Got kicked off DSL again.. although it seems to only be this site??? will post instructions and try photos separately...
OK.... so I've got my hot cup of tea and my bagel is toasting... lets try this again and hope the DSL doesn't go down [I will ctrl-c before adding photos so I don't have to worry!
Anael - love the block and Gladys - your curved tute is wonderful! Thanks for that
When I compared Jane's original G-4 block to the sketch and thatquilt.com instructions I realized that they were both lacking Jane's outer background border. I wanted mine to look more like Janes and - like I've said so many times although I do love paper piecing, I don't like removing ALL that paper and you don't need it for this block so long as you measure and sew CAREFULLY
Note that the size of your center square will determine the amount of border you can have at the outer edge. I measured the finished size of the square at 1/2" which means 1" cut. If you take ever so slightly larger seams than you normally would adding on the first round of triangles, each successive round will end slightly smaller and you will end up with a nice size final border round. What I mean is - where you normally hear 'take a scant 1/4" seam" be a bit more exact or slightly over - as in a thread or two no more.
First, here are the measurements I used. And the way I added triangles is to first cut two squares the same size and then cut once diagonally... start with your 1" square of background. Your next 'round 1' is cut from your main fabric [Janes is red, mine is green]:
round 1 = main 1 1/4"squares
round 2 = background 1 1/2"
round 3 = main 1 3/4"
round 4 = background 2"
round 5 = main 2 1/4"
round 6 = background 2 3/4"
To attach the triangles to the sides follow these instructions... attach triangles to two opposite sides making sure your center point lines up with the center of the opposite side. PRESS [dont iron and stretch!] often... First you should press your seam down to set your stitches into the fabric, then while still warm - either with your fingertip or tip of iron, turn the triangle over the seam and press towards the outside away from the center square. The extra pressing initially really allows for a crisper finish so the fabric seam lies flat. With each successive 'round' lay your triangle on top of square centering it so the center tip lines up with a square corner. Flip your pieces over to see exactly how far from the outer edge the tip of the prior square is so you know how far from the edge to sew your seam. This way you ensure that the corners wont be cut off - tis better to have it float in a couple of threads, but try to make it close.
Tip - I learned a few years back from Sue Garman when she did a BOM for thequiltshow.com that you should avoid sewing on the side that your corners come to. This is easier to understand when you are putting a border on a quilt that is sewn on point. When you sew on the quilt side, your eyes get distracted by the points and you dont sew as straight a line as when you sew on the straight border side. Same hold for short seams - once you determine how wide your seam must be, flip the pieces over again and sew on triangle side - your seams will be straighter and your squares will actually be square! I will first post a couple of photos of this and then get back to the final round instructions....