03/15/09

October, 2001 This block is a 12.5" or 9.5" nine-patch, with four of the squares being half-square triangles (HST).  For instructions on making HST, refer to the HST Tutorial. This block is the first block of 13 featured in the 2007 Quilting Passion  "Surpassing Life's Challenges" Quilt.   Cutting Requirements (1 block) Size Blue Yellow/Gold 12.5" unfinished 4 - 4.5" squares 1 - 4.5" square  12.5" unfinished 2 - 5.5" squares 2 - 5.5" squares 9.5" unfinished 4 - 3.5" squares 1 - 3.5" square 9.5" unfinished 2 - 4.5" squares 2 - 4.5" squares Remember to use a "scant" 1/4" seam allowance, meaning to sew a thread or two short of 1/4". INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOR THE 12.5" BLOCK.  MAKE THE 9.5" BLOCK IN THE SAME WAY, BUT USE THE SQUARE SIZES GIVEN ABOVE. First, using the 5.5" yellow/gold squares and the blue squares, make HST.  Again, refer to the HST Tutorial, if needed.  You should end up with 4 yellow/blue HST that measure 4.5" square (When you made these, they should have been a little larger than 4.5", so trim them down to an accurate 4.5" square).  Refer to the illustration to see how these should look: Second, lay out the squares in this manner: Third, sew each row together, as illustrated, pressing the first row toward the solid blue squares, the second row toward the solid yellow square, and the third row toward the solid blue squares. Fourth, sew each row together, as illustrated, pressing the block flat when finished. Fifth, trim the block to a precise 12.5".  It should look as shown below. Congratulations, you've finished the block! Sample 1, found below, is a good illustration of what this block would look like in a quilt. Sample 2 is using the same block, only putting the HST in the block going in the opposite direction as shown in this illustration: See the difference between it and the original block?  If not, try viewing this illustration comparing the two, and notice the direction of the star points. Sample 3 is alternating the original block with the optional block.  See what an interesting pattern it creates! Sample 4 is using the original block, set on point.  And finally, Sample 5 is set on point, using the original block on most of the rows, and the optional block used in some of them (when looking at it, you see stars in a 3-2-3-2-3 pattern and I used the optional blocks where the 2's are). Sample 1  | Sample 2  |   Sample 3   |  Sample 4  |  Sample 5 © Quilting Passion, Terry Crawford   ©