The First Four Farmers Wife Blocks

I am back today with the first four blocks in the Farmer's Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt Along. Please see yesterday's post for details.  I have been traveling and had to play a bit of catch up.  Here are some tips I found helpful in making these blocks:

1.  Don't be in a hurry.  Make sure when printing the templates from the CD that you click actual size and not print to scale.  Take the time to measure the one inch guide to be sure you are cutting the right size.  Yes, I messed up my first two blocks and had to redo them.

2.  I'm pressing all my seams open.  This gives me a bit of extra wiggle room so that I can trim the blocks to 6.5"  I did not prewash my fabrics, but if you do, starch the life out of them so there is no stretching of fabric.  Bias stretching is not your friend in making these blocks.  Yes, I repeat, I messed up my first two blocks and had to redo them.

3.  There are lots of quilters who want to help make this a pleasant experience for you.  Be sure to go to the FB page for helpful tips and also be sure to visit the scheduled bloggers to see their tutorials as well.

4.  Most of all, have fun!  Be sure to read the letters that accompany the blocks.  It is such a fascinating peek into the lives of the women and how they were feeling during the depression.  We all have family who lived during that time and it allows you to perhaps walk in their footsteps for a moment.