Just a few more weeks of inspirations from this book, I promise! This week I am presenting the Hovering Hawks block. This block has interesting diagonal movement. Four of them together would look fantastic…maybe for a future scrap quilt. It would also look good in a barn raising setting, if you are familiar with log cabin block setttings. Let’s get to making, shall we?
This block is really all about the contrast of light and dark fabrics. It is great for scrap busting! I am still using up those bonus half square triangles. Here is the link to the related YouTube video on my channel. Also, the printable cutting chart including various sizes is at the bottom of this blog.
This is the version of the block that I originally layed out in my YouTube video back in October of 2023. I tried to cram so much into that episode!
This version uses 2 1/2″ blocks: 6 dark blocks and 10 light/dark half square triangles. The block finishes at 8 1/2″. I start by laying out the dark blocks like pictured below:
Then I add in the half square triangles in the correct orientation. Half of the units (looking at the light part of the block), point to the lower left of the block. The others (again, looking at the light portion of the block) point to the upper right.
Here I changed the center two blocks with some beautiful batik fabric scraps. I think the visual interest here is better.
Recently, I have been sewing blocks in quadrants or fourths. This block does not work for that method…but it does work for assembling by halves! Here the halves are stacked and ready to speed sew:
In each row, I pressed to one side. The following row, I pressed in the opposite direction. Pressing open is always an option, too. You decide.
Half block reveal!
Turn one of the halves in a 180 degree turn…sew together. Yes, it is just that easy.
I pressed all the rows going in the same direction after I assembled the rows. Life should always be this easy!
Here is the version using 1 1/2″ blocks:
I love these little things!
Same layout!
Now with the half square triangles!
Stack to speed piece as half blocks…
Assemble like the bigger block.
Here they are…tah-da…tah-done!
The contrast in this one is so good…I just have to admire it for a moment longer! AAAhhhh! So cute!
I just have to share a nature picture. I do love redbud!
I hope you enjoy making this block. If you have comments, please go to the video mentioned at the top and leave comments there. When I turn on comments here I get adds for Russian viagra and other “stuff”…Oh, my!
Here is the cutting chart I promised. It should be printable…and it is FREE!
Have a great week! Thank you for reading my blog! The next blog will be a mini quilt show with my commentary! (At least you will get some eye candy! I will mostly tell you why I was compelled to take a picture of those quilts…see you then!)
Later,
Lorrie
