13
Join the units in each row. Press
seams towards the white units.
Then sew the rows together, matching
seams. Press these seams towards the
top of the block. It should measure 22^11 ⁄ 2 in
square from raw edge to raw edge.14
Repeat Steps 11-13 to make
nine Super Blocks.ASSEMBLY
15
Lay out the Super blocks in
three rows of three blocks each.
Rearrange them until you have a
spread of colours and prints that you
like. Then rotate every alternate block
by 180 degrees so that the seams will
nest when you sew them together.16
Sew the blocks in each row
together, then join the rows.FINISHING
17
Cut the backing fabric in half
and remove the selvedges.
Sew the two pieces together side
by side with a^1 ⁄ 2 in seam allowance
and press it open.18
The backing, batting and
quilt top are ready for a
longarm machine as they are. If
you’re doing the quilting yourself
by hand or on a domestic machine,
refer to Step 10 on page 112 to layer
and baste the quilt.19
Quilt as desired. Peta worked a
simple meander on her domestic
sewing machine in white thread.20
Repeat Steps 12-15 on page
112 to trim and bind the quilt
using the seven strips of green print
fabric you cut in Step 3.PETA’S
DIRECTIONAL-
FABRIC TIP If you’re
working with directional fabrics,
you’ll need to turn two (of the four)
pieces of print fabric on their side
when making the units in Step 5.PETA’S SQUARING
UP TIP It’s worth taking an
extra couple of minutes to square
up the X and O units before
assembling the super blocks
in this quilt.PETA’S SEAMS TIPS
Pressing the seams open means
a lot less bulk in such teeny blocks
but you can press to the dark side,
or in opposite directions so that
all of the seams nest if you prefer.
Alternatively, try a combination
of open and closed pressed seams.PETA PEACE
How did you feel when you first started
sewing? My first experience of sewing was
with my mum when I was little. She sewed a
lot of things, and I wanted to give it a go, too.Even though the garment I made was
completely imperfect, it felt very satisfying
to create something by myself. I had much
the same feeling when I made my first quilt.
Has your response to your craft changed
muchsince then? I probably love quilting
more now than I did when I made my first one.
I’ve learned some valuable lessons and quite
a few hints and tips over the years, so these
days, it’s still satisfying to finish a quilt but
it’s also a lot less imperfect.
What is it that keeps you creating? I love being
able to sit down and design a new quilt and
then make it come to life with fabric and thread.
Do you teach your skills? I sure do teach
quilting. It’s great to be able to share some
of the tips and tricks I’ve learnt along the way
with other quilters.
How long can you spend browsing in a
patchwork store? These days, I spend more
time chatting in quilt shops than browsing! I’m
so lucky to have two wonderful patchwork
shops near me, Peppermint Stitches & Patches
Indooroopilly; they’re owned by lovely women,
and it’s nice to be able to spend some time
chatting with them about what’s happeningin the world of quilting. I usually have a specific
fabric in mind when I visit a quilt store, so that
makes the browsing quicker, but I always end
up buying more than I went in for.
How much time each day can you devote
to your stitching? I spend about five or six
hours a day designing, making or blogging.
What sewing gadgets/notions do you find
indispensable? I couldn’t live without my Hera
marker or my Bloc Loc half-square triangle
rulers. Both are absolutely invaluable.
How often do you need to take a break if you
are sewing all day? I prefer to chain piece the
quilts I make, so I tend to take short breaks at
the end of each chain piecing section. I find it
keeps me from sitting for too long and means
I can get the washing and other household
jobs done while I’m at work.
What are you five favourite craft blogs?
Diary of a Quilter; Cluck Cluck Sew; Moda
Bakeshop; Down Grapevine Lane; and Nana
Company. So much inspiration!
What do you wish for your creative future?
That I can continue to work in this awesome
industry, designing and making quilts to be
loved and shared.Gett ing to know ...
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