Merry Mayhem presents: Case #116

Seven Bags for Seven Sisters

©2000 Merry May 

Big things can be made into small packages as you wind your way through this unusual 28” x 34” project

PART 3: So you thought you were finished making Flying Geese units, eh? Well, sorry to break the news to you, but there are still a few more units to be made!

Pull out Bag #3 and remove your FOUR 2-1/2" X 4-1/2" rectangles of Fabric B, plus your EIGHT 2-1/2" squares of Fabric F. Following the same procedure as described during PART 2, sew these pieces to make FOUR Flying Geese units.

Next, remove your TWO 2-7/8" squares of Fabric B, plus your TWO 2-7/8" squares of Fabric C. Turn your Fabric B squares so they are wrong side up. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of each of these TWO squares. Then layer each of these squares right sides together with your TWO squares of Fabric C. Sew 1/4" seams on each side of the lines you drew. Then cut each unit apart along the lines to make FOUR half-square triangle units. They should each measure 2-1/2" square.

Lay out these half-square triangle units, your FOUR Flying Geese units, and your 4-1/2" square of Fabric B (which may still be inside Bag #3) so they look like the traditional Variable Star block as shown at right. Sew the units into rows; then sew the rows together to complete your Variable Star block. It should now measure 8-1/2" square. Press it and return it to Bag #3.

Remove your individual triangles of Fabrics A and C from Bag #4. Sew them together along their long diagonal edges to make a single half-square triangle unit. Press seam allowance toward Fabric C. Next, cut this unit in half diagonally, so the cut CROSSES the seam on the unit, as shown in the diagram at left.

Sew these units to each side of your large Fabric C triangle, as shown at right. Press seam allowances toward the large Fabric C triangle.

Add your strip of Fabric D to the bottom of this unit, as shown below:

Next we get to do the "folk art" part, which means that no two projects will be the same!

Pull out the 3-1/2" square of freezer paper from Bag #4. Fold it into quarters, dull side out and crease. Open it up, and then refold along ONE of the folds so it becomes a rectangle shape. Following the diagram, cut a gentle curve beginning at the top of the fold, to the crease at the center of one of the long (cut) sides. You should only be trimming off the two corner layers; NOT the folded edge.

Keeping the freezer paper folded, cut another curve about 1/2" away from and parallel to the first curve. Continue cutting to the bottom edge. (Have you guessed that we're cutting a basket handle?)

Don't worry if the shape you've cut isn't perfect. Merry Mayhem points out that this is folk art we're creating here, NOT rocket science!!

Unfold your freezer paper basket handle pattern which you just created. Center it, shiny side down, on the right side of your 4" square of Fabric C, and iron it on (your iron should be set to the Cotton setting.) Trim your fabric about 1/4" away from the entire perimeter of your freezer paper. Clip the inside curves.

Turn the piece wrong side up and lay it on a scrap of paper to protect your work surface. Apply your water-soluble glue stick along the edges of your handle (on the wrong side), and turn the seam allowances to the wrong side to "baste" them in place. Try to make the curves as smooth as you can. You can rework the glued area for several minutes before it begins to dry. Merry Mayhem reminds you again that this is folk art: not rocket science!

NOTE: Do not turn under the two short edges at the bottom of the handle; these will be sewn into your seam so there's no need to turn them under.

Now, go wash the sticky stuff off your hands. When you return, we'll applique the basket handle to its background and finish up this block.

OK -- Fold your 4-1/2" X 6-1/2" piece of Fabric A in half to find the center along the 6-1/2" side. Crease. Open it, right side up, and place your prepared basket handle on it (also right side up), centering it as best you can on your Fabric A piece. Once it's where you want it to be, carefully turn up the wrong side of the basket handle and apply small amounts of glue stick to it; then stick it down onto your background. This will eliminate the use of pins as you get ready to applique your basket handle in place. (If necessary, go wash your hands again, too!)

Remove your freezer paper "pattern" from the front of your basket handle (if you haven't already done so, or if it hasn't already fallen off by now!)

Applique your basket handle in place, sewing the INSIDE curve first. Use your favorite applique stitch, a blanket stitch, or invisible machine applique to suit your preferences. 

Sew your appliqued section to the top of your pieced basket block which you made earlier. Press.

You basket block should measure 6-1/2" by 8-1/2". NOTE that it is NOT a square!!

Return this block to Bag #4.

Now you can go on to Part #4!

This series is contributed by Schoolhouse Enterprises, exclusive manufacturers of Gridded Geese and Other Fun Stuff! Gridded Geese is a fast, accurate way to mass-produce Flying Geese units up to 24 at once (no kidding!)

For a free catalog which includes a sample of Gridded Geese, e-mail your snail mail address to: inspectr@cluesew.com Or, call 609-628-2256. Major credit cards are accepted.

Visit Schoolhouse Enterprises' Home Page for more information about their products.