Block Buster Sunday #5 The X Block

The block I've been playing with today is nice and easy, and I've even allowed for trimming the quarter square units in my fabric measurements, so you don't even have to be that accurate whilst making them….. perfect for a quiet Sunday.
And yes, I've chosen some VERY pink fabric. Well, to be honest, it's not only quiet round here, it's also wet and very grey, so I had to bring some brightness into the day somehow!!
I've made a 12" block, as I have plans for this little baby, but as usual I've provided cutting instructions for other sizes too. Note that the cutting instructions are for TWO blocks, so you don't have any wastage

For two 6" finished blocks you need:

6     3 1/2" squares of  fabric A

6     3 1/2" squares of  fabric B

8     2 1/2" squares of  fabric C

For two 9" finished blocks you need:

6     4 1/2" squares of  fabric A

6     4 1/2" squares of  fabric B

8     3 1/2" squares of  fabric C

For two 12" finished blocks you need:

6     5 1/2" squares of  fabric A

6     5 1/2" squares of  fabric B

8     4 1/2" squares of  fabric C

    

Pair each colour A square with a colour B square.Place one on top of the other, right sides together and draw a diagonal line from one corner o the opposite corner. Sew a seam 1/4" away from the drawn line on either side.

Rotary cut along the pencil line to create 2 half square triangle units.

Press open with the seam allowance pressed to the dark side.

Place the 2 half square triangle units right sides together so that the dark right side of one is facing the light right side of the other. Draw a diagonal pencil line as you did before.
Sew 1/4" away from the line on either side.

Cut along the pencil line.

Press each unit open.

Trim each unit to the same size as the colour C squares. For accurate trimming make sure that the diagonal like on your ruler is aligned with the diagonal seam on your unit.

Lay out the sections of your block as shown.

Sew the pieces in each row together.

Press seams towards Fabric C

Sew the rows together to complete the block.

I hope you liked my choice of block for today.

I'm going to make a baby quilt using this block and I deliberately chose solids as I want to practice some free motion quilting on this design.

What fabric would you choose to make this block?

Block Buster Sunday #4 Scrappy Heart Block Tutorial

It's Block Buster Sunday, and it's nearly Valentine's Day, so I thought I'd go all lovey and choose a heart block to share today. This is  a scrappy heart, so root out all those scraps. They don't have to be colour co-ordinated, any multi colours will do. And the good news…. this is a really easy block to make!!

I've given cutting instructions for 2 sizes, a 6" finished, and a 9" finished block.

For a 6" finished block you need:

2     1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strips of patterned fabric

5     1 1/2" x 6 1/2" strips of patterned fabric

4     1 1/2" squares of background fabric

2     3 1/2" squares of background fabric

For a 9" finished block you need:

2     2" x 5" strips of patterned fabric

5     2" x 9 1/2" strips of patterned fabric

4     2" squares of background fabric

2     5" squares of background fabric

Note: The photographs show the construction of a 6" block

Use a 1/4" seam throughout

Sew the 5 long patterned strips together. It doesn't matter which way you press the. seams

Draw a diagonal pencil line from across the centre of each of the small background squares.

Place on the 2 smaller patterned strips as shown.

Sew along the pencil lines. Trim the outside edge to a 1/4" seam allowance.

 Press  open.

Sew the 2 sections together along the shorter edge.

I press this centre seam open rather than to one side, so that it lies flat.

Attach to the top of the 5 strip unit.

Draw a diagonal pencil line through the centre of the 2 remaining large background squares.

Place one in the bottom left corner of the unit as shown.

Sew along the pencil line. Trim the outside edge to a 1/4" seam allowance. Press open.

Repeat for the other side. Make sure the pencil line slopes down to the centre base of the unit to create the point at the bottom of the heart. The 2 background squares should overlap 1/4" from the base of the unit.

Press open and trim the block to 6 1/2" square if necessary.

Easy, Peasy eh? I love this block.

I'm part way through a tutorial for a cushion cover (that's "pillow" for US peeps) using this block.

Poor light stopped play, but it should be ready in the next couple of days, so check back soon if you're interested.

Block Buster Sunday #3 Card Trick Block Tutorial

Hi, Welcome to another block tutorial.

This week's tutorial is for the card trick block.
I know a lot of people love this block and when I returned to quilting a few years ago, it was one that I definitely wanted to try. I would rate this as an intermediate level block. It's construction is relatively straight forward, but you do need to concentrate on fabric placement and when you are trimming the components. It's not a block to make after a couple of glasses of wine!!

The tutorial shows you how to make the block with four different fabrics for the "cards" because this, to me, is the iconic block, but there is considerable fabric wastage with this. You would be better to make 2 identical blocks and that way you avoid the wastage.
Please note that when I took the photos for the tutorial I cut my larger squares at 5 1/2", not the 5 1/4" that I think is the better size, and is the size given in the cutting instructions. It makes the trimming easier. Some of the photos therefore show more fabric needing trimming than is actually the case.

I have given cutting instructions for three sizes of block 6" finished, 9" finished and 12" finished

For a 6" finished block you need to cut:
4    3 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    3" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    3 1/4" background squares
4    3" background squares

For a 9" finished block you need to cut:
4    4 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    4" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    4 1/4" background squares
4    4" background squares

For a 12" finished block you need to cut:
4    5 1/4" coloured squares (one each of your chosen fabrics)
4    5" coloured squares (one each of the same fabrics as above)
1    5 1/4" background squares
4    5" background squares

Pair each of the smaller coloured squares with a smaller background square. Draw a pencil line along the diagonal.

