Hi friends!!
It’s time for Block 2 Tannenbaum in our Jingle Bell Pines Block Party!! Cue the dance music!
OK- maybe no dance music while rotary cutting fabric.
Block 2 Tannenbaum
Block 2 Tannenbaum is a fun, simple, super easy to piece tree block!
Since the block is a simple shape, we used 2 different fabrics to give it a little extra oomph. But you could use 3 fabrics or, since there are 2 tree blocks, mix it up even more!
Other Colors
Here’s the block with the khaki background.
And here’s the block with a navy background.
So fun to see the different colors!
Block 2 Tip
Since this is just another block with stitch ‘n flip and we covered that in last week’s post, we thought that today we would tackle that pesky but oh so crucial 1/4″ seam!
Our seam allowance is what makes piecing all our blocks work and the blocks fit together but have you ever noticed that sometimes it is off?
Often people check their seam by measuring the seam itself but we suggest that you measure the pieced unit. Is it the right size?
Our seam allowance is affected by the weight of our thread, the thickness of our fabric and whether we press to the side or open. So sometimes we might need a scant 1/4″.
How to determine this? One way is to test your seam allowance by cutting 3 squares 2 1/2″ x 2 1/2″ from fabric from your current project.
Sew them together and press to one side.
Then measure the width of the unit.
It should be 6 1/2″.
If the unit is too big, your seams are small. If your unit is too small, your seams are too big! If your unit is exactly 6 1/2″, your seams are … just right! Good job Goldilocks!
My favorite 1/4″ seam tools
Many people rely on a 1/4″ foot and that works, some of the time. Remember it all depends on your fabric and thread. I also like to use a guide so that I am feeding the fabric at the right measurement before it even gets to the foot!
I use a seam guide and then I cut a piece of a purple Sewing Edge guides strip small enough to fit on my bobbin cover.
Then I test my fabric and see if it works!
Want more 1/4″ tips? Check out my blog post on getting that 1/4″ seam.
Bonus Tip
Today I have a quick bonus tip for you- I mentioned pressing. Oh no, am I really opening that can of worms?
If you choose to press your seams open, remember that a seam press open is not as strong and more likely to pull open. So, shorten your stitch length. That’s it. A shorter stitch length helps make the seam stronger.
Be sure to check out Kris’ posts; she always has lots of helpful tips!
happy quilting and see you next week for Block 3!!
Kate
Please note: we are not sharing any cutting information or sizes; you must have the pattern to make the block.
p.s Interested in the Jingle Bell Pines pattern? Click here to go to Kris’ website!
p.p.s. Are you interested in the Sewing Edge guide? You can get it here at C&T with my affiliate link!
