This month we will be making four Piano Key blocks. These blocks are each chain pieced, then foundation paper pieced using the leave-in stabilizer templates for Block #3: Piano Key.

Block #3: Piano Keys

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A1

B3

C5

D7

E9

F11G13

A2

B4

C6

D8

E10

F12

G14

A1

B3

C5

D7

E9

F11G13

A2

B4

C6

D8

E10

F12

G14

A1

B3

C5

D7

E9

F11G13

A2

B4

C6

D8

E10

F12

G14

A1

B3

C5

D7

E9

F11G13

A2

B4

C6

D8

E10

F12

G14

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED

F 4 - Block #3: Piano Key Piecing Templates (on

stabilizer)

F Add-A-Quarter Ruler

F Postcard, Card stock, or Bookmark

F Cutting Mat + Rotary

F Iron + Pressing Board

F Elmer’s Glue Stick

F Elmer’s Washable Glue Bottle w/Fine Tip

F 28 - 3.5” x 4.5” - Pieces A1, B3, C5, D7, E9,

F11, G13 (Prints/Solids in Colors)

F 28 - 3.5” x 4.5” - Pieces A2, B4, C6, D8, E10,

F12, G14 (Prints/Solids in Low Volume)

F 4 - 10” x 14” - Batting

F 4 - 10” x 14” - Backing (use solids see Page 2

for backing details)

FABRIC YOU WILL NEED

CHOOSING FABRIC

Using the diagrams on page 1 as a general guide, finalize your fabric selections for all four Piano Key blocks.

I chose to use printed fabric for pieces A1, C5, E9, and G13, then used solid colored fabric for pieces B3, D7, and F11. For the rest of the pieces I randomly chose low volume prints and solids.

Cut out each piece according to the “Fabric You Will Need” section on Page 1. Keep the fabrics for each block separated by the block number (1,2,3,4). Label each piece of fabric with the proper block piece number (A1, A2, B3, etc.). I suggest paper clipping a set of piecing templates to each block set of fabrics to keep organized.

Once you have chosen your fabric for the front of the blocks, you will need to choose fabric for the backing of the blocks. I used (and the kits include) the following Kona® Cotton Solids: #14 - Red, #17 - Sunflower, #20- Aloe, #23 - Crocus

CONSERVING FABRICThe measurements given for each piece of fabric are larger than absolutely necessary. I have chosen to do because we have many students in this class who are newer to foundation paper piecing and I feel that working with pieces of fabric that are larger than needed make it easier to learn. If you’re using a precious fabric you want to carefully conserve than you can cut specific size fabrics

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This center circle is the back of Block #1.

Note: Keep in mind that because we are quilting-as-you-go the backing of the quilt is automatically a reflected version of the front.

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UNDERSTANDING THE TEMPLATE

After sewing together all twelve Star Point blocks last month, you probably feel pretty confident foundation paper piecing. But, since you will be chain piecing part of the Piano Key blocks before you foundation paper piece, I wanted to explain the templates for the Piano Key block a little further before you start piecing.

for each piece. One way to accurately do this is to create freezer paper cutting templates for each piece in the Piano Key block. Trace the block template onto a piece of freezer paper and cut out each piece (A1, A2, B3, B4, etc.). Using the freezer paper template, iron each freezer paper template piece to your chosen fabric . Adding a good half inch around all sides of the template, cut the fabric out. This takes a bit more time, but you will end up with different size fabrics for all 14pieces and you will conserve fabric.

#1

#2

STEP #1Sort your fabric pieces into pairs (A1/A2, B3/B4, C5/C6, etc.). Place each pair right sides together lining up all edges. With a scant quarter inch seam allowance, sew each of the pairs together.

Tip: Chain piece the pairs for all four blocks at the same time to speed up the process.

STEP #2Press the seam allowance toward the colored fabric for all of the pairs.

STEP #3Take out one of your Block #3: Piano Key stabilizer templates and lay it blank side up. Take your first sewn fabric pair (A) and lay it down on the blank side of the template.