 Accurately match the squares and sew 1/4" seam line either side of the pencil line. You can chain piece these. Cut along the pencil line and press open to create 8 HSTs (half square triangles)

Discard one of each colour (or save for the second block) and trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

Take the 4 larger coloured squares and cut each into 1 HST and 2 QSTs (quarter square triangles)

Cut the remaining large background square into 4 QSTs

Sew one of each coloured QST to a background QST, ensuring that the right angles are together at the base and that the coloured piece is on the right hand side.

Trim the overhangs. Lay out all your pieces as shown.

Sew the 4 QSTs in the centre of the layout, first into 2 HSTs 

then join to make  a single QST block. Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

Sew the remaining HSTs to their adjacent pieces.

Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" depending on the size block you are making.

This is where concentration is needed. You need the diagonal seam lined up with the 45 degree line on the ruler and the 4.5" mark (or the correct measurement for your block size) on the edge of the ruler level with the QST seam line.

You will now have 9 equal size components of your block, and hopefully it's plain sailing from now on!!

Join the pieces in each row.

Then sew the rows together to complete the block.

You're done !! It's pretty spectacular, isn't it!
Now, it' time for that glass of wine!!

Because it's such a dramatic block, I think this needs to shine, rather than be one of many in an overall design. Below is a quick mock up of a suggested layout using the block.
I've created an off centre column of card trick blocks with narrow sashings of the individual colours, leaving a lot of negative space where I could continue the modern look with straight line quilting, or possibly diamonds?
I like creating and posting the mock ups. It gives me an good resource to go back and look at if I ever need inspiration for a quilt.

The 2 colour version is simpler to construct and more economical with fabric.

You will need:

For a 6" finished block 

2    3" squares of colour A

1    3 1/4" square of colour A

2    3" squares of colour B

1    3 1/4" square of colour B

2    3" squares of background 

1    3 1/4" square of background

For a 9" finished block 

2    4" squares of colour A

1    4 1/4" square of colour A

2    4" squares of colour B

1    4 1/4" square of colour B

2    4" squares of background 

1    4 1/4" square of background

For a 12" finished block 

2    5" squares of colour A

1    5 1/4" square of colour A

2    5" squares of colour B

1    5 1/4" square of colour B

2    5" squares of background 

1    5 1/4" square of background

Pair up one of the smaller colour A squares with a same size background square and do the same for one smaller colour B square.

Draw a diagonal pencil line on each and create 4 HST squares as before. Trim to 2 1/2", 3 1/2" or 4 1/2" square depending on the size of block you are making.

Cut the 2 remaining smaller squares in half diagonally.

Cut the 3 larger squares into quarters diagonally.

Lay out out the pieces as shown below and complete your block as described for the four colour version.

I hope you've enjoyed this tutorial and may someday have a go at making card trick blocks.
The Block Buster Sunday tutorials do seem to be growing in detail, but I am enjoying exploring the blocks and the layouts that can be achieved with them.
It probably means, though, that they appear fortnightly or every few weeks, if they are this detailed. That way I may actually get some quilting done, rather than just talking about it!!

Block Buster Sunday #2 Economy Block Tutorial

Welcome to Block Buster Sunday #2
This week I'm exploring the Economy Block which is also known as a Square In A Square block.
I would rate this as an easy block, with the proviso that you do need to have some sewing experience as  there are bias cut edges, which can stretch if you are not careful.
I recommend starching the fabric before you cut, particularly if you are a beginner quilter.

My tutorial is for a rotary cut and pieced block, and I have given cutting instructions for 3 sizes of block -  6", 8"and 10" finished. You can of course paper piece this block and there are free templates available if you search the internet.

For a 6" finished block you need to cut:
1     3 1/2" square for  A
1     4 1/4" square for  B
2     4"       squares for C

For a 8" finished block you need to cut:
1     4 1/2" square for A
1     5 1/4" square for B
2     5"       squares for C

For a 10" finished block you need to cut:
1     5 1/2" square for A
1     6 1/4" square for B
2     6"       squares for C

The size of the C squares allows for a little trimming when the block is finished.

Cut square B diagonally in both directions to give 4 quarter square triangles. Cut both C squares diagonally in half to give a total of 4 half square triangles.

Pin the long edge of a B quarter square triangle to one edge of A.
For the first few blocks I lined up my ruler against the edge of A and ensured that the point of the triangle was exactly in the middle of the square. After a few blocks you get a feel for where the centre is, and can eyeball it.

Do the same on the opposite edge.

Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew in place.

Trim off the overhangs and press the seams away from the centre.

Repeat for the remaining 2 sides of the inner square.

Place one of the C half square triangles on the outer edge, using a ruler to help ensure it is centred correctly (that diagonal line through the centre of the ruler helps enormously!. Pin in place.

Do the same for the opposite edge. Sew in place.

Press seam allowances away from the centre.

Repeat for the remaining 2 sides.

Press open and trim. You need to ensure that you have 1/4" beyond the points on the B sections and that where the vertical lines on the ruler run through the top and bottom points is exactly half the unfinished size of the block.

My block is 8" finished, (8 1/2" unfinished), so it is the 4 1/4" line that runs through the top and bottom points.

The block can provide some very different effects.
The scrappy look:

Planned and limited colours:

Limited colours and sashing:

Planned colours across several blocks:

Which effect do you like the best?