Summer 2013 Leader & Ender Challenge! Split 9 Patch!

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It’s that time of year!

Over the past few years I’ve issued a Leader & Ender challenge while at the Sisters Quilt Show in Oregon for us to work on through the year.  I’m not in Oregon this summer because of the cabin closing at the same time, and I’m missing my friends and the show! 

A couple of emails came in yesterday asking me “What is our new Leader & Ender project going to be?”  and it has kicked me into gear and I have some ideas!

Remember THIS POST from my visit to Mooresville, NC with Sherry last June??  Has it really been over a year already?

There were a couple of BEAUTIFUL Perkiomen Valley Split 9 patch quilts that I simply fell in love with.

Gorgeous, isn't it?

It’s Pennsylvania, around the year 1900.

Close up of one corner.

These blocks are so versatile!  They can be set in any log cabin layout, or in any half-square triangle design.  The designs and possibilities are endless.  Look:

Twist and turn the blocks to get all these and MORE!

Another Samplling.

The layout I chose:

The reason I chose this block?  Ease of construction AND I have THIS:

My 2-1/2” squares box over-floweth!!

I really don’t use 2-1/2” squares as often as I use the 2” squares for my "go to" size when scrap quilting, which has resulted in this overflowing box. For this project it will be perfect.  With 2-1/2” squares our blocks will measure 6” finished.

Another rule I live by...if the box is full, MAKE A QUILT!  Do NOT start ANOTHER box!

Step #1:  Make Half-Square triangles!

Each block is going to need three half-square triangles ---however you get them done.  They will first measure 2-1/2" square and finish at 2”, so use your favorite method.

For instance, place a light and a dark 2-7/8" square on top of each other with right sides together.  Slice on the diagonal to yield 2 triangle pairs.  When sewn, they will measure 2-1/2" before adding to the block, and finish at 2" in the block.

As for me, I’m using 2-1/2” strips and my Easy Angle Ruler!

I am having a cutting day, and cutting a wide variety of colors matched with neutral/lights and stacking them up by my machine.  I’ll sew the pairs as Leaders & Enders while working on other things.  And when I have enough variety built up – the fun begins!

Lay out your block like this!

You will need 3 dark 2-1/2” squares, 3 light/neutral 2-1/2” squares, and 3 2-1/2” half-square triangles.

*HINT*  You will know that your seam allowance is where it needs to be if your half-square triangles are EXACTLY the same size as your 2-1/2” cut squares!  If your half-square triangles are smaller…your seam allowance is too big. FIX IT NOW! 

If your half-square triangles are too big…fatten that seam allowance up.  Find what you need to do to make it right so you don’t spend forever sliver trimming down a gazillion of these.  I like to cut right, sew right, and be done with it.

In between the lines of other piecing, use the block pieces as Leaders & Enders and assemble the block units into rows.

Join the rows to complete one block!  Block will measure 6-1/2” and finish at 6” in the quilt.

Remember, this is NOT A RACE.  It is a LEADER & ENDER CHALLENGE.  I plan on working on these throughout the year – we will see how far we get by next July.

There are no rules, no color recommendations, no fabric suggestions…just you, your scraps and a free quilt in the process.  No number of blocks to finish will be given, no suggested layouts other than what I’ve shown you above.  My hope is that we will all do something DIFFERENT with these, and can share them in Linky Parties during the year.

One other suggestion….Pin your blocks in bundles of 10 so they are easy to count and keep track of….

I do hope you’ll join me..it’s been a lot of fun over the past few years, and I’d love to keep this going!


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