The April Block:

The April block of the 400th Anniversary project is Sue's redwork block. There are two patterns, a large and a small. The larger pattern has two ships to embroider and the smaller has just one. Sue will iron one of the patterns onto your fabric. Sue ironed the pattern on for her bee, and they all chose the larger pattern for the raffle quilt.

For the April 24 Class we each brought in a piece of fabric 16" x 20" or larger and then chose the 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" design, or the 12 1/2" by 18 1/2" design. The larger design will require additional piecing on the sides in order to equal two 12 1/2" blocks. Rose Ann Smith had this suggestion: "How about a piece 26 by 26 and then it will not require additional piecing. Perhaps someone can think of a simple design to put in the four corners? Then it would look as if it was all planned that way. This is the way many of the Baltimore Album Quilts were designed."

Note: Some have asked if they should prewash the fabric. Some folks prewash, some don't...the transfer will take on either one...you can wash or rewash when you have finished doing the needlework.

***Sue now has an optional 12-1/2" redwork pattern block of the state of VA with motto. Those interested brought a 14" square of fabric on 5/22/07 and Sue ironed on the pattern for them. If you missed out on this or other patterns contact Sue Palmer at snobirdone@aol.com

View Embroidered Samples of All Three Patterns

Sue's Embroidery Instructions:

Need:
Pellon light weight fusible interfacing for the back of the embroidery.

Embroidery:
Stem stitch for outlines
Compass Rose - 3 strands for satin stitch, then outline
Ship - 2 strands for outline. 1 strand for shading and all "rope" lines
Ribbon - 2 strands for outline, word, dates. 1 strand for shading.

Artistic License:
You can do all of it in one color, or select focus colors from you fabric choices- your call, be creative.

P.S. Sue cuts a 22" length for the embroidery thread