So, here as promised is the next block, it is a 9 inch version of the one before, different black for sure, and the red I think, some got doubled up and I tried to keep them in seperate blocks but I might have missed in one or two.

So we first cut our strips as accurately as we can, our cuts today are

Lights:
1- 3 7/8 " sqr cut to HST
2 - 2 3/8" sqr cut to HST
2- 2" sqr
Dark :
2- 3 1/2 sqr
4- 2 3/8 SQR cut to HST

I like to do my HST next, but it is personal preferance.

I open my strips up and layer them right sides facing, cut the 2 3/8 square and then do the angle cut, I find this quick for me for when I sit down to sew them, I just peel the two up that go together (sometimes needs a little straightening) and sew them together, they are already matched.

You need twice the dark as light, so you need to make sure that you have the extra strip or two depending no how many you are doing to continue cutting the dark.

So then continue to do the rest of your cuts.

Accuracy here will help a lot when you go to sew them together!!!!!!!

so now we get to move to the machine.

if you haven't already, check that your 1/4 inch foot and or guide is indeed 1/4. The pieces are measured for that seam allowance, especially with the angles that we have, it can throw things a lot as you go if you are even just a little out.

Sew together your small HST, one dark and one light, giving you a square, check your seam when you are done, you don't need to check all of them, but especially if you are having trouble with your points, this is a good place to start checking. 1/4

Open them and press seams to the dark side (though this is as well personal preferance) You should have 4 per block.

We are going to add on to those pieces now, seperate them into two equal piles, the next step the HST's are put on differently between the two piles. check the pictures below.. Line up the corners before sewing, yet again, accuracy is the key to keeping your points.

If you think you will have a problem keeping them seperate so you don't mix up the way you are doing them, do them in two batches, if you are doing a lot all at once you may want to do this anyway.

I put a piece on either side of me and lay it the way it will be going on the block, this helps when doing a bunch without having to recheck all the time.

*HST= half square triangle

Press the points out, and check your 1/4 on a few of them to make sure that you are staying where you are supposed to be. you now have one of your points, is it where it is supposed to be?

So since things are going so well and our seams are where they are supposed to be, we are going to take a break, grab a drink of choice and take an animal break!

wonderful tutorial, cutebuns!

so we are back, I hope you all enjoyed Kate (lab puppy) and Puff ( cat)

so where were we, oh yes,

I yet again put the piece that I put on top on my right and the other piece on the left, it doesn't matter which piece you pick to do this two, just make sure that they are all the same ones. set the other ones aside so as not to get them mixed up. sew your 1/4 seam again.

Take the other pieces and the square. line up the pieces so that the point goes down along the edge and the corner lines up. sew the 1/4 inch seam once again. You can stop and press now or continue to do the opposite side and then press, I leave my chains together and they get pulled up to the machine, but again, you can snip them apart if it makes it easier for you.

Press and do that spot check again, once you figure out what it looks like you can do a visual as you press them.

* Press the way that you started, either open or to the dark side.

**note, I do not use pins at all as a rule, there are a few exceptions, feel free to use them if you need to.

so now we pick up the ones with the square on it and match up the corners on the sides of the big square that have nothing on them yet. Point yet again hangs off the end, you will have two seams to match up, this is where pressing to the opposite sides can pay off, for those that pin pin away, the seams butt together nicely this way and I can feel it with my fingers if they are matching. 1/4 seam and away we go, continue and do the opposite the same way. Press to the dark. We are almost done at this point.

Last little bit and then we will be done.

line up the big HST along the angles edge, both points should hang off of the ends equally, the point in the center (I forgot to take a pictures of this)

1/4 inch seam, repeat on the other side.

On this one there is less resistance to press to the light, check before doing this to see if it will show when it is done.

so here is our completed block,

Tip, when sewing over some of the points, sew with the pieced one up, that way you can see where you are sewing over and can hopefully hit the junction where they meet.

Thank you very much, I hope that it makes it easier for some to do the block and get their points to show.

Great tutorial , Cutebuns, easy to understand!!

For those that quilt, they can just take the cutting directions and toss it together, but so many people are having issues with their points, this one is easy to practice with, points that you can watch to make sure you see them as you go along. And the directions ended up all on the front page so no flipping through to find bits and pieces of it.

Thank you Ninnie!

Wonderful Tute!! :D :D Great Pictures :D :D Good Written Directions :D :D
loved the 1/2 time entertainment and the monkey holding the block is priceless 8) 8) 8)

Thank you Amma, I was finding it a little dry, and you need to take breaks no matter how much you love quilting!

Pink Monkey seems to be my trademark these days.

She does seem to be very photogenic :wink: 8) 8) 8)

keeps slipping into all sorts of shots, I think she is a ham, a big one.

She's the right color :wink:

cutie, i have trouble even seeing 7/8" or 3/8". can this be cut slightly oversized, like 1" and 1/2", and sewn a few threads over 1/4"? would that work?

Butterflywing,

When you cut it a bit bigger and then sew wider seams, you run the risk of points not being where they need to be when you are finished, if you have a hard time seeing the measurments on your ruler, take some masking tape (I like the green or blue painters tape, it is low tac) and mark the line that you need to make your cuts. Then you only have to find it the once. some people use post it notes but I find I can knock them off of the ruler if I am not careful.

thanks, b8

Not a problem, Here to help in anyway that I can.

Thank you. My guild's block is the anvil and there was no easy way to make them now I have one. Our guild is the HammerSmiths.

That is fun, great that you will have it easier to do the block now. Feel free to share it with others in your guild.

Cutie,
I know this is 6 weeks after your tute, I am making Anvil for Fall block swap.
What an easy pattern. I love it.

Bettia

I am glad that it is still being used, It was such a fun one and funny story about another quilter doing it right when I was.