Tag: block construction

Categories
Build a block scraps sewing

Build a Block: Economy

This is one of my favorite blocks to use up those bonus half square triangles. I am not sure that I am calling this block by its correct name. It is made up of 16 bonus half square triangle units. If you have a bunch of these hanging out in your sewing space, you will absolutely love this block. Grab a design board and let’s go!

Here is the video for the construction of this block.

I am starting my layout in the center. The half square triangle pieces must be made from a distinct light and a distinct dark piece to be effective in this block. Color is not an issue in this scrappy block…only light and dark.

In this center, light fabric points towards the center.

Next add more squares to create points going left and right. The “frame” is beginning to emerge.

Add top and bottom pieces to complete the frame.

Add the outside corners to complete the block layout. In this case I used 4 matching corners, just because I could. Scrappy corners would have worked just as well…or better! Sew pieces together in pairs.

Now that you have pairs, lay your pieces out again. (I pressed seams open to reduce bulk.)

Join pair units into rows of four.

Lay your block out to check for correct placement.

Join two rows to make larger units. Notice that the top and bottom halves are the same layout turned around.

Also notice that this block could be pieced in quadrants. This four patch unit makes up the entire block.

Join your larger units together to complete the block. Ta-done!

The jewel box block that we did a while ago also has the same “movement” as the frame in the economy block.

Here is the original version of this block from October in my YouTube series on Scrappy Blocks that use bonus half square triangle pieces. See the video here.

I hope that the cutting charts for this block are not confusing. They are presented in 2 charts…one for just using bonus blocks and the other for construction of half square triangles.

I hope you are enjoying this Build a Block series! Enjoy!

Later,

Lorrie

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: 5L Thrifty

This is an easy, scrappy block, especially if you sort your scraps by certain sizes like I do…It just makes it faster to choose the bits and pieces to sew together. Here is a cutting chart for the three sizes show below:

There is a video about this block on my YouTube channel.

This 12 1/2″ block is made from all 4 1/2″ and 2 1/2″ blocks…all straight line piecing! No triangles on this block!

Here is the breakdown of my choices:

This block goes together SOOOOO quickly!

Make four 4-patch units. Please note the placement of the lights and darks in the picture below. All four units are identical. Zoom! Zoom! Speed piecing is a wonderful activity!

Normally, I show you an example of a small block with the seams pressed open. Since this is a bigger block this week, I pressed towards the darker fabrics in these 4-patches.

Now it is time to plug those beautiful and simple 4-patches into the main block.

Notice that all the dark blocks are towards the center block and radiate outward. Please note the placement of the blue and the background fabrics also.

Here is the 9 1/2″ example:

Here is the 6 1/2″ example:

Ta-duh! and Ta-done! This block would have a great secondary pattern if placed together. Easy…it would be great as a kid’s or baby’s quilt, too! Let me know what you think about this block. Have you tried it? If you have, please share pictures to my e-mail. I look forward to hearing from you.

I decided to add some pictures because this was such a short, quick post.

I found a stash of bags in my sewing room as I am zone organizing. I donated some. I washed the rest to repurpose.

This one was one that my friends and I made at quilt came with the Camp Frame Fireside quilters. The pocket is paper pieced and held on by the straps. It is lined. The top edge is a rolled down cuff, so the bag can actually be deeper if needed.

On blabfest Fridays, on my YouTube channel, I have been talking about a car quilt for my son and his family. This quilt is made from all scraps…pieces that could have been thrown away, but were repurposed instead.

I need 24 of those jewel box blocks. I have 7 finished. Time to get busy!

Categories
Build a block quilting scraps sewing

Build a Block: Jewel Box

I am in love with this scrap block! After I made one, I just couldn’t stop. I still do not have these blocks out of my system. I love the contrast of the scraps in this block. When multiple blocks are assembled together, a fantastic secondary design appears. (I show four of these blocks together at the end of this post.)

If you would like to see this presentation in video form, please view it on my YouTube channel here.

For this block, you will need: (alternate size chart is at the end!)

  • 16- 1 1/2″ background squares
  • 16- 1 1/2″ scrap squares
  • 4- 3″ background squares
  • 4- 3″ scrap squares

The pieces listed above uses the two at a time half square triangle method. That is a tutorial for another day.

OR if you have a bunch of bonus half square triangles, you can use 8 bonus half square triangle units that are 2 1/2″.

If you are using all squares, you will follow the next few steps to make your half square triangles.

More often than not, my sewing is a scant 1/4″ when I use this method. I would rather have a little extra to trim off than have a unit that is undersized.

You can use your rotary cutter and ruler for this part if you wish, but I always just cut the pieces apart quickly with my scissors.

Press to the dark fabric. If you are using this method, you will need to trim. Fabric stretches, sometimes a little…sometimes a lot…during this method. Accuracy at this step will make your life so much easier when it comes to final assembly of the block.

We are ready for the zoom zoom part of this block…speed piecing! Join all of the squares in pairs of 1 background to 1 scrap.

I am pressing open because I am piecing 1 1/2″ squares together. I want to reduce the bulk and chance of distortion. If I were making the largest size of block on the chart, I would probably press to the dark.

After you press all of you pieces to your heart’s desire, Match up pairs to make eight 4 patch units. If you pair them up before you start sewing, you can insure that you don’t have duplicates in any of your four patches…unless that does not bother you.

Sew pairs together.

Press to your heart’s desire.

Here is the only tricky part…just be a little careful! You are pairing up the four patches with the half square triangles in this step. Pay close attention to the orientation of the blocks when you lay them out. You can stack all of the pieces in two piles to get ready for speed piecing. All of the units are the same.

Zoom, Zoom! Flip one block right sides together and sew together with an accurate 1/4″ seam. Be as careful as you can to keep seams flat. (If one gets flipped underneath, it is not the end of the world!)

Press to your heart’s desire.

Layout your pieces. You will notice that some of the blocks will be turned horizontally and some will be turned vertically. It is all good!

Sew the units together to make a new and improved 4 patch.

Press to your heart’s desire.

You now have 4 units. You are so close to being finished! Lay them out again to make sure they are oriented in the right direction.

Sew them together in pairs. You now have halves!

Press to your heart’s desire…again.

Sew the final seam…

Press to your heart’s desire.

Give the front of the block a nice press. Beautiful!

Here are four blocks set together.

When I showed this block to my husband, he made a “meh” face. He didn’t really like the block…too busy. When I stepped back, across the room, he was much more impressed. When I showed him the four blocks together, he was even more impressed. These blocks are like moss…they grow on you!

Here is the cutting guide for the other size pieces:

I hope that you enjoy making this block. It is a great way to use up those bonus half square triangle blocks. It would be a great leader/ ender project.

I think that I am going to add a round of these blocks onto my son’s car quilt…but that is another story for another day, too.

Have you tried this block? Drop me a comment below…or send me a picture at gmail. I love to see your work!

Later,

Lorrie