QAF Block of the Month
August 2007
4-patch Chain
9 1/2" (unfinished), 9"
(finished)
Our block this month is the
4-patch Chain, a very versatile 'stepping stones' type of block. It's an
easy block to make, and if you have been 'strip-swapping' with us on QAF
earlier and in years past, you will probably have strips you can use for
the block.
FABRICS: You
will need 3 fabrics - a medium or dark blue tone on tone (TOT) print, a
light green
print similar to the one shown in the block, and a small dotted
fabric that blends with one of them. If in doubt, please do ask on the
forum. You won't go wrong if you consider that the winner of these BOM
blocks might be YOU, and you will want these blocks to set together and
have the 'stepping stones' aspect show well.
Cut for each block:
Dark Blue:
To Assemble Block:
Sew the two strips together, RST, with a scant 1/4" seam and press to the
darker of the two fabrics. Lay a ruler on your strip set and measure. It
should measure exactly 3 1/2" wide. Crosscut the strip set into (8) segments,
cutting each 2" wide. Match two segments as in the picture of the block,
making 4-patches, nestle the seam and stitch. Make 4 of these. Press to either
side.
Now, lay out all your little 4 patches with the other squares that you have
cut, and sew them together in rows. press to the darker large square(s).
Then sew the rows together. Press seams and measure with square-up ruler.
Trim if needed. Block needs to be 9 1/2" square to be entered in Block of
the Month drawing.
You may make up to 3 blocks with the same three fabrics.
If you would like to enter more, choose more wonderful blue and green fabrics.
