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Welcome to Debbie Shore's Block of the Month Quilt (2021)

Quick Links: What you'll need Project steps

Join Debbie Shore's sew-along to make a colourful quilt inspired by Seminole patchwork.

Welcome to the 2021 Block of the Month (BOTM)! The previous two years’ BOTMs have been based on traditional square and rectangular blocks made up to create two reasonably sized quilts, so for this year we have decided to bring you something a little different: a bright and bold bed quilt or table runner designed by Melissa Nayler, featuring the Seminole patchwork technique.

What is Seminole patchwork? Seminole patchwork was originally created by the Native American Seminole people of south Florida, USA, and was used in clothing, quilts and wall hangings. The technique involves joining strips of fabric together then cutting and rearranging the fabrics to create intricate but achievable designs.

Our quilt this time is tied rather than stitch quilted, and is a much simpler quilting technique than it sounds! In addition, although we've used black and bold colours for the sample quilt, you can change the colours of your own quilt; for example, a white background would create a completely different look!

You will need some sewing experience for making this quilt. Although Seminole patchwork is fairly straightforward with no awkward shapes, as with all patchwork accurate cutting and consistent seam allowances are required. For those with more experience, this may or may not be something you’ve tried before (like most patchwork designs, they go in and out of fashion).

I hope you enjoy this striking quilt as much as I have, both in making up and from the compliments you'll receive!

Finished quilt size: approx. 72in (183cm) long x 24in (61cm) wide

Finished row length: 18in (45.75cm)

Finished on point block size: 6in (15.25cm)

TIPS

• Read through all instructions for each row and block before making a start.


• Stitch with a scant ¼in (6mm) seam allowance throughout (there are lots of seams in this project, so this will ensure the finished size of each row and block is accurate).


• Fabrics are numbered FAB1–FAB10 (see the photograph and key below), and the contrast black fabric is described as BL throughout. If you’re using your own fabrics, I would suggest you take a small swatch of each of your fabrics and prepare your own key, labelling them in the same way.


• When cutting out, be conservative with your fabric.


• When joining multiple strips of fabric together initially, alternate the direction of your stitching to avoid the piece curving or warping.


• Before pressing seams, set the seam allowance first by running a hot iron along the length of your stitching. This helps the stitches to sink into the fabric and the seams to be pressed flatter.


• Unless otherwise stated, press all seams in the same direction after each seam is stitched to reduce bulk in the seam allowances and for ease of matching seams. It may sometimes be necessary to change the direction of pressing when subsequently joining pieces.


• Be aware that some of the edges will be on the diagonal so try not to stretch, a light spray of starch may help.


• Keep all leftover fabric, as some will be used in later months.


• IMPORTANT NOTE: There will be some fabric waste, particularly with some of the diagonal designs.

CUTTING INFORMATION

• With your black fabric, cut off a piece measuring 18in (45.75cm) long across the width of fabric. Sub-cut this piece into two fat quarters measuring 22 x 18in (56 x 45.75cm).


• Also with your black fabric, cut a second piece measuring 13 x 37in (33 x 94cm) then sub-cut this piece into five 2½in (6.5cm) strips. Cut each strip in half widthways to create 10 'sashing strips' measuring 18½ x 2½in (47 x 6.5cm).


• IMPORTANT NOTE: Unless stated otherwise, each Seminole row starts with cutting strips across the width of your fat quarters and contrast black fabric. I have used 19¾ x 21½in (50 x 55cm) fat quarters; if your fabric is wider, then please cut your fabric to these measurements first.


• Strips are stitched together to create 'sets'. Sets are subsequently cut into 'sub-sets' (the instructions clearly indicate the number of sub-sets required for each row, and the pictures generally show what one sub-set looks like).

The first block will be out January 1st 2021, and I'll link all of the blocks below as they come out, so you can always find them when you need them!

• Block 1: Maze
• Block 2: Rick Rack
• Block 3: Harlequin
• Block 4: Woven
• Block 5: Snake
• Block 6: Criss-Cross
• Block 7: Zigzag
• Block 8: Dominoes
• Block 9: Snail Trail
• Block 10: Cross
• Block 11: Square within A Square within A Square
• Block 12: Pinwheel

To construct your quilt, take a looking at making-up instructions here.

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You will need:

Equipment

• Sewing machine
• Iron
• Rotary cutter and cutting mat
• Quilting ruler
• Fabric shears
• Hand-sewing needle (for tie quilting)
• Optional: starch spray

Materials

• One Fat Quarter Bundle from my website OR two regular Fat Quarter Bundles with five pieces in each – if you’re using your own fabrics, I would suggest at least one bundle of plain fabric; if using patterned fabrics, non-directional ones work best
• Black fabric from my website bundle OR 2yd (2m) of fabric, for the contrast fabric – again, if you’re using your own fabric choose relatively plain pattern
• Black fabric from my website bundle OR 1½yd (1.5m) fabric, for the backing fabric – make sure that the fabric is from a 44in (111.75cm) wide bolt
• 74 x 26in (188 x 66cm) of wadding/batting – if you purchase narrower wadding/batting, this can be cut and joined to make the length
• Quilting threads for piecing – the colours will depend on your own colour scheme; if you are using the same colours as the sample quilt, I suggest grey or black
• Embroidery thread/floss from my website fabric bundle OR 1 skein of stranded embroidery thread/floss, for the tie quilting – I used black

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