Here is my shortcut for making Kansas Dugout Blocks. They are easy to make with my cut down method.
The cut down method simply means you cut out swatches of fabric and sew then together and then cut out a square from the center. So here are the steps to making Kansas Dugout Blocks.
Swatches are pieces of fabric any size you need depending on the project you are making. Measure your template from center to the corner and add 1/2" seam allowance. This is how wide your swatch needs to be and it should be a little longer than the template is long on point or from one corner to the opposite corner.
You will need a template any size you like.
To make a 12 1/2" quilt block you will need a 2 1/2" template to make a quilt block that has 6 blocks across by 6 blocks down or a total of 36 Kansas Dugout blocks to make the Quilt Block.
You can see all of my cut down "Blocks" in one place in the Virtual Section
http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1020
And I have used several of the Kansas Dugout designs in my Sampler Quilt along
http://www.quiltingboard.com/virtual...jsp?vsnum=1017
I hope you have fun with this Block and make lots of beautiful things! I would love it if you post pics of what you make with my Blocks!!
The Kansas Dugout Block
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Cut two black swatches - size depends on your template size
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Cut one of the center swatch
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Sew the center swatch to one of the black swatches
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Lay a ruler on the seam and trim the center swatch to 1" (for a 2 1/2" template) or to 3/4" ( for the 1 1/2" template) from the seam
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Next sew on the other black swatch to the center swatch
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This is what you see after you cut out the square from the center. You can pull the pieces apart and recycle them into more blocks.
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Put your joined swatches on a mini cutting mat. Lay your template on the seam as shown so the opposite corners are centered in the center swatch. Hold the template with your left hand and cut along one side with the rotary cutter. Don't let go of the template as you turn the mat and continue to cut along the side of the template. Take time to make sure the template doesn't move for an accurately cut out square
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And Here Again is your Kansas Dugout Block!!
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