Border Creek Station 2024 Stash Buster Challenge Instructions
- June 16, 2024
- Border Creek Station
Table of Contents
Border Creek Station 2024 Stash Buster Challenge
Product Information
Specifications
- Product Name: Stash Buster Challenge
- Block Sizes: 5×5, 7-1/2×7-1/2, 10×10, 12-1/2×12-1/2
- Strip Widths: 1-1/2, 2, 2-1/2, 3
- Strip Lengths: 5, 6-1/2, 8, 9-1/2
Product Usage Instructions
Step 1: Selecting Strip Width and Cutting Strips
- Decide on the width of strips you want to work with.
- Cut strips of the selected width.
Step 2: Assembling Strip Sets A, B, C, and D
- Assemble the Strip Sets A, B, C, and D.
- Place each set in labeled trays/containers.
- Keep track of the number of strips required for the blocks.
Step 3: Assembling Main and Alternate Blocks
- Collect enough Strip Sets.
- Assemble Main and Alternate blocks using the collected Strip Sets.
Note
The Double Irish Chain Block is intended to be as scrappy as possible. Pay
attention to the value of the fabric strips when placing them into their
appropriate container to define the “chain” of the quilt design.
FAQ
-
Q: What is the Stash Buster Challenge?
A: The Stash Buster Challenge is a quilting project that aims to help users bust their fabric stash by creating blocks using various strip widths. -
Q: How long does the challenge last?
A: The challenge lasts for 52 weeks, from January 1st to December 31st,
- Users are required to make 1 or 2 blocks per week.
- Q: What is the finished size of the Double Irish Chain Block?
A: The finished size options for the Double Irish Chain Block are 5×5, 7-1/2×7-1/2, 10×10, and 12-1/2×12-1/2.
The Stash Buster Challenge Rules
Select the cut strip width that you love the best and follow the cutting
directions for that size.
Make 1 or 2 blocks PER WEEK for 52 weeks January 1st to December 31st, 2024.
Please read through all instructions before beginning this project.
Tips
- Use an accurate scant 1/4″ seam allowance throughout this project unless specified.
- Starch or Best Press® fabrics before cutting for easier handling. I highly recommend to spray all fabrics and let them dry completely (to prevent size distortion) then press and cut all pieces as instructed.
About this years Stash Buster Block:
This year’s challenge will be ALL ABOUT THE PROCESS of busting our stash.
Three easy steps will help you achieve a super scrappy gorgeous quilt. Please
refer to the Cutting Requirements below and the Quilt size chart on page 4.
-
Step 1 : Decide the width of strips that you wish to work with. Cut strips and assemble a substantial number before assembling any Strip Sets needed to make the blocks.
Keep two trays/containers to hold cut strips according to their colour value:- Dark Fabric Group – assorted medium to dark print fabrics
- Light Fabric Group – assorted light print fabrics
-
Step 2: Assemble the Strip Sets A, B, C, and D as you go, placing them in four small LABELLED trays/containers before assembling any blocks. Keep track of the number required for the blocks that you will be making.
-
Step 3: Assemble Main and Alternate blocks when enough Strip Sets are collected.
- The Double Irish Chain Block Finished Size: 5”x 5” OR 7-1/2” x 7-1/2” OR 10” x 10” OR 12-1/2” x 12-1/2”
- To BUST our stash each Double Irish Chain block is intended to be as scrappy as it can be! Watch the value of the fabric strips when placing them into their appropriate container.
- This will help define the ‘chain’ of the quilt design.
Cutting Requirements: A word about the Cutting Chart
- Select the cut strip width that you wish to work with throughout this project.
- Multiple strips can be cut from the same fabric but for a nice variety maybe not more than 5 pcs from a fabric.
- The cut strip length is given so three subcuts can be made plus an extra 1/2″ to allow for straightening – please refer to page 2. This will help to achieve a large variety of fabrics in strip set combos.
Strip Width
Cut width
| Strip Length
Cut length
| Block size
with seam allowance
---|---|---
1-1/2” wide| 5” long| 5-1/2” x 5-1/2”
2” wide| 6-1/2” long| 8” x 8”
2-1/2” wide| 8” long| 10-1/2” x 10-1/2”
3” wide| 9-1/2” long| 13” x 13”
TIP: If you prefer to trim as you go, cut strip width a bit wider, then trim width as each strip is sewn into the strip sets.
The Stash Buster Blocks
Making the Strip Sets:
The Strip Sets A, B, C and D will all be made using the following technique.
Select a variety of prints in the appropriate fabric value as per your fabric
strip containers: i.e the Dark Fabric Group and the Light Fabric Group for the
specific Strip Set A, B, C and D that you are making.
