block with half square triangles

This is the last block from EQ5 inspiration for a little while! Don’t worry, I have many other inspirational sources so that I can continue to make blocks with you!

Here is the first summer winds block that I layed out for you in October of 2023:

It is great in super scrappy. I did keep the center half square triangles the same color.

Here is the 6 1/2″ version that we are constructing today:

I changed the center block. I also pieced the block in units, so I could assemble it like a classic nine patch to finish it. I pressed most of the seams open to cut down on the bulk.

You can watch my YouTube video here.

A cutting chart is also at the end of this blog for you piecing pleasure.

For the 12 1/2″ version, I had many choices to make.

Which corner blocks did I like best with the green and tan half square triangles?

Christmas green with snowflakes?

Vibrant, solid red?

Wavy purple?

Grassy green?

Solid black for a classic accent?

And then there were three different center choices!

Golden wheat (blowing in the summer wind)?

Apple and square cheater fabric?

Or butterflies on the wind?

With my friend Diane’s help, I chose to construct this version.

It is constructed in units and then like a classic 9 patch, just like the smaller version.

These blocks are easy to construct and great for using scraps. They would be great in a one block wonder quilt or as part of a sampler quilt.

Here is the printable cutting chart:

I hope you are enjoying this scrappy block series! Join me next week for another block!

If you have any special requests, please comment on the YouTube video above in this post.

Later,

Lorrie

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