Welcome dear quilters visiting from Want It, Need It, Quilt It! Here is the block I have designed for you this week. I hope you enjoy making and experimenting with it. Here goes!
You will need to cut:
4 x 3" squares (orange or colour 1)
4 x 3" squares (green or colour 2)
1 x strip 2 1/2" x 14" (purple or colour 3)
1 x 2 1/2" square (orange or colour 1)
4 x 3" squares (orange or colour 1)
4 x 3" squares (green or colour 2)
1 x strip 2 1/2" x 14" (purple or colour 3)
1 x 2 1/2" square (orange or colour 1)
Chain piece together the 3" orange and green squares using a 1/4" seam allowance.
You will need to sew around all four sides.
You will need to sew around all four sides.
With a pen, mark a diagonal line from corner to corner,
two on the orange side and two on the green side.
With a small sharp pair of scissors cut through one layer only along the pen line.
Open out and press well.
Repeat with each square.
Trim each new square to 3 1/2"
Cut the purple strip (colour 3) into 3 1/2" lengths
and lay the block out like this.
Sew together the strips with 1/4" seam allowance.
Trim the block to 8 1/2".
Experiment with different sashings.
A dark sashing like this will give the blocks the appearance of floating.
You can repeat the above technique with your finished block
to get an on-point setting (cut an 8 1/2" square from the black spot).
For a very different look this block uses a white print for the background.
The central hexagon is made with two 2 1/2" squares sewn as above,
opened out and trimmed to 2 1/2".
This last block started with two 3" squares (pink and purple) using above technique and repeated again each time a new colour is added.
3 5/8" green square
4 1/4 " orange square
5 1/4" purple square
1 1/2" white outer border.
Trim to 8 1/2".
Thank you Ros for your wonderful tutorial and block. Such a great way to make a diamond in a square block.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on being a designer.
ReplyDeleteI have used the magic square(I think that's what it's called!) It is so effective isn't it! Lovely colours too!
ReplyDeleteWell done Ros, clever girl.
ReplyDeleteI like that technique and will give it a try. Also, GREAT fabric and colors.
ReplyDeleteI've used this technique before....when it was offered by someone for the 'Exploding Pineapple' block (but was taken down because the original designer has the pattern in a book - I think) Anyhoo, one thing I did suggest to her was if you've drawn the diagonal lines on before sewing around all 4 sides of the square, pinch the square in the centre, so you can make a small snip in the middle. That way, when you've finished sewing around, there's no chance you can make a boo boo and cut both layers of the square. Hope you don't mind me sharing this idea with you here. Hugs Naomi
ReplyDeleteI like you cutting through one layer with scissors idea. That's a cool way of making a block. I always have problems sewing on the bias and your way avoids it completely.
ReplyDeleteThanks
Claire from HandmadebyClaireBear