Two-Over-One Is How It's Done! (Block Webbing Tutorial)

Snow Day, Sew Day - Nowhere To Go Day! 

No place to be but cozy at home as temps continued to drop outside and the wind continued to howl.

It's the kind of slow-down-snow-down-show-down that we all dream about, right?

For the most part.  The dogs, however, are NOT a fan of temps in the minus range.

If I had to go out to take care of my own business, I would feel the same way!

While working on these blocks (It's been a UFO since before the summer foot and face break) it occurred to me that it is likely a good time to also do a quick "webbing" tutorial.

It's been a long while since the "old" one, and those photos don't even come up anymore.  Maybe Blogger has an expiration date on old posts. So here we go.

Let's start with a simple 16-patch.

When I've taught this in person, I use the analogy of "turning the page" as if we are reading a book. 

Imagine your hands out in front of you, the motion of "turning a page." To continue reading the book, it's right-over-left, correct? If we wanted to CLOSE the book, we'd turn the left-over right.  About as clear as mud, I'm sure - but trust me.

Please notice that the above pieces are numbered by COLUMN not by rows across.  We have columns 1 through 4.

Most folks will start at the far left and flip column 1 over column 2 to start sewing.  Only to go this way, you have to turn everything around so that your seam allowance is on the "correct" side. This is where confusion begins and folks give up.

Leave column 1 right where it is.  Instead, we are going to "turn the page" and flip column 2 right sides together with column 1 like this:

"Two Over One!" is how it's done!

From this point it's easy to chain sew the pairs starting at the top of the block and chaining your way down to the bottom.  Pieces do not have to be turned around to get the seam allowance on the right side.

Chain all the way down, leaving the chaining threads in between the pairs.

Do not cut them apart!

My 4 pairs from columns 1 & 2 with right sides together, column 2 on top of 1 and sewn, with chaining threads still intact.

From this point on it depends what you are sewing as to how you will press.  Refer back to your pattern directions on  what you should do here.

Because this is a simple example I pressed row 1 one direction, row 2 the opposite, and so forth so I could nest seams between the rows.

Column 3 over column 2.

Chain sew all the way down.

See how the chaining threads "web" everything in place?

The nicest thing about chaining threads - they keep those seams from popping open during the assembly process. 

Add column 4 to column 3 with right sides together.

Chain all the way down.

One 16-patch block completely webbed together!

Cross-seaming!

With seams pressed the direction they should go, simply fold one outside row over the second and sew.  There is no need to clip chaining threads unless you decide to "spin" the seams.

Sew all the way down.  Press.

First two sewn, ready to flip 3rd one over and continue -

Sewing the 3rd row to the 2nd.

3 together, one more to go.

Stitching the last one.

And there you have it - one block successfully webbed and cross-seamed!

I hope this visual helps some folks who need to see it in action.

It's really easy to cut yourself 16 squares (These are 2 1/2'') and give it a try.

Remember to start at the far left of the block.

Leave column 1 right side up, and "turn the page" to place column 2 right sides together with column 1. Sew and press.

"Turn the page" to place column 3 right sides together with column 2. Sew and press.

"Turn the page" to place column 4 right sides together with column 3. Sew and press.

Follow this method until all of the rows are built while working in columns.

When all pieces are webbed, move on to the cross-seaming.

This works for full quilt tops (Straight set only, not on point) set block to block, or even straight set quilts with sashings and cornerstones.

Start small, get practice and get comfortable -  and before you know it you'll be webbing full quilt tops like this:

More photos on this quilt top to come!

This morning it was -5????

We aren't going anywhere today!

It's beautiful, but it's so bitter cold out.

We are supposed to head down to son Jeff's for Christmas tomorrow afternoon. Tomorrow a high of 23 should make it do-able, but the hubster is still recovering from his ear infection.

The tractor battery is dead, and we'll have to plow that drive to make sure we can get back up it on our return trip.

Want to know something crazy?  It's supposed to be 58 this coming Thursday?!? Geeesh.

Today?  Those triangle blocks shown at the top of this post will be laid out and I'll web THEM together into a quilt top.

How is your holiday unfolding?

Quiltville Quote of the Day -

I’ve got all of the "little bit more" right here in front of me.

⁣

From my house to yours - Merry Christmas, everyone!