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Tiger Tiger

I made this quilt to showcase the Oakshott Fabrics Autumn selection.
It's very easy to make, and you can expand it as you wish to make a bigger quilt. The blocks are very nice for all sorts of projects
What you need
I used one pack of Oakshott Fat Eighths in Autumn for the top and the binding
Backing and wadding (batting) 54 by 48 inches
Thread for piecing and quilting
Cutter and mat
Square quilters' ruler
Finished size approx 48 by 42 inches

Press the 21 pieces of Oakshott Autumn (fat eighth cuts)
First cut your pieces:-
From each fat eighth cut 3 pieces 7 inches by the width of the fabric as shown. There will be 63 pieces (or cut pieces 7 by 9 inches if using yardage)
Reserve the bits from the ends and one of the bigger pieces for the binding.
Lay the 62 pieces out in pairs, mixing and matching as you please.

Tip: it helps to be less than deliberate at this stage. Just arrange all of them into pairs. I like some with lots of contrast and some with very little...

Work one pair of blocks at a time
Put one pair of pieces face up on your mat. Cut both together in gentle curves as shown, making a total of four cuts across the narrower width. Keep the cuts 1/2 inch apart at least, and do not let them cross. Keep your fingers out of the way!

BE VERY CAREFUL at this stage that you do not turn any piece over or round... Separate the two sets so that the colours alternate as shown

Sew the sets together to make two blocks, using 1/4 inch seams and a small stitch. You do not need to pin the seams, just match at the beginning and then gently align the edges together as you sew. Be careful not to stretch the seam.
This is easier than it looks... Carry on making pairs of blocks until you have used all the pieces.

Press the blocks firmly. I press all the seams to one side without worrying too much about colour, but you can press towards the darker colour in each block if you wish. You do not need to snip seams, they will lie flat.
Using your cutter and square ruler, cut all the blocks to the same size
Note - if you have sewn fairly accurately you can get 6-1/2 inch blocks.
If you haven't, go for 6-1/4 or 6 inch blocks.

You have a few spares, so you can reject any disasters... (Like this one..)

Arrange 56 blocks into 8 rows of 7 (or 7 rows of 8) alternating the direction of the seams as shown.

Sew the blocks into rows and press seams towards the sides with fewer seams
Sew the rows together and press again...
Layer and bind in the usual way, and add a sleeve if you wish to hang your quilt up..

More ideas here

My address is:-
Helen Howes
Helen Howes Textiles
1 Castell Farm Cottages, Thurlton Road, Raveningham, Norfolk NR14 6NY. UK
07914 676182
Email me here - helen@helenhowestextiles.co.uk
I prefer that you email me (at any time), or phone between 3 and 6 (UK time) most days