June's BOM is a block from BlockBase, the software that contains the blocks from Barbara Brackman's Encyclopedia of Quilt Blocks. The Blockbase software can be used with Electric Quilt software to add a huge library of blocks you can use for your quilts.

I hope you like this choice. It's one that can be made from strips from our strip swaps, or from FQs, or simply from scraps. And I promise - it's really easy!

For each block you will need 4 different fabrics: a White on Black print (make this one the darker one, for the center strips), a Black on White print, a white or white on white fabric AND a TOT (tone on tone) in Lime, Chartreuse, Turquoise or Aqua.

The black and white prints should be small to medium so that the print will show in the space of the 2 1/2 " strip. You can use some of the wonderful new black and white prints that have nice sharp, interesting graphic or whimsical prints. These should be fun to find, fun to sew, fun to share.

Cutting Instructions for one block:

White on Black (center strips): Cut (2) pc. 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" and (1) pc. 2 1/2" x 10 1/2"

Black on White: Cut (4) pc. 2 1/2" x 4 1/2"

White or WOW: Cut (4) pc. 2 1/2" square

TOT: Cut (4) pc. 2 1/2" square

NOTE: Sew with 1/4" seams. If your seams are too wide, say, by only 1/16 or 1/8", your blocks could be too small by 1/4" to 1/2" in each direction. In order to be entered in the BOM lottery, blocks must measure 10 1/2" square. It is a good idea to own and use a square up ruler. They are a worthy tool in a quilter's stash.

To Assemble Block:

Sew one colored TOT square to one White or WOW square. Press to the colored square. Repeat 3 times. Stack these units in 2 stacks with colored squares on top.

Sew one black on white 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strip to the RIGHT edge of 2 of the pieced units. Sew the remaining black on white strips to the LEFT side of 2 of the pieced sets. Press to the strips. These units should now measure 4 1/2" square.

Arrange your pieces as per the picture above. Sew one small white on black strip between the two pieced units on the left of center strip, press both seams to the dark strip. Repeat for the units on the right of center strip. Sew one pieced strip to the center strip, press to center.

A Piecing Tip: In order to sew the block and have the dark center horizontal strips end up on the same latitude, it is a good idea to mark the second side of the center vertical strip where the seams of the horizontal dark strip should be. To do this, lay your ruler across the parts you have just sewn and pressed, along the seams of the dark strip and across the center strip. Mark the points where the ruler crosses the raw edge of the center vertical strip with a pin or pencil. Pin the second pieced set to the marked side of the center strip, matching up to the marks you made.

Sew and press to the center strip.

Measure block; it should measure 10 1/2" square.

 

Here is a simple layout suggestion. The corner colored squares come together to form a scrappy 4-patch, making colorful little patches on your black and white quilt. This one has a colorful border, and is 50" x 60". The same quilt is shown with a black and white border for a different look.

Here is an on-point layout that measures 52" x 66" as shown.