Monday 4 February 2013

Strip-Tube 2 Ways...Fun Tutorial!

I have a bit of fabric left after cutting out my project.  This is a great time to organize it and have an option for a future quilt.  It's the perfect time to cut these "leftovers"  into 2 1/2" strips.  There is so much fun to be had with these strips. 

Now go one step further and divide them up into 2 bags,
one with your warm colors and the other with your cool colors. 

Please refer to my warm and cool color demo at this link:  Warm & Cool Color Demo for Quilters

Now here is a great project for your 2 1/2" strips.  I am using Cool Colors in this tutorial. 


Strip-Tube 2 Ways



Block Option 1.  

3 - 2 1/2" Strips make one side of the tube.
1 - 6 1/2" Strip makes the other side of the tube. 


Sew 3 - 2 1/2"  strips together to make one side of the tube. 
You can use Width of Fabric (WOF) strips or strips from your scrap bag. 

Cut a 6 1/2"  strip to make the other side of the tube. 

Lay these together and square up both ends prior to sewing. 
 

Sew both long edges together to form the Option 1 tube. 


 Cutting:

 Now using the 45 degree line on your ruler, line it up with the TOP seam on the tube.
You can use your long ruler or a square ruler.   

Put the line on the ruler directly on the seam line. 
This will keep your block nice and square. 

Make your 45 degree cut on the edge of your ruler. 

This 6 x 12" ruler is quite nice for this size of tube. 




 Here you can see the 45 degree line on the seam line. 


Now for the next cut, line the opposite 45 degree line up on the BOTTOM seam. 

You will notice 2 intersecting 45 degree lines on your ruler.

Keep alternating these two 45 degree lines with your top and bottom seams to make the cuts. 



Here is the end result of the cuts on your tube.   
Please note that I am using scraps. 
If you use WOF strips you will have more cuts
resulting in more blocks.   



Here are the cuts on the tube with the 6 1/2" strip on one side. 
 

Open the triangle sections up to create your block! 


Block Option 2
3 - 2 1/2" Strips make one side of the tube.
3 - 2 1/2" Strips make the other side of the tube.

Use the same method for construction and cutting the tube as in Option 1. 


This is an Option 2 tube. 



 Cutting on the Option 2 Blocks. 

Open the triangle sections up to create your block! 


 Combining Option 1 and Option 2 Blocks makes this wonderful, big block. 



Here is another free block pattern for you to try using 2 1/2" strips.
Five Yen Fortune Block









6 comments:

  1. how does any one follow your blog?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for your interest. I have added the google+ tab or you can add your email at the bottom of the page.

      Delete
  2. You can also follow on Facebook using the link at the top right of this page.

    ReplyDelete
  3. My email to follow you is gachong@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Are these actually sewn into tubes? What would you use a tube for?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes they are sewn into tubes first, then cut into the triangle sections. When you open them up you have a square block to use for your design.

      Delete