Paddlewheel Part II

Published on by hollydeequilts

This post is part II of II, to view the first post click HERE.

Today we are piecing our “paddlewheel” blocks, adding our accent border and assembling our quilt top.

The complete written instructions were included in 2 fabulous magazine articles for spring 2015.  The articles introduce you to Quiltworx.com and the Niemeyer family.  All fabrics for my quilt top were donated by Timeless Treasures and part of the “Reclaimed West” collection designed by Judy and Judel Niemeyer.

Now we will continue with the tutorial…

You need (12) 6 1/2" squares in varying colors per your color layout. These MUST be cut accurately, they are not for paper-piecing.
You need (12) 6 1/2″ squares in varying colors per your color layout. These MUST be cut accurately, they are not for paper-piecing.
You need (8) 1 1/2" x 10" strips - these are the accent pieces for the paddle's.
You need (8) 1 1/2″ x 10″ strips – these are the accent pieces for the paddle’s.
8 1/2" square - you need a total of 8 of these in various colors per your color layout. These are used for paper-piecing so they can be approx. 8 1/2"
8 1/2″ square – you need a total of 8 of these in various colors per your color layout. These are used for paper-piecing so they can be approx. 8 1/2″
Cut the 8 1/2" squares once on the diagonal
Cut the 8 1/2″ squares once on the diagonal
Take one of your triangles from your 8 1/2" squares and lightly glue the WRONG side of the fabric to the WRONG side of the paper.
Take one of your triangles from your 8 1/2″ squares and lightly glue the WRONG side of the fabric to the WRONG side of the paper.
Using your folding template, fold on SOLID line 1, then use your add-a-quarter ruler to trim away the excess fabric and create your 1/4" seam allowance.
Using your folding template, fold on SOLID line 1, then use your add-a-quarter ruler to trim away the excess fabric and create your 1/4″ seam allowance.
Slide the accent fabric (1 1/2" x 10") under the piece you just trimmed. This fabric should be RIGHT side up!
Slide the accent fabric (1 1/2″ x 10″) under the piece you just trimmed. This fabric should be RIGHT side up!
Go to your machine and sew on SOLID line 1
Go to your machine and stitch on SOLID line 1
Then press - this is what it will look like.
Then press – this is what it will look like.
Using your folding template, now fold on SOLID line 2
Using your folding template, now fold on SOLID line 2
Use your add-a-quarter ruler and trim away the excess accent fabric.
Use your add-a-quarter ruler and trim away the excess accent fabric.
Slide the appropriate color triangle RIGHT side up under the piece you just trimmed (in my example this is the yellow with trees).
Slide the appropriate color triangle RIGHT side up under the piece you just trimmed (in my example this is the yellow with trees).  Stitch on SOLID line 2.
Press and now you are ready to trim.
Press and now you are ready to trim.
Carefully trim on the outside line on all sides of your block
Carefully trim on the outside line on all sides of your block
The finished block
The finished block all trimmed up and ready!
On the design wall (or floor) layout your quilt - adjust the blocks as necessary. At this point I like to take a photo with my phone; just in case I mix something up!
On the design wall (or floor) layout your quilt – adjust the blocks as necessary. At this point I like to take a photo with my phone; just in case I mix something up!
Now you are ready to start pulling paper off. Start with Section 10 and work your way back to section 1. I like to use my fingernail to hold the stitches at the beginning so they do not pull apart as I remove the paper.
Now you are ready to start pulling paper off. Start with Section 10 and work your way back to section 1. I like to use my fingernail to hold the stitches at the beginning so they do not pull apart as I remove the paper.
Carefully progress through the block.
Carefully progress through the block.
Once the paper is all removed; I place my block back on the design wall in it's proper place.
Once the paper is all removed; I place my block back on the design wall in it’s proper place.
Sew the first 2 pairs together and press counter-clockwise from the back. Now sew the 2 pairs together to make a 4-patch. BEFORE pressing you need to "unsew" a few stitches so we can spin the center so it lays very flat and will nestle with the next set of seams.
Sew the first 2 pairs together and press counter-clockwise from the back. Now stitch the 2 pairs together to make a 4-patch. BEFORE pressing you need to “un-sew” a few stitches so we can spin the center so it lays very flat and will nestle with the next set of seams.
Carefully unsew to the seam you just sewed and now you will be able to spin the center and ALL of the seams can be pressed counter-clockwise.
Carefully un-sew to the seam you just sewed and now you will be able to spin the center and ALL of the seams can be pressed counter-clockwise.
Another sample - prior to "spin"
Another sample – prior to “spin”
Un-Sew to the seam you just stitched and now you can spin - I like to leave the threads to prevent the threads from attempting to un-sew themselves anymore.
Un-Sew to the seam you just stitched and now you can spin – I like to leave the threads to prevent the threads from attempting to un-sew themselves anymore.
And here are your 4 quadrants all sewn
And here are your 4 quadrants all sewn
You will repeat the "un-sew and spin" step as you sew your quadrants together.
You will repeat the “un-sew and spin” step as you sew your quadrants together.
Now we have 2 halves
Now we have 2 halves
And with our final seam the center is done. Don't forget to "un-sew and spin" this final seam.
And with our final seam the center is done. Don’t forget to “un-sew and spin” this final seam.

NOW for my favorite part!  I use this technique anytime I want to add a “skinny” accent border.  I don’t have to do any math as I am not changing the size of any existing pieces, I am just overlaying an accent piece.  Find a project and TRY THIS – you will love it!

Take your 1 1/2" x 27" strips, carefully press in half lengthwise - WRONG sides together
Take your 1 1/2″ x 27″ strips, carefully press in half lengthwise – WRONG sides together
Pressed
Pressed
Line up the raw edge of your quilt center with the bottom raw edge of your accent and glue (or pin) together
Line up the raw edge of your quilt center with the bottom raw edge of your accent and glue (or pin) together
This photo shows the two glued together - do not glue the accent closed!
This photo shows the two glued together – do not glue the accent closed!

IMG_0703

Go to your machine and with a normal stitch length - sew right in the fold
Go to your machine and with a normal stitch length – stitch right in the fold
See my stitches? Once you have completed the sewing on 2 sides of your top, press accent in half again so it lays flat. Then add the last 2 sides of accent to your quilt center
See my stitches? Once you have completed the sewing on 2 sides of your top, press accent in half again so it lays flat. Then add the last 2 sides of accent to your quilt center
Here I am getting ready to glue the last 2 sides to the quilt center
Here I am getting ready to glue the last 2 sides to the quilt center
This photo shows the center with the accent pieces added.
This photo shows the center with the accent pieces added.
Now sew the side blocks together and the top/bottom blocks together.
Now stitch the side blocks together and the top/bottom blocks together.
Sew the sides on to your quilt center
Sew the sides on to your quilt center
Add the last 2 borders and you have finished your quilt top.
Add the last 2 borders and you have finished your quilt top.

I hope you find this tutorial helpful!  I hope you will no longer be intimidated by paper-piecing!  You can click here to shop for a pattern and get started on your project today!

Dee

 

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