MODA Modern Building Blocks - Week 3 - Block 1

Block 1

36” Finished

We are working on Block #1 this week. I know it may be super scary, but we want to play with our fabrics. Since so many of you are choosing your own fabrics, we want to make sure you have enough fabric for the large pieces required. 

***If you are building your skills and this block seems too intimidating. Choose your fabrics, CUT the big chunks and set aside for later.***

Sub-units

1 – 12 ½” Square Block

4 – 9 ½” x 18 ½” Flying Geese

Method A (Pattern with half square triangle shortcut)

Fabric	What to cut?	Block Part	What to buy if making scrappy?
9900 230	8 – 3 7/8” Square Keep 2 Squares WHOLE to pair with Block part D Cut 6 in half diagonally once	B	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth
9900 87	2 – 10 3/8” Square Cut in half diagonally once	E	1/3 yard or Fat 1/6th (12” x 22”)
9900 109	4 – 9 7/8” Square Cut in half diagonally once	F	1/3 yard
9900 37	1 – 19 1/4” Square Cut in half diagonally twice 4 – 9 ½” Square	G H	5/8 yard
9900 281	1 – 4 ¾” Square 1 – 7 ¼” Square Cut in half diagonally twice 2 – 3 7/8” Square Keep squares and pair with fabric for Half Square Triangle Units	A C D	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth

Assembling Block:

·        Carefully “Square in a Square” your background “A” with 4 “B” triangles. 

I find that pinning the center point of the base of the triangle to the center point of the side of the block first helps align the pieces.

 

Align the centers and then pin for stitching. Repeat on all four sides. 

            Block should now measure 6 ½” x 6 ½”

·        Piece 4 flying geese measuring 3 ½” x 6 ½”  - use caution and pin on the bias

·        Piece 4 half square triangle units measuring 3 ½” x 3 ½” – hint: use the quick quarter ruler

·        Trim off excess threads and fabric tails all sub units. Press.

·        Construct center block as a 9 patch. 

·        Press. Block should measure 12 ½” x 12 ½” – if it does not – STOP!

Center medallion must equal this size to proceed.

·        Carefully “Square in a Square” your center block with 4 triangles. Build on the skills from earlier in the block! Be careful, the longer seam has greater tendency to stretch. PIN, PIN, PIN!

·        Block should now measure 18 ½” x 18 ½”

·        Create 4 large flying goose units measuring 9 ½” x 18 ½”

Pin generously when sewing on the bias.
Stitch slowly and use a stiletto or awl to prevent stretching the seam.
 Press up into the half square triangle of the “sky” in the goose unit to prevent stretching or distortion.
 Use Clearly Perfect Angles to improve your piecing accuracy.
 Complete block in a 9 patch fashion.

Block should measure 36 ½” square.

Trim off excess threads and fabric tails.

Press.

Remember to share your blocks on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Flickr! 

-------------------------------------------------

Method B (TRIANGLE PAPER FOR CENTER & CONNECTORS)

The center block may be constructed entirely from half square triangles. More on this topic in WEEK 4. :-) 

Fabric	What to cut?	Block Part	What to buy if making scrappy?
9900 230	1 – 8 x 16 Rectangle	B	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth
9900 87	2 – 10 3/8” Square Cut in half diagonally once	E	1/3 yard or Fat 1/6th (12” x 22”)
9900 109	8 – 9 1/2” Squares	F	5/8 yard
9900 37	4 – 9 ½” x 18 ½” Rectangles 4 – 9 ½” Square	G H	7/8 yard
9900 281	1 – 8 x 16 Rectangle	A/C/D	Standard ¼ yard or Fat Eighth

Tips:

·        Use 1 sheet of Quiltime 3” Finished ½ square triangle paper to create 16 half square triangle units.  

·        Use 505 adhesive spray to adhere the triangle paper to the top fabric.

·        Shorten your stitch length when stitching on triangle paper to avoid your stitches coming undone when removing the paper.

·        When removing paper from triangle, finger press the paper back against the stitch line first to perforate the paper prior to tearing off.

·        Frequent pinning for even the most experienced quilter makes long bias seams easier.

Assembling Block:

·        Construct half square triangle units for center block using triangle paper method.

·        Arrange 16 blocks to appear in the same pattern as the center block.

·        Stitch together as a 16 patch (4 across x 4 down)

·        Center block should measure 12 ½” x 12 ½” – if it does not – STOP!

Center medallion must equal this size to proceed.

·        Trim off excess threads and fabric tails. Press.

·        Carefully “Square in a Square” your center block with 4 triangles. I find that pinning the center point of the base of the triangle to the center point of the side of the block first helps align the pieces for pinning then stitching.

·        Block should now measure 18 ½” x 18 ½”

·        Create 4 large flying goose units measuring 9 ½” x 18 ½” using the connector method used in Month #1.

·        Complete block in a 9 patch fashion.