Friday, February 14, 2014

Machine Sewing Apple Core Quilt…With I Spy Fabric

Hi everyone! I sewed this I Spy quilt last month and wanted to share the tutorial on how to machine sew the apple core block. First, if you are new to quilting, I Spy fabric is novelty fabric that has cute little things on it that kids love to look for or spy for…"I spy a kitty", "I spy a raspberry".

The apple core block is an old pattern (I think from the 1930's) that was traced, cut out by hand, then hand sewn! However, with the invention of rotary cutting and the plastic templates or the Accuquilt Die Cutter, it is very easy to cut them out and machine sew them together! The apple core is a one-patch quilt, meaning one shape used throughout the whole quilt. A charm quilt is a one patch quilt, but sewn with many different fabrics without using the same fabric twice.

Here is the baby or children's nap time quilt I started…it's just a quilt top right now, because I will add to it as I buy more fabrics.

apple core quilt

Easy to put together and makes a great baby gift…

I love collecting novelty or I Spy fabrics. Just buy 1/4 or 1/2 yard pieces and that will really start your stash!

apple core quilt

You can find an apple core pattern on line and cut it out of cardboard, trace it onto your fabric, then cut it out.

You can also use a plastic template like this one and use a rotary cutter to cut it out. One tip with the curve of a small template…use the smallest rotary cutter blade to cut into the curves.

apple core quilt

The thicker plastic templates have a thickness to guide the rotary blade up against.

apple core quilt


Here's my favorite...the apple core die cutter from Accuquilt. Fast, easy and accurate!

apple core quilt

The best part about this die is the points that are cut with the pattern, so you can match the centers of each piece.

apple core quilt


apple core quilt

This die is large too (7" x 5.5"), so you can make a good size quilt quickly.

apple core quilt


apple core quilt

Cut fabric into rectangles just to cover the apple core.

apple core quilt


apple core quilt


apple core quilt

 You can stack 6-8 pieces at one time.

apple core quilt


apple core quilt

The Accuquilt machine is very simple to use.

apple core quilt

Just place the die with the fabric on it.

apple core quilt

Cover with the cutting mat.

apple core quilt

Roll it through with the hand roller.

apple core quilt


apple core quilt


apple core quilt

Quick and easy!!

apple core quilt


apple core quilt

Now, arrange the pieces according to color, so same colors are not too close together.

apple core quilt

To piece the apple cores together, one will be horizontal and one will be vertical.

apple core quilt

Lay one on top of the other, right sides together.

apple core quilt

First match the center point and pin.

apple core quilt

The add a pin at the end and then ease in the fabric between the center and then end.

apple core quilt

Do the same for the other side.

apple core quilt

Sew with 1/4 inch seam allowance. The best tip is to have the fabric that is somewhat gathered, up on top, so you can adjust and watch for fabric pinches.

I know this is a "sewing sin" to go over the pins, but I moved slowly to keep the fabric in place. You can remove the pins before you go over them.

apple core quilt

Ease your way around.

apple core quilt

Back stitch at the end to secure.

apple core quilt

Done.

apple core quilt

It eases in so well, you don't have to snip the seams. Just iron open.

apple core quilt

Definitely iron the seams consistently throughout.

apple core quilt

I ironed all the seams towards the vertical apple core.

apple core quilt

Here are 2 rows upside down to show the seams towards the vertical core.

apple core quilt

One seam will be to the left and one seam will be to the right when you match then and are sewing the rows together.

apple core quilt

Now we will sew the rows together.

apple core quilt

Place rows right sides together.

apple core quilt

This is what it looks like, but you have to pin at critical points before pinning the rest.

apple core quilt

First, pin the end to match, then pin the seams, then pin the center triangle point..

apple core quilt

Then ease in all the fabric in between.

apple core quilt

Pin the whole row and sew with a 1/4 inch seam.

apple core quilt

Iron open and continuing add each row.

apple core quilt

If you pin the seams, they will match perfectly at the intersections.

apple core quilt

Because the apple cores alternate when sewing the rows, the gathered parts are not always on the top, as I mentioned before.

This might happen to you…a pinched seam or pleat. Underneath, your fabric might get caught into the seam and it won't lay flat.

apple core quilt

Seam ripper to the rescue.

apple core quilt

Release the pleat and re-sew that one little section.

apple core quilt

Iron flat.

apple core quilt

This quilt comes together quickly and you can always make it larger by adding rows as you collect your different fabrics.

apple core quilt

The quilt makes a great baby floor quilt, but when they are toddlers, it makes a great game quilt. It helps them to recognizes all the fun items on each apple core.

apple core quilt

Children can not only identify the soccer balls or the birds, it's also a learning quilt for their colors and letters.

apple core quilt

Hope you like it...Happy sewing!!

~Karen~

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11 comments:

  1. What an adorable quilt and great tutorial!! Thanks for sharing :)

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  2. I had my mom make a small quilt (between lap and twin) with 2 rectangles of the same fabric scattered throughout the top. It was the "I'm sick Quilt". When my boys were sick but bored, we would spend time looking for matches. This would work for the other side of the quilt also.

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  3. Hi Karen, thanks for the fantastic tutorial. I'm desperate to have a go at quilting and I'm wondering if this would be a good place to start for a beginner. Your tutorial makes it sounds so easy.
    Ali x

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  4. Muchas gracias por el tutorial. Yo tengo plantillas para hacer un quilt algún día. Besos

    ReplyDelete
  5. Wow ... what a beautiful work of art and a wonderful keepsake Karen.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Great tutorial and always nice to have lots of pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share.

    ReplyDelete
  7. It looks great in the I Spy fabrics.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your apple core is very cute. You did an excellent job with the tutorial too. Wish I still had access to our shop die where we did lots of apple core quilt kits.

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Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment...I just love hearing from you!

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