quilt block construction

I have a few more weeks to share blocks with you that have been inspired from this book.

Here are the bonus half square triangle blocks that I grabbed last week when I made the whirlpool blocks.

I am assembling the 8 1/2″ block first. It uses 4 dark squares, 4 light squares, and 8 bonus half-square triangle blocks. (Directions for making two at a time half square triangle blocks are on the cutting chart at the end of this post.) Here is a link to the YouTube video that shows assembly.

I love the pinwheel in the middle of this block! I am not sure who named it Flying X…it looks more like a Whirlpool or Tornado to me.

The easiest way to assemble this block is by quadrant or fourths. All quadrants are identical. After they are assemble, the unit is turned a quarter turn.

This looks awkward, but it is correct. Make 4 units.

Here is the layout again.

Assemble the units by sewing like a standard four patch.

Here is the 4 1/2″ version. It is assembled the same way.

This is a cute little block. It goes together easily and quickly. Great scrap buster!

Tah-dah! Tah-done!

I love the vortex imagery in the quilt block, so I decided to throw in some visual vortex images.

Ohhhh….

Aaaaahhhhh! Ring of Fire?

This one looks like a seashell or a fossil….

Here is the cutting chart, as promised, in five different sizes this week!

I hope you are enjoying the Build a Block series! Please leave comments on Facebook or YouTube. (Comments are turned off here because I am not interested in Russian viagra…or manifestos.)

Later,

Lorrie

This block is constructed from two sizes of half square triangles. I used all bonus half square triangles for the layout below. It finishes at 6 1/2″.

Here is the video presentation of the block construction.

As you can see, I still have a large amount of trimmed bonus half square triangle blocks just waiting for a block.

Today I am making a new center block. I have a project in mind for a Lady of the Lake block.

As you have seen in some of my YouTube videos, I love sunsets at the lake…any lake. The center of my block is going to be that! A sunset on a lake.

Both of these fabrics are directional. I want my sunset and my waves parallel to each other.

Perfect fabrics for my vision! These are 5 inch squares. My half square triangles will finish at 4 1/2 inches. I am making two blocks because I am making two of the same project that I have in mind.

To make sure that my fabrics are going the correct direction, I audition them together…not quite it!

Perfect!

When I unfold the sunset fabric, I notice that it is perpendicular to the wave fabric. When they are sewn on the diagonal, they will be perfect.

After I place the fabric right sides together, I draw my diagonal line. Sew a scant quarter of an inch on both sides of the line.

Cut on the line. Press to one side. Trim to 4 1/2″.

Lay out the block. Make sure that all of the small half square blocks are going the same direction. Notice the dark half is in the upper right corner the entire way around the block.

I sew the smaller half square triangles in rows…top and bottom first.

Then I sew the sides next.

After each section, I lay it back out on my design board. It is very easy to reverse pieces…so I double check after each section.

Holding this design board up to photograph it makes the sections look crooked, but they are not. Add the sides first, then the top and bottom.

Here it is! One block finished! I think it is worth dealing with the smaller pieces to get this beautiful block, don’t you?

Here is the second version of this block. I didn’t have quite enough of the teal blocks, so I threw in some other blues and grays. It will work beautifully in the project that I have in mind!

Here are the cutting charts for this block. The top chart is for using trimmed and made bonus half square tringle pieces. The bottom chart is for construction of pairs of half square triangles before assembling the pieces. Please read carefully. Ask in comments if you have any questions.

I love the boldness of this block. It is a great way to use up the smallest of the half square bonus blocks. Give it a try! You won’t be disappointed!

What blocks are you making to use those bonus half square triangles? I would love to see them! My Facebook group allows you to post pictures and share…Come on over!

Later,

Lorrie