Supply List

Quilt the Zodiac

Ruth Blanchet, Instructor

  
The complete zodiac  - 45" sq

I recommend using good quality quilter’s cotton fabrics for all projects along with cotton or cotton blend batting. 

All projects require the following:

• sewing machine with accessories
• fusible webbing (8" sq per block, 20" square for character ring, 1/4 yd for lettering and stars)
• embroidery and other decorative threads for appliqué and quilting
• neutral thread for piecing
• small sharp-pointed scissors
• sharp leaded pencil for drawing (mechanical pencils are great)
• general quilting supplies such as:
  • rotary cutter, mat
  • rulers
  • pins and needle
  • iron, ironing mat/board
  • removable markers or quilting pencil
  • 4" square ruler would be useful
• new needle for machine
• masking tape
• light box would be useful but not essential
• 10" fabric sandwich made from fabric and batting used for projects (amounts not included in individual projects below)

All projects are optional.  You will choose which items you wish to work on.  WOF is width of fabric.

One block wall hanging

One Block Sample or Small Wall Hanging

Background square of at least 9 1/2".  If you use a 12 1/2" or 14 1/2" background square, your sample can be used to make either the tote or cushion.  No binding is required for those two projects.  A 20" square is required for the wall hanging with character ring.

EITHER:

• 8" square for zodiac appliqué
• 4" binding fabric

OR

• 1/3 yd for both zodiac appliqué and binding

Backing and batting at least 2" larger than background square

20" square of yellow/gold for zodiac ring (only required for character ring wall hanging)

Star Block Background - 12" finished  - This can be used in place of plain background on any of the small projects.  You can see it on  the tote bags.

For one block:

• Yellow/gold fabric (for star):
  • ONE 9" square 
  • TWO 4 1/2" squares
• Background fabric:
  • TWO 4 1/2" squares
  • FOUR 3 1/2" squares
• 1/3 yd (9") of each fabric will make three star blocks.  Note: this is the exact amount for the larger square in yellow so careful cutting will be required or allow a little extra fabric.
• TWO 2 1/2" strips of background fabric for border to make a 14" finished block (optional)

Cushion (12" or 14" finished excluding wide soft fabric frame)

• 12 1/2" or 14 1/2" square of background (this can be substituted for star block background, see requirements above)

EITHER

• 8" square for zodiac appliqué
• 7" wide strip WOF for flat fabric frame

OR

• 1/4 yd for both zodiac appliqué and fabric frame

PLUS

• small amounts of fabric for lettering (optional)
• 14" or 16" square of batting and backing fabrics (for cushion front)
• 12" wide strip WOF for cushion backing
• Velcro dots or press studs (snap fasteners) for back closure 
• cushion inserts to fit

      
Cushions and tote

Tote

• 1 yd fabric for tote (outside), including pocket background
• 1 1/4 yd of lining fabric (includes 1/4 yd for handles)
• 8" square for zodiac appliqué
• Batting: ONE 22" x 38" rectangle for tote and TWO 1" x 60" strips for handles

Banner Quilts with Sashing

Blocks can be either 9" or 12" finished.  Choose the number of blocks you wish to complete.  Your banner can be long like the one at right or you can make a 27" square with four blocks.

All sizes require:

• 1/8 yd for corner stones
• 1/4 yd binding fabric
• small amounts of yellow/gold for appliqué stars (optional)
• 12" Background blocks can be substituted for star blocks.  See requirements above for this.

Note: Extra background fabric and yellow (stars) may be required if making pieced corner stones. 

9" blocks	2 signs	3 signs	4 signs long	4 signs sq
finished size	27" x 16"	39" x 16"	51" x 16"	27" square
block background	1/3 yd	1/3 yd	1/3 yd	1/3 yd
zodiac appliqué fabric	1/4 yd	1/4 yd	1/4 yd	1/4 yd
sashing fabric	1/4 yd	1/3 yd	1/2 yd	1/2 yd
batting/backing	30" x 18"	42" x 18"	54" x 18"	30" x 30"

12" blocks	2 signs	3 signs	4 signs long	4 signs sq
finished size	34" x 19"	49" x 19"	65" x 19"	34" square
block background	3/8 yd	3/8 yd	3/4 yd	3/4 yd
zodiac appliqué fabric	1/4 yd	1/4 yd	1/4 yd	1/4 yd
sashing fabric	1/3 yd	1/2 yd	1/2 yd	1/2 yd
batting/backing	36" x 22"	52" x 22"	68" x 22"	36" x 36"

Signs and Stars

Signs and Stars - the Five Sign Block Quilt 

Quilt size for 9" finished blocks will be 34" square.

Quilt size for 12" finished blocks will be 43" square

Note: includes 3" border.

• FIVE 9 1/2" or 12 1/2" background squares or FIVE star block backgrounds
• FOUR 9 1/2" or 12 1/2" squares (for alternating blocks)
• 1/2 yd border fabric
• 1/4 yd binding fabric
• batting and backing fabric approximately 4" larger than finished size.

Zodiac Quilt (46" square finished)

• 1 1/4 yds background fabric
• 2/3 yd background for blocks
• 2/3 yd for zodiac appliqués
• 20" square yellow/gold for appliqué ring and stars
• Backing and Batting 50" square

OUTLINE

Lesson One

• Learn about the zodiac symbols and signs
• See an overview of the projects provided in this workshop
• Talk about fabrics and colour
• Discuss threads for appliqué
• Learn how to use the templates provided and/or simplify them
• Decide on a sample block to make
• Make a star block background
• Prepare your background and add your appliqué design
• Layer your block ready for stitching

Lesson Two

• Prepare your machine for stitching
• Practice free-motion stitching
• Learn how to do soft-edge appliqué
• Learn both machine and hand blanket stitch
• Stitch your block sample

Lesson Three

• Discuss ways to quilt your sample
• Quilt a single block
• Make your sample into a cushion, tote or small wall hanging
• Look at options for combining more than one block into a quilt

Lesson Four

• Looking at ways to add names or dates to your block
• Make a two, three and four block banner
• Instructions for an alternative four-block quilt with sashing
• Details for a five-block quilt alternating with blank squares
• The full zodiac quilt with character ring

If you have a question about items on this list, check the Class Supply Glossary in the Library for generic descriptions of products that may be sold under various names in different countries.  The Library also contains a link to online Class Supply Sources.

If you have trouble finding your supplies locally, many of our items are available online at Big Horn Quilts.  The notions are on a special page for your convenience.