Line up the seam between fabric A1 and A2 with the solid black line on the template between A1 and A2. Be sure that fabric A1 is covering section A1 on the template (not upside down covering section A2).

Make sure the fabric covers all the edges and the line between segments A and B by at least a quarter inch.

Use a few dabs of an Elmer’s Washable Glue Stick to keep the fabric secured to the template.

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#3

PIECING THE BLOCKS

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#4

#5

#6

#7

STEP #4Use a card stock or bookmark as a straight edge and line it up with the line between segment A and B so the straight edge is covering segments A. Fold the stabilizer template back against the straight edge and snap your Add-A-Quarter ruler against the edge of the template. Trim off the excess fabric from fabric pair A leaving a quarter inch seam.

STEP #5Take fabric pair B and lay it right sides together with fabric pair A, lining up the right edges.

This time you will need to line up the seam (stitches) on fabric pair B with the line between piece B3 and B4 on the template (see arrow).

To hold the two fabric pairs together, put a fine line of glue along the right edge, within the seam allowance, and heat-set the glue with an iron.

STEP #6Flip the template over and sew directly on the sewing line between segments A and B.

STEP #7Flip the template over and set the seam by pressing along where you have just sewn. Press segment B outward and flat.

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#8

#9

#10

#11

STEP #8Line up a straight edge with the line between segments B and C so the straight edge is covering segment B. Fold the stabilizer template back against the straight edge and snap your Add-A-Quarter ruler against the edge of the template. Trim off the excess fabric from fabric pair B leaving a quarter inch seam.

Add fabric pair C, lining up the seam (stitches) with the seam line on the template. Sew directly on the line between segments B and C. Press segment C outward and flat.

STEP #9Repeat these steps until all seven segments are sewn to the stabilizer template.

STEP #10Using a rotary cutter, carefully cut along the outer black line of the template, trimming off all the excess fabric.

STEP #11Repeat these steps for all four Piano Key blocks.

For the Star Point blocks, I decided to straight line quilt a geometrical design in the colored pieces and then free motion quilt an oval design in the background pieces. I chose these designs because I wanted to complement the rectangles in the block with a geometrical design, but still include a curved design as well.

In the included video tutorial, you will see I used my regular quarter inch piecing foot as I quilted. I did this because my walking foot has been acting up and I need to purchase a new one, but usually I suggest using an even feed walking foot when machine quilting.

In the video, you will also see that I used a Frixion pen and a ruler to mark some of the quilting designs. If I were free motion quilting, I probably would not have marked my blocks and would have just winged it. However, to achieve straighter lines and consistency for all four blocks, I decided to follow markings. Keep in mind, if you use a Frixion pen, it can sometimes leave white marks or reappear when cold, so be sure to test the pen on your fabric first.

When choosing quilting designs for these blocks, remember they will be trimmed down later in the year (NOT YET) before the quilt is assembled.

When you have completed quilting each block, you can bury your threads then trim off any excess batting and backing around the shape of the block. Do not trim or cut the actual block. We will do this at the end of the year.

QUILTING YOUR BLOCKS

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QUILTING SUGGESTIONS FROM KATHLEEN RIGGINS

I have teamed up with Kathleen Riggins of KathleenQuilts.com to offer you even more inspiration for quilting your Technicolor Galaxy quilt.

Kathleen is a professional long-arm quilter who I have long admired and had the pleasure of meeting in person at QuiltCon. Kathleen has a blog series called Free Motion Friday, and in this series, quilters can submit a picture of a quilt they’re not sure how to quilt and Kathleen will give quilting suggestions on her blog.

Kathleen will be posting suggestions for all of the Technicolor Galaxy blocks on a monthly basis so you have even more inspiration!

See her suggestions for the Piano Key blocks here:http://kathleenquilts.com/2015/04/07/technicolor-galaxy-month-three/

Piano Keys Coloring Sheet

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