Fair and Square Quilt Started

I have started the Fair and Square quilt. Since there are so many pieces to this quilt I’m working on being more efficient in cutting and sewing. Instead of cutting 720 individual blocks, I cut 1.5” strips of muslin and 1.5” strips of scraps fabric and sewed them together. Then I press the sewn strips to get flat seams.

I’m currently pressing the seam away from the muslin. Some quilters advocate pressing seams open. Quilter’s choice. I have done both ways and to one side seems a little faster.

After pressing the strips I cut the strips at 1.5” intervals.

Next, take two of the cut blocks, alternate the muslin and color blocks, nest the seams, and sew together

I repeat the process in above paragraph to create a chain of 4-block pieces. You can sew until you have 360 blocks together or, be like me, and sew a long chain. After sewing a long chain of blocks, I switch to cutting the thread that joins the chain of 4 blocks. Then I press the seams of the 4-blocks, Finally I organize the blocks and back to sewing machine. I like the variety in the process.

Using this process I was able to get 180 4- blocks sewn together. I clipped the blocks together in groups of 10 to keep track of where I am at. I’m keeping the cut blocks together in a bin to avoid losing any.

I still have to sew 180 more of this size 4-blocks and cut 120 pieces of black sashing before I can begin putting together the inner blocks. Then, there is string piece blocks and more (slightly larger) blocks for the outer border to be made. I’m not sure how long this quilt will take to make but, I’m enjoying the process so far.