Week #40, only 12 more weeks to go in our Block of the Week journey! I hope you have been enjoying making these blocks each week (or several blocks in one week if that is how you are working on them). This week's block is called Mississippi. There are a few books and online tutorials that have patterns for the 50 State Quilt blocks. I was feeling a little patriotic when I saw this block and I liked that it was a little different then a friendship star. I chose 2 star colors but you could do each star in a different fabric if you would like.
You will need 3 colors and a background
Fabric A - Color 1
Fabric B - Color 2
Fabric C - Color 3 (this fabric is your background, light grey for me)
Fabric D - Background (this is the white, not really a background this time)
Cutting:
Fabric A - Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares
Fabric A - Cut 8 - 2" squares
Fabric B - Cut 2 - 2 1/2" squares
Fabric B - Cut 8 - 2" squares
Fabric C - Cut 16 - 2 1/2" squares
Fabric C - Cut 16 - 2" squares
Fabric D - Cut 16 - 2 1/2" squares
Sewing:
Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of all of the Fabric A, B, and C 2" squares.
You will start with 8 Fabric D squares and the 8 Fabric A 2" squares. With right sides together position a Fabic A square to a Fabric D square in the lower left hand corner.
Sew just to the outside edge of the drawn line.
Trim the corner, leaving 1/4" seam.
Press toward Fabric A. You will have 8 pieces that look like this.
Now repeat these steps for the remaining 8 Fabric D squares and the 8 Fabric B squares.
You will have 8 Fabric B pieces that look like this.
You will now sew the Fabric C squares to all of the Fabric A and B units from above as shown. (Upper right corner placement, make sure the diagonal line is running parallel to your first seam)
Sew just to the outside edge of the drawn line. Trim the corner, leaving 1/4" seam.
Press toward Fabric C. You will have 16 squares (2 1/2" square) as shown.
The rest of this block is putting together 4 Nine Patch blocks. Begin with your Fabric A pieces and lay them out as shown.
Sew the top, middle and bottom rows together. Press toward the Fabric C and Fabric A squares.
Sew these rows together. Press seam open for less fabric bulk.
You will have 2 Fabric A stars that measure 6 1/2" square.
Now repeat the above steps for Fabric B.
You will have 2 Fabric B stars that measure 6 1/2" square.
Now lay these stars out as shown.
Sew the top squares and bottom squares together. Press seam open.
Sew the top and bottom rows together. Press seam open.
Your block is complete! I hope you enjoyed making the Mississippi block.
Don't forget to post your pictures on the Ruth's Stitchery Facebook page to be entered into our October drawing.
