A simple grid design is often the easiest sampler quilt setting and displays all the different blocks well. A Flying Geese border makes a striking addition.
(right) An ‘on point’ setting looks so attractive and works well with appliqué blocks balanced with areas of quilting.
Selecting a Sampler Quilt Design
A sampler quilt can be anything you choose and making one is a great opportunity to be creative in your design. The patchwork blocks selected can be favourites you’ve made before or new ones you’d like to try. You could choose just rectilinear blocks, curved blocks or appliqué blocks – or a combination of all types.
Layouts for sampler quilts are as varied as the blocks. A first attempt at this type of quilt could have the blocks arranged in a simple grid pattern, allowing you to concentrate on the blocks, with perhaps some simple sashing and a final border. Setting the blocks on point can create a dynamic-looking quilt, while a medallion-style setting can also work well. Some design suggestions are illustrated here and see also Patchwork Settings for ideas.
(left) The blocks used in a sampler quilt can be whatever you choose – perhaps a mixture of rectilinear, curved and appliqué, or all based on curves and circles as shown here. Wide horizontal sashing gives opportunities for quilting.
(right) Sampler quilts based on a medallion arrangement can look very striking and allow for the addition of decorative sashing and borders.
Hand Piecing
We have become so accustomed to using sewing machines for piecing patchwork together that it’s sometimes easy to forget just how easy and portable hand piecing is, particularly for some techniques, such as English paper piecing. Certain blocks, such as Grandmother’s Fan and Dresden Plate were traditionally sewn by hand as the curved seams were easier to stitch that way. Hand sewing is also useful for appliqué work. Most of the techniques described in this and other sections of the book can be stitched by hand, and advice is given where relevant.
When sewing patches together a simple running stitch will suffice or use a backstitch. The smaller and closer the stitches the firmer and more secure the seam will be. For extra security, start and finish with a knot and also a backstitch. If sewing pieces together that have been placed over card or paper templates, as in English paper piecing, a whip stitch is easier to use.
For many people, Grandmother’s Flower Garden is their first experience of patchwork. It looks very pretty worked in bright, contemporary fabrics.
Hand Piecing Techniques
Related Topics
Hand Sewing Patches
1 Cut your fabric pieces to the size required, ensuring they are square. Place two patches right sides together, aligning edges and corners. Use a pencil to mark the seam line, usually 1⁄4in (6mm) and pin the patches together.
2 Start with a knot and sew along the seam line using short running stitches and the occasional backstitch for stability. Finish with a backstitch or two.
Hand Sewing Rows
1 Place the pieced patches right sides together, aligning edges and corners. Use a pencil to mark the 1⁄4in (6mm) seam line (or use pins). Pin the sections together.
2 Start with a knot 1⁄4in (6mm) from the edge and sew along the seam line using short running stitches. When you reach a seam, make a backstitch or knot and then put the needle through the seam to the other side and continue sewing – this leaves the seam free to be pressed. Finish with a knot or backstitch 1⁄4in (6mm) from the edge.
Hand Sewing Multiple Seams
When sewing multiple seams or set-in seams, sew two patches together, as before and then pin the third in place as shown. Take the needle through from the edge of one seam across the corner into the third patch, and then continue on to sew that final seam.
English Paper Piecing
This type of patchwork, also called English patchwork, is often one of the first techniques that beginners learn. The patchwork uses templates, usually made of thick paper, thin card or freezer paper, which fabric pieces are wrapped around and tacked (basted) to (or pressed in the case of freezer paper). The fabric patches are then hand sewn together, usually with whip stitch and the papers removed.
These master templates are used for cutting papers for English patchwork. These are also useful for ‘fussy cutting’, where you want to feature a specific motif.
This technique may be slow but one of its big advantages is that it is portable. It also allows complex designs to be built up and some lovely effects achieved. You can buy templates for English paper piecing or make your own (see Making a Simple Template). Templates are available in various shapes and sizes and in different materials. ‘Master’ shapes made from acrylic or metal are very durable. Accurate shapes can also be created using isometric paper, which is composed of 60 degree triangles (see Using Isometric Paper).
Designs created with English paper piecing can be used as appliqué attached to a plain or pieced background. This wall hanging was created this way, using elongated octagons. The shapes were edged with narrow ricrac braid but a machine satin stitch or hand blanket stitch could be used instead. The octagon shape was used again for the hand quilting.
