QAF Block of the Month

March 2005

Hopscotch

8 1/2" (unfinished) 8" (finished)

This month's block is an easy checkerboard pattern that we call Hopscotch. It uses just two fabrics. For our BOM we will use any medium tone on tone (TOT). You may use a print as long as it ‘reads as’ a nice medium color. The second fabric will be a WOW (white on white).

You may make up to 3 blocks using the same fabrics. As always, please use washed and pressed quilter’s quality 100% cotton fabrics.

Cut for each block:

One strip of medium color 2-1/2” x 20”

One strip of WOW 2-1/2” x 20”

Note: If you are unsure of your piecing/cutting skills, it would be good to use strips about an inch longer, to give you some leeway when cutting your segments.

To assemble block:

Sew the colored and WOW strips together lengthwise, using a scant 1/4" seam.

Carefully press the seams toward the dark strip. Take care during the pressing process that your strip unit stays straight. Your sewn strip unit will measure 4-1/2” x 20”.

Using your ruler and rotary cutter, sub-cut your strip unit into 2-1/2” segments. You will now have 8 small units that measure 2-1/2” x 4-1/2” each.

Note: To keep your small sub-cut units aligned correctly when cutting, it helps to place your ruler so that one of its lines is directly over your sewn seam. (Most rotary rulers have either a grid or some other vertical line in addition to the many horizontal lines we use all the time.)

You will now be making four 4-patch units. Put 2 units together, right sides facing so that a dark square is over a light square. Be sure that your colors alternate. These units will nestle together, since the seams alternate.

Note: Sewing with the dark square at the top, your seam allowance will feed under the presser foot with raw edge first. This assures that you will have a perfect intersection when you open your sewn 4-patch unit.

Repeat, making four 4-patch units. In order for your finished block to measure correctly, these units should measure 4-1/2” square.

Lay out your units so they make a square that looks like the picture above, two in top row and two in bottom row. Now double check that you have alternating colors throughout the whole block. You do NOT want two colors side by side or two WOW side by side! Rotate your units so that colors alternate across the block.

Sew two units into a set. Repeat with remaining two units. Press seams to one side. (See hint below.) Again, lay out your units (one over the other) in your block formation, double checking that the colors still alternate.

Hint: Press center seam of top unit to the left and of bottom unit to the right so that when sewing the two units together the intersection will again nestle together.

Fold the top unit down over the bottom unit and sew the two units together, right sides facing and colors alternating. Press this last seam so that all your main seams rotate in one direction. Your finished block should measure 8-1/2” square.

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Below are a couple of setting ideas for this month's winner.

© 2005 Mary Evans