Week 20 is here! This week we are strip piecing and we have a couple Half Square Triangles to do the Odds & Ends block. 

You will need 4 colors and a background

Fabric A - Color 1

Fabric B - Color 2

Fabric C - Color 3

Fabric D - Color 4

Fabric E - Background

Cutting:

Fabric A - Cut 1 - 2" x 16 1/2" strip

Fabric B - Cut 1 - 2" x 16 1/2" strip

Fabric C - Cut 2 - 2" x 13 1/2" strips

Fabric D - Cut 1 - 4" square

Fabric E - Cut 2 - 2" x 13 1/2" strips

Fabric E - Cut 1 - 4" square

Fabric E - Cut 2 - 3 1/2" squares

Sewing:

Let's start with some strip piecing. You will need the Fabric A and B 2" x 16 1/2" strips.

Sew these strips together and press toward Fabric A.

Cut this strip set into 8 - 2" segments. (The strip set is a little longer than you need so you can straighten up the end before you start cutting it into segments)

These segments are used to make 4 Four Patch blocks. Pile the segments into 2 groups as shown.

Chain piece these segments. I twisted the seam before pressing as I have done in previous weeks to keep the fabric bulk down. You will have 4 Four Patch blocks.

Next you need the 2 Fabric C and 2 Fabric E 2" x 13 1/2" strips.

Sew these strips together as shown, press toward the Fabric C strips.

Cut these 2 strip sets into 4 - 6 1/2" segments. (The strip sets are a little longer than you need so you can straighten the ends before you cut the segments.)

Now we need to make our Half Square Triangles. First you will need to draw a diagonal line on the wrong side the Fabric E square.

You also need the Fabric D 4" square. Place these right sides together.

Sew 1/4" seam on both sides of the drawn line as shown.

Cut apart on the drawn line.

Press toward Fabric D. The Half Square Triangles are slightly oversized. Using your ruler (as you know, I love the Bloc Loc), trim them to 3 1/2".

To construct the center of our block, take the Half Square Triangles from above and the 2 Fabric E 3 1/2" squares. Lay them out as shown.

Sew this together like a Four Patch block. Sew top pieces together and bottom pieces together, pressing toward the Fabric E squares.

Sew top and bottom together. If you want to, you can twist that seam allowance again to help with the fabric bulk.

We have all the pieces we need to finish this block. Layout your pieces as shown below.

Sew together in rows, pressing toward the Fabric C and E strips.

Sew the rows together. Press away from the center.

Our Odds & Ends block is complete.

Don't forget to post your pictures on the Ruth's Stitchery Facebook page to be entered into our May drawing!