Tumbling Blocks

You may get the pattern for Tumbling Blocks without a 'Y' seam; but, really, there is nothing to be scared about with a 'Y' seam. There is honestly nothing much to it at all. For your first few, at least, I would sew it in two halves, starting at the centre each time - rather than starting at an edge, pivoting in the middle and back out to the edge again. Or, and I feel that this is the easiest way of all, piece it over papers

- English paper piecing - and so it by hand. You will probably find it is ever so much easier and quicker!! This isn't really a pattern which lends itself to machine making (and I do virtually everything by machine, but I would do Tumbling Blocks by hand every time). . In message , Alice writes

Alice, I agree w/Pat. I did one by hand - little larger than the typical 'crib quilt' so my niece could use it for nap times at daycare as she got older. I made the templates from manila folder (cut to size, of course) and did all the sewing and quilting by hand). Really didn't take long at all and was quite portable. I also machine piece virtually everything and can't imagine doing this pattern by machine! Then again, I really like hand work hence doing all my quilting by hand. I'd be happy to send you a couple of the templates I cut out for size and any of the instructions I might have with it if you're so inclined.

Good luck! I think it's a great pattern for anyone but just seems to really lend itself to babies, doesn't it?

Kim in NJ

And I will put in a plug, again, for Inklingo. (NAYY, but a very satisfied customer...) Inklingo is a software that allows you to print stitching and cutting lines on the back of your fabric with an ink jet printer. The first and third collections include 60° diamonds among other shapes. With the seam intersections already marked it is so easy to stitch either by hand or by machine. Really cuts down on the prep time and finishing time.

Will try to post my latest project done with Inklingo soon.

Pati, > You may get the pattern for Tumbling Blocks without a 'Y' seam; but,

"Pati C." wrote...

Thanks Jeanne. I am terrible at putting links into messages.

Pati, >

I'm using the pre-cut papers from Paper Pieces for my Grandmother's Flower Garden. I bought them at my LQS. There are different shapes available. I think the ones they call 6-point diamond are the ones you would use for Tumbling Blocks/Baby Blocks. They are cut very precisely and I don't have to trace and cut them. They can be used more than once.

Julia in MN

----------- This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus

-----------

Patti wrote:

i was thinking cut some from plastic and punch/cut a hole in the middle like the patis you can buy.

This looks very much like the method used for my hollow cube quilt top that is in my Crafts folder. Although there would be a few extra pieces and more sewing for the hollow cubes. I took a class on this. The teacher had hand out instructions so can't recommend a book. Once you have all the strips/pieces cut as required, you can sit at your machine and sew.

There is a "hollow cubes" quilt in "Big Book of Building Block Quilts" by Sara Nephew. Her website . She's got a free pattern . I made this quilt -- it's really pretty easy. I have a 60-degree ruler and that makes it a lot easier to get the pieces cut correctly. See a photo at . It's the black, white, and red one about half way down the page.

Julia in MN

----------- This message has been scanned for viruses by Norton Anti-Virus

----------- Ann wrote:

Wow, this might be more of a project than I bargained for! Thanks for the link.

That's a beautiful quilt. Did it require special rulers, etc.? Did you do it all by machine?

Ooh, I like that one too. It would work out well in shades of blue, I think. Thank you.

I've never done EPP. Will you come and show me how? I do like hand work, but haven't tried any hand piecing YET.

DDIL's mother is a knitter...she does beautiful work, but I don't think she sews. Not to mention that she's about six hours away. Don't think that will be an option!

Ok, Jeanne, I've saved those. This is turning into quite a project! Thanks for your help.

Thank you both. I didn't know there were so many options!