We have a very easy block for Week 27 with the Road to California. This block is similiar to the Contrary Wife block we did in Week 10, but this time we are adding Four Patches. Add some Half Square Triangles and you have the Road to California. We will be strip piecing our Four Patch blocks and as we have done in the past, we are making the Half Square Triangles slightly oversized and will trim them down.
You will need 3 colors and a background
Fabric A - Color 1
Fabric B - Color 2
Fabric C - Color 3
Fabric D - Background
Cutting:
Fabric A - If you have a full width of fabric: Cut 1 - 2 1/2" x 26" strip OR if you have a Fat Quarter: Cut 2 - 2 1/2" x 13" strips
Fabric B - If you have a full width of fabric: Cut 1 - 2 1/2" x 26" strip OR if you have a Fat Quarter: Cut 2 - 2 1/2" x 13" strips
Fabric C - Cut 2 - 5" squares
Fabric D - Cut 2 - 5" squares
Sewing:
We are going to begin with the Four Patch blocks.
Place the Fabric A and B strip(s) right sides together and sew. Press toward the darker color. Cut the strip(s) into 10 - 2 1/2" segments as shown.
Stack the segments into 2 piles of 5 as shown.
Sew these segments together. To reduce fabric bulk in the seams, I chose to do the "twisting of the seam" method we have done before. Start by taking out the 2 stitches in the seam allowance as shown below.
Open up the block and press the seam in opposite directions.
You will have 5 Four Patch blocks that measure 4 1/2" square.
Next we will make the 4 Half Square Triangles. Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric D Background squares
Place the Fabric D squares right sides together with the Fabric C squares.
Sew 1/4" seam on both sides of drawn line.
Cut the square apart on the drawn line.
Press toward Fabric C. You will have 4 Half Square Triangles that are slightly larger than they need to be.
Trim these down to 4 1/2" square.
Layout all of your pieces as shown.
Sew the 3 rows together, pressing toward the Four Patch blocks.
Sew the 3 rows together.
You have completed the Road to California!
Don't forget to post your pictures on the Ruth's Stitchery Facebook page to be entered to win our July drawing.
