This week's block is called Storm Signal. Seems appropriate with all the thunder storms we have been having recently in Colorado.
Half Square Triangles, Hour Glass, and Square in a Square are the techniques this time. You will be making everything a little bigger so that you can trim down for accuracy.
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 2 - 3" squares
Fabric A - Cut 1 - 3 1/2" square
Fabric B - Cut 2 - 3" squares
Fabric B - Cut 1 - 3 1/2" square
Fabric C - Cut 2 - 5 1/2" squares
Fabric D - Cut 2 - 2 1/4" x 9" rectangles
Fabric D - Cut 2 - 2 1/4" x 12 1/2" rectangles
Fabric E - Cut 4 - 2 1/2" squares
Sewing:
Half Square Triangles
Draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of the Fabric A - 3" squares.
Place the Fabric A squares from above, right sides together with the Fabric B - 3" squares.
Sew 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line.
Cut apart on the line.
Press toward Fabric B. You will have 4 slightly oversized Half Square Triangles.
Trim your 4 Half Square Triangles to 2 1/2".
Hour Glass Block
**You will end up with 2 Hour Glass Blocks but you only need one for this block.
Draw 2 diagonal lines on the wrong sides of both the Fabric A and B - 3 1/2" squares.
Begin by placing these squares right sides together and sewing 1/4" from both sides of one of the drawn lines.
Cut apart on the drawn line as shown.
Press toward Fabric B.
Now place these 2 Half Square Triangles right sides together making sure the colors are opposite of each other (see below) and your seams are right up against each other.
Now sew 1/4" from both sides of the drawn line.
Cut apart on the drawn line.
You will only need one of these units. I pressed this seam open.
Trim this to 2 1/2" square.
Put the center of the block together by laying out your units as shown below.
Sew these together like a Nine Patch sewing the top row, middle row, and bottom row together. Press toward the Fabric E squares.
Sew the rows together, interlocking your seams, to complete the center unit. Press seams open for less fabric bulk. This should measure 6 1/2" square.
Square in a Square
Cut the Fabric C squares in half on the diagonal.
Find the center of a Fabric C triangle by folding it in half on the long side and finger press.
Find the center of the center unit by folding it in half on one side and finger press.
Now line up the centers of the triangle and center block and pin together.
Sew 1/4" seam with the center block on top as shown below.
Repeat these steps for the opposite side. (Find the centers and pin in place).
Sew your 1/4" seam and then press toward the Fabric C triangles.
Repeat for the other 2 sides.
Sew 1/4" seam and then press toward Fabric C triangles.
This unit needs to be trimmed down to 9" square. To do this you want to make sure that you are leaving a 1/4" seam allowance on each side.
Our final step is the frame around the outside of our Square in a Square.
Layout the Fabric D 9" side frame strips on either side of the block as shown.
When you sew these frame strips on, have the center block on top so you can make sure you are hitting where the seam intersects.
Press toward Fabric D side strips. Add the top and bottom Fabric D frame strips. Press toward the Fabric D strips.
You did it! Your Storm Signal block is complete.
Make sure you post your pictures on the Ruth's Stitchery Facebook page in order to be entered into our July drawing.
