Rhonda's 2nd Boston Block Hotpad Class --- Boston Blocks and HSTs (corrected)
 

Last week we discussed colors and fabrics. This week we are going to make the Boston Blocks and HSTs(half square triangle) blocks.

Over time I have developed several shortcut methods that make piecing easy and quick. I call it my cut down method.

Basically you sew fabric pieces together and then cut a square out of the center. As a miniaturist this allows me to use small pieces without actually handling small tiny pieces. The piecing just sort of happens when you cut out the pieced square.

Once you learn how to make that particular “Block” unit then you make as many as you need in the colors you need to make the quilt block you choose.
Once you have made all the quilt blocks then those become a quilt or other project you choose to make.

The size of the “Block” unit is whatever you want it to be. I am a miniaturist and I mostly use small sizes. But the method is about the piecing not about keeping it small. You can use any size template you want depending on how big you want the quilt block to be.

For this Hotpad project we are going to use the 6 x 6 grid design. This means there are 6 rows of 6 Boston Blocks per row. I like the pieced quilt block to be 6 1/2" so I can add borders to get an 8" finished Hotpad. This size uses the 1 1/2" template. If you want yours to be larger you can use a larger template. I have made them bigger and used them for a trivet under dishes and my daughter has used them as placemats.

Here is the quilt block and the layout of the "blocks"

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448207[/ATTACH].......[ATTACH=CONFIG]448208[/ATTACH]


So now we break it down and see the different "Blocks" and the colors I used.

Boston Blocks
you will need to make:

4 Blocks .......4 Blocks.. ...4 Blocks......4 Blocks.......4 Blocks
[ATTACH=CONFIG]448209[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448210[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448211[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448212[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448213[/ATTACH]

Half Square Triangle Blocks

4 Blocks....... 8 Blocks......4 Blocks
[ATTACH=CONFIG]448214[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448215[/ATTACH]...[ATTACH=CONFIG]448216[/ATTACH]

Okay now on to how to make the Boston Blocks

When I developed this method I wanted something that didn't have alot of math involved. I wanted it quick and easy to make.

so I used swatches of fabric. I call it rough cut when you just cut off a piece of fabric. You can use scraps also.

You need a light a medium and a dark for this first one. After that follow the colors you need to make the other Bostons.

Here you see two different sets of swatches. One set the medium is on the rt side and the other set the med is on the left side. This makes them mirror images. You will need to watch for this when making your blocks.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448217[/ATTACH]

Here I've sewn the top two swatches together
I trimmed the bottom of the joined swatches to a straight edge

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448218[/ATTACH]

Next sew on the third swatch to the joined swatches

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448219[/ATTACH]

Place the template on the seams so the corners match the seams
Don't let it move while you cut it out

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448220[/ATTACH]

And here you have a Boston Block cut out

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448221[/ATTACH]

Now here are a couple of other ways to make the Bostons

You can use strips to join the top two fabrics. Cut them at least a bit more than half the width of the template on point.
You can cut the joined strips the size you need. For the 1 1/2" Bostons the strips need to be cut at least 1 3/4" sections. Then use the sections and sew on the third fabric to the edge. Make sure you place the medium on the side it needs to be for the color placement you need. As in the mirror image blocks.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448222[/ATTACH]

Another alternative for those who want to take the time to save a bit of fabric you can cut squares and then cut them into triangles. For the 1 1/2" size you need to cut at least 2 1/4" squares. For the third or bottom fabric cut the squares from corner to corner for two triangles. And for the quarter triangles cut the same size square but cut them into 4 triangles from corner to corner.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448223[/ATTACH]

This will allow you to have less leftovers.

Speaking of leftovers. - I never worry about leftovers. I reuse the scraps into other "Blocks" or make more Boston Blocks. You can also use them to make crumb blocks or crazy quilt blocks.

One thing I hear alot is what about Bias. I don't pay any attention to the Bias edge. Yes you will have sides that are cut on the bias. But if you tack then you dont' have to worry about Bias edges.

I tack where seams meet and I tack on the edge of joining two blocks. This keeps the fabric from moving so no stretching. I think tacks work better than pins. Pins can still move but tacks stay put.

A tack is a stitch or two in place. Put the tack where the seam is going to go through. then you don't have to take it back out.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448224[/ATTACH]

Now I know there are alot of ways to make HSTs. But I think my way is quick and easy with little waste.

I use strips.

