I couldn’t resist using Jodi Carlton’s The Cat’s Pyjamas from Ella Blue for the feature fabric in my colour version of Block 37 Georgia from The Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Sampler Quilt. Those cats are so perfect for these blocks, it’s like a match made in heaven. (You can purchase The Cat’s Pyjamas from Fat Quarter Shop if you’re wanting some cats of your own, just click here to see the range.) Today’s block is basic patchwork, which is a nice change from the 8 y-seams of May (did you see I did a video in that tutorial to help with those pesky seams?). Marti’s done a great version of this block that will cut down on seams and help you get bigger pieces of your fabric in the block. I stuck with using the From Marti Michell Patchwork Templates Set S to cut the blocks as needed for the books version and pressed my seams open (totally my own preference, you press how you’d like) to try and keep the bulk down.

 

Tutorial: Block #37 “Georgia”
General Information

• I pressed my seams open.
• I used a Schmetz 70/10 needle.
• I used 50wt Aurifil #2600 (Dove) thread for piecing.
• I used the From Marti Michell Patchwork Templates Set S.
• I used Flatter by Soak in Yuzu 248ml as my starch.
• Fabrics shown in the tutorial are from the Gnome Angel Farmer’s Wife 1930’s Bundle from Fat Quarter Shop.

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 pre-requiste of making this block that you have a copy of the book, The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird – available from: Amazon | Pink Door Fabrics | Fat Quarter Shop | The Quilting Company | Interweave (Affiliate Links). Measurements can be found in this book and it’s associated media.

On Point Blocks

Please note I am not doing my blocks on-point. If you are fussy cutting your blocks please be mindful of your fabric placement so that the motif will sit correctly if you decide to put your blocks on-point.

Conversion Chart

You can find the From Marti Michell Patchwork Template Conversion Charts by clicking here.

Helpful Links & Videos

Marti Michell shows you how to cut using your ruler and templates:

For another video on this template set click 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 6¼” 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. However, for the purpose of the tutorials I will step you through all the seams individually.

Please note: Use your rotary cutter and ruler to cut all pieces required for the block as per the instructions in the book. Cutting instructions can be found on the disc that came with the book. Block directions are located on page 196. You can also use the cutting instructions on the conversion chart. I have used the From Marti Michell Patchwork Templates Set S to cut the pieces required to make the block as shown in the book.

1. Cut all pieces required and lay them out as per the block Diagram 1. 2. Join the half square triangle units (37B) to make 4 squares as per Diagram 2. You can chain piece this step.

3. Next we’ll join the squares to make rows. I like to chain piece this step, as per Diagram 3. (I work right to left because I sew the blocks closest to my machine as the block is laid out first. This is a personal preference, you can work left to right if you’d like.)4. Continue to join the squares to make rows, as per Diagram 4. You can chain piece this step.

5. Complete joining the squares together to make 5 rows, as per Diagram 5. You can chain piece this step.6. Join the top row to the second row. Join the bottom row to the fourth row, as per diagram 6. You can chain piece this step.

Tip: When pinning to match seams work from the middle of the block out. This will allow you to manipulate your piecing as you go and push any excess to the outsides.

7. Join the top two rows to the middle row, as per diagram 7.8. Join the bottom rows to the top rows, as per Diagram 8. Georgia, my sweet Georgia is now complete.

 

Book Details

The Farmer’s Wife 1930s Sampler Quilt: Inspiring Letters from Farm Women of the Great Depression and 99 Quilt Blocks That Honor Them by Laurie Aaron Hird – available from: Amazon | Pink Door Fabrics | Fat Quarter Shop | The Quilting Company | Interweave (Affiliate Links).

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!