I am wanting to make a quilt for my bed using this block pattern. But sloooowly. One block at a time ever now and then. My goal is to make this using ONLY fabric that I already have. This is a sample of one I started a long time ago but the blocks were too small so I am starting over (these are 4 inch blocks and I want them to be 8).
It is a pattern that I found quite a few years ago but I cannot remember where. Each block uses 8 HST's with contrasting colors, 4 solid squares of the dark and 4 solid squares of the dark.
I found a tutorial for quickly making 8 HST's and it works spendidly! So I will share it with you. This can be found in many places all over the internet so I don't know who first came up with it.
Step 1--The Math
Start with deciding what size of finished HST's you want to make (in my case two inch) and add 7/8 inch to that. Take that total (2 7/8") and double it. 2 x 2 7/8" = 5 3/4"
Cut two 5 3/4" squares, one light and one dark and place them right sides together.
Step 2--Stitching the HST's
On the back of one of the squares, draw lines from corner to corner and sew 1/4" inch on each side of the lines drawn.
Step 3--Cut the HST's
Keep the block stationery while cutting and pick up ruler carefully so as not to shift the fabric. There will be four cuts. One from side to side, one from top to bottom, and two on the drawn "X" lines. The picture below shows only two of the cuts (sorry, I forgot to take a picture of all four).
Once all your cuts are made, voila! 8 half square triangles. It is best to measure them to make sure each one is 2 1/2" square to make sure your finished size is 2 inches. Here they are all trimmed up.
Combined with the four solid light squares and four solid dark squares, here is the first block of my someday bed quilt!
Linking to:
That looks like a nice project to work on in between other projects. Slow but steady. And I really like the fabric/color combination in your sample block. I keep telling myself I want to make a HST quilt, and I love your idea of working from only what you already have. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletePS - just noticed the part about cutting yourself. I have heard that when this happens while quilting, that your own saliva will get the blood out. Fortunately yours is on the seam allowance.
DeleteOuch! So sorry you nicked your finger :( I think about that every time I use my rotary cutter, since we are often quite far from medical help.
ReplyDeleteDo you think you'll use your smaller blocks in the quilt, maybe on the back? They are so pretty, it seems a shame to set them aside!
Janice, be careful! Thanks for the tutorial! Putting the smaller ones on the back is a great idea, Louise!
ReplyDeleteI love hovering hawk block. I first heard about it in the Farmer's Wife book. I will make a quilt with that block ... one day. (lol) Your blocks look great. ;^)
ReplyDeleteGreat tutorial Janice, very clear and It's a great pattern for a scrap quilt which can just grow and grow over years. It would make a great leader and ender project too if you cut a load of squares and left them next to your machine. I had rotary cutter safety drilled into me at a class on quilting with your rotary cutter, where we made a log cabin quillow. Shortly after that I got one of those curved ergonomic cutters which is great, you have to squeeze the handle to cut and them the blade retracts, you need to lock it when you finish. I can highly recommend them both for the safety feature and for easing the pressure on your wrists. It would be nice if you could get them in the lovely fancy colours and designs but I can sacrifice that for the practicality.
ReplyDeleteSmiles
Kate
That's going to be a fun scrappy project. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteOuch! Sorry about the cut, that happened to me once before and it was on a nearly finished top. I was lucky that it was near the edge, and the blocks were not complicated at all. I pulled out the seam ripper and replaced the little bit. Nobody will even notice. :)
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of working on that quilt a little at a time. And using bits from fabric you already have will build memories too.
Sorry you cut yourself. Did you know that your saliva will remove (or lessen the intensity o)f a blood spot on fabric?
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