Quilting Arts TV Series 2500 Fast Piecing with Seminole Patchwork Technique Project 2509-1 by Rachel D.K

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Quilting Arts TV series 2500 Fast Piecing with Seminole Patchwork Technique project 2509-1 by Rachel D.K. Clark Sponsored by Bernina of America and eQuilter.com

Host Susan Brubaker Knapp with Rachel D.K. Clark

Materials eminole piecing originated with Instructions Makes a small sample Seminole women in the late 19th Flagging is sewing individual pieces • 5–9 (3") squares—these will be the century after the introduction of S onto a long strip—and they look like ‘feature fabrics’ in the center of the the hand-cranked sewing machines. The flags, all sewn along one edge and piecing patchwork technique developed into ‘flapping’ like a flag until the second • 2 (3½" x 30") strips of same-colored distinctive designs made of tribal motifs side is secured. It creates color changes fabric—these will be the outer edges and patterns with significant meaning. in the centers. Note: To recreate this technique in They used the bands, yardage, rickrack, different sizes and proportions, cut the and/or ribbon to create their clothing. 1. Place the squares right side together long fabric strips at least ½" wider than I focus on Seminole techniques—as on 1 of the 2 strips of fabric. Pin, if the width of the squares. They can be opposed to Seminole piecing—since I desired. much wider, too, providing additional am not attempting to tell their story. 2. Sew the squares to the strip with a fabric to allow the squares to ‘float’ on I find this to be a great technique that ¼" seam allowance. the garment or project (observe the center allows complicated and labor-intensive panel of the coat in figure 1). 3. Press the squares (or ‘flags’) away looking designs to be created faster and from the strip or press the seams easier—although, I must say, ‘fast’ in open, if desired. this case is relative. All sewing takes time. 4. Place the flags on the second strip, right sides together. Pin, if desired. The strips can be very colorful and are suitable to be used in a small quilt, wall 5. Again, sew the squares to the strip hanging, or as an accent to brighten with a ¼" seam allowance. up a garment. It is one of my favorite 6. Press away from the strip or press techniques and I frequently use this the seams open, if desired. style of patchwork in my work. (figure 7. Cross cut the strips to create a unit 1) of 3 pieces—a feature fabric square in the center and strip fabric on either side of it.

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8. Arrange the units diagonally, off- 9. Trim the outer edges into a straight setting the squares to create an on- line to sew into a garment or other point look. Sew the units to create a project. new strip. Note: The width of the outer strips is cut wider than the feature squares to offer flexibility—in the form of extra fabric— when trimming the sewn piece.

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Illustrations courtesy of the artist figure 1