For demonstration purposes, the following instructions will make the A Strip
Set.
-
Along the length, using 1/4″ seam allowance, join one Light Group strip to one Dark Group strip together. Press seam to the DARKER fabric.
-
Now trim to tidy the width of the just joined strip, in this case the Dark Group sewn strip as instructed below. This will tidy the width and ensure they are perfect for attaching the next strip.
Important: Trim to tidy the width of the Dark Group sewn strip when joined measure 1/4” less than the cut width by placing the ruler along sewn seam measuring to raw edge. Trim to tidy along this strip only. The outer strip will be trimmed when the Strip Set is finished. -
Now join another assorted Light Group strip to the trimmed Dark Group strip together along the length. Press seam to the DARKER fabric. As before, trim to tidy the width of the just joined strip, in this case the Light Group sewn strip.
-
In this same manner, continue to join the fabric strips to make the specific Strip Set required. In this case we are making the Strip Set A. Now trim to tidy the width of the outer strips to have a perfect Strip Set.
Subcut the Strip Sets
The cut width of your strips will determine the width of the subcuts that will
be made.
Your fabric strips were cut at either 1-1/2” or 2” or 2-1/2” or 3” wide,
this is the width that you will use.
For example, I will be using 2” cut width strips to sew my Strip Sets
together. Thus, I will be using 2” cuts to subcut the Strip Sets.
- Carefully subcut each strip set into sections by aligning ruler markings to the horizontal seam to keep cuts straight (at 90-degrees). Cut 3 pieces from each set.
- Place the cut pieces into the appropriate labelled tray for safe keeping. In this case, these would be placed in the Strip Set A tray.
Pressing: Generally, press seams to the darker fabrics. When making the
Strip Sets C and D for the Alternate block press seams in one direction.
Making the Other Strip Sets: Using the same methods as demonstrated with Strip
Set A above, gather together all assorted Dark and Light fabric strips to
assemble the other Strip Sets. Sew, then subcut and place the pieces in their
appropriate labelled trays. The number of pieces required for each A, B, C or
D will be determined by the number of blocks needed for the quilt size that
you are making.
Block Assembly
Referring to the diagrams below, carefully lay out the A, B, C or D Strip Sets
required to make the Double Irish Chain main and alternate blocks.
Join the horizontal rows together, by nesting at seams, and pinning to secure.
Stitch slowly. Press these seams open or to one side.
Alternate Block
- Trim to tidy edges carefully on all sides. The Main and Alternate Double Irish Chain blocks should measure:
| If Strip Width is: | The Block size will be: with seam allowance |
|---|---|
| 1-1/2” wide | 5-1/2” x 5-1/2” |
| 2” wide | 8” x 8” |
| 2-1/2” wide | 10-1/2” x 10-1/2” |
| 3” wide |
The Scrap Buster Quilt Layout
The quilt layout formed by this year’s Challenge Double Irish Chain block is
more limiting than past years. Alternate the Main and the Alternate block to
create the ‘chain like’ effect of the piecing.
Use the quilt sizing chart to help with choosing the quilt size that you want
to make. Add any borders that you wish – pieced or plain or a combination of
both! Remember the challenge is to complete at least 52 blocks by December
31st.
The following quilt layout is a ‘straight set’, meaning straight in horizontal
rows for the block assembly. This quilt can be made in any size. Of course,
the blocks can be also placed ‘on-point’. Please use your blocks, however you
wish. 
Thank you for sewing along with
me on this Stash Busting adventure!
Quilt Size Chart
Block Setting| 5-1/2”
Blocks
| 8” Blocks| 10-1/2” Blocks| 13” Blocks| # of Blocks
Main| Alternate
3 x 3| 15½ x 16½| 23 x 23| 30½ x 30½| 38 x 38| 5| 4
3 x 5| 15½ x 25½| 23 x 38| 30½ x 50½| 38 x 63| 8| 7
5 x 5| 25½ x 25½| 38 x 38| 50½ x 50½| 63 x 63| 13| 12
5 x 7| 25½ x 35½| 38 x 53| 50½ x 70½| 63 x 88| 18| 17
7 x 7| 35½ x 35½| 53 x 53| 70½ x 70½| 88 x 88| 25| 24
7 x 9| 35½ x 45½| 53 x 68| 70½ x 90½| 88 x 112½| 32| 31
9 x 9| 45½ x 45½| 68 x 68| 90½ x 90½| 112½ x 112½| 41| 40
9 x 11| 45½ x 55½| 68 x 83| 90½ x 110½| –| 48| 47
11 x 11| 55½ x 55½| 83 x 83| 110½ x 110½| –| 61| 60
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>