the circle when i realized that I have the PERFECT 1/4 in seam allowance right in front of my face!!!!!  Hello Bernina #37 foot! 

I cut out my template piece from the paper.  I folded it in half.

I folded it in half again and LEGO Nacho Guy was hanging out in my window to help hold it up to the light to make sure all the lines were matched up.  I do need all of the help I can get ;o)

Sew the 1/4 inch seam allowance

I did not do a perfect job because I was going to make a video and sewing with my left hand apparently is not my thing but here is what you end up with .

Trim with NOT your fabric scissors.

And you will have a pretty darn good seam allowance that takes almost no time at all and will also work for the tiny circles too!  I folded them just in half because they are so tiny.  You can do that with the larger circles too :o)