Aug
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Zelda: The Quilt-Along — Sword and Shield

Posted Saturday, August 1st, 2015 in QAL | Tags: , ,

Zelda: Sword and Shield (Block 8)

Our next block is two of Link’s weapons against evil, his Sword and Shield, our eighth block of our Zelda: The Quilt-Along. As a reminder, our full list of fabric and tool requirements are located here, which includes yardage for fabric for the entire quilt. For this particular block, you’ll need the following fabrics and supplies:

Fabric & Thread Requirements
Green
Kona: Kiwi
Brown
Kona: Earth
Yellow-Orange
Kona: Cheddar
Red
Kona: Red
White
Kona: White
Interfacing
Pellon 911FF
Thread
White Thread

Tools Needed for this Block

And finally, make sure to download our complimentary pattern for the Sword and Shield:

Our Eighth Block: Sword and Shield

The eighth block that we will be making is the Sword and Shield, two central pieces of Link’s weaponry within the Zelda games. Link begins each game with a Wooden Sword and Shield and can purchase a stronger Magical version of each. The Magical Sword and Shield were actually only used in the first two Zelda games. In newer Zelda games Link upgrades to the Master Sword, typically by finding it after defeating a particular part of the game.

The Sword and Shield block will be constructed in the same manner as the other blocks, The Candle, The Fairy, The Key, The Bomb, The Blue Wizrobe, The Red Darknut and Princess Zelda, however the size is different. The Sword and Shield block grid is 18 squares across and 16 squares down and it uses the following number of 1.5 inch squares:

Color Usage in this Block Squares Needed
Green
Kona: Kiwi		 Background of the block 147
Yellow-Orange
Kona: Cheddar		 Cross in the Shield, Hilt of Sword 32
Red
Kona: Red		 Hilt of the Sword 15
Brown
Kona: Earth		 Main part of the Shield 66
White
Kona: White		 Blade on the Sword 28

The Interfacing

The fusible interfacing is cut 27” wide by 24″ long. It will be a rectangle that covers Blocks A1 through P18 on our Grid. Remember to place your interfacing with the fusible side up.

Cutting Our Fabric

Cut your fabric into 1.5″ squares using the totals specified above for the Sword and Shield block. To find an easy guide on how to cut out a large amount of squares at once, follow our instructions using the June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler in The Fairy block post.

Laying Out Our Fabric

To make the Sword and Shield block, you will be placing the correct color fabric square on the fusible side of the interfacing following the pattern for the Sword and Shield, which can be found here.  The numbers and letters on your grid will correspond with the numbers and letters on each block’s pattern. You can download the pattern which contains the layout of the individual squares for the Sword and Shield ( Block 8 ) here.

Additional Steps

Further information and photos for these additional steps can be found within our first block’s instructions (located here at The Candle) but we included a quick recap below just for your review.

1. Press the Block: When you have finished laying out the fabric squares on the interfacing, press them with an iron following the interfacing manufacturers instructions. To press, (pressing cloth is optional) carefully place the iron on each section of the block until you have fused all the pieces in place. (Tip: I use a small travel iron for this step.)

2. Sew the Block: Fold and press the block along the seam line ,where the pieces meet, across the width of the fabric. Use a scant 1/4 inch, sew next to the fold lines you just made. Snip the seam allowance through the interfacing where the squares meet, being careful NOT TO GO THROUGH THE SEAM. Press the seam allowances for each row in alternative directions. Finally fold along the vertical rows and sew using a scant 1/4 inch.