QAF Block of the Month
July 2007
Independence Square
9 1/2" (unfinished), 9"
(finished)
Summertime! Fourth
of July fireworks! Just seems like a good time to have a Red, White and
Blue block for our Block of the Month. This block is one with a very apt
name,
as well. So, make a bunch of these beauties to celebrate. The block looks
complicated, but it truly is not. Yes, there are more seams than usual,
but there are no bias edges, no HST. Just straightforward stitching, and
even some strip piecing.
FABRICS: You will
need one RED TOT, one WHITE TOT and one BLUE TOT. Now, when I was coloring
this
block in EQ, I found that if I used a blue with a touch of white, like
tiny stars, or sprigs, it really made the block pop. So, try for something
like that - but it does still need to 'read' as blue. We are looking
for bright red and flag blue here, in keeping with the Independence Day
theme.
Cut for each block:
RED:
As you can see, except for the first red squares, the rest
of the pieces may be cut from 1 1/2" strips. With that in mind, I will note
where you can strip piece easily, so don't cut everything until you read all
the way through the instructions, to decide how you want to approach your
cutting/sewing.
To Assemble Block:
Start with the little 9 patch in the center of this block. It uses all the
little 1 1/2" squares. Lay them out with the red squares in the X position,
the whites in between. Stitch in rows, then stitch the rows together. Press
as you go, to the reds, and take care to make scant 1/4" seams on this block.
Square up to 3 1/2". The block will measure exactly 3" finished in the middle
of your block when sewn.
Next, sew the little strips that make the red, white and blue rail fence
patches. You can strip piece here if you like. If you do, then take your
1 1/2" strips of Red, White and Blue and stitch them together in that order.
Press the seam allowances toward the WHITE. Your strip set should measure
3 1/2" across. Crosscut (4) pieces measuring 3 1/2" each. Lay these out around
your
little
9 patch,
with
the
blues toward
the center.
Now, all that is left is to make the corner patches. These can be strip
pieced as well. If you choose to do that, then take your 2 1/2" strip of
red and sew together with a 1 1/2" strip of white. Press to the red. Crosscut
(4) pieces at 2 1/2". Next apply a 1 1/2" x 3 1/2" strip of white to these
patches. Please note the placement of both this white strip and the orientation
of the patches you just made. Some have the white at the bottom and some
have it at the top of the patch. Press this last strip to the white, on each
of these corner pieces.
Now lay out your block and stitch together in rows, then sew the rows together.
Your intersections should nestle together, (the only matching you have is
where the corner patches join their vertical neighbors), and the center corners,
of course. Press and measure your block, squaring up to 9 1/2" square.