It doesn't matter if your seam allowance is perfect. I didnt' use a trimmed edge but you can. As long as you pay attention to sewing a straight seam you don't have to pay attention to seam allowance.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448225[/ATTACH]

Sew two strips together
Open and iron the seam open. (or to the dark if you prefer)

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448226[/ATTACH]

place your strips on a cutting mat. I like to fold up the length so I am only working with part of the strips at a time. It's easier to turn the mat if the strips are folded up some.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448227[/ATTACH]

And here are your HSTs

[ATTACH=CONFIG]448228[/ATTACH]

When you get the HSTs cut out you can pull apart the strips and sew them together on the other side and continue cutting out HSTs.


Next week we will look at how to put the quilt block together and then finish the hotpad.

Here is the PDF for this class

This is so clever. I love how you solved the miniature problem. I look forward to next week. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Thank you,! Rhonda. Once again your generosity is greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to this project.

delma

hot pad templates
 

I recieved the two templates today, thank you so very much. looking forward to making such clever hotpads.
j.c.

Thank you sew much for your tutorials. I thought I had lost all the information but in checking back thru the Quilt Board I rescued the information. Is this the only pdf so far?

Thank you Rhonda.

Thank you again, Rhonda for your generosity. After reading the tutorial, I'm thinking about which fabrics to use, and I just know I'm going to get myself into trouble! LOL

Thank you so much. This was a great lesson and tutorial. I liked reading it and the pictures. Good teacher!

You're welcome everyone. I enjoy sharing what I love to do.

I will post the pdf for the last lesson soon. I haven't gotten it done yet.
I "ll be posting a pdf in each lesson and when they are all done I'll post all of the pdfs together

I not only love your concept in creating - several different ways of putting scraps together to accomplish the same goal, but how you break down a pattern (the big picture) into visibly putting it together. Your little man is getting bigger!! :-) Thank you for your tutorials.

Mary (Marysewfun)

Rhonda, I have also received the templates. Thank you so much. I too, look forward to making the hot pads.

Thanks Mary as for Colton he will be 3 on Dec 17. Today his twin brothers turned 10. They are growing up!

You're welcome. I 'm glad you got them okay

I too received my templates. A big thank you!! Now to get my fabric picked out and get busy.

Thank you Rhonda for your generosity -- it is truly appreciated.

thank you rhonda for the templetts, i cannot wait to get started

Thanks. Can't wait to get a day off from watching DGD so I can try using my new templates.

Today I too received my templates! Thank you Rhonda, I can't wait to get started!

Carol

Mine haven't come yet, can't wait!!

Maureen

Now I can get started!!! My Templates came!!! Many many thanks!!!
Maureen

Received my templates today. Thanks ever so much. I am just waiting now to get my sewing machine back. The tension would not adjust so I am having withdrawlas! Should have it one day next week. This is such a good way to use scraps. I can hardly wait to try it out.

Rhonda - I received my 2 templates . . . Thank you very much!

I received my templates, thank you so much, Rhonda.

I've received my templates Rhonda! Thank you so much for them. I just love you way of doing HST and usually use that as my default way of doing them. I too don't worry too much about leftovers. If they get to be too small then I throw them out but they have to be quite small not to be able to use them for applique or something. )

I can't wait to work on getting better with the Boston blocks.

I apologize for the delay but due to the holiday and grandkids staying the weekend it will probably be Fri or Sat before I get the next lesson posted.

I was going to work on it tonight but somehow I found my self playing a game online with my 2 yr old grandson (my avatar Colton) LOL He's already pretty good at getting around on the computer!

Rhonda, I think we all would take time with a grandchild over quilting any day or night. Whenever you get next lesson posted will be great. It is so nice of you to do the lessons that I am sure none of us mind waiting.

RHonda, I received my templates..thank you very much. I am excited to try these blocks. Love this block pattern.

Well after the grands go home in the morning and we get back from taking them home I plan to finish this tutorial!! I don't usually have grands on Thurs as they are usually in school and I get them on Fri afts. so this week has been a bit weird. I don't usually take the kids for 4 days either usually just from Fri to Sun. so this has been a bit harder to get anything done. Colton is going to be 3 in Dec and he has decided Amo(me) has to be there every few mins to see what he has done or to play with him or cuddle. The older ones usually go play at least for awhile but I kept finding myself surrounded with kids LOL So I gave up trying to get anything done. Tomarrow I will start in on it again when I have a quiet house again! LOL

Rhonda
Thank you, I received my templates , I am starting on sewing them together.
I really like this block!

I am working on the tutorial now. I hope to have it posted yet tonight