odd directions for block-square in a square in a square, i think
 

a friend in England sent me these directions of a block she must make. it is confusing.It didn't show up. anyway, it says take smallest sq 3 1/2 inches and draw diagonal lines corner to corner. clip incision on one line. place signed square right sides and sew all around. leave 1/4" seam.cut on drawn lines and fold cut edges outwards. the 4 1/4 sq will fit this. so repeat and repeat again with larger squares of 5 1/4 and 6 1/2. I assume it is a square in a square in a square??? I'm trying to find directions for it online that I can send her. anyone?? this is kind of what I mean but they sew all around and clip and fold outward each time. http://delawarequilts.com/BOMs/SquareX3/index.html

That sounds like a nickle square quilt we had done once. You lose the points of the inner square when you sew them this way.

hmmm, the inner is to be signed but they didn't show a finished block. it would have helped. I will try go make one and tell her more if I get it done correctly.

The link, you posted, seems to explain it pretty well. ???

Looks like a SiS. You can always give it a try with some scrap fabrics. The points are intact and the pictures help explain it all.

yes except the directions say to lay squares on top with diagonal lines drawn (and a slit cut in one) and stitch around. then cut on lines and fold out the triangles. lay another square on top and do same. I made one and will send pics to her. that may help.Thanks!!

Dang my head hurts when I read the original directions. Very odd indeed nativetexan.

I doubt my size of block was correct but think she will get the idea. I took pics as I did it. this one is ugly but was only trying out directions.

It would be helpful to us to see your pictures. I thought I could understand any quilt directions but I can't visualize this one. Help us out here.

Here is a tutorial how to do the block: http://www.quiltingboard.com/tutoria...oo-t14958.html

I've made that block and it cuts the points off but it is really pretty. And easy!

yep, that's pretty much it. I didn't cut my squares into triangles before sewing around the edges. it called for a slit to be cut on one drawn line, then stitch around and slip scisssors into slit and cut on lines to corners. then press open. then lay the next size square on top with drawn lines, sew and cut and open and press, etc.

Place two equal sized squares right sides together .
Sew all round 1/4inch seam allowance.
Top square snip this one only and cut across diagonally.( take care not to cut square below)
Press out.
Take square same size as the new square and sew all round
Cut diagonally on top square only.
Press
Keep going to a block size.

You always loose the points which I wish I could sort out.
Hope these instructions help. I was never given specific square sizes only make new square same size as one just pressed.

This is the same from looking at your pictures that I have made, I just called it a square in a square, have no idea what the true name is. I started with a 4" square, if you use larger starting squares your completed block is huge. Anyway, start with a 4"square of fabric you want for the center block, cut another 4"square and lay them right sides together, sew completely around the square, then take the piece that you added NOT the center square, pull it up in the center make a snip and cut from center to each corner, careful not to cut through stitching, thus making an X, press open, then cut a new square the size the open square turns out to be about 5", lay it face down or right sides together with the opened piece and sew around it, repeating the process of pulling the last added square up and snip in the same way you did the first, thus creating a new and larger square, repeat the process until you have the finished size you want MAKE SURE you do not snip the dog ears each time, as this messes up the block somehow, ask me how I know. My quilt I made ended up with perfect 9" blocks. When they were all sewn together, you had another design where four blopcks joined together. I love this pattern, it is so easy and quick to do. I don't have my directions in front of me, so I am not exactly sure of the dimensions, but if I remember correctly, beginning block 4", new square or 2nd square 5", next one is 7" and final block is 9". I first tried starting with a 6" square and ended up with an 18" completed block I do remember that. I used different fabrics and it turned out beautiful. I cn not remember where I found the directions for this block, so I can not give the credit to whoever- so it is not my design, but I love it. Looks like what you did in your picture. I will look in my pics and see if I still have a picture of the one I made for my friend using this process. For the rest of you like Mikey says in his commercial - "Try it you'll like it. " lol I didn't draw lines on mine, just cut from the center to each corner.

I found a tutorial and I know at one time I seen a video of this. It is a square in a square pineapple block. I hope this clears it up for you.
http://beyondsockmonkeys.wordpress.c...s-2/tutorials/

This link shows how to snip the center cuts before you sew the two layers together. But in the demo I saw, the center cuts were made just a little differently.

http://beyondsockmonkeys.wordpress.c...s-2/tutorials/

Before you layer the two squares RST, cut the top square on the diagonal with your rotary cutter, but not all the way through the center. Make two slits on one diagonal, leaving the center of the square and the ends uncut. Then cut the other diagonal, making three cuts: a short one in the center and the two cuts like the first ones. By leaving some fabric together in the center, the square is less floppy, and is easier to handle. It is still quite easy to snip the rest of those diagonal lines after the square is sewn all around the outside.

Karin Hellaby has a You Tube video showing this. She calls it a simple pineapple.

Karin Hellaby, also has a couple of books. I took a class, and here is the results ~

This is the one I thought of too with your directions.

Have made this square
 

I have made this square, simple...begin with two squares same size, face to face, sew around all 4 corners,
draw X from corner to corner on the square that is not the center...then cut the on the lines just shy of
the sewn seam around the square. Open the cut area out, making another square, then cut the next
piece of fabric the size of that square, repeat the process with the next square, face to face, draw, cut,
fold out, and each time the square gets bigger. True, you do cut loose the points, but it makes a nice block.

Again the members of this board come to the rescue.

Guess what? THIS is how I make my square-in-a-square blocks, and it is not confusing at all. I've taught this class, and everyone LOVES the "big reveal" once the square on top is cut twice on the diagonal and you see what's inside. It is TOO much fun!

That certainly sounds like Karin Hellaby's directions for Pineapple blocks. So much fun and so easy. Makes great quilt blocks and quilts.

You beat me to it pegquilter!! Definitely Karin Hellaby block. Check out Youtube....there is a good tutorial!!!! Quick and easy block..very effective!

Hilary, thank you so much. I sent that info to my friend in England. Even though I sent her pics of the block as I made it, she was still having difficulties. This should help. CC

I took a class once that did this. The book was called Exploded pineapple. Great pattern. Fast.

Thank you - I found this tute...this is awesome http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJQaTBpZa9g

I would not understand the original directions and would need to post a cry for help from all of you. However, the tutorial with the original post was quite clear.