Uppercross Sew Along – Week Four - Sara Lucille Handmade

It’s week 4 of the Uppercross Quilt Sew Along!! I feel like the time is just flying by because I’m having so much fun sewing with you all! It’s not too late to join in. You would need to cut and strip piece your fabric, which could easily be done in time to catch up. For all the info on the sew along check out my introductory post here.

This week as we sew up our four patch blocks, you can also (totally optional!) read chapters 10-12 of Persuasion by Jane Austen. Check below for the chapters to read each week and I’ll be sharing my thoughts and insights on instagram on Sunday nights. It’s totally optional, but we’re having a lot of fun!!

Uppercross Sew Along - What you need to know

There is no official sign up for the sew along, but make sure you are subscribed to my newsletter so you get all the updates and information weekly.
We will be making the Uppercross Quilt OR the Uppercross Cottage Quilt in any size. If you don’t have a copy of one of the patterns, you can get one here.
The sew along will run through October 31, 2021.
We will have some amazing weekly prizes. I can’t wait to announce this weeks sponsor!

Uppercross sew along schedule

Week 1 – September 6th -12th: Fabric Pull (Optional – Read chapters 1-3 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 2 – September 13th – 19th: Cut Fabric (Optional – Read chapters 4-6 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 3 – September 20th – 26th: Strip Piecing (Optional – Read chapters 7-9 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 4 – September 27th – October 3rd: 4-Patch Block Assembly (Optional – Read chapters 10-12 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 5 – October 4th – October 10th: Assemble Cross Blocks (Optional – Read chapters 13-15 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 6 – October 11th – October 17th: Assemble Plus Blocks (Optional – Read chapters 16-18 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 7 – October 18th – October 24th: Catch Up Week (Optional – Read chapters 19-21 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)
Week 8 – October 25th – October 31st: Sew Blocks and Rows Together and Assemble Your Finished Quilt! (Optional – Read chapters 22-24 of Persuasion by Jane Austen.)

week four: four patch blocks

Don’t you just love a four patch quilt block?? They are so easy and fun to make! We will be making quite a few this week so I want to share with you my four patch block secrets.

We’ve already made things easier by piecing those long strips together last week. Wasn’t that fun?? So now, we are going to cut those strips up!! It sounds scary, but I promise it will be worth it.

If you splurged on a Stripology ruler, now is the time to pull it out! I’ve got this similar ruler that was given to me when my grandma Lucille passed. So it’s an older version but it’s the same ideas as the Stripology ruler. If you’re interested in checking out the Creative Grids XL Stripology ruler, you can find one here along with a great video tutorial on how to use the ruler. It’s pretty amazing!

First, if you are making the Uppercross Cottage quilt, figure out how many of your Unit 1 strips you will be setting aside. Check out page 5 of the Uppercross Cottage quilt, the classic and scrappy versions have different instructions.

No matter which type of ruler you are using, line up your strips on your cutting mat, making sure the seams of each strip are parallel to each other. You can cut several strips at the same time, as long as they are lined up correctly. Cut your Block 3 pieces as directed by the pattern you are using. Move along in the correct increments until you have cut up your entire strip.

I like to line up my ruler with the seam of the strip. If the seam isn’t exactly straight, just adjust as you cut so the edge and seam are perpendicular as shown here.

Sewing your four patch block

See all these pretty little Block 3 units?? Pick out two of them and alternate the background so they aren’t next to each other. Nest the seams tightly and pin in place if desired. Then sew along the longer edge with a scant quarter inch seam. Repeat the process and chain piece one after the other. Pretty satisfying, right??

Next you will press each seam. I would do this before you snip your chain. Just feed each Block 3 unit past your iron to set that seam in place.

spinning seams

Spinning your seams gives the block a nice flat look and adds less bulk to your quilt.

To spin your seams, open up your block and gently open the seam, pushing the dark seam towards the light piece on both sides. You may have to snip a few threads in the center, just don’t snip past where the seams meet. Press these seams down with your finger then spritz with water and press. This makes much more sense when you watch it in action. Check out my IGTV reel here, or click the photo below.

I can’t wait to see all your beautiful 4 patch blocks!!

week 4 giveaway!

This week we have a very special sponsor, my dear friend Sylvia Raschella is sponsoring week 4 of the sew along and giving one of you lucky sewers, two of her gorgeous PDF patterns, Lava Blooms and Springtide!! These patterns are so fun to make. I’ve made them both and they are stunning! Sylvia is an extremely talented designer, her patterns are beautiful, well written, easy to follow and so versatile. You will want to make them again and again.

HOW TO WIN:

Post a picture to Instagram showing your four patch blocks. Use #UppercrossQuiltSA somewhere in the caption.
Your Instagram account must be public to participate.
Each photo you post is an entry and you can post as many times as you want during the week. Each week we start fresh and the posts from the previous week no longer count.
Your pictures must be posted between Monday, 9/27 at 8:00 a.m. Mountain Time and Sunday, 10/3 at 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.
The winner will be announced next Monday, 10/4, at approximately 4:00 p.m. Mountain Time.