QAF Block of the Month

May 2006

Calico Puzzle

9 1/2" (unfinished), 9" (finished)

Here is an interesting little block that I found in Barbara Brackman's Blockbase. It will make some fun quilts, with the secondary design possibilities. I know from recent conversations on QAF that not all of us have calicos anymore, but many of us do. I am calling for a calico for these blocks, but I'm including repros from the 20's to the 40's, and even older repros, if you have one that fits the bill and goes with the other fabrics called for. The basic look we are going for here will be a small print, probably of little flowers or geometrics, but not florals where the flowers look real. For this BOM, let's stick with the calico look. I will take a photo of two blocks that I have made.

To keep company with the calico fabric, I am calling for a darker SOLID fabric to coordinate with the calico. It could be a darker tone of the background of the calico, or could match one of the darker/brighter elements from the print.. You could also use a TOT like Moda Marble or a solid batik as well.

And last but not least,you'll need a WOW (white on white) to keep it crisp looking, and a bit updated.

Now, if you are a Strip Swapper on QAF, you will remember swapping WOW in January, and Amish Solids back in June of '03 (has it been THAT long??).

Notions: A small 4 1/2" square up ruler would be helpful for this block, as well as one that is larger than 9 1/2".

You may make 3 blocks in the same set of fabrics to enter in the BOM lottery. You may use the same WOW for all your blocks if you wish.

Cut for each block:

Calico: (4) 3 1/2" squares

Solid: (2) 4" squares and (1) 3 1/2" square

WOW: (2) 4" squares

To Assemble Block:

First make the HST (half-square triangles). Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the back of each of the 4" WOW squares. Layer them RST with the Solid 4" squares. Stitch 1/4" on each side of the diagonal line, for each set. Cut them apart on the drawn line and press to the darker fabric.. Trim with your smaller square-up ruler to 3 1/2" square exactly, lining up the sewn diagonal line on the ruler's diagonal line.

Lay out your patches for the block as in the block drawing above, and pay special attention to the direction of the diagonal lines. Tricky, I know. But this will give your quilts those colorful pinwheels when you put them all together.

Sew together in rows. Press all your seams toward the calico. Now sew the rows together, and the seam intersections will nestle nicely. Press your block and measure, using your larger square-up ruler. The block should measure exactly 9 1/2" square. Trim if necessary. Have fun with these fabrics, and this great Calico Puzzle block!

Here are a couple of setting ideas:




 


©2006 Mary Evans