Double Axe (Apple Core)Quilt - Piecing and Construction Tutorial

The Double Axe Quilt is a very old design. This quilt pattern falls into the scrappy category and the pieces may be cut from any grain. Matching is not necessary as off grain cuts may add interest to the quilt. 

Construction of this quilt is not for the faint of heart. It requires patience. Experienced dress makers should not have a problem with the curves, albeit it is demanding. If you can sew a set-in sleeve, you can definitely handle making this one.

Double Axe Quilt (Apple Core) General Instructions

  • Make or purchase a template (Apple Core/Double Axe) and gather fabrics.
  • Cut the total number of pieces that you need to complete the quilt size that you want.
  • Clip the along the long (concave) curve edges of each axe piece, spacing the cuts about 1/4 inch apart.
  • Decide on your fabric layout. Two colors may be used or try working with 7 or 9 coordinated colors. You may choose to go totally scrappy.  Cut your pieces and then  commit to the color layout.

Take a Picture *** Very Important*** 

After committing to the color lay out, take a picture!   

You will refer back to the picture many time while constructing the the top.

Make Four-Patch Units

Pin and sew two sets of axes. Join the two units to complete one Four-Patch. Lay out the Four-Patch units into the total number of desired larger sections/panels, then join the panels.

Make Four-Patch Units

Pick up 4 matched axe pieces from your layout. Pin and sew two sets of axe together. Join the two units to complete one Four-Patch.  Join Four-Patch units into the total number of desired rows. 

Sewing and joining axes

Pick up four axes. Sew two sets of axes stitching them on the long(concave) curve, making sure they are positioned as shown in your layout picture.

Generally stitching is easier on the long curve. This utilizes the stretch to make the pieces curve and fit. You will have made 1/8-inch plus clips along this seam, just shy of the 1/4-inch seam line. When clipped sufficiently, the axes line up perfectly with a little stretch on the long curve.



Stretch the long edge.


Start pinning at the ends of the long edge and work inward to pin the pieces. Pull the fabric along the long edge! Trust that it will fit!

My preferences are pinning parallel along the seam line at ¼ inch or placing pins perpendicular into the seam and sewing ¼ inch. Stitch very slowly and pull out the pins just before stitching. DO NOT SEW ACCROSS THE PINS. This could damage your sewing machine.

Parallel or Perpendicular - Choose the method you prefer.

Reduce the speed on you sewing machine and sew very slowly.   

Top - pinned parallel 
  Bottom - pinned perpendicular 

Parallel Pinning

Pull on the long curve (concave) lining it up and matching edges. Handle sewing these curves as you would to insert sleeves. You will be sewing in a curved direction, maintaining a ¼ -inch seam.

Perpendicular Pinning

Pin two sections placing the pins in parallel direction along the stitching line. You will sew up to the pin and pull the pinout just before stitching.





Sew very slowly in a curved direction, stitching about ½ inch at a time and removing pins as you go just ahead of stitching. Based on your sewing machine, you may follow the Quarter Inch marker on your sewing machine plate, to help ensure ¼-inch seam and/or the Quarter Inch Foot. Stop along the way, lifting, straightening, and flattening fabric as needed.

Perpendicular








 About ½ inch from the end, remove the last pin and use it to hold the seam in place as you sew to the end.









Parallel

The process is very similar to pinning perpendicular. Maintain a ¼-inch seam and sew slowly, stopping along the way to straighten fabric. Sew up to the pin and pull it out just before you stitch. DO NOT SEW ACCROSS PINS as this may damage your machine.




Sew 1/4 inch seams in a curved direction.  Use the 1/4 inch guide on the machine plate or the foot as a guide for accurately stitching.  Remove pins just prior to stitching.



Sew 1/4 inch using parallel pinning method.


completed stitching of two axes 


two axes joined
two more joined axes

Pin and stretch the long edge of axe units.
 Sew stretching the long seams and
stitching one complete seam.
Nest at the center seam.


Back of Four Patch - pressed 




Front of Four Patch - Pressed


Some quilters open the seams and press them flat. This is a matter of preference. This looks pretty however, the seams must be clipped more in order for the pieces to lay flat and there is more risk of compromising the strength of the seams. Keep in mind that the seam can be pressed in the direction that it wants to go. 

Join Four Patch sections to make larger panels (8 axe pieces), depending on the number of rows in your top. Consider sewing your top into sections and then sewing two half sections together to complete the top.


Consider sewing your top into sections and then sewing two half sections together to complete the top.









Another option is to sew all the rows together at the end. It can be helpful to baste large sections when completing the top because the top will be heavy.  

My Color Choices

I selected my fabric before deciding what I really wanted so I had 28 colors of fabric.  My goal was to used all of the colors that I had purchased in this quilt. I cut all of the axes.

Then I sorted the colors into 7 categories and placed them into the layout on the floor.  I made adjustments until I was satisfied with it. When I committed to the layout, I took a picture!

Red texture
Blue texture
Blue Plaid/Blue Prints
Red Plaid/ Red Prints
White Small prints 
Yellow Plaid
Large Print (all colors)

Several of my fabrics are one way designs and for the most part they are upright but there are a couple that were place upside down.  In the long run, since this is a scrappy style that does not matter. 

This top will be quilted then finished with a biased binding. 
 

Inspiration/Resources
Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores 
Creative Ideas from Jo-Ann, Courtesy of Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores
Project # 265-3867
2014 Jo-Ann Stores, Inc.

Modafabrics.com
Tutorial by Christine Weld 
TheQuarter Inch (https://www.thequarterinch.blogspot.com)
https://www.modafabrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/MBS-apple-of-my-eye.pdf
https://thequarterinch.blogspot.com/2017/
Christine Weld

Sew Easy online at Fons & Potter, Fons and Potter.com/AppleCore

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