QAF Block of the Month July 2003 FLAG 12 1/2" unfinished size (12" finished size) QAF's Block for July is a Flag block from the EQ5 library. This is another block that can utilize strips from our strip swaps, or from FQs, or from your scraps. Most of us have red, white, and blue fabrics and starry fabrics too. Have fun gathering them for these quick and easy Flags. For each block you will want to use at least 4 different reds so that the blocks have a scrappy and interesting look. The whites or white on white strips can all be the same fabric in each block. You will need one blue fabric for each block. That's it! You can even enter up to 3 blocks all the same if you wish. Cutting Instructions for one block: Blue TOT or starry fabric that reads 'blue' and is medium to dark in tone: Cut (1) pc. 6 1/2" square. Various Red TOT or starry fabrics that read 'red': Cut (6) pc. 2" x 6 1/2" White or WOW (can be varied or same): Cut (6) pc. 2" x 6 1/2" NOTE: Sew with 1/4" seams. This is important because each section of this block needs to measure 6 1/2" square before you sew them together into your 12 1/2" (unfinished) block. If you find your blocks are not quite that size, you might try to sew with SCANT 1/4" seams. Measure, measure, measure. When making mine, I squared up each section with a square-up ruler before sewing them together, then made sure the block measured 12 1/2". Please do this before entering your blocks. Be kind to the winner(s), one might be YOU!!! To Assemble Block: Sew one red strip to one white strip and press to the red. Repeat 5 times. Sew two of these strip sets together to make one segment. Press to the red again. Repeat two times. You will now have 3 stripped segments. Now is the time to square up the segments, then lay them out with the blue square as per the block picture above. Sew the blue square to the striped segment on its right, press to the blue. Sew the two remaining striped segments together. Press to the vertical white strip. Nestle these so that the center seams meet and pin; sew the two parts together; you should have a nice sharp intersection. Open and press the seam up. Remember to measure your block and enter in the BOM lottery.   Here is a suggestion for laying out these blocks. This quilt is 60" square, as shown.