Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Quilt: Block 51 – Hovering Birds
Hovering Birds is Block 51 of the Farmer’s Wife 1920’s Sampler Quilt. I love the impact of a grouping of half square triangles (HST) and this block delivers a nice punch of that. It’s a super simple block to construct if you’ve got the From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Template set.
Block information
Block Number:Ā 51
Block Name:Ā Hovering Birds
Where to Buy the Book: The Farmerās Wife Sampler Quilt: Letters from 1920s Farm Wives and the 111 Blocks They Inspired by Laurie Aaron Hird ā available from: Amazon | Book Depository (Affiliate Links)
Fabrics: Riley Blake Confetti Cottons in Riley Lime, Lilac, Orchid, Riley Purple and 1/4″ Black Stripe
Construction Method: From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates
From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates Used: Template Set A
Where to Buy Supplies: Click Here
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The blocks contained within this book can be constructed using 3 techniques: machine piecing, English Paper Piecing and Foundation Paper Piecing. I have constructed these blocks with a range of these techniques and the tutorials reflect this. The principles of construction do not change between blocks therefore you can use the information provided in the various block tutorials to make your blocks using whichever method you would like regardless of the specific method used in the tutorial. For basic introductory tutorials on the 2 alternative methods for constructing this block please see below.
- Tutorials for English Paper Piecing: Click Here
- Tutorials for Foundation Paper Piecing: Click Here
Before You Sew
- I pressed my with a mixture of open and to the side.
- I used aĀ Schmetz 70/10 needle.
- I usedĀ Wonderfil Konfetti Cotton 50wt in Pale Grey (KT906)Ā thread for piecing.
- I used theĀ From Marti Michell Patchwork Templates Set A.
- I usedĀ Ā Flatter by Soak in Yuzu 248mlĀ as my starch.
- I used a design board to layout my pieces while I worked. Click here for a tutorial on how to make your own.
If you’d like to know “My Top 10 Beginners Patchworking Tools” you can find them by clicking here.
Measurements for the pieces needed to construct this block will not be provided in this tutorial. It is a prerequisite of making this block that you have a copy of the book, The Farmerās Wife Sampler Quilt: Letters from 1920s Farm Wives and the 111 Blocks They Inspired by Laurie Aaron Hird. Measurements can be found in this book and itās associated media.
using from marti michell templates
The fabulous Marti Michell has developed a conversion system for using her Perfect Patchwork Templates and Rulers to replicate the pieces used in making these blocks. You can access these charts for free by signing up to her mailing list by clicking here.
How to Make the Block
general advice:
- Tolerance Levels: you need to decide what is an acceptable tolerance level for “mistakes”. For example if your blocks are consistently 6Ā¼” instead of 6.5″ are you ok with this. Or if your seams matching are less than an eight of an inch “off” are you ok with this. There’s no hard or fast rule and it’s different for everyone, so remember it’s your quilt so make your decision for you.
- Press your seams at each step. Click here for a great article on how to press your seams for patchwork.
- You can iron and starch your fabric prior to cutting. I also starch when pressing bulky seams.
- When pinning, pin away from you so that you don’t move your pieces when pinning.
- Where possible I chain piece all the pieces I can in one step. If you’re unsure of what chain piecing is, click here for a tutorial on how to do it.
The photos below show you the step progression of making this block. Please read the accompanying text before starting to make your block.
Block Assembly Steps
Using the From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Templates
The following table show the Farmer’s Wife template and it’s corresponding From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Template.
| Farmer’s Wife Template | 4 | 7 | 8 |
| FMM Template | A-5 | A-6 | A-2 |
Tutorial images are labelled with the Farmer’s Wife Template number.
1: Cut all block pieces
- Use the From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Template pieces to cut the pieces of the block. [Please see tutorial picture “Step One” for all pieces laid out.]
2: Make Half Square Triangles
- Join 2 – #7 to create a half square triangle (HST). Repeat to make 6.
Tip: I pressed all my HST seams open to reduce bulk in the seams.
3: Making the Birds in the Air Subunit
- Consists of 4 – #7 and 1 – #8
- Join as per the tutorial pictures Step Three
- Repeat to make 2
Tip: Pay careful attention to how the units are assembled within the block if you are using directional prints or fussy cutting.
4: Assemble Rows
You’re now going to make the rows that form this block:
- Join 2 – HST and 2 – #4 to make the HST + Square subunit as pictured in the top right corner and bottom left corner of tutorial photo Step Four
- Row 1: Consists of 1 – Birds of the Air and 1 – HST + Square
- Row 2: Consists of 1 – Birds of the Air and 1 – HST + Square
- Join as per the tutorial pictures Step Five
5. Complete Block
- Join the rows to complete the block
