Two Secret Weapons + Splendid Sampler Block

It's Thursday which means it's time for a new, free Splendid Sampler block to be released.  And guess what?  The books are coming SOON!  I hear that some of the digital copies have already been delivered but I'm still anxiously awaiting my book - so exciting!  If you still need to order yours it's not too late - grab one here on Amazon.

Along with this week's block, I have a couple of secret weapons (a.k.a. favorite tools) to share with you - both of which really came in handy when I was making this block.  

First let me tell you about this week's block.  It was designed by Jenny Doan, and you can find the free pattern for this block here.  It's a fun version of the Cathedral Windows block and I promise it's faster and easier than you'd think!

The pattern first has you pin the window "frame" fabric on one corner of a print square -- but I used my favorite applique glue instead.  It's also called temporary basting glue, but because I use it mainly for applique, around here it's referred to as applique glue ;)

There are two bottle types for this glue-- the standard bottle (find it here on Amazon) and the EZ Squeeze bottle (find it here on Amazon).  I've used both, but personally I prefer the EZ Sqeeze bottle so I can get every.last.drop. out of the container.  

  I ran a thin line of glue along two sides of my print square...

...and then placed one cream square right sides together on top.  I gave it a quick press with the iron to set the glue.  

Then I folded back the corner.  I added a second thin line of glue along the edge (wrong side) of the white square to hold that in place as well.  

Another quick press of the iron and my square was basted and ready for the next step - no pins needed!

With the white squares (lightly) glued in place, it was much easier to sew the block together without everything shifting around on me.  

Alright - now for favorite tool #2:

When it was time to top stitch, my bent tip tweezers were super helpful!  These are great for holding tiny things in place as you stitch them.  

See how the tips get right in close to the presser foot?  Now, keep in mind that at this point I'm sewing slowly, and being very careful to not sew over the tweezers.  

I keep a pair of these tweezers next to my machine and use them fairly often!  I bought them here on Amazon in a pack of 4.  I'm glad I bought the four pack - two pair have already wandered off to help with other hobbies like perler beads.  The secret is out and my kids have realized how handy these are!


Now I need to play catch-up on a few of the older Splendid Sampler II blocks.  I've been working on them here and there but haven't shared photos of them yet!

First up is Tulip in Bloom designed by Nadra Ridgeway (download the block pattern here).

I also made this block called Point Taken, designed by Susan Ache (download the pattern here.)

The last catch-up block is called Betty's Bloom designed by Carl Hentsch (download the pattern here.)

I can't wait for the book to arrive so I can see all of the fun blocks!  You can find the past free blocks here on the Splendid Sampler blog. 

Happy sewing everyone!  
--Andy

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