For the first strip in this sampler, I have chosen a truly easy one that will give you an idea of what Seminole Piecing is all about as well as how easy it can be.

Set your bridging strips aside so that you do not get them confused with the strips used for the Seminole Strip.

Cut your strips as shown in the chart below. All cuts are made from selvedge to selvedge.

Seminole Strips	# of Strips	Width to Cut Strips
Light	2	1-3/4"
Medium	2	1-1/4"

Bridging Strips	# of Strips	Cut Strips
Dark	2	1" W x 24-1/2" long

Sew the Light and Medium Seminole strips together and press to the darker fabric. You will have 2 sets of these.

Cut the strips into 1" segments. Turn every other segment 180°. Sew the segments into pairs, the pairs into fours and so on until you are finished. To make it easier to sew, hold the previously sewn seams out of the way to the left. Note that he seams do not match on this strip - a break for you. Press the seams in one direction.

Sampler Width: You will need to cut your strip so that it is the right length to fit into your sampler. For this project, you are going to cut all of your strips 24-1/2" wide.

If there is a seam line within 1/2" of the size you want (24" to 25") then remove the seam at that point and remove the extra length of the strip. There should be enough give in the strip to accommodate the difference in size. If there is not a seam within the limits, then you will just have to cut the strip at the 24-1/2" point.

Be sure to keep any leftover strips. They can be used in other projects.

Bridging Strips: Now that you have one strip completed, you will need to learn how to attach the bridging strips that will act as a buffer between the strips of Seminole.

All of your bridging strips will be cut 24-1/2" wide. Cut these before you attach them to the completed Seminole Strips. The Seminole strips may be slightly longer or shorter than the bridging strips. You will use the bridging strips to control the size of the Seminole Strips so that when all the strips are completed, you will be ready to assemble them into your Seminole Sampler.

For this strip it is very easy to add the bridging strips. Place one dark bridging strip on the upper edge of the Seminole Strip, right sides and raw edges together. Seam 1/4" from the raw edges. Repeat with the other bridging strip on the bottom of the Seminole Strip. You may have to ease the Seminole Strip somewhat but this should not be a problem especially if you sew with the bridging strips on the top and the Seminole strip on the bottom, against the feed dogs. This will also help to even up a Seminole Strip that is not quite straight along the edges.

Congratulations! You have finished the first strip for your Seminole Sampler.

Each month you will have a new strip to complete using new techniques and designs.

Seminole Sampler Strip of the Month
Month #1 Project

Bookmarks

Keep a supply of bookmarks on hand as thank you gifts, special occasion remembrances, and recognition for a job well done. Don’t forget to use one in your books.

You will need:

• Small piece of Seminole Patchwork (About 3" x 10")
• Piece of backing fabric the same size
• 24 inches of 1/8" to ¼" narrow ribbon

Place the strip of Seminole patchwork on the backing fabric, right sides together. Sew around the edge with a 1/4” seam leaving an opening for turning. Turn and slipstitch opening closed.

Cut the ribbon in half. Fold the two pieces in half and place the fold through a large eyed needle. Pull ribbon loop through center of bottom edge of bookmark about 1/2". Pull cut edges of ribbons through loop and pull to form a knot.

© 1998-2003 Barbara M. Siedlecki All Rights Reserved