How to Read the Kinship: 100 Block Fusion Sampler Pattern

ByGnomeAngel

At some point in your quilting adventure you purchased your first quilt pattern and had to try and work out what it all meant and how to read it properly. For an industry that produces so many new quilt patterns every year we don’t spend much time on helping new quilters get across how to understand a pattern.

I’m going to start by telling you the most important, and most over looked, piece of advice every quilter should hold dearly:

READ THE PATTERN BEFORE YOU BEGIN!

Now, I’m as guilty as the next quilter of thinking I know everything but I can guarantee every single time I’ve had an issue with a pattern it’s because I didn’t read the pattern before starting.

Whether it’s something as simple as not realising that the half square triangle method of construction requires me to trim, or whether it’s the often overlooked errata reminder, you will solve 99.9% of your pattern woes by READING THE PATTERN BEFORE YOU BEGIN!

So let’s take my own advice and start at the beginning and work our way through the pattern. If you have purchased your own copy of the pattern grab it now as you’re going to need it. Don’t have your own copy yet, then [CLICK HERE] to purchase your own copy.

I’ll just wait here while you get it….

Right, got it? Let’s go!

Quick note: This information uses the machine piecing version of the pattern, if you’re using the Foundation Paper Piecing version it’s very similar to this. I figured if you were doing FPP you’re likely a pattern crushing ninja and so might not need the same amount of information. If I assumed wrong, let me know and I’ll do an FPP version of this blog post.

Cover

This is the cover for version 2.0 which was released in 2021. The only difference between this version and the version released in 2019 is that we revamped the cover (how pretty does it look!) and we fixed (hopefully) the errata that was in the first printed version.

The cover tells you the following information:

  • The full quilt name: Kinship: 100 Block Fusion Sampler
  • The quilt designers: GnomeAngel & Skyberries
  • The product number (GA-QP7771) and document version (v2.0)
  • The skill level required: beginner
  • How many blocks are included in the pattern: 100
  • The number and sizing of the blocks: 50 – 8″ x 8″ and 50 – 4″ x 8″
  • The number of quilt layout options included in the pattern: 2

Pages 1 – 3

This is all the introductory information. It looks like a lot of blah-blah but there’s some important information in there like:

  • Pattern Notes <- all the assumptions that are in the pattern that inform the information as it’s provided.
  • For version 2.0 printed and the PDF there’s a QR Code on page 1 that will provide you with a link to the free quilt pattern layouts. If you’ve got v1.0 of the printed version you just need to [CLICK HERE] to get the layout downloads.
  • How to sew an accurate 1/4″ seam on page 2 is an important task for those who might be new to patchwork.
  • There’s also a list of general supplies that can be handy for those that are starting out and looking for information on what they might need.

a special note on fabric requirements

This is a Sampler Quilt and traditionally patterns for samplers don’t provide fabric requirements for the blocks. There’s a number of reasons for this (some of which will become apparent as we talk about it), however I’ve provided you with a total fabric requirement (7 yards) for all 100 blocks.

I haven’t provided a colour breakdown for this requirement and that’s because I just don’t know how you’ll use your fabrics and I didn’t want to assume.

If you want to use Fat Quarters then simply multiply 7 by 4 (because there’s 4 Fat Quarters in a yard) and you’ll need 28 Fat Quarters. Most factory pre-cut Fat Quarter bundles will be more than enough for all your blocks – just make sure they have 28 or more in the bundle.

If you want to use 4 colours/prints in your blocks then divide 7 by 4 and you’ll need 1.75 yards per colour/print.

It’s that simple to work it all out. I’ve included a fudge factor in the fabric requirements so if you make a cutting mistake (and trust me, in 100 blocks chances are high that you will) then you will have fabric to cover this.

Pages 4 – 5

Now, this is my favourite part of the pattern because… <drum roll> it explains how to understand the assembly diagrams for the blocks. Yay!

We spent a lot of time working on this section to try and help you learn more about how patterns are written so you can go confidentially on to any other pattern from this one onwards and know exactly what you’re looking at.

Pages 6 – 7

This is my second favourite part because it covers how to make a Half Square Triangle and a Flying Geese unit.

I show you 2 methods for each unit type: the traditional method (with a rotary cutter and ruler) and the From Marti Michell Perfect Patchwork Template method (using the templates). It’s like a mini tutorial section right there in the pattern to help you get these right.

This section also contains the Trim to Size tables for the Half Square Triangles and Flying Geese. You’re going to need these when you get to making your blocks.

Hot tip: Use a post-it note or tab sticker to mark this page so you can flip back easily to this page as you work.

a moment of begging from the pattern designer

If you read no other section of the introduction please, please, please read pages 4 to 7.

Pages 8 – 57

This is where things get exciting! It’s the Block Assembly Instructions and you’ll be all over these and how they work because you’ll have ready pages 4 to 7, right….

Pages 58 – 61

After you’ve worked your way through the blocks looking at all the possible layouts and options for how you could use your fabrics you’ll come up to The Quilts section. This section gives you all the details on how to make the ‘Kitchen Sink’ and ‘The Plaid’ layouts with your blocks.

This is one of the reasons you should always read the pattern before you begin because it gives you an opportunity to look at the layout and think about how your blocks will look when assembled into your quilt top.

Pages 62 – 64

The fun part of the pattern, the colouring pages! If you’re old school and like to get out the pens and pencils and go to town with your planning this will be the part you find the most thrilling of the pattern.

Tip: Photocopy these pages, colour your blocks and then arrange them in the pattern you’d like to assemble as a quilt top.

Better Tip: Go over to PreQuilt.com and sign up for a membership and use their software to colour your blocks and see them in 9 LAYOUT OPTIONS!

To help you get your Kinship colouring groove on the team at PreQuilt are giving event participants are very generous 20% off new PreQuilt subscriptions (which includes all the Kinship blocks and layouts).

Simply enter the code ‘KINSHIP’ to save 20% off.

Don’t worry, if you’ve already got a PreQuilt subscription you can still get the Kinship blocks and bonus quilt layouts for the ripper price of $5.

Offer expires 1 July 2021. If the button doesn’t work [CLICK HERE] to find out more and subscribe.

The End

And with that the pattern reading is done and you should be ready to pick fabrics, change your sewing machine needle, pop a new blade on your rotary cutter and get ready to MAKE SOME BLOCKS!

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