Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Well, friends, this is the last of the smaller blocks, after this we tackle the big ones. Even though today's block is simple, it finishes at 3" so it has its own challenges! If you get frustrated, blame Stacy, this is her block! (well, okay, you can blame me for the size...)
Before we dive into to the instructions, I wanted to show you a quilt I really want to make someday. It takes a simple block and plays with the sizes and layering to give the illusion of depth, and the contemporary fabrics make it anything but traditional looking.
Isn't that fun? The pattern is available as a free download from the Windham Fabrics website. I will put a link to the pattern in the comments tomorrow.
Okay, on to our blocks. You will make four 3" finished churn dash blocks. The cutting instructions are for a single block and assume you're working with fat eighths like I am.
CUTTING:
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Coordinating Fabric |
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| Cut one 1" x 9" strip (across the width) | Cut one 1" x 6 1/2" rectangle |
| Cut one 2" x 9" strip (across the width) | Cut two 2" squares Cut one 1 1/2" square |
| Feature Fabric (black dots) |
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Cut one 2" x WOF strip (enough for 4 blocks) |
Cut two 2" squares Cut one 1" x 6 1/2" rectangle |
If you don't like working with 1" strips, you can definitely start with 1 1/2" strips and cut the units to size once the strips are pieced. One 2" strip of feature fabric is enough for all 4 blocks if you cut carefully.
PIECING:
Using the two-at-a-time method for making half-square triangles (HST), layer a 2" coordinating fabric square with a 2" focus fabric square, right sides together to make four HST from the 2" squares. To avoid distorting these small pieces, finger press them open before pressing with an iron. Trim your HST to 1 1/2".
Layer the 1" strips right sides together and sew along one long side. Press to the dark fabric. Sub-cut into four 1 1/2" squares.
Lay out your units as shown below, and sew together in rows.
Press toward the strip pieced units, and press toward the outer rows. Your block should measure 3 1/2" square. Make four blocks.
These blocks are small, and there are a lot of seam allowance to contend with, so I use my wooden clapper to convince the seams to lie flat. The weight of the wood lets me get a crisper seam without the risk of scorching the fabric.
Just for fun, here are a few variations possible with this sweet little block:
Have fun!
