BITTERSWEET BRIAR

48 1/2” Square Quilt

Designed by Kim Diehl

Design Notes

Please prepare the items requested below for our class, but no more!  I’ve found that if we all begin at the same point, we can actually accomplish much more during our time together.  See you soon!

Project Supplies

2 yards of neutral stripe for block and border background

1 3/4 yards of medium green print for vines, appliqués, border patchwork, and binding

4 fat quarters (18” x 22”) of assorted red prints for large center petal appliqués

1 fat quarter of cheddar print for berry appliqués

16 chubby sixteenths (9” x 11”) of assorted prints for appliqués

3 yards of fabric for backing (not used during class)

54” square of quilt batting (not used during class)

3/8” bias bar

Standard Sewing and Quilting Supplies, Including:

Sewing machine with adjustable tension, capable of producing a very small zigzag stitch

Note:  If your sewing machine has a knee-lift attachment, an open-toe foot, and a spool pin adapter to position your thread upright as you sew, please bring them.  For students using Bernina sewing machines, if your model uses a bobbin with the little finger containing an eye at the end (frequently used for embroidery techniques), please bring it along.

Rotary cutter, mat, and acrylic ruler (can be shared between two people)

Size 75/11 quilting needles for your sewing machine

Ironing board with a firmsurface, and an iron (travel-size or Clover mini appliqué irons work best in class situations, and can be shared between two people)

Embroidery scissors and an inexpensive pair of scissors for cutting paper

Awl or stiletto with a sharp point (wooden types won’t work as well for our needs)

.004 monofilament thread in smoke and clear colors (my favorite brands are YLI and Sulky Invisible Thread)

Neutral-colored sewing thread

Freezer paper and pencil (mechanical is best)

Fabric glue, water soluble and acid-free, in liquid (Quilter’s Choice by Beacon Adhesives is my favorite) and stick form

Fray Check (recommended, but not required)

Cutting Instructions

From the neutral stripe or print, cut:

4 squares, 20 1/2” x 20 1/2”

Note:  If you’d prefer to use a print for your background, rather than a stripe, you can substitute one 40 1/2” square in place of the four squares listed above.

From the medium green print, cut:

5 strips, 4 1/2” x 42”; crosscut into

-- 20 rectangles, 4 1/2” x 8 1/2”

-- 4 squares, 4 1/2” x 4 1/2”

5 strips, 2 1/2” x 42” (binding)

From the bias of the remaining green print, cut:

Enough 1 1/2”-wide strips to equal 4 lengths, 45” each, when joined together using straight (not diagonal) seams.

Reserve the scraps of medium green print and bring them to class along with the prepared 45” lengths (see “Pre-Sewing” below).

Pre-Sewing

Join the 1 1/2”-wide strips end to end using straight (not diagonal) seams to make four lengths, 45” each. Press the seam allowances to one side (not open), with each of the seam allowances laying in the same direction.