Blogger’s Bar-Hop QuiltAlong – Maverick Style!

Me, me, me – It’s my turn!

Hello and if you’re new to my blog, WELCOME!

I am very happy to show you my blogger’s Bar Hop Quiltalong contribution: The Wyatt Block.

I’ve been on a mustache jag and have been making all kinds of things with mustaches!!!

For the blog hop we were each sent four fat quarters from the Clothworks  line, European TaupeVIII collection by Kinkame.

And the rules stated that we could add one fabric and we had to have a rectangle-shaped part to the block. I added the bright raspberry to bring out the flowers in the brown plaid and in the rose fabric. It’s very hard for me to work without a WHITE in there somewhere, but I persevered!

So when I went to design my block and saw that my fabrics included a brown – I JUST HAD TO make a mustache!

I designed the 12″ block to have a 6 x 12 panel in the middle to showcase the Wyatt. Then I thought the rest of the fabric would look nice with a piano key border. I drew it out nice, but then I sewed it wonky, of course!

When I drew up a brand new mustache for this block, my Thoroughly Modern Mavis Wednesday Night Drop in girls named it Wyatt! They also thought Samuel, Twain and Clemens were good names for this guy, so feel free to change the name – in fact name it after your uncle Spencer or your cousin Gilbert; it’s fine with me!

I was worried about the piano keys being too plain so I added a 1/2″ cross strip to break up the 3″ piano keys.

So strap on your spurs! Here’s how to make The Wyatt Block!

Copy the mustache to the paper side of the fusible.

Fuse the pattern to back of the fabric, then cut it out and fuse to a light background rectangle 6 1/2″ x 12 1/2″

I stitched around the mustache with a raspberry thread using a straight stitch. Then I traced the name from my pattern, using my trusty Frixion pen, and stitched it by hand using a back stitch. (For my loyal friends and readers who are in shock because you know that I NEVER do hand work, all I can say is needs must! And I’m a big girl now.)

I cut my strips randomly-ish as follows (pictured in order above) 2 1/4″, 2″, 1 3/4″, 1 1/2″, 1 1/2″, 1 1/4″, 1″ and 1″.

I sewed all the strips together randomly. Notice that I added in a tiny strip of the mustache fabric – very important visually.

Press seams in one direction or open them if you like (crispy-fried fingers).

Subcut your strips as follows: 4 strips at 2″, 4 strips at 1 1/2″, 4 strips at 1″.

When I am working with small, complex strip sets I add a bit when I subcut and then trim down when I’ve assembled the whole thing. Then I can be sure to get the measurements correct. I usually sew my  just a little fat.

Create randomly pieced strips by removing a bit here or there and sewing the bits together. Rip your pieces apart and sew them back together. Don’t use a seam ripper, be rough, pull, tear, go Maverick! The quilt police aren’t watching!

Create a 2″ strip longer than 12 1/2″

Repeat the process with the 1 1/2″ strips. Create a 1 1/2″ strip longer than 12 1/2″

Move the 1″ strip bits around and then add in little chunks of the light background fabric for some visual punch.

Create a 1″ strip longer than 12 1/2″

Then sew the three strip sets together and trim down to 3 1/2″ wide and 12 1/2″ long.

Repeat the process for the bottom of the block. Have fun with this process! Don’t stress; make it wonky!

Add your strip sets to the top and bottom of your mustache bar and go get a drink!

Yee Ha, you did it!

Thanks y’all for stoppin’ by – stick around the old blog and see what else I’ve been up to – and you’re welcome to sign up to follow my blog if you like what you see!

I will email you the PDF of Wyatt’s mustache if you send me a message at maverickquilts (at) gmail.com!