QAF Block of the Month

October 2006

Cake Stand

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

Years ago we did a block swap with this block. We did the blocks in Kona Black and bright batiks, and called it 'Almost Amish'. We are repeating this block and doing a little special 'twist' on our Block of the Month this month. Alongside our regular BOM, we will run a block swap using the same pattern, and the same kind of fabrics.

This is an 8" block, and very traditional. You will appreciate the fact that the largest piece you need to cut can be cut from a nickel square, so those of you who have batik nickels are in luck, and then, of course, it is also perfect for FQ. We have been swapping batiks in FQ for awhile now, so you will all have plenty of those on hand too, we think.

We are calling for Kona Black 100% cotton for the black part of this block. It has a good weave that goes very well with batiks, and if everyone uses it, all your blocks will go together very nicely, whether you are the winner of the BOM, or if you are in the block swap (or both).

So, to recap, you will need Black Kona Cotton (made by Kaufman), and 1 bright batik. This can be a TOT, or have a design on it. I happen to think that this block, at this size looks smashing in the bright more solid looking batiks, showing them off to good advantage. Nice splashes of color.

CUT:

For each block:

Kona Black:

(2) 3" squares (for half-sq. triangles)*
(2) 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangles
(1) 2 1/2" square
(1) 4 7/8" square, cut once diagonally

Batik:

(2) 3" squares (for half-sq. triangles)*
(1) 2 7/8" square, cut once diagonally
(1) 4 7/8" square, cut once diagonally (you will have one triangle left over)

To Assemble Block:

*Make the half-sq. triangles (HST). Draw a diagonal line on the back of a batik 3" square, and put RST with a black 3" square. Stitch 1/4" on each side of the drawn line. Repeat with the other pair of 3" squares. Cut apart on the drawn line. Press to the black, then square up and trim to 2 1/2" square. Line up the diagonal line on your square up ruler with the seam line on these little squares.

Now, lay out all the parts for your block, following the picture above. Notice how the HST's mirror each other? And the long sides of the batik triangles are facing to the outside of the block, and away from each other?

Pick up the two big triangles in the center of the Cake Stand and sew, RST along the diagonal line. Be very careful not to stretch this seam as you sew. Go slowly. (An alternative would be to cut a 5" black and a 5" batik square, and follow the *HST instructions above. You will have an extra HST in that case.) Press to the black and square this HST to 4 1/2". Place it back in center of layout.

Now sew a batik triangle to a black rectangle, RST. Pick up the triangle and place it RST on the rectangle, lining up the 90-degree corner of the triangle on the end of the rectangle. You will have a little batik 1/4" rabbit ear hanging over the bottom edge of the rectangle. Stitch, then press to the black. Repeat with the other set. Place back in the layout.

Sew the small HST units together in sets of two. These sets should measure 2 1/2" x 4 1/2". Attach the black square to the end of one set. Stitch the set without the square right sides together with the big HST you made earlier, watching the alignment. Put the two sets together as per the picture. Now, you can attach the rectangles with triangles attached to this big square. Stitch one, then the other. Press out to the black rectangle. Now, simply attach the remaining black triangle to the bottom of the Cake Stand. Sew this seam with a scant 1/4", and sew with the batik on top, sewing through the intersection seam of the batiks.

Because of all the bias edges you will encounter with this block, it is good to measure your cuts very accurately, and, of course, stitch with a scant 1/4" seam, and measure, measure, measure the patches as you put them together. Sewing a bit slower helps too, in getting beautiful blocks with this one.

You will want at least an 8 1/2" square up ruler for this block, to do that final measuring and trimming.

Isn't this a stunning block, made from these fabrics?

For the block of the month, you may make two from the same set of fabrics (remember those leftover pieces?)

For the block swap you may find it very easy to assembly line sew for your whole group(s), and even to use the same batik for each group. We'd like to ask each person who signs up for the block swap to also make at least ONE block for the BOM and enter it.

We hope you have fun with this block, and make beautiful quilts from the blocks you receive.

Here are a few setting ideas:

A Lap Quilt

 

A couple of table runners

© Mary Evans 2006